Introduction:
In heaven one will find those who died proudly and those who died in hatred. The poem by Rupert Brooke The Soldier and the poem Reconciliation by Siegfried Sassoon both cope with the situation of dying for one’s own country and the nationalistic feeling towards war. While both poems speak of war in different ways and through the use of different devices, the two lyric poems have some similarities. The biggest difference is the fact that The Soldier was written before the war and is an Italian sonnet and Reconciliation was written after the war and is an epigram. The main idea portrayed in The Soldier speaks of the love towards own country and that it is a positive thing if one dies for their own country. Reconciliation speaks of the horrors of the war, and that it is foolish to think that war is something positive and that fighting is doing a good deed. Therefore, the two poems differ in their perspective but have the same content, since both talk about nationalism and the love or hate to fight for ones country. These main ideas are portrayed and displayed in the pieces through mainly imagery, both sensory and figurative, as well as tone, rhetoric, persona, structure and language. Although one may be more present in one of the poems than in the other, both use imagery as their main device to emphasize their view on going to war and the good and bad things about what happened or what is going to happen.
General Big Idea: The big idea that these two poems both share in common is the juxtaposition about being proud to fight for ones country and the loss that happens during a war.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Planting a Sequoia
Virginia Hasenmeyer
English Yr. 2 Mr. Holmes
Planting a Sequoia
The poem Planting a Sequoia by Dana Gioia was written in 2004, and is a lyric poem. A lyric poem is a poem that expresses personal feeling, mood or mediation towards something. Furthermore, the poem has an elegiac perspective, because the content of this poem is about a father’s first baby son dyeing and a tree being planted to represent this. Dana Gioia uses a lot of imagery, both sensory and figurative, to describe her feelings towards the situation. The big idea of this poem is the juxtaposition between death and birth and it is expressed by a baby boy dyeing and a sequoia tree being planted.
The use of imagery in this poem is very powerful since it sets the mood throughout the poem. Already in the first stanza imagery is used to set the setting. Due to sensory imagery like, “Rain blackened the horizon, but cold winds kept it over the Pacific” one can locate that the poem is set in the north-west Coast of America. Also the atmosphere of the poem is defined by the use of diction and the descriptions about the setting. Words like rain, blackened, dull and grey suggest a sad mood, for example due to death. An example of more figurative imagery is in stanza three: “stray atoms” which is a metaphor for bits and pieces of the dead baby boy. Throughout the poem, more imagery is used, especially in the middle stanza, where the burial of the little baby is described. A metaphor used is “our native giant” which refers to the Sequoia tree, which is native to North America. The new tree being planted is in juxtaposition to the baby being buried under the tree. “Wrapping in your roots a lock of hair, a piece of an infant’s birth cord.” This verse is the heart of the poem, because it is in contrast to the new tree being planted. Gioia uses symbols such as a lock of hair and the birth cord to represent the baby boy that died.
The juxtaposition in this poem is also represented by the tone of the poem. In the second stanza the tone of the poem is hopeful, because it uses the conditional verb “would” to express what would have happened if they lived in Sicily. The father explains that he would have planted an olive tree or a fig tree to celebrate new life; however this wouldn’t have worked in America due to the temperature. Therefore, a Sequoia tree was planted, which is represents a long life even though a baby just died.
This elegiac poem is driven by the use of imagery and reflects on the big idea, which is the juxtaposition between birth and death. The symbols used to represent this are the Sequoia tree which represents long lasting life and the father’s son who died. The father explains that he will continue having children, even though the first one died: “unborn brothers dead”. After the whole family has died, the sequoia tree will still be standing in the middle of the apple trees, representing life, and not knowing that underneath it, is death. “I want you to stand among strangers, all young and ephemeral to you, Silently keeping the secret of your birth.”This last verses of the poem, request to the tree, that he has to always be there remember all the things that happened.
.
English Yr. 2 Mr. Holmes
Planting a Sequoia
The poem Planting a Sequoia by Dana Gioia was written in 2004, and is a lyric poem. A lyric poem is a poem that expresses personal feeling, mood or mediation towards something. Furthermore, the poem has an elegiac perspective, because the content of this poem is about a father’s first baby son dyeing and a tree being planted to represent this. Dana Gioia uses a lot of imagery, both sensory and figurative, to describe her feelings towards the situation. The big idea of this poem is the juxtaposition between death and birth and it is expressed by a baby boy dyeing and a sequoia tree being planted.
The use of imagery in this poem is very powerful since it sets the mood throughout the poem. Already in the first stanza imagery is used to set the setting. Due to sensory imagery like, “Rain blackened the horizon, but cold winds kept it over the Pacific” one can locate that the poem is set in the north-west Coast of America. Also the atmosphere of the poem is defined by the use of diction and the descriptions about the setting. Words like rain, blackened, dull and grey suggest a sad mood, for example due to death. An example of more figurative imagery is in stanza three: “stray atoms” which is a metaphor for bits and pieces of the dead baby boy. Throughout the poem, more imagery is used, especially in the middle stanza, where the burial of the little baby is described. A metaphor used is “our native giant” which refers to the Sequoia tree, which is native to North America. The new tree being planted is in juxtaposition to the baby being buried under the tree. “Wrapping in your roots a lock of hair, a piece of an infant’s birth cord.” This verse is the heart of the poem, because it is in contrast to the new tree being planted. Gioia uses symbols such as a lock of hair and the birth cord to represent the baby boy that died.
The juxtaposition in this poem is also represented by the tone of the poem. In the second stanza the tone of the poem is hopeful, because it uses the conditional verb “would” to express what would have happened if they lived in Sicily. The father explains that he would have planted an olive tree or a fig tree to celebrate new life; however this wouldn’t have worked in America due to the temperature. Therefore, a Sequoia tree was planted, which is represents a long life even though a baby just died.
This elegiac poem is driven by the use of imagery and reflects on the big idea, which is the juxtaposition between birth and death. The symbols used to represent this are the Sequoia tree which represents long lasting life and the father’s son who died. The father explains that he will continue having children, even though the first one died: “unborn brothers dead”. After the whole family has died, the sequoia tree will still be standing in the middle of the apple trees, representing life, and not knowing that underneath it, is death. “I want you to stand among strangers, all young and ephemeral to you, Silently keeping the secret of your birth.”This last verses of the poem, request to the tree, that he has to always be there remember all the things that happened.
.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Haiku
Sprouting of hope
A young olive tree
Shares thoughts and dreams
Picking viola
Dropping them on the cold tomb
Until they vanish
Blinding sunlight
First glimpse of color
Smiles on our faces
A young olive tree
Shares thoughts and dreams
Picking viola
Dropping them on the cold tomb
Until they vanish
Blinding sunlight
First glimpse of color
Smiles on our faces
Monday, November 2, 2009
Poem
The poem I choose was:
Suicide in the Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon
I noticed it was lyric. It was about death, so I am guessing it is an elegy. The first stanza of the poem is about the positive aspects of soldiers. Then it moves to the negative sides and ends with the 'fake' glory of the people, when the soldiers come back.
I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.
Suicide in the Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon
I noticed it was lyric. It was about death, so I am guessing it is an elegy. The first stanza of the poem is about the positive aspects of soldiers. Then it moves to the negative sides and ends with the 'fake' glory of the people, when the soldiers come back.
I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Page 166
Context:
- Before this scene, McMurphy talks with the other patients about the nurse, and how the patients are all "kissing her ass".
- Says that the Nurse has no control over him
- In this scene, McMurphy finds out that most patients are voluntary except him and some of the chronics and Scanlon.
- After this scene, McMurphy finds out that one has to be nicer to the Nurse, because she has the control over him and when he lives.
Themes:
- Self-sacrifice vs. Self-interest
○ " you have more to lose than I do…I'm voluntary. I'm not committed"
- Perspective vs. perspective
○ "you, Billy -must be committed for Christsakes!"
○ "McMurphy doesn’t say a word. He's got that same puzzled look on his face like there's something isn't right, something he cant put his finger on"
- Control and Oppression
○ Control: the nurse has the control over McMurphy and when he has the right to leave the ward
Character:
- McMurphy
○ Change: finds out that he is one of the few that have been committed, and can’t chose when to leave the ward
- Harding
○ Is using this opportunity to be the bigger one
§ Motif: big vs. small
□ "No. You've got more to lose than I do, my friend"
® Condescending
- Billy Bibbit
○ Not committed either, being "big"
§ "standing on tiptoe"
Motifs:
- Big vs. small
○ The individual characters
○ The machinery:
§ " Martini comes away from the X-ray screen, buttoning his shirt and muttering, I wouldn’t of believed it if I hadn't saw it"
What drives the text?
- Language:
○ "like there's something isn't right…"
§ Unsophisticated language of McMurphy
§ The grammar is incorrect, there is a word missing
○ Tone of Harding:
§ Sophisticated
§ Condescending
§ Teasing
○ Tone of McMurphy
§ Unsophisticated
§ Harsh
§ Scared/confused
- Structure
○ The paragraphs are made when there is a change of character speaking, or if someone is in action
○ When the tone changes from Harding to McMurphy
- Imagery
○ "McMurphy walks up and down in front of that bench, running his hand around in that thick hair"
- Rhetoric
○ Repetition:
§ " You've got more to lose than I do"
§ "Are you bullshitting me?"
- Before this scene, McMurphy talks with the other patients about the nurse, and how the patients are all "kissing her ass".
- Says that the Nurse has no control over him
- In this scene, McMurphy finds out that most patients are voluntary except him and some of the chronics and Scanlon.
- After this scene, McMurphy finds out that one has to be nicer to the Nurse, because she has the control over him and when he lives.
Themes:
- Self-sacrifice vs. Self-interest
○ " you have more to lose than I do…I'm voluntary. I'm not committed"
- Perspective vs. perspective
○ "you, Billy -must be committed for Christsakes!"
○ "McMurphy doesn’t say a word. He's got that same puzzled look on his face like there's something isn't right, something he cant put his finger on"
- Control and Oppression
○ Control: the nurse has the control over McMurphy and when he has the right to leave the ward
Character:
- McMurphy
○ Change: finds out that he is one of the few that have been committed, and can’t chose when to leave the ward
- Harding
○ Is using this opportunity to be the bigger one
§ Motif: big vs. small
□ "No. You've got more to lose than I do, my friend"
® Condescending
- Billy Bibbit
○ Not committed either, being "big"
§ "standing on tiptoe"
Motifs:
- Big vs. small
○ The individual characters
○ The machinery:
§ " Martini comes away from the X-ray screen, buttoning his shirt and muttering, I wouldn’t of believed it if I hadn't saw it"
What drives the text?
- Language:
○ "like there's something isn't right…"
§ Unsophisticated language of McMurphy
§ The grammar is incorrect, there is a word missing
○ Tone of Harding:
§ Sophisticated
§ Condescending
§ Teasing
○ Tone of McMurphy
§ Unsophisticated
§ Harsh
§ Scared/confused
- Structure
○ The paragraphs are made when there is a change of character speaking, or if someone is in action
○ When the tone changes from Harding to McMurphy
- Imagery
○ "McMurphy walks up and down in front of that bench, running his hand around in that thick hair"
- Rhetoric
○ Repetition:
§ " You've got more to lose than I do"
§ "Are you bullshitting me?"
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Angel of Mercy (page 55)
Theme:
Self sacrifice vs. Self Interest, because Miss Ratched (The Big Nurse) helps other people on her weekends, she never has a time where she doesn’t help someone. That means she sacrifices her time for other people, however, she does it partly for self interest, because this way she knows that these people will never forget her.
Motif:
The motif represented is the Nurse and her Power. On page 55, Harding described the nurse and what she does when she is not at the ward; she does volunteer work. The nurse has the power to make other people think that she is a angel, and does everything for other people, however she knows exactly that these people will never forget her.
Symbol:
There is no symbol represented in this part.
Language:
Mood: Tense; everyone is listening to Harding, without saying a word. The patients all wait until Harding is finished and then McMurphy is again the first one who says something.
Tone; Descriptive, because Harding is explaining the situation with the nurse.
Furthermore, there is some listing:
"throwing kisses, smiling ethereally"
Also there are a lot of metaphors and similes describing the nurse:
"unselfish as the wind"
"a sound comes out of his mouth like a nail being crowbarred out of a plank of green pine"
Diction:
Some of the words are quit complicated
Harding talks to people as grownups, does not put them down.
Important Quotes:
"Miss Ratched is a veritable angel of mercy and why just everyone knows it…and the couple is forever indebted to her benevolence…Oh the bitch, the bitch, the bitch, he whispers through his teeth."
"she is so intoxicated with the sweet milk of human kindness" ---relationship with Shakespeare Macbeth ?????
Self sacrifice vs. Self Interest, because Miss Ratched (The Big Nurse) helps other people on her weekends, she never has a time where she doesn’t help someone. That means she sacrifices her time for other people, however, she does it partly for self interest, because this way she knows that these people will never forget her.
Motif:
The motif represented is the Nurse and her Power. On page 55, Harding described the nurse and what she does when she is not at the ward; she does volunteer work. The nurse has the power to make other people think that she is a angel, and does everything for other people, however she knows exactly that these people will never forget her.
Symbol:
There is no symbol represented in this part.
Language:
Mood: Tense; everyone is listening to Harding, without saying a word. The patients all wait until Harding is finished and then McMurphy is again the first one who says something.
Tone; Descriptive, because Harding is explaining the situation with the nurse.
Furthermore, there is some listing:
"throwing kisses, smiling ethereally"
Also there are a lot of metaphors and similes describing the nurse:
"unselfish as the wind"
"a sound comes out of his mouth like a nail being crowbarred out of a plank of green pine"
Diction:
Some of the words are quit complicated
Harding talks to people as grownups, does not put them down.
Important Quotes:
"Miss Ratched is a veritable angel of mercy and why just everyone knows it…and the couple is forever indebted to her benevolence…Oh the bitch, the bitch, the bitch, he whispers through his teeth."
"she is so intoxicated with the sweet milk of human kindness" ---relationship with Shakespeare Macbeth ?????
Monday, August 10, 2009
Post #4 Part II
Part II has a lot of change happening within the characters. The chapter starts with a staff meeting, where the Big Nurse, Doctors and all the Black Boys meet up to discuss the actions of McMurphy. During this meeting, Chief Bromden is allowed to be in the staff room, sweeping the floor, since everyone thinks he is deaf. In the meeting, all the Black Boys think that McMurphy should be send to another Ward, however at the end of the meeting the Big Nurse decides to keep him in the same ward and let him struggle. “I don’t agree that he should be sent up to the Disturbed, which would simply be an easy way of passing our problem on to another ward, and I don’t agree that he is some kind of extraordinary being – some kind of ‘super’ psychopath.” (136) This decision is a surprise to everyone, even Chief Bromden who heard everything that was said during the meeting.
Another change that happened was that Chief Bromden now is able to see the patients clear again, since the fog machine is turned off. This relates to my post I did last time, where I said that the fog machine was a hallucination and not a realistic way of torture. Furthermore, during a night in the institution, Chief Bromden wakes up and sees for the first time out of the window: “I looked out the window and saw for the first time how the hospital was out in the country.” (141) During that same night, it is the first time the author, Ken Kensey uses a reference to birds: “Then they crossed the moon- a black, weaving necklace, drawn into a V by that lead goose.” (143)
Another change, which happens, is with McMurphy and him not standing up anymore for the other patients. For example, at some point Cheswick wants something so bad that he becomes a danger for the ward so he is send to the Disturbed for the day, however McMurphy does not help him out of this situation. During a trip to the pool with the Ward, an accident happens and Cheswick drowns. From this day on, McMurphy changes and tries to become more behaved towards the Big Nurse. This proves that during the meeting at the beginning, the Big Nurse was right to keep him in the same ward until his ice would break.
At the end of Part II, McMurphy apologizes for the first time to the Big Nurse about not behaving. This is the biggest change that McMurphy has gone through, and due to this the other patients will have to change too. I hope that in Part III, there will be more change within the patients and that we find out more information about the past.
Another change that happened was that Chief Bromden now is able to see the patients clear again, since the fog machine is turned off. This relates to my post I did last time, where I said that the fog machine was a hallucination and not a realistic way of torture. Furthermore, during a night in the institution, Chief Bromden wakes up and sees for the first time out of the window: “I looked out the window and saw for the first time how the hospital was out in the country.” (141) During that same night, it is the first time the author, Ken Kensey uses a reference to birds: “Then they crossed the moon- a black, weaving necklace, drawn into a V by that lead goose.” (143)
Another change, which happens, is with McMurphy and him not standing up anymore for the other patients. For example, at some point Cheswick wants something so bad that he becomes a danger for the ward so he is send to the Disturbed for the day, however McMurphy does not help him out of this situation. During a trip to the pool with the Ward, an accident happens and Cheswick drowns. From this day on, McMurphy changes and tries to become more behaved towards the Big Nurse. This proves that during the meeting at the beginning, the Big Nurse was right to keep him in the same ward until his ice would break.
At the end of Part II, McMurphy apologizes for the first time to the Big Nurse about not behaving. This is the biggest change that McMurphy has gone through, and due to this the other patients will have to change too. I hope that in Part III, there will be more change within the patients and that we find out more information about the past.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Post #3 pages 80-Part II
The end of Part I, was mostly about McMurphy’s conflicts in the mental institution. From day one, everyone knew that McMurphy was someone special and would get his way, whenever he would want to. “But the new guy is different, and the Acutes see it, different from anybody been coming on this ward for the past ten years, different from anybody they ever met outside.” (82) Actually, I was quit surprised on how slow the book goes, because on page 83, it is the next morning since McMurphy arrived. From that point on, until the start of Part II, it is about McMurphy and him getting his way through everything. For example, he walks around the ward with just a towel, because the black boys forgot to give him the uniform. When the Big Nurse comes, she gets furious about this and yells at him about the policies of the institution. However, McMurphy doesn’t care and blames the black boys for good, which they later on get in trouble for not preparing the laundry. Another thing that has changed throughout the book is that the Doctor of the institution is now on the side of McMurphy which makes things easier for him to get his way. Another conflict is that McMurphy wants to watch a baseball game which is on TV when there is no TV time in the institution. To change the TV time the patients have to vote for it. However, the end vote is 20-20, but then Chief Bromden, stands up and decides to give that last vote, to change the TV time. This is another step towards the relationship of McMurphy and Chief Bromden. The last thing that happened in Part II was the revolution that started between all the patients against the Big Nurse. All patients decide to stop doing their chores and sit down in front of the blanked out TV. “..then we all put down our mops and brooms and scouring rags and we all go pull us chairs up.” (125) This is how Part I ends…
Language:
I have noticed that at some parts, the paragraphs are short, and tell different stories from the past and the present. I almost have the feeling that it has something to do schizophrenia, of the main character Chief Bromden. Maybe this also has something to do with the war experiences, he had. This is also one of the reasons why Chief Broom is in the institution. However, the word choice has not changed a great deal; maybe it will change more in Part II.
Questions:
I do not understand the things with the fog. Is it a hallucination that Chief Broom has from his war experiences or is it reality? Personally, I think that it is something he feels, and sees but actually it is not there. A reason for this might be that it is his fantasy world where he is trapped in, due to his prior experiences. So far we haven’t found out much about the past of the patients, and I think this will be a crucial point to find out more about Chief Bromden.
Language:
I have noticed that at some parts, the paragraphs are short, and tell different stories from the past and the present. I almost have the feeling that it has something to do schizophrenia, of the main character Chief Bromden. Maybe this also has something to do with the war experiences, he had. This is also one of the reasons why Chief Broom is in the institution. However, the word choice has not changed a great deal; maybe it will change more in Part II.
Questions:
I do not understand the things with the fog. Is it a hallucination that Chief Broom has from his war experiences or is it reality? Personally, I think that it is something he feels, and sees but actually it is not there. A reason for this might be that it is his fantasy world where he is trapped in, due to his prior experiences. So far we haven’t found out much about the past of the patients, and I think this will be a crucial point to find out more about Chief Bromden.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Post #2 pages 40-80
The next 40 pages in the novel described the daily routine and the free time of the patients. I think that the main characters are Chief Broom, who is the narrator of the story but also the new patient, McMurphy. The language has changed a little bit since the beginning, because I noticed that the patient is growing towards the reader. For example, one really understands the situation, since it is told from the perspective of Chief Broom, who is a patient since a really long time. One of the main things that happened was the plot which was made against the Big Nurse. After the meeting with all patients, McMurphy decides to not tolerate the actions of the Nurse, and convinces the Acutes to go against her. After a lot of discussions, on what to do, they do a bet: “Just what I said: any of you sharpies here willing to take my five bucks that says that I can get the best of that woman...” (66) I am not sure, but I think that the main aim of the bet is that McMurphy has sex with the Nurse. (Really not sure) During the whole discussion, Chief Broom listens to what is happening and thinks to himself about the consequences. This proves that he is actually not deaf, even though all patients think this. The next part of the novel was a dream/reality story. I am not sure if it was a dream or not, since there are two sentences which are contradicting each other: “…tell anybody about it they’d say, Idiot, you just had a nightmare…” and the other sentences is “He says, you are havin’ a bad dream, Mistuh Bromden.” (80) This two sentences both on page 80 contradict the dream that Chief Bromden was having. His dream, was about being tortured during night, while all patients get their red pill, which knocks them out with sleep. However, that night Chief Broom doesn’t take the pill, because McMurphy helps him, to talk himself out of it. And for this reason, Chief Broom witnesses the nights at the institution. The next parts in the story should be interesting too, because the relationship of the two main characters will build up, since McMurphy already found out that Chief Broom is not deaf.
PS: I really did not understand pages 57-80, when there is a lot of talking about rabbits.
PS: I really did not understand pages 57-80, when there is a lot of talking about rabbits.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Post #1 Pages 1-40
Post #1 Pages 1-40
The first 40 pages of the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, describes the different characters that are in the novel and sets the setting for the continuation of the story. The story is set at a mental institution, in the late sixties. So far, the novel has explained the situation at the mental institution where the main character is being treated. The main character, Chief Bromden, A.K.A Chief Buh-Broom, has been in the mental institution since World War II. He is described as a half-Indian with black hair, which can’t call for help and is being bullied by the “black boys”. The “black boys” are the helpers in the institution, who take advantage of the patients in every sort of way, even if it means to torture them. For example the nickname of Mr. Bromden, came about because he always has to sweep the floors since the “black boys” tell him to do so. The language which the main character uses is full of metaphors and similes. An example of this is on page 5, where Chief Bromden describes the reaction of the Big Nurse towards the “black boys”: “...so big I can smell the machinery inside the way you smell a motor pulling too big a load.” One of the main changes that happen in these 40 pages is the arrival of a new patient. He is described and drawn as big, tall, wide shoulders and strong man who seems to have to real mental problems, since he has no problem with cooperating with the other patients. The day the new patient arrives, named McMurphy, everyone is shocked about the reaction McMurphy has towards the other patients. He goes to all of the patients: the wheelers (the ones in a wheelchair), the vegetables (the ones that can’t do anything), the Acutes (not that severe problems) and the Chronics (the ones that have severe individual problems).
My personal response to the first 40 pages is quit opposite. On one hand, I have the feelings of the patients that are being treated like dirt and have the severe mental problems. Meaning that I have a feeling of pity towards the patients. But on the other hand, I am excited for the next part of the story, where the new patient will change things in the institutions. Also, I am excited for the relationship that the main character, Mr. Bromden and the McMurphy will have.
The first 40 pages of the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, describes the different characters that are in the novel and sets the setting for the continuation of the story. The story is set at a mental institution, in the late sixties. So far, the novel has explained the situation at the mental institution where the main character is being treated. The main character, Chief Bromden, A.K.A Chief Buh-Broom, has been in the mental institution since World War II. He is described as a half-Indian with black hair, which can’t call for help and is being bullied by the “black boys”. The “black boys” are the helpers in the institution, who take advantage of the patients in every sort of way, even if it means to torture them. For example the nickname of Mr. Bromden, came about because he always has to sweep the floors since the “black boys” tell him to do so. The language which the main character uses is full of metaphors and similes. An example of this is on page 5, where Chief Bromden describes the reaction of the Big Nurse towards the “black boys”: “...so big I can smell the machinery inside the way you smell a motor pulling too big a load.” One of the main changes that happen in these 40 pages is the arrival of a new patient. He is described and drawn as big, tall, wide shoulders and strong man who seems to have to real mental problems, since he has no problem with cooperating with the other patients. The day the new patient arrives, named McMurphy, everyone is shocked about the reaction McMurphy has towards the other patients. He goes to all of the patients: the wheelers (the ones in a wheelchair), the vegetables (the ones that can’t do anything), the Acutes (not that severe problems) and the Chronics (the ones that have severe individual problems).
My personal response to the first 40 pages is quit opposite. On one hand, I have the feelings of the patients that are being treated like dirt and have the severe mental problems. Meaning that I have a feeling of pity towards the patients. But on the other hand, I am excited for the next part of the story, where the new patient will change things in the institutions. Also, I am excited for the relationship that the main character, Mr. Bromden and the McMurphy will have.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Editorial
In the USA it is “bling bling”, in Sierra Leone it is “bling bang”. The diamonds which are bought every year to create necklaces for wives and mistresses have gone through a deadly path which is unknown. The trading of the ‘World’s Most Precious Stone’, has lead to a bloody and destructive war in Sierra Leone. When traveling to Sierra Leone, there is a muddy, sandy path which seems like it is leading nowhere. However, this path leads to the RUF (The Revolutionary United Front Party). The RUF has been tearing apart western Africa since 1991, when it attacked Liberia. The rebel group has one goal: deliver as many gems as possible, no matter the cost.
It is hard to believe that when you go to Tiffany’s and buy a wedding ring, that you are indirectly purchasing rifles and other mass destructive weapons for the RUF. The daily routine of the RUF is to mass rape, torture, randomly execute, loot and indulge in cannibalism. One of the most ‘famous’ torture methods is to chop off the arms or hands of innocent civilians. This strategy evolved in 1996 when the president of Sierra Leone said that one should ‘join hands’ for peace. That is when the RUF said that the people don’t need to hold hands to create peace, because they will not have hands to create peace. It is estimated that Sierra Leone sells diamonds worth up to 6 billion dollars per year. 80% of these diamonds are sold in the luxury market in the USA.
If Sierra Leone receives 6 billion dollars a year, then where does the money go? This question is one of the key questions when trying to solve the Sierra Leone problem. Sierra Leone should be the Saudi Arabia of Africa, but it’s not. Even though the rebel groups only sell 4-5% of the global output, there is an estimated 3.7 million deaths as a result. The world is taking action, for example the UN spent 612 million dollars only in 2001 to settle in peace. However, the conflict is not loosening up.
The world must take action, and this is only possible by not blending Africa out of the media. In between the sports and the weather, there might be those 3 minutes a month where the country Sierra Leone is mentioned, but mostly due to natural disasters. No one really knows the path of the diamonds and how many innocent children, men and women had to be killed just for the bling-bling. The stone which symbolizes wealth, power, love and honor has to be taken serious. Not in relation to the money, but in the relation to the many people killed. Take action, research your diamond and where it came from! Don’t sit around and look at your reflection, look at the diamond and see if blood has dropped on it.
It is hard to believe that when you go to Tiffany’s and buy a wedding ring, that you are indirectly purchasing rifles and other mass destructive weapons for the RUF. The daily routine of the RUF is to mass rape, torture, randomly execute, loot and indulge in cannibalism. One of the most ‘famous’ torture methods is to chop off the arms or hands of innocent civilians. This strategy evolved in 1996 when the president of Sierra Leone said that one should ‘join hands’ for peace. That is when the RUF said that the people don’t need to hold hands to create peace, because they will not have hands to create peace. It is estimated that Sierra Leone sells diamonds worth up to 6 billion dollars per year. 80% of these diamonds are sold in the luxury market in the USA.
If Sierra Leone receives 6 billion dollars a year, then where does the money go? This question is one of the key questions when trying to solve the Sierra Leone problem. Sierra Leone should be the Saudi Arabia of Africa, but it’s not. Even though the rebel groups only sell 4-5% of the global output, there is an estimated 3.7 million deaths as a result. The world is taking action, for example the UN spent 612 million dollars only in 2001 to settle in peace. However, the conflict is not loosening up.
The world must take action, and this is only possible by not blending Africa out of the media. In between the sports and the weather, there might be those 3 minutes a month where the country Sierra Leone is mentioned, but mostly due to natural disasters. No one really knows the path of the diamonds and how many innocent children, men and women had to be killed just for the bling-bling. The stone which symbolizes wealth, power, love and honor has to be taken serious. Not in relation to the money, but in the relation to the many people killed. Take action, research your diamond and where it came from! Don’t sit around and look at your reflection, look at the diamond and see if blood has dropped on it.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Editorial
Introduction:
Explains the setting
Explains what you can see from the automobile
The language is simple
One needs pre-knowledge to understand the article
Points:
America should send over more troops
Now that the war has been going on, the soldiers have become smarter
The soldiers are ready to fight
Afghanistan is under Western aid
Counterpoint:
Citizens of the USA want their husbands, sons, boyfriends, etc. to come back from the war
Conclusion:
"more boots on the ground"
We are smarter now, so we should use this opportunity and expand the troops
Explains the setting
Explains what you can see from the automobile
The language is simple
One needs pre-knowledge to understand the article
Points:
America should send over more troops
Now that the war has been going on, the soldiers have become smarter
The soldiers are ready to fight
Afghanistan is under Western aid
Counterpoint:
Citizens of the USA want their husbands, sons, boyfriends, etc. to come back from the war
Conclusion:
"more boots on the ground"
We are smarter now, so we should use this opportunity and expand the troops
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tabloid vs. Broadsheet
Tabloid:
Bluewin Closes Chat - Children Harassed
The Bluewin chatroom which was lead by swisscom mobile, decided to shut down. The negative use of the chatrooom has caused pedophiles to have easy access to personal and private information. The decision was made, due to a shocking test: Sabine Müller, pretended to be 13 year old girl. After only 47 seconds the first sex-bid was made. The result: he was 20 years older. After this, the swisscom chatroom decided it was better to close down. The act which was done by swisscom should be a role model for many other chatrooms, such as Facebook. Also the famous facebook chatroom proves to have cases where children have been invited to a meeting, and then brutally harassed. These examples should have world-wide consequences; however nothing has been done yet.
Broadsheet:
Online Chatroom Takes Archetype Decision
The Bluewin chatroom, which was lead by the Swiss telecommunication company, Swisscom decided to close their chatroom. The frequent use of the chatroom has also caused pedophiles and murders to have various access to personal information. Felix Graf, the manager of the chatroom stated that: “We do not longer want to be associated with sexaul activities on our chatroom”. For this exact reason the chatroom was closed for the good of the children. Furthermore, the Zürich Kantons Polizei (Zurich Police) did an online test to see whether there would be any sexual harassment. They pretended to be a 13 year old girl, an there was an appalling result, after only 47 seconds the alleged 13 year old girl was offered sexual activity. The man who offered sexual activity was 33 years old. Not only the Bluewin chatroom shows sexual activity but also the famous chatroom Facebook. The consequences of these chatrooms should be seen as a world-wide problem. For more information on how to protect your children turn to page 23.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Headlines
Cutlery Catches Up
NEW RECORD: COW JUMPS 6 METERS
Text 1
Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon
The little dog laughed to see such sport
And the dish ran away with the spoon
Beggar Steals Last Supper
Pig Thief Caught
Text 2
Tom-tom the piper’s son
Stole a pig and away did run
The pig was eat
Tom was beat
Tom went roaring down the street
Brown Barges To Sea (As in Gordon Brown)
Ship Rescue Fails
Text 3
There was a young man of high rank
Who went to sea in a tank
They said, “It is sad,
He surely is mad!”
And he proved they were right when he sank
Poem Contest: Japan Juggles with Jury
Poem Makes It Impossible To Breath
Text 4
There was a young man from Japan
Whose poetry never would scan
When they asked him why
He said with a sigh,
“It’s because I put as many words in the last line as a possibly can.”
NEW RECORD: COW JUMPS 6 METERS
Text 1
Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon
The little dog laughed to see such sport
And the dish ran away with the spoon
Beggar Steals Last Supper
Pig Thief Caught
Text 2
Tom-tom the piper’s son
Stole a pig and away did run
The pig was eat
Tom was beat
Tom went roaring down the street
Brown Barges To Sea (As in Gordon Brown)
Ship Rescue Fails
Text 3
There was a young man of high rank
Who went to sea in a tank
They said, “It is sad,
He surely is mad!”
And he proved they were right when he sank
Poem Contest: Japan Juggles with Jury
Poem Makes It Impossible To Breath
Text 4
There was a young man from Japan
Whose poetry never would scan
When they asked him why
He said with a sigh,
“It’s because I put as many words in the last line as a possibly can.”
Newspaper parts
Dateline: Seoul, Wednesday
By-line: Choe Sang-Hun
Cut: In the middle, Barack Obama
Head: Obama lays out a post-crisis landscape
Nameplate: International Herald Tribune
Lead: around the world,
Sony and General Motors
South Korea
Jump line: South Korea, page 20
Index: Mini Index, at the bottom
Photo Credit: Jason Reed/Reuters
Deck: --
Cutline/Caption: Protestors clash with police
Graphic: There is only a loosely connected picture at the bottom
Ears: Three on top: Roger Cohen and a climber find new purpose and china sets electric goals
By-line: Choe Sang-Hun
Cut: In the middle, Barack Obama
Head: Obama lays out a post-crisis landscape
Nameplate: International Herald Tribune
Lead: around the world,
Sony and General Motors
South Korea
Jump line: South Korea, page 20
Index: Mini Index, at the bottom
Photo Credit: Jason Reed/Reuters
Deck: --
Cutline/Caption: Protestors clash with police
Graphic: There is only a loosely connected picture at the bottom
Ears: Three on top: Roger Cohen and a climber find new purpose and china sets electric goals
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Letter
Hi Mom,
How are you? I am depressed and not satisfied with my job what so ever. Everything is just ghastly, absolutely ghastly. I can't even talk about it, that’s how depressing my life is at the moment. My brain is the size of a F-ing planet mom and I have to bring people to a bridge, how bad can my life get? Even though I am only a prototype, I know for sure that something went wrong. How did they start with you, Mom? I heard that you had the job to make sure that the spaceships don’t bump into things, is that true? Oh, God I'm so depressed. I am not satisfied in my job and don't even know my family and I was only a prototype, so pretty much a mistake. And on top of that, I am writing a letter which probably won’t even reach you…Oh dear, so much pain. Woops, I don't even feel pain, I am just a clump of metal sorted out in different pieces and "by accident" they made my depressed. Oh, and did I mention that I worked in a car park! A car park, can you believe it mother? Do they want me to just sit around and do nothing, or do they just want me to site in a corner and rust slowly and then fall apart. They will probably take the pieces that are still okay and use them for some other robot. Mom, I really need your help. If you understand me and if my letter ever reaches you then you have to take me out of this hell hole. Please, do you understand me? What should I do Mom, stick my head in a bucket of water? I’ve got one ready. So please answer if you exist, so that you can help me sort out my feelings and try not to fall apart.
Your Depressed,
Marvin
Monday, March 16, 2009
Chapter 7
Fit the Seventh starts with a receptionist talking on the phone and it seems like the setting is at the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy office. However, then it suddenly jumps to the spaceship where Arc One, the Captain and Zaphod are in, waiting to land on Ursa Minor Beta. The mood changes when Zaphod listens to the radio and hears a report that he was died, by being eaten by a Haggunenon. However, Zaphod doesn’t know why he was been eaten and he is very confused because he thinks that he is still alive.
At the same time, Arthur and Ford are on Earth trying to escape back to the galaxy. Finally, they see a spaceship and they start celebrating their rescue but then the spaceship vanishes. The two them decide that they have to figure a way out of this and look up the word "towel" in The Guide to the Galaxy Book. (I am not sure what the end result is with the word "towel")
Then the chapter jumps back to the spaceship and Zaphod, who believes that he got a message the night before telling him to meet up with Zarniwoop so that he can learn something to his disadvantage. (We also find out how Zaphod escapes the Haggunenon). When the spaceship finally lands on Ursa Minor Beta, Zaphod is directed to the office of Zarniwoop where he also meets Marvin. When Marvin and Zaphod are in the lift going to the office, the planet suddenly gets bombarded. After that shock, Zaphod is "attacked" by a Frogstar Robot, but Marvin saves the situation at last. The scene ends with the whole planet being taken away to Frogstar.
At the same time, Arthur and Ford are on Earth trying to escape back to the galaxy. Finally, they see a spaceship and they start celebrating their rescue but then the spaceship vanishes. The two them decide that they have to figure a way out of this and look up the word "towel" in The Guide to the Galaxy Book. (I am not sure what the end result is with the word "towel")
Then the chapter jumps back to the spaceship and Zaphod, who believes that he got a message the night before telling him to meet up with Zarniwoop so that he can learn something to his disadvantage. (We also find out how Zaphod escapes the Haggunenon). When the spaceship finally lands on Ursa Minor Beta, Zaphod is directed to the office of Zarniwoop where he also meets Marvin. When Marvin and Zaphod are in the lift going to the office, the planet suddenly gets bombarded. After that shock, Zaphod is "attacked" by a Frogstar Robot, but Marvin saves the situation at last. The scene ends with the whole planet being taken away to Frogstar.
Motifs
Motifs
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a radio play which uses the ideas of comedy and science fiction to make it appealing to listeners. Science fiction is a genre which uses futuristic aspects, the unlikelihood and unrealistic creatures to make the book, movie or radio play more interesting for the audience. Some examples of ideas which keep reoccurring are the destruction of the earth, time travel, advanced technology and sarcasm. These five motifs are very significant and keep the radio play going, and make The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy a fun and interesting piece of work.
The destruction of the earth is an important motif in the radio play because it is the reason why Author Dent and Ford Prefect are on a flying saucer traveling to a different galaxy. The destruction of the earth is something which is an unlikelihood for an everyday person; however Douglas Adams, the author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, uses this to make the radio play more comedic. The reason why we laugh when the earth explodes is because it ridiculous and absurd. To some extent we even believe that it is impossible for the world to end, let alone being saved by a flying saucer. This motif keeps reoccurring when the protagonists discuss the results of the earth’s explosion and how things can be solved. For example, when one of the aliens talks about how the blueprints for the earth are ready and that the world will have to change, “I’ve got a thousand glaciers poised and ready to roll over Africa” (83) this makes the reader chuckle because it is very unlikely that we will have glaciers in Africa.
Another example of a motif is time travel. Time travel is mostly humorous because it uses a familiar situation and takes it back into a past era or the situation is set in the unknown future. An example of time travel is when Ford, Arthur, Trillian and Zaphod are thrown through time after an explosion in the galaxy. All of them land in a restaurant and are greeted by the waiter. This is the familiar situation which is placed into the galaxy a million years ahead. This makes the situation funny because the characters do not know that there has been time travel and their confusion makes the motif very funny.
Furthermore, the advanced technology in the radio play is very ridiculous and that is why we laugh about situations like a talking computer which knows the answer to life. One of the main examples which always comes back is Marvin. Marvin is a depressed talking robot. Douglas Adams used personification to make the robot appear depressed, which makes the audience laugh about it. We think that it is very unusual for a robot to talk and that is why we laugh. Also Marvin is depressed which makes his voice very monotonous. However, we only know the voice due to the sound effects in the radio play. Probably, the characteristics of Marvin would not be as funny if the radio play was a novel.
The language throughout the book is at times very sarcastic. Sarcasm is mostly humorous because it consists of a taunting remark which can be ironic and hurt or make fun of someone or something. Sarcasm is used often when the characters speak because the fact that the world exploded and that there are aliens with humans in a space ship is ironic. That is why Douglas Adams uses a lot of sarcasm to make his characters talk in a realistic way and it always fits to the situation.
All in all the motifs in the radio play are mostly linked to the science fiction genre and it uses language which makes everything seem funnier. The reason why Douglas Adams used motifs which appear in the science fiction novel is because he probably wants to make science fiction seem more humorous. He also chooses the voices and the characters of each person or alien very specific so that each character is extraordinary and that the audience has something to laugh about.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Marvin
Opposite character:
He is a depressed robot
His brain is the size of a planet
He is 50,000 times more intelligent then a human
Personification
He is a talking robot
Funny
I think that it is funny that he is a robot which is depressed
He is a fictional character
He figures out what the number 42 means
He is very bored
That is funny because it is personification again and a robot should not be bored
He parks car at the nice restaurant
He is a depressed robot
His brain is the size of a planet
He is 50,000 times more intelligent then a human
Personification
He is a talking robot
Funny
I think that it is funny that he is a robot which is depressed
He is a fictional character
He figures out what the number 42 means
He is very bored
That is funny because it is personification again and a robot should not be bored
He parks car at the nice restaurant
Monday, March 2, 2009
Time and Comedy
How is time used to create humor?
Time can be used to create humor because time is something that always changes. I think that time is mostly used in comic when one is referring back to something that happened, or something that is going to happen. Also, since time is something that always changes, it could be funny to make fun of the people 100 years ago. Another example is that it is funny when things happen really fast or really slow, but this applies more to film. It is funny when someone goes really fast, because this is the use of an overstatement. On the opposite is slow motion, which understates the speed of something.
How could this be viewed as dark comedy?
Black comedy is when the plot employs morbid, gloomy, grotesque or calamitous situations. All in all, this means that black comedy is when something is mad funny even though it is actually supposed to have a negative emotion. I think that time can be viewed as black comedy; depending on what time period is referred too. For example if you talk about the future and u see a ice bear wearing sunglasses, then that is funny however, it is actually not funny because it refers back to global destabilization. Another example is when one talks about WWII as a small thing and nothing special thing. However, many people died making the plot suppose to be gloomy.
Time can be used to create humor because time is something that always changes. I think that time is mostly used in comic when one is referring back to something that happened, or something that is going to happen. Also, since time is something that always changes, it could be funny to make fun of the people 100 years ago. Another example is that it is funny when things happen really fast or really slow, but this applies more to film. It is funny when someone goes really fast, because this is the use of an overstatement. On the opposite is slow motion, which understates the speed of something.
How could this be viewed as dark comedy?
Black comedy is when the plot employs morbid, gloomy, grotesque or calamitous situations. All in all, this means that black comedy is when something is mad funny even though it is actually supposed to have a negative emotion. I think that time can be viewed as black comedy; depending on what time period is referred too. For example if you talk about the future and u see a ice bear wearing sunglasses, then that is funny however, it is actually not funny because it refers back to global destabilization. Another example is when one talks about WWII as a small thing and nothing special thing. However, many people died making the plot suppose to be gloomy.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Chapter 3 Summary
In chapter 3 Arthur, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian are all on the same spaceship. The first conflict they have is between Ford and Zaphod because they are discussing whether or not the planet Magrathea exists are not. Zaphod believes that they are flying towards the planet and are going to try to land on it, where as Ford says the planet is only a myth. The discussions between them two leads to a bigger problem which is facing the spaceship when they are getting closer to the "dead" planet. A voice is speaking to the spaceship, saying that if they land on the planet their spaceship will be bombarded with nuclear weapons. However, the crew of the spaceship decided to ignore this threat and after all they land safely on the planet. The crew, including Marvin the depressed Robot and the board computer leave the spaceship to enter the inside of the planet. However, Zaphod, Ford and Trillian disappear (?) leaving Marvin and Arthur alone. Meanwhile, Arthur meats someone named Slartibartfast, who tells him that the planet was asleep for about five million years due to a Galactic economy collapse. Together, the enter the inside of the planet where Slarti will show him around. Arthur finds out that Magrathea is in charge of constructing new planets, and since Earth was destroyed they will be trying to remake it according to the blueprints of earth. The chapter ends with Arthur still being alone and the other three are still gone.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Hitchhiker's (Chapter 1 & 2)
Summary of chapter 1 and 2:
Chapter 1
In the first chapter, the main characters Arthur and Ford are introduced. At the beginning Arthur is characterized as more of a hectic person and tries to offend people fast with his irony and sarcasm. Arthur is mad at the government of his town, because they never mentioned anything about his house being torn down due to that a bypass is being built. However, Arthur does not want his house to be turn apart, and is trying to stop the bulldozers with all his force. On the other hand, Ford is a more relaxed person and takes things serious without showing it to others. In the first few pages, Ford has to talk Arthur on an important case, and finally convinces Arthur to go with him to a close by pub. In the pub Ford tells Arthur that the world is going to end and that he is actually not from the world but a small planet names Betelgeuse.
After Arthur and Ford drink up their beer, they see a flying saucer and an Alien speaks to the crowd, telling them that the world has ended. However, Arthur and Ford get saved and wake up in the flying saucer. Until the end of the chapter Arthur and Ford talk together about how their life has changed and how it is going to continue. The chapter ends, with Ford saying that the alien captain might kick them out of the saucer, meaning they would die. However, things could get worse if the captain first reads them some poetry and then kills them.
Chapter 2
Chapter two starts with Arthur and Ford trying to convince the Vogon (alien) that his poem was good and that they really liked it. However, nothing convinces the captain and the Vogon Guard takes them to the exit where they will be kicked out of the saucer. However, Arthur and Ford do not die, because a different alien saucer saves them and takes them aboard. In the new saucer, Ford and Arthur meat a boring robot named Marvin and also Zaphod and Trillian. They find out that Ford already knows Zaphod, from the time he saved him when Zaphod's planet blew up. Eventually, Arthur recognizes Zaphod too, from a party on earth. At this party Arthur met a girl and Zaphod decided to just take her away by saying " I'm from a different planet" (49). Suddenly the doors open and a woman walks in, Trillian, also known as Tricia McMillan. She is the girl that Arthur really liked and Zaphod took her away. Trillian also hitchhiked and Zaphod took her on his saucer.
Chapter 1
In the first chapter, the main characters Arthur and Ford are introduced. At the beginning Arthur is characterized as more of a hectic person and tries to offend people fast with his irony and sarcasm. Arthur is mad at the government of his town, because they never mentioned anything about his house being torn down due to that a bypass is being built. However, Arthur does not want his house to be turn apart, and is trying to stop the bulldozers with all his force. On the other hand, Ford is a more relaxed person and takes things serious without showing it to others. In the first few pages, Ford has to talk Arthur on an important case, and finally convinces Arthur to go with him to a close by pub. In the pub Ford tells Arthur that the world is going to end and that he is actually not from the world but a small planet names Betelgeuse.
After Arthur and Ford drink up their beer, they see a flying saucer and an Alien speaks to the crowd, telling them that the world has ended. However, Arthur and Ford get saved and wake up in the flying saucer. Until the end of the chapter Arthur and Ford talk together about how their life has changed and how it is going to continue. The chapter ends, with Ford saying that the alien captain might kick them out of the saucer, meaning they would die. However, things could get worse if the captain first reads them some poetry and then kills them.
Chapter 2
Chapter two starts with Arthur and Ford trying to convince the Vogon (alien) that his poem was good and that they really liked it. However, nothing convinces the captain and the Vogon Guard takes them to the exit where they will be kicked out of the saucer. However, Arthur and Ford do not die, because a different alien saucer saves them and takes them aboard. In the new saucer, Ford and Arthur meat a boring robot named Marvin and also Zaphod and Trillian. They find out that Ford already knows Zaphod, from the time he saved him when Zaphod's planet blew up. Eventually, Arthur recognizes Zaphod too, from a party on earth. At this party Arthur met a girl and Zaphod decided to just take her away by saying " I'm from a different planet" (49). Suddenly the doors open and a woman walks in, Trillian, also known as Tricia McMillan. She is the girl that Arthur really liked and Zaphod took her away. Trillian also hitchhiked and Zaphod took her on his saucer.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
6 words
Irony: pg 19
Sarcasm: pg. 38
Understatement: pg. 28
Pun: pg. 29
Comparison: pg. 39
Wit: pg. 39
(highlighted in book)
Sarcasm: pg. 38
Understatement: pg. 28
Pun: pg. 29
Comparison: pg. 39
Wit: pg. 39
(highlighted in book)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Summary of: "How it all Ends"
NOTES on How It All Ends
- Global Climate Destabilization
- Global warming IS NOT a scientific term, it is a term that was created by institutions for whom the prospect of radical climate change is an inconvenience.
- Climate change is nothing real
- There is always a chance of being wrong
Action vs. Inaction
Harm to the economic and destruction and upheaval (everything has changed - Inaction and action both take a risk, but you have to decide which one is better to take
- No action and global warming is true then:
o Environmental
o Political
o Social
o Public Health
o Economic - Action, but still global warming
o It evens out - No Global warming, no action
o Everything okay - Humans will have to go into one of those categories
- Science is never certain
- You don’t know if global warming
- It allows to make a decision using uncertain knowledge, by changing the question from are humans effecting the climate to the real question what is the wisest thing to do, given the uncertainties and the risks.
o Risk management - We are trying to find the best road to take
- How do you ever know when science is right?
o Scientist vs. the big cooperation
o Because a cooperation would never want to put their name on something that kills
o They have huge reputation, don’t want to say something that will make them look foolish - The two most known scientific research organizations are:
o America Assoc. for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
o National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - They said that we should take action
o Royal Society (RS)
o United Nation (UN) - It is more likely that there is global warming
- One should talk about it so that there will be change
- One of the biggest threats that humans every had
- We wouldn’t worry about these things if we had global warming
o Whales
o Children
o Rainforests
o Air pollution
o Water pollution
o Light pollution
o Toxic wave
o Nuclear waste - Global warming is the wrong word but global climate change is a better word
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
We are having a dramatic impact on our world. How?
The question to ask in this case is, are we actually changing our world. Of course if you look at the environmental aspect of it, most people say that we are harming our future. However, if we go more on the economic side, there are discussions about the money we spend, but actually I think it is just the greed of humans.
The Environment:
As you and I might have noticed people keep talking about global warming. What is global warming? Global warming is actually debated, but what we know for sure is that climate destabilization is happening. This means that the temperature is changing. But is it really us who are impacting this? I think that it could be partly the 21st century, but we shouldn’t forget the past like the 20th century. Today, we use cars and fly around the world in a day, which wasn’t the case 50 or more years ago. For sure our fast transportation from one place to another has caused pollution which ended up harming our planet. However, many years ago nuclear weapons were tested, not knowing what the hell they actually do to our planet. This example shows that the non-existing pre-knowledge of the past has contributed to the environment which is today. So if we look at the aspect environment, I think that it is the people of today that are harming our planet but also the past. The only difference is that today, we know that we are harming our future so we are trying to find solutions to make it a better world.
The Economics:
Coercion is a technique which isn’t just used by the CIA, malls, casinos or some car dealer. It is around us 24/7 and most of the time we actually get tricked by it. For example right now my phone is next to me, but it has a huge scratch, so I kind of want a new one. The fact is that I am really tempted to get a new phone, because the people around me have the new iPhone or the blackberry or some new technology. The truth is probably I don’t even need a new phone, but I am getting put under pressure to get a new one, this is similar to coercion. However, not only that, but at the moment the world is having a financial crisis, most Dads are in front of the TV with bags under their eyes. This is because the car industries and banks are going “down”, so probably right now thousands of customers are trying to be coerced to buy a car, even though they know that the finances aren’t so good right now and that their wife would kill them. The reason why the car industries like Ford are trying to sell their cars is because they are in deep trouble and on the edge of shutting down. Due to their own greed, they are trying to make other people buy their cars so that they are standing a better chance. = Greed
In conclusion, I think that most of the events that are negatively influencing our world or our future are done or made by humans, due to their personal greed.
The Environment:
As you and I might have noticed people keep talking about global warming. What is global warming? Global warming is actually debated, but what we know for sure is that climate destabilization is happening. This means that the temperature is changing. But is it really us who are impacting this? I think that it could be partly the 21st century, but we shouldn’t forget the past like the 20th century. Today, we use cars and fly around the world in a day, which wasn’t the case 50 or more years ago. For sure our fast transportation from one place to another has caused pollution which ended up harming our planet. However, many years ago nuclear weapons were tested, not knowing what the hell they actually do to our planet. This example shows that the non-existing pre-knowledge of the past has contributed to the environment which is today. So if we look at the aspect environment, I think that it is the people of today that are harming our planet but also the past. The only difference is that today, we know that we are harming our future so we are trying to find solutions to make it a better world.
The Economics:
Coercion is a technique which isn’t just used by the CIA, malls, casinos or some car dealer. It is around us 24/7 and most of the time we actually get tricked by it. For example right now my phone is next to me, but it has a huge scratch, so I kind of want a new one. The fact is that I am really tempted to get a new phone, because the people around me have the new iPhone or the blackberry or some new technology. The truth is probably I don’t even need a new phone, but I am getting put under pressure to get a new one, this is similar to coercion. However, not only that, but at the moment the world is having a financial crisis, most Dads are in front of the TV with bags under their eyes. This is because the car industries and banks are going “down”, so probably right now thousands of customers are trying to be coerced to buy a car, even though they know that the finances aren’t so good right now and that their wife would kill them. The reason why the car industries like Ford are trying to sell their cars is because they are in deep trouble and on the edge of shutting down. Due to their own greed, they are trying to make other people buy their cars so that they are standing a better chance. = Greed
In conclusion, I think that most of the events that are negatively influencing our world or our future are done or made by humans, due to their personal greed.
Monday, January 12, 2009
TiVo Redesigns Search Function, Wants to be the 'Google of TV'
TiVo Redesigns Search Function, Wants to be the 'Google of TV'
Author: Jose Fermoso
Source: Wired Jan. 10 2009
This article is about the new design and features which will be available on TiVo. TiVo is (under my understanding) a TV program which allows you to find the movie you’re looking for just like on the internet. For example, one is looking for Sweet Home Alabama, then they just type in Sweet, and all movies with Sweet will come up, just like in a Firefox toolbar. The layout is designed like a website; on the left is the toolbar with the alphabet and the Space button, so that one can type in the movie with her or his remote control. Then the movies will pop up in the middle and on can click on it for more information such as: rating and plot of the movie. This is one of the new features which will be on the new TiVo. Nothing is taken off of the old TiVo, but just new things have been added, which makes it good for the people who preferred it the old way. Furthermore TiVo promises that they will try to boost up the speed of the TV search toolbar.
Personally I think that this new TiVo is not a good idea because it eliminates social contact. One does not have to look in a newspaper for the cinema program, because everything is already online to be watched. The old fashioned TV has disappeared and instead a Search engine TV is being made, so that one doesn't even have to flip through the channels to find the perfect channel. All of these new electronics are destroying the social life of people and the old fashion way of relaxing in front of the TV has disappeared.
Author: Jose Fermoso
Source: Wired Jan. 10 2009
This article is about the new design and features which will be available on TiVo. TiVo is (under my understanding) a TV program which allows you to find the movie you’re looking for just like on the internet. For example, one is looking for Sweet Home Alabama, then they just type in Sweet, and all movies with Sweet will come up, just like in a Firefox toolbar. The layout is designed like a website; on the left is the toolbar with the alphabet and the Space button, so that one can type in the movie with her or his remote control. Then the movies will pop up in the middle and on can click on it for more information such as: rating and plot of the movie. This is one of the new features which will be on the new TiVo. Nothing is taken off of the old TiVo, but just new things have been added, which makes it good for the people who preferred it the old way. Furthermore TiVo promises that they will try to boost up the speed of the TV search toolbar.
Personally I think that this new TiVo is not a good idea because it eliminates social contact. One does not have to look in a newspaper for the cinema program, because everything is already online to be watched. The old fashioned TV has disappeared and instead a Search engine TV is being made, so that one doesn't even have to flip through the channels to find the perfect channel. All of these new electronics are destroying the social life of people and the old fashion way of relaxing in front of the TV has disappeared.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Is Pride of Baghdad an Allegory?
An allegory is something with represents an abstract or spiritual meaning through a different form. For example Pride of Baghdad. I think that POB is an allegory because the comic is a true story about four lions which are able to escape the zoo after a bombing in Baghdad. Even though at the end of the comic the lions die due to the lack of previous knowledge on how to survive in freedom. Animals which always live in the zoo do not know how to handle the wild-life, since the food has always been brought to them. Exactly this happens to the lions which are able to escape the zoo.
POB is an allegory because the lions do not represent the lions which escaped the zoo in spring of 2003, but they represent the different people which are present in Baghdad. The comic describes the situation which is going on in Baghdad without hurting anyone feeling. The author decided to use the strongest animal of the Jungle to represent a group of people which are in the Iraq war. Each animal in the comic represents one type of group in the comic, for example I believe that the antelopes represent the people who have no idea why there is war, meaning the children who are getting killed every day because they are at the wrong spot at the wrong time.
Furthermore, I think that everyone should read this comic, to make them understand that this war is not the past but still the present.
POB is an allegory because the lions do not represent the lions which escaped the zoo in spring of 2003, but they represent the different people which are present in Baghdad. The comic describes the situation which is going on in Baghdad without hurting anyone feeling. The author decided to use the strongest animal of the Jungle to represent a group of people which are in the Iraq war. Each animal in the comic represents one type of group in the comic, for example I believe that the antelopes represent the people who have no idea why there is war, meaning the children who are getting killed every day because they are at the wrong spot at the wrong time.
Furthermore, I think that everyone should read this comic, to make them understand that this war is not the past but still the present.
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