I am
Zachary Malchus.
This is my portfolio.
Zachary Malchus.
This is my portfolio.
Please view the tabs at the top of the page for the following information:
- Social Science Writing: As a communication scholar, I have experience analyzing communication theories and studies in order to benefit the well being of the public.
- Civic Engagement Writing: I am very passionate about respecting and helping others. This tab demonstrates my experience doing so, and includes examples!
A Brief Story
My nose is burning, my eyes are watering, and black smoke is arising. This was a normal experience at camping trips that often took place as my childhood friends and I waited for the sun to rise so we could resume riding our dirt bikes. We would put things in our campfire and watch the interesting reactions that would happen: beer and soda cans causing unexpected explosions from the fire, plastic objects bubbling and evaporating, and crazy looking smoke trails that would paint pictures in the sky if you looked hard enough. My friends and I would jokingly call ourselves pyromaniacs as we continued to burn anything that might cause an entertaining reaction. As kids, this activity would cause laughter, entertainment, and even expand our imaginations. We loved it.
As years began to pass and knowledge began to stick with us, this activity suddenly became less entertaining, and more alarming. We had now realized that our irritated eyes and noses were not the only extent of our actions. Our environment was experiencing these same irritating effects, but with far worse consequences. This behavior was unacceptable. This activity symbolizes a major issue within today’s society: prioritizing personal gains at the expense of the environment. After further researching a lot of the sports and activities that I love (surfing, skateboard, dirt biking, etc.), I realized that there is a lot that can be improved within these industries to make them less harmful to our planet. As I have grown older and reflected on this experience, I have since become determined to make the industries that I love more sustainable. |