291 – The Men We Carry in Our Minds – Scott Russell Sanders
Scott reflects back on childhood memories and observations of men working at a prison, on farms, and in the military. He uses deductive reasoning to move from the whole (men) to the parts (types of work and the lack of, home lives-women and children, etc.) and how it affected their lives in the process. He described his father’s progress from a laborer to a white-collar worker. Men’s so-called life privileges baffled him, and he found women’s grievances of life puzzling. If I read this correctly, at some point he became confused thinking that women had better lives than men and made a switch, certainly not the ending I was expecting.
Friday, November 30, 2007
How It Feels to be Colored Me
255 – How It Feels To Be Colored Me – Zora Neale Hurston
Zora feels complete just as she is—colored—but not tragically colored. Her world changes in new places; but she is still she, not a race, just an American living to survive. Her prose is very poetic and metaphoric. Although she is treated differently in the white world, she is living in the present—unlike the white folk around her that reflect her back to slavery. She allows her imagination to take her places that she will never see and where color is not a factor. She is comfortable in her own skin and recognizes the opportunity that others miss by denying themselves the “pleasure of her company” (page 258).
Zora feels complete just as she is—colored—but not tragically colored. Her world changes in new places; but she is still she, not a race, just an American living to survive. Her prose is very poetic and metaphoric. Although she is treated differently in the white world, she is living in the present—unlike the white folk around her that reflect her back to slavery. She allows her imagination to take her places that she will never see and where color is not a factor. She is comfortable in her own skin and recognizes the opportunity that others miss by denying themselves the “pleasure of her company” (page 258).
Red, White, and Beer
189 – Red, White, and Beer – Dave Barry
Dave has a very strange sense of humor. I knew a David Barry as a teenager; it sounds like something he would write. I knew the title was strange, but the essay is not what I anticipated. I never thought of beer as patriotic, but then I never acquired a taste for it either.
Dave has a very strange sense of humor. I knew a David Barry as a teenager; it sounds like something he would write. I knew the title was strange, but the essay is not what I anticipated. I never thought of beer as patriotic, but then I never acquired a taste for it either.
Sex, Lies, and Advertising
168 – Sex, Lies, And Advertising – Gloria Steinem
Gloria explains many ways to control the media through advertising and the difficulty involved in getting advertisers to take women’s magazines seriously. Apparently, advertisers believe that only men make important purchases, and women should be shopping and cooking because they are not technically inclined. Racial, ethnic, and sexual preferences are also causes for advertising discrimination. Many advertisers believed the articles should relate to the ads, while others believed their ads would not meet the proper audience. It seemed to be a vicious circle of cause and effect and overanalyzes, which eventually led the magazine to a reader focused product with no advertisements.
She reflects back to the early 20th century when husbands were the revenue source for magazines, and there were no advertisers. The magazine consisted of information to assist women to be better wives, mothers, and homemakers. However, the magazines turned toward the image of a catalog, due to the invention of clothing patterns and the mass manufacture of household items, which led to manufacturers placing demands on the type of stories adjacent to their products or in the overall magazine (page 183).
She began by presenting a problem, gave examples of advertising problems (maybe too many), and then reflected on its origin. She concludes with a proposition for women to take control of their magazines by making their opinion known to editors, publishers, advertisers, and each other.
Gloria explains many ways to control the media through advertising and the difficulty involved in getting advertisers to take women’s magazines seriously. Apparently, advertisers believe that only men make important purchases, and women should be shopping and cooking because they are not technically inclined. Racial, ethnic, and sexual preferences are also causes for advertising discrimination. Many advertisers believed the articles should relate to the ads, while others believed their ads would not meet the proper audience. It seemed to be a vicious circle of cause and effect and overanalyzes, which eventually led the magazine to a reader focused product with no advertisements.
She reflects back to the early 20th century when husbands were the revenue source for magazines, and there were no advertisers. The magazine consisted of information to assist women to be better wives, mothers, and homemakers. However, the magazines turned toward the image of a catalog, due to the invention of clothing patterns and the mass manufacture of household items, which led to manufacturers placing demands on the type of stories adjacent to their products or in the overall magazine (page 183).
She began by presenting a problem, gave examples of advertising problems (maybe too many), and then reflected on its origin. She concludes with a proposition for women to take control of their magazines by making their opinion known to editors, publishers, advertisers, and each other.
Why We Crave Horror Movies
150 – Why We Crave Horror Movies – Stephen King
Stephen gives a brief description of human need for fear induced through media and amusement rides. He uses metaphors to describe our psychic and sanity (or lack of) and to explain why we refrain from doing mean things to others because we prefer praise over punishment. Therefore, viewing these scenes gives us an out from causing harm to others, which explains why horror movies need to be “reactionary, anarchistic, and revolutionary” (page 152). Personally, I prefer action and comedy over horror any day and feel no need to be scared for personal pleasure.
Stephen gives a brief description of human need for fear induced through media and amusement rides. He uses metaphors to describe our psychic and sanity (or lack of) and to explain why we refrain from doing mean things to others because we prefer praise over punishment. Therefore, viewing these scenes gives us an out from causing harm to others, which explains why horror movies need to be “reactionary, anarchistic, and revolutionary” (page 152). Personally, I prefer action and comedy over horror any day and feel no need to be scared for personal pleasure.
What Really Ails America
137 – What Really Ails America – William J. Bennett
William takes a very real problem with America, discusses reasons for it, and proposes a possible solution to correct it. Some would view his reasoning and solution as factual and agree, while others would disagree and fight against his solution. The fact is American morals are in a downward spiral and until steps are taken to correct them, America will continue to be a society in decline (page 137). He ends by telling us to get mad, fight, and never surrender (page 141).
Truth abides in his reasons and solution. This moral decline should not surprise us, as God warned us of its coming. Removal of prayer from schools probably began the spiral. Society lacks understanding of the true meaning of “division of church and state” and has removed the Ten Commandments from many government buildings. Displacements of many priorities have occurred; however, the NCLB act continues to improve the education system. As Christians, we need to continue to build God’s kingdom; those who choose against it will enter into the worst downward spiral imaginable. Unfortunately for them, it will be too late and truth will be their demise.
William takes a very real problem with America, discusses reasons for it, and proposes a possible solution to correct it. Some would view his reasoning and solution as factual and agree, while others would disagree and fight against his solution. The fact is American morals are in a downward spiral and until steps are taken to correct them, America will continue to be a society in decline (page 137). He ends by telling us to get mad, fight, and never surrender (page 141).
Truth abides in his reasons and solution. This moral decline should not surprise us, as God warned us of its coming. Removal of prayer from schools probably began the spiral. Society lacks understanding of the true meaning of “division of church and state” and has removed the Ten Commandments from many government buildings. Displacements of many priorities have occurred; however, the NCLB act continues to improve the education system. As Christians, we need to continue to build God’s kingdom; those who choose against it will enter into the worst downward spiral imaginable. Unfortunately for them, it will be too late and truth will be their demise.
The Value of Philosophy
121 – The Value of Philosophy – Bertrand Russell
Bertrand takes the subject of philosophy and deduces it from the whole into parts, explaining how sciences, such as astronomy, psychology, and others, began as philosophy, but have become their own disciplines (deductive reasoning). Then, he describes the importance of philosophy from the parts back to the whole in the value of its own discipline (inductive reasoning). He uses descriptive language to passionately explain the value of philosophy, which is obviously dear to his heart. He explains that although some independent disciplines have sprouted from philosophy, it is still its own entity and has value.
Bertrand takes the subject of philosophy and deduces it from the whole into parts, explaining how sciences, such as astronomy, psychology, and others, began as philosophy, but have become their own disciplines (deductive reasoning). Then, he describes the importance of philosophy from the parts back to the whole in the value of its own discipline (inductive reasoning). He uses descriptive language to passionately explain the value of philosophy, which is obviously dear to his heart. He explains that although some independent disciplines have sprouted from philosophy, it is still its own entity and has value.
The Mystery of Zen
98 – The Mystery of Zen – Gilbert Highet
Gilbert defines the mystery of Zen through descriptive situational plots to make the point that learning Zen is a process, not immediate knowledge. Intellectual study cannot produce understanding, it is a process learned through osmosis. He compares and contrasts Zen to Buddhism, describing similarities and differences. The topic is deep, but attainable and understandable through time.
Gilbert defines the mystery of Zen through descriptive situational plots to make the point that learning Zen is a process, not immediate knowledge. Intellectual study cannot produce understanding, it is a process learned through osmosis. He compares and contrasts Zen to Buddhism, describing similarities and differences. The topic is deep, but attainable and understandable through time.
The Rival Conceptions of God
95 – The Rival Conceptions of God – C.S. Lewis
Lewis defines two theories of God and then searches for truth in each. He compares and contrasts the good/bad with cancer/doctors, Pantheism/Christianity, and just/unjust. He began as an atheistic and found fault in that theory. After studying his findings, he became a Christian. His writing is deep with much thought and research to understand and converse on his topic.
Lewis defines two theories of God and then searches for truth in each. He compares and contrasts the good/bad with cancer/doctors, Pantheism/Christianity, and just/unjust. He began as an atheistic and found fault in that theory. After studying his findings, he became a Christian. His writing is deep with much thought and research to understand and converse on his topic.
Salvation
87 – Salvation – Langston Hughes
Langston describes a cause and effect situation and confirms Marius’ theory on metaphors. Use of metaphors requires much care, especially with children. His aunt described salvation in a way that no child could understand, leaving him waiting and watching for Jesus to come and change his soul. Since he was literally waiting on Jesus, he was not moving from the bench. His final decision to move was only to conclude the process set before him by the church. The aunt and the church were wrong in their attempt to force salvation. It had no effect on Langston, other than further confusion.
Langston describes a cause and effect situation and confirms Marius’ theory on metaphors. Use of metaphors requires much care, especially with children. His aunt described salvation in a way that no child could understand, leaving him waiting and watching for Jesus to come and change his soul. Since he was literally waiting on Jesus, he was not moving from the bench. His final decision to move was only to conclude the process set before him by the church. The aunt and the church were wrong in their attempt to force salvation. It had no effect on Langston, other than further confusion.
The Meanings of a Word
61 – The Meanings of a Word – Gloria Naylor
Cruelty—humans’ way of using words for degradation. Gloria descriptively explains this concept from inside and outside her culture. Some words, utilized by certain cultures, maintain their original meaning. However, what one uses for harm, another uses for worth. This essay could help many people understand appropriate use of words and is a good concept for education of the human race.
Cruelty—humans’ way of using words for degradation. Gloria descriptively explains this concept from inside and outside her culture. Some words, utilized by certain cultures, maintain their original meaning. However, what one uses for harm, another uses for worth. This essay could help many people understand appropriate use of words and is a good concept for education of the human race.
How to Tame a Wild Tongue
54 – How to Tame a Wild Tongue – Gloria Anzaldua
Gloria’s language is conversational, depicting descriptive, cultural language differences and how they have affected her throughout her life. She describes many cases of how her language difference affects different situations, such as the rude teacher that told her to go back to Mexico, if she cannot speak English properly. Sometimes we need to listen more than we speak to learn the needs of others, since proper pronunciation of her name is a normal desire. There are many varieties of the Spanish language, as well as many accents and dialects of English; sadly, they are less acceptable between cultures. This is both a blessing and a curse because the company she keeps determines her speech and language. She literally has to control her tongue for acceptance, forcing her to speak eight dialects for the accommodation of others. This is an insult to her identity; “until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself…my tongue will be illegitimate.” Her desire to express herself freely in all situations makes her unacceptable in many. My lack of the Spanish language makes parts of the essay unreadable, but that is my deficiency not hers, which is part of the point she is trying to make.
Gloria’s language is conversational, depicting descriptive, cultural language differences and how they have affected her throughout her life. She describes many cases of how her language difference affects different situations, such as the rude teacher that told her to go back to Mexico, if she cannot speak English properly. Sometimes we need to listen more than we speak to learn the needs of others, since proper pronunciation of her name is a normal desire. There are many varieties of the Spanish language, as well as many accents and dialects of English; sadly, they are less acceptable between cultures. This is both a blessing and a curse because the company she keeps determines her speech and language. She literally has to control her tongue for acceptance, forcing her to speak eight dialects for the accommodation of others. This is an insult to her identity; “until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself…my tongue will be illegitimate.” Her desire to express herself freely in all situations makes her unacceptable in many. My lack of the Spanish language makes parts of the essay unreadable, but that is my deficiency not hers, which is part of the point she is trying to make.
Whose Canon is it, anyway?
34 – Whose Canon is it, anyway? – Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry is very intellectual in the narrative representation of his essay. I never realized that there were “canons” other than the Biblical canons I had learned about previously. He has an obvious passion and drive for literature and curriculum, how they change through time and circumstance, and how they affect and vary within cultures.
I enjoyed his father’s favorite story about Father Devine and the judge (great humor) and can relate to his story about stage fright as a young boy. Public performances can be very intimidating. Thankfully through many years of intimidation, I have come to where I can manage public speaking fairly well.
Henry is very intellectual in the narrative representation of his essay. I never realized that there were “canons” other than the Biblical canons I had learned about previously. He has an obvious passion and drive for literature and curriculum, how they change through time and circumstance, and how they affect and vary within cultures.
I enjoyed his father’s favorite story about Father Devine and the judge (great humor) and can relate to his story about stage fright as a young boy. Public performances can be very intimidating. Thankfully through many years of intimidation, I have come to where I can manage public speaking fairly well.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Meanings of a Word
This essay begins with the idea that context is everything: "Words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus that gives them true power." As the author goes on to describe an experience she had in the third grade, she addresses an issue that I have heard many my age ask: "Why when they call each other niggers it's okay, but when we do, it's offensive?" She goes on to explain a language tool that I believe many of us use today. It's not so complicated. I could call my best and worst friend an idiot, and it means two entirely different things. I could call the girls in my residence hall idiots for pulling a prank and a group of learning disabled students idiots because they appear to lack the kind of intelligence I have. Again, "it is the consensus that gives them true power." This essay is not a debate about whether the spoken word is better than the written word, but that the written word seems robbed of the context that is understood in the middle of dialogue. This point is confirmed in Naylor's statement: "Whatever we manage to capture in even the most transcendent passages falls far short of the richness of life."
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Men We Carry in Our Minds
Pondering the ideal man, I automatically look at my father. My relationship with him has not been so great. He tried to make me a man, but thankful a counselor informed me that I had the wrong perceptions of what a man is. My dad tried to get me to do things that I didn't enjoy doing, like hunting, fishing, and the like. He made me feel like I was less than a man or a girl because I did not want to participate in these activites. My counselor has helped me notice my activeness in searching for male relationship that I did not have with my father. From listening to my counselor and evaluating the decisions I have made, I come to see the importance of a father figure in leading his son to manhood. It is also important not to give the son false ideas about what it means to be a man. I'm pretty sure that Adam was a man, before the Fall, and he didn't hunt nor fish.
How It Feels to Be Colored Me
I think that Hurston has a good perspective on things. I know that I grown annoyed hearing people distinguish people by race. Many (black and white) refer to men who are black a "black man," while the white man is just referred to as "man." This kind of upsets me. When will we be able to look at people without looking at their skin? I appreicated Hurston's words, "But I am not tragically colored." She also noted, "I do not always feel colored." Anyone have any other thoughts? I'm interested in any thoughts concerning Hurston's perspective on race.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Death of the Moth – Virginia Woolf
The Death of the Moth – Virginia Woolf
This descriptive essay of the life of a moth has both interesting and boring parts. The author seems somewhat cruel to not help him, but instead determines to view its cycle and struggle for life. There is no guarantee that if she had helped that he could have lived longer, but a moth’s life is short, so I guess that is her point.
This descriptive essay of the life of a moth has both interesting and boring parts. The author seems somewhat cruel to not help him, but instead determines to view its cycle and struggle for life. There is no guarantee that if she had helped that he could have lived longer, but a moth’s life is short, so I guess that is her point.
Coming to an Awareness of Language – Malcolm X
Coming to an Awareness of Language – Malcolm X
This essay is interesting in that it takes a common, illiterate criminal with poor handwriting from a bad neighborhood and turns him into a self-educated man. The author’s writing technique opens the story from his past as one not for inaction and uses that as his excuse for writing, just something to do. He could not write well and could not understand what he read, so he took action and acquired a dictionary. From that one tool, and his pen and paper, he entered a world unknown to him. The dictionary helped him read and write and changed who he was, allowing freedom even in prison.
In the beginning, I did not care for the man he was, but learned to appreciate him throughout the essay for his desire and dedication to learn on his own and better him. He could have just done his time, but instead, he did something worthwhile with his time. He ended up with more freedom from self-education than through reentering the outside world, and became a better person in the process. This is a well-written expressive essay using his personal experience of imprisonment to better him. He developed it through narration and description organized in chronological order.
This essay is interesting in that it takes a common, illiterate criminal with poor handwriting from a bad neighborhood and turns him into a self-educated man. The author’s writing technique opens the story from his past as one not for inaction and uses that as his excuse for writing, just something to do. He could not write well and could not understand what he read, so he took action and acquired a dictionary. From that one tool, and his pen and paper, he entered a world unknown to him. The dictionary helped him read and write and changed who he was, allowing freedom even in prison.
In the beginning, I did not care for the man he was, but learned to appreciate him throughout the essay for his desire and dedication to learn on his own and better him. He could have just done his time, but instead, he did something worthwhile with his time. He ended up with more freedom from self-education than through reentering the outside world, and became a better person in the process. This is a well-written expressive essay using his personal experience of imprisonment to better him. He developed it through narration and description organized in chronological order.
Friday, November 9, 2007
The Value of Philosophy
Man, I wish so badly that I could open my mind to this concept of philosophy as Meg and Elijah have. I wish this essay would have interested me, but over all it did not. I realize that is a huge disappointment to you Megan, and for that I am sorry, but I just hate philosophy. Perhaps that is a bold statement, and maybe not exactly how I want to get my point across but I don't know how else to word how I feel. I love questioning important things on a deeper level, and finding out what I believe for my self, but I do not like questioning such questions as "how do we know a chair is a chair?". In the general education philosophy class we have to take, I was asked that question and at that point I turned my mind off. I don't question the reality of a chair or a table or if the sky is real or if I really make my own decisions or if some one makes them for me. I have faith without a need for "proof" and I believe a chair is a chair because when I sit down, it provides me with all the things I need from a chair, case closed.
I guess I just don't understand why this way of thinking is so bad, or why in the essay he makes his way of thinking superior to mine. I feel like his way of thinking and living life is a waste of time, too much concentration on minor details, I feel as if he misses the whole picture. But that is his choice and there can be value found in that. But from his stand point, there is no value in my way of thinking.
The essay leads me to believe that a philosopher has no conviction for areas of black and white, only gray. How does one live like that? With no firm belief in any thing except that there are no absolute answers? I am not trying to knock philosophy, I realize it is vital to human existence, I just don't get it and I did not like this essay. I don't think my way of thinking is any less or better than his way of thinking, it's just different, but if I were to ask him how he felt toward me, based on the essay, I can bet he would belittle my knowledge and patronize my way of thinking.
But in his mind, there are no absolutes, so how can his way be better than mine?
This may make you guys mad, and that is not my intention, I just don't understand it. Maybe some day a light bulb will go off and I will understand it.
Until then, I will stick with my way of thinking!
Jillian
I guess I just don't understand why this way of thinking is so bad, or why in the essay he makes his way of thinking superior to mine. I feel like his way of thinking and living life is a waste of time, too much concentration on minor details, I feel as if he misses the whole picture. But that is his choice and there can be value found in that. But from his stand point, there is no value in my way of thinking.
The essay leads me to believe that a philosopher has no conviction for areas of black and white, only gray. How does one live like that? With no firm belief in any thing except that there are no absolute answers? I am not trying to knock philosophy, I realize it is vital to human existence, I just don't get it and I did not like this essay. I don't think my way of thinking is any less or better than his way of thinking, it's just different, but if I were to ask him how he felt toward me, based on the essay, I can bet he would belittle my knowledge and patronize my way of thinking.
But in his mind, there are no absolutes, so how can his way be better than mine?
This may make you guys mad, and that is not my intention, I just don't understand it. Maybe some day a light bulb will go off and I will understand it.
Until then, I will stick with my way of thinking!
Jillian
Monday, November 5, 2007
What Really Ails America
Perhaps I could give a giant "Amen" to this entire essay. America is in trouble. I kind of reflect on today's chapel message, in which the speaker noted: Atheism is really in opposition to God; attacking God. We need God in America again. We need God in our schools, too! Bennett quoted Plato's view of education: that good education makes good men, and good men act nobly.
I agree with Bennett, when he talks of us "saying one thing and doing another." This has to stop!
America is acting like God does not exist, therefore some of us are doing anything and everything they want. I also agree with Bennett that Americans are sloth. "The slothful heart is steeped in the worldy and carnal, hates the spiritual and wants to be free from its demands." This statment reflects the idea that many are in rebellious pursiut of the Holy God. We better wake up; as indivduals and as a community, or Humpty Dumpty will soon be our nick-name.
I agree with Bennett, when he talks of us "saying one thing and doing another." This has to stop!
America is acting like God does not exist, therefore some of us are doing anything and everything they want. I also agree with Bennett that Americans are sloth. "The slothful heart is steeped in the worldy and carnal, hates the spiritual and wants to be free from its demands." This statment reflects the idea that many are in rebellious pursiut of the Holy God. We better wake up; as indivduals and as a community, or Humpty Dumpty will soon be our nick-name.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
The Value of Philosophy
Well naturally this essay was of utmost interest to me. First of all because I love philosophy and second because Bertand Russell is one of the best modern/post modernist. I have read several other essays by him, and they are all very interesting.
My favorite statement of the this essay is, "Philosophy, like all other studies, aims primarily at knowledge. The knowledge it aims at is the kind of knowledge that gives unity..." I love this statement because as a Philosopher that is our whole objective and consequently what my whole life has come to be about. I want unity and consistancy in all the different areas of my life and I search and wonder through things philosophically to get to a place where things just gel together. Everyone whether they accept it or not is a philosopher. We have to critically examine what we believe and why in every area of our lives. So, the value of philosophy is extraordinarily high.
While philosophy may not establish the answers themselves, it gives a field in which answers can be discovered through. And I completely agree with Russell when he says that philosophy is to be studied for the questions' sake not the answers. I just love this essay!
My favorite statement of the this essay is, "Philosophy, like all other studies, aims primarily at knowledge. The knowledge it aims at is the kind of knowledge that gives unity..." I love this statement because as a Philosopher that is our whole objective and consequently what my whole life has come to be about. I want unity and consistancy in all the different areas of my life and I search and wonder through things philosophically to get to a place where things just gel together. Everyone whether they accept it or not is a philosopher. We have to critically examine what we believe and why in every area of our lives. So, the value of philosophy is extraordinarily high.
While philosophy may not establish the answers themselves, it gives a field in which answers can be discovered through. And I completely agree with Russell when he says that philosophy is to be studied for the questions' sake not the answers. I just love this essay!
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