The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age gave me chills while reading it. The gruesome details and profound imagery gave me more of an insight about what it would have been like to be there. Experiencing all of that death, while physically and emotionally struggling to survive is not an easy task. Also, the death of Jegoud was tragic. Modris Eksteins states, “His face was burned; one splinter entered his skull behind the ear; another split open his stomach, broke his spine, and one saw his spinal cord gliding about. His right leg was completely crushed above the knee. The most hideous part of it all was that he continued to live for four or five minutes. Having to die in agonizing pain like that is horrendous.  The Germans and the French, fighting the British was a thrilling engagement. The Germans owned a massive weapon named Big Bertha. This military artillery gun can project a missile weighing more than a ton. The impact and damage that this gun can do has a similar explanation to the impact of a bomb landing on a building. Hundreds and thousands of people dead, buildings collapsed inside of themselves, going on for miles. Throughout the story, the men are described as portraying fear more than bravery. For instance, small details like: The disappointment is overwhelming. Some huddle in shell holes. Survivors stumble back. Wounded men crawl. More men fall. Some cry out.

Communication is Key

Many people know of the cliché, “words can kill.” The song “Why We Can’t Be Friends” has a simple meaning yet complex meaning. We should support each other because, in the end, we are all the same. We can’t be friends because the world has transformed into something strange filled with opinionated pedestrians. American soldiers freed prisoners of ISIS in Iraq, and as a result they were killed. Michael R. Gordon states in his article American Soldiers Killed Freeing Prisoners of ISIS in Iraq, “The mission appeared to be a significant joint strike against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, at a time when Iraqi and American officials are trying to mount a wider counteroffensive against the militants.”

          The world today has transformed into something dangerous. This shows that you will receive a negative result after doing something great for someone else. It is okay to have your own opinion, but some things are just not meant to be said. Harsh words and actions can lead up to problems in the future. Therefore, we should treat each other with respect and break the ice.  The reason why we cannot always get along seems to be based on our brains. The truth is that we are 98% emotional and about two percent rational. From anxiety and insecurity, we experience inadequacy and a drop in self-esteem. This is why the human race is slowly deteriorating because our actions have brought us to where we are. Negativity towards our brother or sister only makes things worse. Assisting someone else leads to greater things. The ability to make the oppressed oppress one another is based on a lie from the pit of hell; this is also known in America as the status quo.
          People should come to realize that communication is a key element in any circumstance, particularly war. In War Communication Before Modern Technology written by Kate Kelly, she states “While today’s battles are just as frightening for the soldiers as were the battles fought between the armies of the Blue and the Gray, today’s soldiers can be grateful for the improved technology that drastically improves their odds.” Keeping the lines of communication open will lead to positive outcomes, well most of the time. Nothing is guaranteed.