Reality

After watching the Brave New World movie clip in class today, this is starting to seem more real. Like this could actually happen...

At first honestly I thought Clockwork Orange was insane, Feed was just out there and Culture Jam was sarcastically truthful. It seems as though each of the novels have grown to become more realistic. Like Feed's Violet, Fahrenheit 451 also had a character that wanted out of this new world. Clarisse as well as Violet resembled previous generations, a dislike toward technology, and an appreciation toward nature.

It is ultimately horrible how it seems like violence contributes toward the use of technology. It truly does. In example, the Brave New World clip proves this. The newscaster stated "parents want to know if there is any technology that can help with kidnappings." "Kids can't even play in the front yard."

There is now a "solution" to this problem. A computerized chip implanted in children with a tracking device. What the heck! I mean, terribly enough, this seems like a decent idea for parents who have experienced their child being kidnapped. To the world who has not experienced it, it might seem crazy. There is just so much violence now, it's clearly pathetic.

Why can't everyone just be good?

Could it happen?

So as I was reading the rest of the book last weekend, my boyfriend glanced over to see the book and stated "that book is the stupidest book I've ever read."

That is clearly false, because I doubt he actually read the book. I just continued reading, ignoring it basically. Although honestly, I'm sure a lot of people think the same thing. Are we denying that this could happen? Or do we actually just not think it could happen...

Could it happen?

I was definitely in suspense as Montag was running away, and finally outsmarted the media. This was clearly hard to do.

It honestly scares me, each of the novels portrays a different interpretation of futuristic scares.

I was thinking, is this seclusion and destroying of books that is trying to keep people all the same actually attempting to prevent violence? I mean, it sounds crazy, yet think about it.

If everyone thinks the same, there would be no argument, no actual varying opinion. Everyone would think the same, so what would there be to fight about?

However, I could be completely wrong.

I know when I meet someone who's just like me, in any way or anything I honestly don't like them. Opposite's attract? I mean, my friends are a lot like me, but not JUST like me or anything. Egh.

Strange theory?

Fahrenheit 451

So far, Fahrenheit 451 isn't a bad book. I've been meaning to read it for a while, I've always been curious as to what it was truly about.

It seems as though each of the novels so far have the same moral and theme, although express different negative hypothesis toward what the future holds. It's a tad scary.

With Fahrenheit 451, the fireman don't put out fires, they start them. They burn books, seems almost scared of nature, and let technology control their minds. The most odd, is the burning book part which makes this different among the previous books.

Mildred even attempts to kill herself, as all the woman does is sit in her chair surrounded by 3 TVs that appear to be taken over the wall... that's awful.

These people all seem lifeless. I mean, that's what they have in each book. Lifeless. Technology does this for us that we don't need to do, therefore making it "easier." However, I beg to differ. This is poison.

All in all, I'm curious to the ending. Will this be like the others?

wow, a REAL commercial ?!

This commercial clearly mocks other tampon commercials, I thought this was hilarious. Just thought I'd share :)

Violence

After reading into more of the novel "A Clockwork Orange," I've come to understand it more. However, I still really do not like it.

But I've come to the conclusion that this is life. I mean, violence just honestly seems to be everywhere. Why do serial killers do what they do? Why do people rape? Why do people fight/ yell/ do anything they do? I think I've thought too far into this, however it makes sense.

After more intense group discussion this week. I honestly wonder if power is truly the answer. I honestly beg to differ. After reading Culture Jam and Feed and watching the clip Killing Us Softley, it seems as though people are just BORED. I mean, clearly this is not the core reason, however it strongly contributes! I mean, in Feed the first sentance states the the MOON was BORING!

I wouldn't think the moon would be boring... but hey that's me. And that's my generation.

This is Alex's generation. I sure as heck hope we do not turn into this. I mean, violence as a hobby.

Does anyone agree?

Also, as I told my group members in class. I thought it was truly ironic about how Alex could see what he saw about himself, and then turn around and say he was in a gang. It seems like people don't learn, they'll just go out and do it again.

One day last summer, my dad caught a man attempting to steal things out of our shed. They caught the man and put him and jail. The police told my dad that they'd seen people like that man all the time, that they would just steal and go to jail, take a break there eat some food, and then get out of jail and do it again!

What the heck.

A Clockwork Orange

This book definitely seems weird. I mean, I've heard of the movie before choosing to read the book, and it is pretty insane. The violence is crazy!!!!

I must say that the word choice and language in the novel is pretty confusing, although it's pretty neat as well. What I'm mostly trying to figure out so far, is how Alex came to be so violent? I mean, he likes classical music, seems to have a good family life (as far as we know) and is somehow the leader of his extremely violent gang!

Maybe we actually have it all wrong, maybe there's something we're missing in his family life. Or maybe this is just the culture, or the "cool" thing to do at the time.

But I do NOT and will not EVER think that beating up an innocent old man is FUN!? NEVER. What the heck?

And when the group beat up the man who owned the shop, they raped his wife right in front of him. That's honestly MORE than just violence ...that makes me sick.

So far, I hate this novel.

Also, in class it was honestly interesting to see everyone's opinion. I truly thought it was strange that I was one of the three that DISAGREED that "everyone should have the right to a choice."

I strongly stand by this choice! You can't just go and kill an innocent person, or an innocent old man in Andy's case for NO reason! Why the heck would you do that? This is just disgusting.

I mean, sometimes when people make choices, ESPECIALLY LIKE THIS ONE, it takes someone else's choice away.

This book is disgusting.

Well, it's over :)

So I can use technology freely now :)

But you know what? I kind of think about it now. It is truly insane on how much we rely on technology. I think of Bark, I think of Culture Jam, and Feed and how I do NOT want to be like those kids in Feed!!

Well, me and my friend Ali went to the gym on Thursday, my last day to keep away from technology. She went right toward the elyptical and treadmill. I'm thinking, um that's technologyyy, so I headed over to stretch and maybe run around the court. She joined me soon after, laughing at me because of how seriously I was attempting to take the project. We ran for a little, and then decided to do a Zumba and Kick Boxing class. It was actually really fun, and pretty amusing because of how out of shape we were!

Honestly, running in general, and running on an operated machine are definitely different.

We are now going to zumba Wendesday and Thursday nights :) and perhaps kick boxing, maybe. Haha :)

Anyway, throughout this whole experience I have definitely become more AWARE. That would truly define my learning experience, ultimately.

I attended Bark's funeral, this Saturday in Malvern, PA. I told my Bria (Bark's daughter) all about my NON-technology experience, and she laughed and said, "yeap, that's Bark for ya!"

I admire his decision deeply, honestly.

All in all, this wasn't as hard as it sounded. I definitely benefited. I can honestly say I actually APPLIED myself more with my homework, found two new hobbies at the gym:), and just have a whole different approach.

Let's not let technology control us, okay?

no technology number two

Yesterday morning, my best friend's step-dad died from cancer. I have known the family since kindergarten, and it was definitely a devastation. We have so many memories of him taking us for rides on the tractor when we were little, and as we got a little older taking us to the mall and movies or wherever really, and recently just being there, as we'd run throughout the house getting ready or whatever, and always having such a positive attitude. Disregarding making fun of how long we took to get ready, of course.

Anyway, why does this relate to anything?

Bark died from a natural death. He did not want radiation treatment, or chemo treatment. That was just not what him nor his family believed it. It just wasn't part of their culture. It just wasn't, an option.

As I think of what I'm attempting to do, complaining and having all my friends laugh when I go to turn my hair straightener on, and they turn it off, it actually isn't SO bad.

I respect Bark's decision. It's his life, his decision.

So for me doing this for a week, hey, it isn't so bad.




RIP Bark Cantrell, you will be missed by many <3

Extra Credit, NO TECHNOLOGY?!

So I'm attempting for this week to NOT use technology. I started this Wednesday, and I'm going through withdrawel. My phone is being a piece of crap, regardless of the extra credit experiment.

Honestly, I wouldn't call this a project. I'd call it an experiment. So far, I don't know what I would consider to be passing.

Well, I'm not using my laptop for Facebook, as much, although I sort of forgot and logged on. My roomate came over and yelled at me to get off SO I did. But I CAN DO THIS. Hahahaah, this is pathetic.

My name is Kiersten and I'm a Facebook addict.

Not only am I a Facebook addict, but I'm a cell-phone and hair straightener addict. I have straight hair, honestly so I actually don't even need to straighten it. So I haven't been. I haven't even blow dryed it which I usually do EVERY DAY. This is TERRIBLE for hair, so I'm hoping this is semi-beneficial for my hair regardless of the messy poneytail it's been pulling off lately.

My phone is driving me insane. It turns itself off, and won't turn back on. :( I'm dying. I won't be getting another phone until next weekend. Honestly I feel disconnected from reality AND my boyfriend AND my best friends and it's driving me insane.

Honestly, it really is pathetic how dependable we are on technology. Like, we have no idea what to do without it.

BUT I'M GETTING SO MUCH HOMEWORK DONE.

My phone is a dud, my straightener and blow dryer are hidden by my roomate, and my car is in the shop, and my Facebook is probably loaded with "updates." UGH

But at least I'm getting homework done much more efficiently.

I READ FOR GOVERNMENT. Points for meee! :]

Wish me luck.

"Feed"

Honestly, I liked this book. It was interesting, and even more interesting because these kids were our age, and didn't use historic lingo. Funny thing, they used pure futuristic lingo by far!

What is the "feed?" It's a tiny computer chip, basically like a giant Google/ internet/ GPS/ etc. THING in the brain that basically you didn't even need a brain for anymore. It's pretty insane, if you ask me.

That seems to be exactly what the novel is about, our dependency on technology and how we just seem to be letting it happen. It seems as if humans are never satisfied! Take this for example, on page 45 Titus describes a painting of a boat in a lake on the wall of the hospital bed, "I couldn't find anything interesting about that picture at all. There was nothing that was about to happen or just happened. I couldn't figure out even the littlest reason to pain a picture like that."

This clearly portrays the future. With the feed, it seems as though you do not have to appreciate ANYTHING else. I mean, I know I'm not a HUGE art fan or anything, although that's not exactly the point. The quote just demonstrates how "null" or bored everyone is with the little things.

Furthermore, on page 47, Titus states "everyone is super smart now. You can looks things up automatic, like science and history, like if you want to know which battles of the civil war George Washington fought in and shit."

This claims that basically, schooling is unnecessary, seeing as everyone is "super smart." Although later on in the novel, schooling is NOT run by the gov't, and students learn how to use their feeds, not information on the world. So basically, you can find out information about history, or mathematics, etc., only if you WANT too. To these teenagers it just seems "null."

Ultimately, I thought this novel was mega interesting and semi-scary. Will this happen to us? These people are so dependent on their feeds, they feel lost without it. During his hospital visit, after Titus (just waking up) searched his brain for a few minutes, realizing he couldn't reach his feed, he FINALLY opened his eyes. OPENING MY EYES WOULD BE THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO! The ending sentence of the page was "so I opened my eyes." That's insane.

"Are you the dumbest generation?"

Well, as Mark Bauerlein suggests, we are. After watching the segment on Reason TV, I was fuming. I mean, everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, although Mark's seemed ultimatley ignorant and closed-minded.

I mean, he made some legitimate points, like teenagers only care about other teenagers. Although, I would not use the word "ONLY" in the phrase, this is semi-true. As we discussed in Group 6, when we're home and our parents cook dinner, we feel horrible telling them we already made plans to go out.

IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE HEARTLESS CREATURES? Mark B, please do tell what you did as a teenager??!! Jeeze louise.

Again, he proves his point that teenagers are obsessed with technology. We all have cell phones, MP3 players, cars, etc. and are pretty vastley adapted to it.

I know if someone asked me right now if I would prefer to visit a museum for the day, or see my friends, I would most likely choose my friends. I am a HUGE people-person, and museums are not exactly my kind of thing. Should this really measure my sense of intellectuality? I THINK NOT!?

I'm sure he's completely clueless toward his cell phone or a computer. Who does he go to? Probably his children. I guess this is pathetic?

I find it ultimatley interesting that he did not discuss his own generation AT ALL. This concerns me because many believe it was the previous generations' faults. We are just adapting to our surroundings.

WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO?!

"Killing us Softly"

Watching this speaker truly opened my eyes massively. We spend three years of our lives watching TV commericals; THIS IS INSANE.

Everyone states "I don't pay attention to ads," although how is this possible? The media sells values, images, abnormally, amongst more. Ultimatley, the media directed toward women is terrible.

Women are constantly portrayed as playthings, making it seems as though this is OK as we all watch the ads in awe, wishing we could be like them. WHY? I know I don't. Although, sometimes it's hard.

In the US today, it is especially "imporant" occording to our ads, that women stay skinny, larged breasted, and wrinkle-free in society. Why is this so important? I have no idea. It starts so young! One of my bestfriend's from back home is actually considering a boob job. What the heckkkkkk.

I mean, honestly, I know I personally give in to ads constantly. My hair has been black, brown, auburn, and blonde. I have over 50 hair products, lotions, bath stuff, and purfume alone. I have 3 cases of makeup, some hardly used. I have over 15 pairs of shoes, and 2 closets full of clothes. WHY? I like stuff? :)

Anyway, am I a target market? Absolutely. Not only women, but teenagers are as well. We are the most vulnerable. Ads take full advantage of this. We are just never "good enough" by ourselves, we just NEED their product?! Ugh.

Culture Jam

Hi everyone!

So honestly, I'm liking this book so far! Although, the first paragraph seemed a tad ignorant, for lack of better words.

"Imagine you are a member of a typical postmodern family, living in a typical house, in a typical neighborhood, in a typical North American city. You're overleveraged and overworked. You eat a lot of takeout, your kids holler for Nikes and the TV is on five hours a day. One day it dawns on you that, as a family, you're failing. You aren't so much a family as five strangers sharing power and water." Page 3, paragraph 1

Harsh right? I mean, I find this ultra false. A typical family nowadays consists of a single parents going through divorce, or perhaps not even, with a child. Isn't this passage a tad ignorant toward the updated social society? It's sort of frustrating.

On a different note, the passage is attempting to portray how the use of technology affects society. I know lots of people who actually don't allow their children to watch TV. Personally, my aunt and uncle only allow TV on weekends, and not for long at all. Madonna actually doesn't allow TV in her household at all. This statement just seems a tad ignorant, and a little harsh!

January 26th, 2010

My name is Kiersten :) I'm from lower Pennsylvania and I'm planning on majoring in Speech Pathology. I love to laugh and smile and be around others! I would consider myself caring and friendly :) get to know me!