Cradle-ee Cat, Cradle-ee Cat:)

Well hello there! It has defiantly been awhile since my followers have had something wonderful to fill their minds with... good thing Calvin and Georgia are beck to writing blogs!!!:)Thus far in Cat's Cradle, I would have to make the assumption that the novel is based on post modernism. The book goes out of the way of being considered a "classic" and en capsules the idea of new thought and different ideas. I enjoy this novel. I feel that it really speaks to the reader. The texts provided to the class, in my opinion, are too hard to understand so I will attempt to make comparisons based on the previous novels read and my own thoughts.

                I feel that this novel can be compared to the video we watched earlier on this month. The idea of postmodernism is not only present in literary works, but in architecture as well. The video showed newer forms of buildings and art that are just recently being considered great and wonderful. The same is true for the books we read and delve into as we make our way through our AP Literature Quest for knowledge. Authors strive to find the next best thing, as to architects.

                This novel can also be compared to Brave New World. In BNW the people were making a Utopia, a land of happiness and plenty. CC has that as well. Many of the characters in CC are looking for the perfect place to live that will provide them with all they need or want monetarily. San Lorenzo, is that place for most people, they can live and work at little to no cost, and there are always people ready to do the dirty work. This for sure works in the favor of the white man.

That is all there is to say on the matter, tune in next time for the wonderful MEGANAwesomeJJ

BNW essay!!!:)

Brave New World posts many different unconventional things that raise arguement. In Sir Robinson's video, he explained different ways learning and thinking have evolved over the years. My favorite point from the video was that ADHD was an epidemic, starting in Oklahoma and getting to its worst level by Washington DC. Come on now people, really???? How could this even remotely be an epidemic? The use of Ritalin and other ADD drugs are similar to the soma in Brave New World. When Lenina was speaking, or rather listening to the Warden, she, "swallowed half a gramme of soma, with the result that she could now sit, serenely not listening, thinking of nothing at all," (Huxley 101). It is as if she can just pop pills to make everything better. This is exactly what society is thinking about ADD drugs. They will make the world happier. WRONG!!! It only hinders progress. People cannot be themselves and therefore not learn their way.
Also, although it may not be a text*, the use of conditioning society is present today. For example, Buchanan high school athletics. At yesterday's cross country league meet, the bears (eeewww) swept every race. It is obvious that those children were born in a factory as alphas and betas conditioned to win evertything they participate in. These "people" are almost robotic in that they can go out and dominate their society. From birth, these children have been hearing repetitive sayings; "beat clovis," "clovis is your enemy, " and who is to blame them. We are awesome and able to dominate, but their initial conditioning makes it difficult. arggghhh
*the results from the race are availiable upon request. :)

Divergent Blogging

The second time watching the video was definitely the most interesting. I thought is was great how simple pictures could help the average person understand all that was said. My favorite point from the video was that ADHD was an epidemic, starting in Oklahoma and getting to its worst level by Washington DC. Come on now people, really???? How could this even remotely be an epidemic? The use of Ritalin and other ADD drugs are similar to the soma in Brave New World. When Lenina was speaking, or rather listening to the Warden, she, "swallowed half a gramme of soma, with the result that she could now sit, serenely not listening, thinking of nothing at all," (Huxley 101). It is as if she can just pop pills to make everything better. This is exactly what society is thinking about ADD drugs. They will make the world happier. WRONG!!! It only hinders progress. People cannot be themselves and therefore not learn their way. 

I also found it interesting that the video said, “It’s not because teachers want it that way, it’s just because it happens this way.” Honestly this is scary. How can a society just be okay with this? It hurts children who grow up into adults who hurt the new kids. But they don’t know it!!! This is just like Brave New World, the people are ‘forced’ to believe what they ‘know’ but they have no idea what else is out there. What a limited view?? I know that if I was in that society I would probably conform. This is only because it is only what I know, not what I would choose.  The people in the novel are brought up to think a certain way and to act on their knowledge. I wouldn’t know how to act!!!

HUH?? I dont get it:/

soo, the other day I decided to mess with my mom and play dumb. She would say, "do the dishes," to that I would respond, "what are those?" this started to get really funny for me, but more so annoying to her. She finally needed someone to pick my sister up from practice, our conversation led on to her saying, "please pick her up, she is your family." Ironically I replied, "whats that?" Although joking, i could not help but later realize the way society is being portrayed in A Brave New World. Family is non-existant, people have no love, and promiscuity is the normal thing to participate in. There is major manipulation to their society, that up to this point, no one can prove it. Personally I don't like the ways of the people of the novel. That is a dirty, loosy goosy, wrong way to live.
The passage exemplifies the societies view on how they should be run. Productivity is key. The wheels must turn for the society to function. By "pre-programing" embryos to funtion at a certain brain level/capacity everyone can function to produce a common goal, productivity. Eliminating family, love and good friendships, society can function at a higher greatness because there is no distraction from work and production. Do you sense a common theme... PRODUCTIVITY!! Ford, inventor of the assembly line is predominant in the lives of the people. All that is to be achieved and completed is work made through 100% efficiency.

Is there a Right way to Write????

Sorry this is a late post. I was in Oregon and away from a computer but I hope that you all find my blog fun and enjoyable as well as informative.:) While reading the essays I noticed two things... they were both valid points, but can people just start to agree with each other??? That would make life a whole lot easier for the rest of us!! (sarcasm!!!) Well anyways, I enjoyed the comment in the second essay, "But art, the art that matters, is not cement. It is mobile, complex, elusive, disturbing." this really stood out in my mind because this is what we have been taught for years. "Dig deeper into the meaning," "what does that represent," and so on. Teachers have been melting into our heads, in my opinion, the right way to analyze a text. But according to Will, one is just supposed to take the text at face value, without delving in or interpreting the novel on a more learned level. Literature, to most, is art. There is no one correct way to interpret it. if we all had the same thoughts on a matter, there would be no need for personal opinion. with no personal opinion, there is no individuality, with no individuality there is no person. We might as well all wear white overalls and have green hair like an oompa loompa! no one would be able to say, "those overalls look dumb" because everyone has them and there is no opinion. The same is true with literature, different interpretations lead to new discoveries about the hidden meaning in older novels, plays, etc. To be honest I could almost care less either way, i like oompa loompas. but if we want to progress as a society, we need different thougts and interpretations.

Colonazation????

Shakespeare had to believe in colonazation!!! Due to the fact that in the Elizabethan era many of the people who ocupied Europe never saw anyone other than those of their race. Propaganda was used to influence the minds of the people into believing that they were savages who needed to be conquered. Prospero went to look into the island that Caliban's mother left for him. Little did Caliban know, Prospero wasz just plotting to take over the island once he got a feeling for the place. This is a very manipulative tactic that countries use to gain trust before they take over.
    I also find parallels from the video (and other western movies) to the play. Western movies and the play both portray "other" people as weirdos who need help or death at the extreme level. They are taken as slaves and forced to do the work of the superior race. This superiority is prevsalent in many societies and time periods. This is more predominant in the civil war era and earlier. Mainly whites took over and wanted to rule the world... it was no good, and this is coming from a white girl.
     Thanks for listening to my opinions:):)

El Tempisto! Acto One-o!

This first act of "The Tempest" brought many questions to my little head. I believe that Prospero uses many superlatives and hyperbolies in his stories. For example when he is speaking to his slave, Caliban, he tells a story about the creatures past. There is no way for the creature to prove this in the wrong or write so he must remain subservient.
     Also Prospero is  very manipulative towards Miranda. He is constantly making sure she is listening and heeding to his every word with, "Thou attend'st not?" and "Dost thou hear?" (Shakespeare 38) It is almost as if he thinks that his actions are pure heroism and they deserve a trophy... which is not the case. All he has deone in reality is use a few magic spell to create a setting in whch he can dominate. He made it possible to seemingly "rescue" Miranda from a bade situation. Even though he would have been able to get her years later by the use of his storm. He has almost a magical gift of getting people to believe whatever he has to say. He poses her story to her as if he was the knight in shining armor, taking her from her immediate family. His tone while telling this story makes her melt into his manipulation.
     The same is true with Ariel. He was promised early freedom, but Prospero tells his story in the form of threats so that Ariel will be respectful again. These threats are very convincing because the reader notices right away that Ariel swiftly changes his objectives and turns 180 degrees around and thanks Prospero for keeping him as a servant. This  was only half unexpected. I knew something was up from the beginning but Prospero's power really went through the book and into my soul when he could manipulate soooo many with one action.
     This was strange but an altogether great beginning to an interesting play.

SIngle Story

While watching the posted video, it occurred to me how one sided things can be and we don't even notice. Adichie's story of her life spoke of wonderful things the people do not hear everyday. I wish that all people could hear what she had to say. Her definition of power, the ability to say something and have people believe that that is the single story, was really important. It showed that people are unknowingly ignorant to what they hear. Her roommate was a perfect example of a person who has been force-fed single stories. I too know people who have the world and its parts drawn into categories or stereotypes. Adichie also made the remark that, "stereotypes aren't only untrue but they rob people of their humanity." I agree with this statement 100% People who create stereotypes not only hurt the target individual but they hurt themselves as well. 

Adichie helped to identify with her audience by sharing where she got most of her single stories. It is too true that western books mainly depict blonde haired, blue-eyed children and their two-story houses where Mom cooks dinner and has it ready for Dad when he gets home. this clouds the view for many people who live outside the United States. Although America is a land of opportunity, we do have our own domestic problems. We allow, suggest and encourage single stories.  This not only limits the view of others, but it makes us unaware of the other worldly single stories. I agree with Adichie when she suggested making an African television channel. One that showds the culturally diverse daily life of different African countries. Not only should there be an African channel, but also channels devoted to eliminating the single stories from those countries submitted to them.

The last thing the audience was left with really summed up and hit hard the hearts and minds ofthe listeners. 

"When we reject the single story, when we realize there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise."

This Is It!!!

Okay,

So here is my first ever posting of the MEGANAwesome blog. I bet you are super excited. When setting up my blogger account, something occurred to me... why have I not done this before????? I mean, it is fun, hip, and cool right? Of course it is!! So far so good. Last week was the first week of school and it was an eventful one at that. We had class meetings, book check out, and leadership had to wear their spirit outfits with their buddies. It was awesome! That's my buddy, Brynna, and I. We had a blast running around with tights, masks, and tu tus on. I love spirit day. Well that seems to cover my first week of school... a new MEGANAwesome post is soon to follow!!