Tools That Change the Way We Think

"Back in 2004, I asked [Google founders] Page and Brin what they saw as the future of Google search. 'It will be included in people's brains,' said Page. 'When you think about something and don't really know much about it, you will automatically get information.'

'That's true,' said Brin. 'Ultimately I view Google as a way to augment your brain with the knowledge of the world. Right now you go into your computer and type a phrase, but you can imagine that it could be easier in the future, that you can have just devices you talk into, or you can have computers that pay attention to what's going on around them and suggest useful information.'

'Somebody introduces themselves to you, and your watch goes to your web page,' said Page. 'Or if you met this person two years ago, this is what they said to you... Eventually you'll have the implant, where if you think about a fact, it will just tell you the answer."

-From In the Plex by Steven Levy (p.67)



Technology has had a tremendous effect on the way I think.  I have never really had to memorize phone numbers or addresses because my phone can do it for me.  Hopefully this is a good thing because it allows me to allocate my think to bigger and better things, letting the smaller, perhaps more trivial things  be taken care of technology.  But he TED talk on Filter Bubbles has warned me about letting technology do my thinking for me.  All too often the brainpower I saved using my phone is only wasted through some other medium of technology.  The beneficial side to technology is that when used effectively, it really does augment our learning capabilities.  Resources are nearly unlimited and answers come as faster as you can type.  So to quote a comic book, remember that with tools like the internet, "with great power comes great responsibility."

Vocabulary #9

aficionado-a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity
I am a basketball aficionado.
browbeat-to intimidate or disconcert by a stern manner or arrogant speech : bully
He would browbeat his way to the manager, who would tell him to calm down.
commensurate-equal in measure or extent
The workers called for commensurate benefits.
diaphanous-light, delicate, and translucent.
The diaphanous dress was very expensive.
emolument-a salary, fee, or profit from employment or office
He demanded an increase in emolument.
foray-a sudden attack or incursion into enemy territory, esp. to obtain something; a raid.
the village was forayed.
genre-category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.
What genre is your favorite?
homily-a religious discourse that is intended primarily for spiritual edification rather than doctrinal instruction; a sermon
The preacher reassured him with homilies.
immure-enclose or confine (someone) against their will.
He was immured in solitary confinement.
insouciant-showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent
His attitude was insouciant.
matrix-an environment or material in which something develops; a surrounding medium or structure.
His matrix shaped him into who he is today.
obsequies-funeral rites
They solemnly performed the obsequies.
panache-flamboyant confidence of style or manner
His skill was not matched with his panache.
persona-the aspect of someone's character that is presented to or perceived by others.
Her persona was not received well.
philippic-a bitter attack or denunciation, esp. a verbal one
Your philippic angers me.
prurient-having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters.
Mainstream media is very prurient.
sacrosanct-regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.
He feels his problems are sacrosanct that he will not receive any help.
systemic-of or relating to a system, esp. as opposed to a particular part.
My injury is systemic and hurts everywhere.

The Performative Utterance in Hamlet

Notes

locutionary force-ability of language to deliver a message

illocutionary force-what is done is being said (orders)

perlocutionary force-consequences of words

"Self-overhearing"- character shapes itself through what the mind hears what is said about oneself

Hamlet may be effected by "self-overhearing himself" when he is acting a part

Scene with ghost example of illocutionary force because oaths are made

Hamlet does not swear to avenge his father, only to remember him

Problems of he play arise from characters not speaking their minds

Hamlets actions reflect poor acting, he is trying to "Out-Herod Herod"

Physical action insufficient to know what one is really up to

Hamlet can be himself when acting mad; does not need to conform to a preformed identity

Polonius the premodern man, Hamlet the modern, and Claudius in the middle

Thoughts on Hamlet (In Progress)

After discussion in class on Hamlet, I think that he is sharper than people give him credit for.  When it was discussed on whether or not the ghost was really there, I felt compelled to side with Hamlet who seems to have way more going on than his mother.  I am disappointed with Gertrude's obliviousness throughout the play. She is a queen and yet she is as naive as a child! I am curious whether or not Shakespeare was trying to reflect anything with her flat character.  Her incompetence only highlights Hamlet's perceptiveness.  Reflecting back on the course of the play, Hamlet always seems to be a few steps ahead of everyone else. For example, he is constantly doling out insulting puns that fly over the heads of the people he is making fun of.  This demonstrates how much smarter he is than them, for he can carry a conversation and just toy with them while he is doing it.  In the remainder of the play, I certainly give Hamlet the upper hand in the battle that will inevitably come between he and Claudius.  If he uses his cunning correctly he is all  but sure to come out on top.

What I Think When I Think of Act III

Act III to me is where things really start to get heated. Hamlet starts acting rashly and recklessly. The question remains whether it is part of his act, or if he truly is crazy, or a little of both and to what extent of both. After watching the videos, Hamlet's apparent madness was well represented and seeing it visually helped me understand it better.I think that he is not insane, but that he is not acting cold-blooded either. Then again, he is cold-blooded enough to refrain from killing Claudius in prayer to deny him a passage into heaven.That shows both clarity of mind and deep-rooted hatred.The first drops of bloods are shed when Hamlet kills Polonius.  He is not broken up by this at all, despite Polonius being Ophelia's father.  I think his actions reflect that he is fed up with self-reflection and is ready to take matters into his own hands.  Hamlet finally speaks his mind to his mother about his thoughts about her recent marriage. The potency of his anger towards his mother is lost because suddenly she is convinced that he is mad because he sees his father's ghost and she does not.  Suddenly his words become the words of a madman rather than the words of reason.  

Literature Analysis #3

                                                                      Catch-22
1.Catch-22 is a collection of anecdotes from pilots in world war 2.   The main character is Yossarian, who is constantly seeking ways to get out of combat.  He fakes illness and injury.  He is determined to live forever or die trying.  He desperately attempts to reach the required amount of missions required, but the amount is always raised before he can reach it.  The premise of Catch-22 is that no pilot can be relieved from duty on grounds of insanity. A request must be made to  be dismissed from missions.  The desire to avoid missions reflects sanity and therefore disqualifies the pilot’s dismissal.  Multiple paradoxes like this are evident throughout the book, and they all tie back to catch-22.
Eventually Yossarian can’t take it anymore and wanders off to Rome.  There he witnesses human atrocities.  He is arrested for being in Rome without a pass and is offered a choice for his commanding officer.  He can be honorably discharged if he flies 80 missions or he can be court-martialed.  He chooses neither and flees to neutral Sweden, leaving the war and Catch-22 behind him.

2.  The theme of Catch-22 is madness and how it stems from war.  Every character is insane in his or her own way, and they all got that way as a result from the war.  The entire catch-22 concept highlights the ubiquity of madness.  A pilot can’t be excused from missions on grounds of insanity unless he asks. If the pilot is asks not fly missions because he is insane, then he does not qualify because he is exhibiting sane behavior.

3. The author’s tone is humorous and satiric.  The text is full of examples.  Heller pokes fun at America’s roots with Chief White Halfcoat.  He tells his story of how his people were chased around and kicked about because everywhere they settled oil was found.  Later in the novel, Heller casually mentions that the soldiers believe they have found oil and they decide to kick Chief White Halfcoat off the camp. Another example of Heller’s sardonic tone is when he makes from of militant punishment techniques.  After several soldiers start moaning, the commanding officer challenges someone else to moan.  A uninformed soldier unfortunately moans immediately after he says this.  The commanding officer orders that he is shot in a fit of rage.  He is eventually calmed down, but the incident questions the mindset of some military officers.  His humorous tone is also evident in the dialogue.   The perpetual misunderstandings and changing of stories from the characters has a comical effect.

4. Heller uses irony when he has a doctor claim “It’s not my business to save lives.” (pg 179)  This underscores how policies in the medical field may undercut the actual purpose of saving lives.  He also uses dichotomy when he mentions Snowden, froze to death in the”blazing summertime.” (pg 170)  He utilizes dialogue throughout the novel.  In that dialogue, he employs colloquial speech. (Pg 365) On page 69 he makes an allusion to Hamlet’s soliloquy with “To die or not to die, that was the question.”  This is referring to the necessity that soldiers die for the war to be successful.  He also uses italicized text to add emphasis to certain ideas.  (pg 386)  He also uses rhetorical questions (pg 164).  Another technique that he uses throughout the novel is flashbacks to set up the present narrative.  This technique puts things in context and adds meaning to anecdotes.  He also uses imagery to highlight the terrors of war and the injuries incurred. (Pg 341) He also makes a continued reference to Catch-22.  Anytime Yossarian’s curiosity is piqued, the answer is usually Catch-22.  


Characterization-

1.Major ____ de Coverly is characterized directly.  The men are too fearful of his company to even inquire about his first name, let alone have a conversation for him to reveal his character. Clevinger is also directly characterized in chapter 8.  The author carefully describes him as one of those geniuses with no common sense, and then verifies his claim by characterizing Clevinger directly. The Texan is indirectly characterized though his words and his actions.  Heller uses this technique for this character because his actions and words depict the type of people who just won’t stop talking, even if they aren’t being listened to.  He also uses indirect characterization to develop the mild mannered chaplain.

2. The author’s diction changes a little when he focuses on character.  He either uses direct characterization and uses more imagery or he switches to dialogue to develop the character indirectly.

3. Yossarian is round because he is developed fully, as compared to the other characters who exhibit only a couple of characteristics consistently throughout the novel. He is also a dynamic character because he makes a significant change in the novel.  At first he fakes illnesses and injuries to get out of combat.  But in the end he decides he must take matters into his own hands and he deserts and seeks refuge in the neutral Sweden.

4. After reading the novel I did not feel like I met an actual character because all the characters were exaggerated. Perhaps if I had undergone the struggles that the pilots did then I could relate to the madness, but without the experience I could only hypothesize how the stress of combat missions would drive people to such extremes.  An example is when Orr rambles about putting crab apples in his cheeks.  There is a comic and satirical effect, but the characterization is not realistic.

Dear Ophelia

Ophelia, I would normally tell you to follow your heart, but in this case, an anomaly I might add,  you may not want to get mixed up any debauchery with Hamlet.  His family is in an extremely bellicose state and it would be wise to expurgate yourself entirely.  Nevertheless, it is your life and if you truly care for him then you may wish to follow him into his rancorous relations with his uncle.  My best advice would be not to take any precipitous actions.It would be an abomination to see a brusque decision abase your life.  I don't mean to sound churlish when I say that hamlet is trouble because frankly he is troubled. Best of luck to you and I hope you can solve this conundrum.

Literary Analysis #2

1.The novel starts through the eyes of Mariam, an illegitimate child who is ostracized by her father and his family.  She reveres her father when it is her mother who provides for her and is proud of her.  One day she runs off from her mother to visit her father.  At her father’s house, she finds that he is ashamed to see her in public.  Disillusioned, she comes back to her mother’s house, only to see her hanging from a noose in her despair for her lost daughter.  Mariam is brusquely married off by her father to a man named Rasheed.  Rasheed proves to be a controlling husband.  He makes her wear a burka in public and his very critical of her housework and cooking.

The novel changes paradigms into the eyes of Laila, a young girl growing up in the midst of war-ridden Afghanistan.  She identifies strongly with her erudite father and struggles with her overbearing mother.  She also bonds with her one-legged neighbor boy, Tariq.  Her brothers, who she never even met, were killed in battle.  The news of this devastated her mother and caused her to be obsessed with the rebel movement.  This forces her family to stay in Afghanistan when it is evident that they must leave for their own safety.  Laila sees many of her friends either flee or perish from bombs dropped.  In the meantime, Tariq and her become romantically entwined.  When Tariq tells Laila that he is going to leave Afghanistan, emotions run high.   The two physically embrace each other for their first and presumably last time.  Soon after Tariq leaves, Laila is nearly hi by a stray bullet.  This snaps her mother into action.  To Laila’s delight, they plan to leave the country too and she will probably get to see Tariq again.  Just as they are packing their stuff to leave, a bomb explodes and kills her parents.  She is rescued by Rasheed.

Rasheed nurses Laila back to health and becomes interested in having her as a wife.  She is informed that Tariq and his family were killed by a bomb.  Laila, realizing that she is pregnant from Tariq, has no choice but to accept Rasheed’s hand in marriage.  At first Rasheed is nice to Laila and mistreats Mariam, causing the two to dislike each other.  But when his cruelty extends to both of them, the two bond in their struggle.  Laila gives birth to a daughter named Aziza.  Later, she gives birth to Rasheed’s child, Zalmai.  The family struggles with Rasheed’s strictness.  In the meantime, the Taliban takes control of the country with a noxious effect to the liberties of the civilians.  The two wives attempt to escape Rasheed.  They are caught and viciously punished.  Later in the story,Tariq visits Laila.  Rasheed had paid someone to tell Laila of his death; he was actually alive and well.  When Rasheed finds out about Tariq and that Laila had been talking to him, his beating goes to the point that Mariam fears for Laila’s life.  Desperately trying to save her best friend, Mariam swings a shovel down upon Rasheed and kills him.  Mariam decides that she will accept the punishment from the Taliban and allow Laila, Tariq, and the children to survive and live a happy life.  Though faced with the death penalty, she feels empowered and proud that she did help someone in her life.

The family escapes Afghanistan and Rasheed.  They live peacefully in Pakistan for a couple years.  One day, they see the twin towers burning on television.  They hear that President Bush has just declared war on their country.

When Laila sees that her country has become relatively safe again, she feels obligated to live there and help it.  She pushed Tariq to move back to their hometown.  On their way back, Laila pays a visit to the place of Mariam’s childhood.  Keeping Mariam in her heart, she goes home and performs acts of kindness helping her country.

2.  The theme of the story is love overcoming adversity. Throughout the story, maternal love protects and encumbers the characters.  Romantic love persists through lies and abuse.  The love of friendship overcomes a mighty oppressor.  Love is evident in many forms throughout the story and is the source of hope that allows the characters to survive their hardships.

3. The author’s tone is hopeful.  Despite all the tragedies that occur, hope is always present in the tone of the text.  For example, after the announcement of the Taliban’s new laws, Laila is confident that they cannot be enforced and states “this is Kabul.  Women here used to practice law and medicine; they held office in the government.”  Another example is how Mariam eagerly waited for Jalil, utterly convinced that he would come.  Even after a day of waiting, she was persistent and claimed “I’m going to wait for him.”  Another example is when Laila wants to go back to Herat.  She is safe and happy, but she is not content.  She sees hope for her hometown and wants to be part of it, she “wants to contribute.”

4.  Hosseini uses dialogue throughout the story to develop his characters.  Another technique he uses is colloquial language throughout to remind the reader of the setting.  (Pg 128, 231) Another technique he uses is italicized text to add emphasis. (Pg 97, 171)  Throughout the novel, he inserts historical events such as 9/11.  He also makes references to a poem (Pg 172) and extends the reference into a metaphor of “a thousand splendid suns.” (Pg 366)  The novel also refers to the Koran (pg 61) and other texts significant to the Afghani culture.  There is also foreshadowing of Laila’s pregnancy. (pg 195)  Also included are anecdotes such as the one on page 288.  Another technique Hosseini uses is a comparison to Aziza’s stammer and earthquakes, stating that “powerful collisions deep down” sometimes only produce “a slight tremor” on the visible surface.

Characterization

1.The novel starts out with direct characterization.  The author describes Jalil through Mariam/s eyes as a kind warm-hearted man.  Later he is characterized indirectly through his actions and his words.  The characterizations contrast because Jalil’s actions and cowardly and selfish and do not warrant Mariam’s affection.  Another example of indirect characterization is the Taliban.  They are characterized by their cruel laws that they set forth, demanding that women will “stay inside their homes at all times,” and if they do not, they will “be beaten and sent home.”  Rasheed, on the other hand, is unpleasantly characterized directly when the author says that he has a “sag… to his eyelids” and a “swollen belly that entered the room before any other part of him did.”

2.The author’s diction becomes more descriptive when he uses direct characterization.  He tends to use more metaphors and imagery to illustrate the character.  For example, Mariam’s mother is described with a face “flushed red” and eyes “settled on Mariam in a flat, unblinking way.”

3.The protagonist is dynamic because she changes greatly after her whole life gets turned upside down.  She goes from living a relatively comfortable life of learning and love to a life of survival and protection for the few things left in her life that she loves.  She is a round character because she is developed fully and in multiple ways.

4.After reading this book a felt like I had met an actual person because the Laila experienced feelings that I could relate to.  For example, when she feels that she need to contribute and to make her life worth Mariam’s sacrifice.  I think this desire to make a difference is very common to human beings and made Laila feel like a real person.

Literary Fiction and Empathy

It is not surprising that studies have shown that reading fiction increases empathy.  When you read fiction you are stepping inside someone else's shoes and viewing things from their perspective.  This is one of the few times as human beings we are not concerned with ourselves and genuinely are preoccupied with the experiences of someone else.  So when we perform this type of thinking when we are reading, there is a lasting effect on our social lives.We are suddenly capable of sympathizing with others and more tolerant of mistakes.  This is a direct result of our mindset shift while reading literary fiction. While reading Hamlet,  we are presented with his thoughts through soliloquy.  Since we are not characters in the play, there is no reason for use to be preoccupied with ourselves and thus are very receptive to the feelings expressed by Hamlet.  After this initial receptiveness we are enlightened with the perspective of others and are now more capable of understanding the motives and emotions of others, just from reading!  Our paradigm is shifted away from ourselves and towards others.  The more time spent in other's paradigms, the more empathetic we will be.

What I Meant to Say Was

Here's an improved edition of my Canterbury Tales thesis.

Through subject matter, characterization, and tone, Chaucer uses his style to satirize society's preconceptions and prejudices about the characters in the tales..

Vocabulary #7

After our shenanigans with the drug cartel, we began to ricochet from truck to truck in order to eschew our enemies. Our ephemeral happiness was curtailed by a plethora of bullets that pierced the truck right before we entered the port. Luckily, we were able to outsmart the wonky grunts they sent after us, but we still found ourselves running through the marketplace with capricious music which juxtaposed the terror of our position. There was a schism between the massive crowd, so we were able to lose the additional ebullient drug cartel assassins. After the sesquipedalian chase, the four of us decided that we needed to get on a boat in order lose all trace of the drug cartel. Shane and Colter went to ask a local fisherman to help us, but instead it turned into a garrulous, inchoate debate that provided no help what so ever. The fisherman was perspicacious, who wore clothes made of mungo and used various diphthongs, which made his speech sound like complete codswallop at times. Now, his loquacious speech was absolutely terrible, but it was worth it in the end since he agreed to allow us to come on his boat. Each of us felt a great sense of relief and interdependence once we finally boarded the boat and set sail.

Green Eggs and Hamlet

a) What do you know about Hamlet, the "Melancholy Dane"?  b) What do you know about Shakespeare?  c) Why do so many students involuntarily frown when they hear the name "Shakespeare"?  and d) What can we do to make studying this play an amazing experience we'll never forget?

A)  I am the first to admit I am not particularly enlightened about Hamlet, or Shakespearean literature in general.  Honestly, all I know about Hamlet is that he was a prince that made a soliloquy contemplating suicide.  Everything else I know would be going off the assumption that the rumor I heard about the Lion King paralleling the story of Hamlet being true.  If that is so, then the basic plot synopsis of the Lion King outlines my knowledge of Hamlet.
B)I know Shakespeare was a prolific writer who skillfully used rhyme and iambic pentameter in his plays.  I know that he wrote both comedies and tragedies.
C)Students groan when they hear Shakespeare because they are reminded of long texts where they understand a third of the words  and are constantly thumbing for footnotes.
D) To make studying this play unforgettable, it starts with us having a good attitude and being willing to actually enjoy this play.  With open minds and persistence, I think that we have a wonderful experience with this play.

A Comparison's Tale

The tale of the Wife of Bath was similar to the tale I read in that the main character tells a tale of someone else.  As it seems, this type of vicarious narration is common to many of the tales.  Because of this style, the narrators are free to embellish their story without being criticized as boastful.  This produces a similar tone in both stories, even though the topic isgreatly different.  Chaucer clearly liked this technique of having a character's tale involve the tale of another character.  The tale that the character chooses reflects something about the character and adds depth to the passage.  In both tales, the narrator tells a story that pertains to their situation.  For the Wife of Bath, her story shows what she thinks is important in love and marriage.  For the yeoman, the tale shows irony in that he criticizes a canon guilty of the same type of misdeeds as his canon.

A Tale of Canterbury Tales

I read the tale of the Canon's Yeoman.  The yeoman starts by describing, to his Canon's chagrin, the trials and tribulations in their pursuit of creating gold from other materials.  Though clearly vexed, the canon does nothing to stop his yeoman's speech and simply dismisses himself from the conversation.  The yeoman continues with his tale, admitting that they owe debts for borrowed materials that they promised would be turned into gold.  He also describes a deceitful canon who took advantage of a priest through trickery.

Indirect Characterization-
1.  The yeoman's foolishness is revealed through his discussion of his and his Canon's shady business dealings.
2. His disobedience is revealed when he ignores his Canon's advice to quit talking and avoid tainting his reputation.
3. The yeoman demonstrates his humility by admitting that he still can provide no insight to the trade of alchemy despite all his work with his canon.
4. The yeoman is honest and open with their struggles and the fact that alchemy is not a fruitful science and should not be pursued.
5. Before his tale about the deceitful canon, the yeoman concedes that not all canons are bad and they are poorly represented in this story just as Judas poorly represents the apostles.

Purpose-
Chaucer gives the voiceless a voice in this tale by telling it through the voice of a yeoman, or a servant.  His canon's inability to shut him up pokes fun at the notion of having a servant.  Chaucer also uses irony in the yeoman's tale.  The yeoman critically tells of a deceitful canon when he and his canon are involved in very deceitful actions. Another irony is that the yeoman claims that his canon can pave the roads with gold, but he also says the alchemy is not a fruitful science.