Articles written by Matt Mortensen

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Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Life: 2 of 275
It Doesn't Help to Get Angry"Quick! She's not breathing!" the friend exclaims. She lies comatose on the floor of the diner. Nobody knows what happened, but they know who she is. Nora Johnson, the young woman who moved into the old place on 3rd and Main. Nobody knows anything about her except for the fact that she has AIDS. "D... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Sports News & Opinion (Other) Should collegiate athletes receive payment for competing in college athletics?: 3 of 31
No way! No way! No way!There are several major fundamental reasons why collegiate athletes should not be paid to play:1. They already do get paid. It may not be in an exact amount of dollars and cents, but they receive an incredible amount of fringe benefits. Their education is paid for, they receive extracurricular help with... More..
Politics, News & Issues > People in the News Michael Vick: Is he a criminal for promoting dog fighting?: 13 of 111
CRIMINAL LIKE ANY OTHERSimple enough here folks. Dog fighting is illegal in the state where Michael Vick was promoting it. Therefore, by definition that makes him a criminal for the mere fact that he was convicted of the crime. That much is clear. However, what is more disturbing to me in this case is the fact that Vick has s... More..
Sports & Recreation > Skiing Guide to making a ski trip a pleasant experience: 7 of 32
When it comes to ski trips, there are three essential factors to consider: Plan it out ahead of time, keep it simple, and be realistic.1. PLAN IT OUT:There is nothing more frustrating then a trip that does not work out how you hoped because you simply hoped it would. Some things to consider when planning your trip:*Who is com... More..
Arts & Humanities > William Shakespeare Literary analysis: Hamlet, by William Shakespeare: 14 of 55
O! The Frailties of Life!The transient nature of human existence in Shakespeare's HamletNo, faith, not a jot, but to follow him thither with modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it; as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth to dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam wher... More..
Arts & Humanities > British Literature Literary analysis: A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift: 2 of 6
Cutting Wit at its FinestAn analysis of the satire ofA Modest Proposal Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal is an excellent example of the sharp wit and biting sarcasm that was employed in the satire of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Through the effective use of sarcastic comparisons and ironic exaggeratio... More..
Personal Finance > Credit Cards Should credit card companies be targeting college students?: 19 of 38
As a current college student myself, I must say that school is both difficult and stressful, and as a result of this stress, I am always on the lookout for anything that serves as effective stress relief. Maybe I want a new 50" plasma tv, maybe I need a new computer, a new bike, or a new pair of skis. The possibilities are en... More..
Arts & Humanities > History of Ideas Descartes discussed: 3 of 6
Wiping the Slate CleanBelief Validation a la Rene Descartes In his Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy, Rene Descartes discusses the importance of validating all belief. According to his philosophy, it is impossible to truly validate any belief without completely abandoning all prior opinions and personall... More..
Arts & Humanities > Poets & Poetry Poetry analysis: Sonnet XXVIII from Fatal Interview, by Edna St. Vincent Millay: 1 of 1
Millay's Sonnet XXVIII from Fatal Interview is unique in that it portrays a relationship that is focused more on getting the most out of life in general than particularly on the love that exists in the relationship. The speaker (Edna St. Vincent Millay) is a woman, and she is not depicted in any way as the simple love object ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Poets & Poetry Poetry explicaton: Comparing Shakespeare's 27 and Sidney's 39: 1 of 1
A Little Lost Sleep Never Hurt Nobody In both Sidney's Astrophil and Stella Sonnet 39 and Shakespeare's Sonnet 27, the lover, or speaker, is being portrayed as an insomniac. Both speakers are weary, but their respective attitude towards the sleep, or lack thereof, that awaits them is vastly different. The language in 27, alth... More..