Textbook - "Clocking Cultures"

“Clocking Cultures” by Carol Ezzell
In this article, Carol Ezzell writes about the various ways different cultures across the globe view time. She emphasizes the fact that certain cultures value every minute and treat time as a very limited resource. On the other hand, she also does an exceptional job of showing that other cultures are less concerned with the way they spend their time. This view poses many questions about the lifestyles of these people as well as what they do value.
Rhetorical Knowledge
1. I believe the intended audience for Ezzell’s essay is intelligent individuals with the capacity to look at the world from many different perspectives. I think her writing allows for people to think globally and more extroverted.
2. I think the purpose of this essay is definitely academic because Ezzell provides countless factual information that prove to be educational as well as several ideas of conceptual thinking based on differing cultures throughout the world. From her references to Edward T. Hall, Jr., to the opinions of social psychologist, Robert Levine, much about the study of time can be learned from her article.
3. I believe the tone Carol Ezzell uses in this essay is confident and open. I think that she uses specific examples to elaborate and back her viewpoint and she does an excellent job of getting to the point and staying on track within her essay. With the evidence she provided and the strong tone behind it, I believe she was able to effectively improve the believability of her essay.
4. Personally, I think she does an amazing job at capturing the very complicated perception of time that cultures across the world hold. With that, I think the way she elaborates on how people of differing cultures view time is appropriate and logical. Especially with the addition of anthropologist, Kevin Birth’s wisdom. Birth explains “The ideas of associating time with money are not found globally,” which is often the common thought of people across the world today. Because Ezzell provides credible sources, she is able to respect the cultures she speaks of because her information is legitimate.
5. I think this just proves how open minded Carol Ezzell is and it adds for more of an educational purpose because she includes information about Saudi Arabia and the notorious Osama Bin Laden.
Critical Thinking
1. I think the most interesting piece of information in Ezzell’s article is definitely her explanation of how different cultures view being “late”. I think this is interesting because I don’t see how I could ever be “cool” with someone being an hour late to meet me. On the other hand, the parts about Australian Aborigines passed my mind.


Everyday Bustle
This video represents what an average city sidewalk in North America sees everyday. Although the skit quickly spans over a period of time, it symbolizes the rush of urban life as well as the American Dream.