Analysis Of Lars Eighner's On Dumpster Diving

1026 Words3 Pages

Life as we know it today revolves around cell phones; transportation, finance, education, nutrition, and communication can all be accessed or controlled through your actual mobile device. Technology all over the world seems to be improving lives while it seems to steer differently in the American culture. There are plenty of pros and cons due to cell phones that makes it hard to distinguish whether it has bettered the American culture or set it on a path for failure. In Lars Eighner essay On Dumpster Diving, Eighner talks about a time in his life when he lived in poverty and was forced to look through dumpsters or as others around him stated “dumpster diving”. Eighner defines his definition on Dumpster diving and how there is a method to it …show more content…

Great deals of people have lost their innate characteristics, case in point the urge to talk to people in public when they need information about something. Copious amounts of people cannot say hi to each other in real life for the sake of feeling strange and prefer to avoid confrontation by saying what they need through their phone. Babies can say hi to us and we will smile, but when adults say hi to each other they look away puzzled. Great amounts of people have lost the image of the old fashioned lifestyle along with the beauty of it. Several don’t admire the free things in life and take for granted the most important things in life. A majority of people cannot look up at the sky instead of their phones and be glad they are alive. The world’s youth is now distracted and trapped by the fascination of how easily they can feel included with society as a result of easy communications with having a cell phone. Kids would rather be on their phones playing games or posting up statuses on their social network for the reason that that’s what society was doing. No body wants to go outside and make friends when they have plenty online. People are not compelled go to the store to buy things anymore; they can just purchase it on their phone and have it delivered in a short amount of time. I’m not sure if people are choosing to ignore or if they are absolutely now blind to the fact that these actions are harming our future. I cannot deny that cell phones have given us extra privileges, but we should not rely on them to make us further human. I myself access social networks through my phone but I haven’t forgotten that when my phone dies, my life still continues. People forget that they have a life outside of their mobile device. Countless now find it strange if someone doesn’t have a phone, kids in elementary school now have

Show More
Related

  • The Appeal Of Ethos In Dumpster Diving By Lars Eighner

    917 Words  | 2 Pages

    Eighner writes, “Long before I began Dumpster diving I was impressed with Dumpsters, enough so that I wrote the Merriam research service to discover what I could about the world “Dumpster”. I learned from them that “Dumpster” is a proprietary word belonging to the Dempsey Dumpster company.” He was so fascinated with Dumpsters, that he learned the definition, which is a fact. A definition can be adjusted; however, it is not completely revised. Definitions are definite. Eighner states, “Eating from the Dumpsters involves three principles: using the senses and common sense to evaluate the condition of the found materials, knowing the Dumpsters of a given area and checking them regularly, and seeking always to answer the question, ‘Why was this discarded?’” He uses his senses to analyze the condition of the things he finds logically. Dumpster diving requires the ability to critically think about what can and can not be eaten. Eighner writes, “Although very rare with modern canning methods, botulism is a possibility. But botulism is almost certainly fatal and often the first symptom is death.” He uses knowledge to understand what the expectations of some foods, especially canned foods, should be. While Eighner uses all three persuasive appeals in his writing, ethos is the most

    Read More

  • Stereotypes about Homelessness in America in Dumpster Diving by Lars Eighner

    666 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although Eighner reveals that his chosen lifestyle was to live on another's refuge, he kept in accordance with his acts of superiority and snobbishness by excluding himself from the term "Dumpster Diving." Instead, he preferred to be called a "scavenger because of its frankness in the term." (Eighner, 1993). Furthermore, Eighner, explains that there are rules to abide by when successfully "scavenging" through dumpsters, "using the senses…knowing the dumpsters of a given area…. [and] Why was this discarded?" It is the explanation of the three guidelines Eighner asserts to be superior to 'can scroungers' (Homeless people who rummage through the dumpsters for money). The author further elaborates his snobbishness by revealing that he has tried the heinous lifestyle of "can scroungers," and deduced that only a few dollars could be obtained. Moreover, Eighner states, "one can extract the necessities of life from the dumpsters directly with far less effort than would be required to accumulate the equivalent of cans." (Eighner, 1993). The author stereoty...

    Read More

  • A Critique Of On Dumpster Diving By Lars Eighner

    743 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Mayberry (2009) Lars Eighner, a graduate of the University of Texas, became homeless in 1988 and again in 1995 (p. 351). Some of the accounts from Travels with Lisbeth (1993), a book by Lars Eighner, depicted what he went through and what he found during his homeless state. A homeless person must eat and sleep but may not know where or when this might happen next. The human will to survive enabled Eighner to eat food from a dumpster, reach out to other for handouts, and sleep in places other than a bed with covers.

    Read More

  • On Dumpster Diving Summary

    443 Words  | 1 Pages

    The reader learned about what exactly one would eat or wouldn’t eat while taking a dive in a dumpster. “Raw fruits and vegetables with intact skins seem perfectly safe to me” and “For myself, I avoid the game, poultry, pork and egg-based foods, whether I find them raw or cooked.” are examples that prove his experience with dumpster diving. He explains how negligent college students are when he inspects their garbage. “A typical discard is half a jar of peanut butter. In fact, non-organic peanut butter does not require refrigeration and is unlikely to spoil in any reasonable time.” (Eighner 676) Since college students live on “Daddy’s money” they throw away what could be valuable to another, the peanut

    Read More

  • On Dumpster Diving Summary

    590 Words  | 2 Pages

    The author, Lars Eighner explains in his informative narrative, “On Dumpster Diving” the lifestyle of living out of a dumpster. Eighner describes the necessary steps to effectively scavenge through dumpsters based on his own anecdotes as he began dumpster diving a year before he became homeless. The lessons he learned from being a dumpster diver was in being complacent to only grab what he needs and not what he wants, because in the end all those things will go to waste. Eighner shares his ideas mainly towards two direct audiences. One of them is directed to people who are dumpster divers themselves, and the other, to individuals who are unaware of how much trash we throw away and waste. However, the author does more than direct how much trash

    Read More

  • On Dumpster Diving by Las Eighner

    1119 Words  | 3 Pages

    Homelessness is increasing every year and effecting Americans of different age, ethnicity and religion. In Lars Eighner “On Dumpster Diving” he explains what he went through while being homeless. He describes how and what foods someone should be looking for and to always be conscious of what one is eating because there is always a reason why something has been thrown out. He continues to go into detail about other items that can be found in the dumpster like sheets to sleep on and pieces of paper to write on. Things that can keep him busy through the day. Eighner carefully explains to his readers how being a dumpster diver has become a life style for the homeless and this is how they survive. It’s a way of living and they are comfortable doing it. “I began dumpster diving about a year before I became homeless” (Eighner 713). He tries to bring us into the world of being homeless. It is hard to imagine what it would be like in that situation, and how could surviving as a dumpster diver be a way of survival? As a dumpster diver, Eighner is able to tell us what is ok to eat and have and what is not ok for your health. His essay starts by uttering some guidelines of what is and is not safe to eat. “Eating safely from the dumpsters involves three principles: using common sense for evaluating the food, knowing the dumpsters of the given areas and always ask, “Why was this discarded?” (Eighner 714).

    Read More

  • The Appeal Of Ethos In Dumpster Diving, By Lars Eighner

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    Eighner writes, “Long before I began Dumpster diving I was impressed with Dumpsters, enough so that I wrote the Merriam research service to discover what I could about the world “Dumpster”. I learned from them that “Dumpster” is a proprietary word belonging to the Dempsey Dumpster company.” He was so fascinated with Dumpsters, that he learned the definition, which is a fact. A definition can be adjusted; however, it is not completely revised. Definitions are definite. Eighner states, “Eating from the Dumpsters involves three principles: using the senses and common sense to evaluate the condition of the found materials, knowing the Dumpsters of a given area and checking them regularly, and seeking always to answer the question, ‘Why was this discarded?’” He uses his senses to analyze the condition of the things he finds logically. Dumpster diving requires the ability to critically think about what can and can not be

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of On Dumpster Diving By Lars Eighner

    1718 Words  | 4 Pages

    A) Lars Eighner, in “On Dumpster Diving”, portrays the waste that is accumulated due to modern consumerism and materialism. He also demonstrates the issue of the wage gap. Consumers of the modern age spend too much and therefore waste too much. In the essay, Eighner describes life as an scavenger and demonstrates how people are able to live by the minimal resources. “Scavengers” are able to survive on the waste of the consumer. Eighner presents this scenario as a contrast to the life of a modern consumer, in order to portray it’s unnecessary wastefulness. Mainly, food seems to be taken lightly by society, as Eighner as a scavenger finds “a half jar of peanut butter”,

    Read More

  • Lars Eighner: The Scavenger Life

    664 Words  | 2 Pages

    In "On Dumpster Diving," Eighner is delivering the message that society needs to only depend on items that, to them, express certain value, and to clarify that Dumpster diving is a way of life, not an immoral, greedy practice. Eighner wants readers to not only have respect for the poor, but to strive for efficiency by being less

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis Of Lars Eighner's Article On Dumpster Diving

    953 Words  | 2 Pages

    Step 3: 1. Eighner introduces his arguments through the use of narrative stories and his own personal experiences. He uses this technique to let the reader see firsthand how some people are able to survive off what is carelessly thrown away by others who take what they own for granted. Eighner illustrates this point on page 1, “The necessities of daily life I began to extract from Dumpsters. Yes, we ate from Dumpsters. Except for jeans, all my clothes can from Dumpsters. Boom boxes, candles, bedding, toilet paper, medicine, books, a typewriter… I acquired many things from the Dumpsters.”

    Read More

  • Our Cell Phones, Our Selves by Christine Rosen

    1761 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the essay “Our Cell Phones, Our Selves” written by Christine Rosen, the author presents a brief history on how cell phones were introduced into society and how this artifact changed people’s interactions in the physical space. Rosen describes the first cell phone that appeared in 1983 as “hardly elegant,” big and expensive (458). Cell phones at that time were mainly used by important and affluent people. However, seven years later, cell phones became smaller and affordable provoking a big change in society. This big technological advance did not only affect the United States, but the entire world.

    Read More

  • American Jerk Be Civil Or I Ll Beat You To A Pulp Analysis

    533 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many of us can really be self-absorbed and self-centered, and I also believe that our cell phones as well as how we were raised have an impact on how people are acting now. Overall, technology has changed how many communicate. In many ways, technology has enabled us to act and connect with a multitude of people around the globe. I think people can do something about the usage of cellphones. For example, people can leave their phone behind at home when they go to work. They will see that they don’t really need their phone to survive. And as for the way we act, I think parents need to show their children how to act at a young age, so it doesn’t hurt them in the future. By implementing those small changes, people can grow to be more civilized and less

    Read More

  • Mind Over Mass Social Media, By Steven Pinker

    734 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many people walk and don’t even look up anymore. Riding the bus today has become a very silent ride. You have people listening to music, checking emails, statuses, and other social network sites. You can’t even get a simple hello or how are you doing like the old days. Even in classrooms students can’t put away their phones . It’s as if they can’t live without it. They are so attached and fascinated by people’s tweets or Facebook posts that takes their focus away. Mainly the reason why many students fail a class is because if your teacher sees you using your phone, it shows that you are not serious and your focus is not there .We have something called self-control and if our society learns how to put their phone down and live life ,they can realize the beauty around them .Technology wouldn’t take over our

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Mobile Phone Addiction

    1099 Words  | 3 Pages

    The notion that the cell phone may one day become obsolete may never become reality. The concept of personal computing and communication (which is essentially what the smartphone is today) can never be defunct. Humans are built to connect with one another and we see instances of this throughout our lifetime. We are born into families, biological or not. We go to church to gather with our congregation. We’re sent to school to learn with other children our age. To eventually work with like-minded people, meet our spouses and have a family of our own. Our phones revolutionized even more with the bang of social media. The proliferation of social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram just to name a few, forever changed the dynamic of our social interactions. Through Instagram I can lie on the beaches of Cap Ferrat in the French Riviera with my cousin who visits there every year or I can open my Vine app and swim with tropical fishes in the Bahamas with my best friend Chelsi who loves the beach. In addition, cell phones enable us to interact with people we wouldn’t normally encounter. This not only permits us to learn from one other and the world around us, but we can help in times of need. In fact, during Hurricane Sandy our cell phones played an important role. In 2012 someone had the idea to create a Facebook page that bridged the gap between victims and good Samaritans

    Read More

  • Is Technology Making Us Dumb?

    1448 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...r phones update our minds suffer another loss. People are slowly losing their independence to think for themselves and the ability to rely on their own intelligence instead of a computer`s. When this happens, it can endanger the proper development of the personality and hamper the social relationships needed for life together in society. The more we succumb towards technology, the less personality we are capable of retaining. It`s come to the point that the smaller our devices get, the smaller our brains get as well. Technology has vastly improved over just a short amount of time, and societies` dependence on it is strengthened more and more with every day that passes. Yes, it makes life "easier", but the easy way out isn`t always the best way. People don`t just depend on their technology for help anymore. It has come to the point where they depend on it to survive.

    Read More

More about Analysis Of Lars Eighner's On Dumpster Diving

Open Document