Thursday, April 29, 2010
Kim Robinson - misc. # 5
For most like me this has been a long semester with stressful classes. However, it was a nice thing every monday night to head to class just so I could watch movies. I have to say that this has been one of the best classes I've taken at CNU. I love movies in general, but I also love to go back ad see movies I haven't seen in years and view it from a different perspective. Other than the foreign films, I had seen most of the movies we watched over these past weeks. I was able to re-watch these movies and because of the discussions held before and after class I was able to view all these movies through a different lense. I don't think that I would have ever have been able to make some of the connections that others made during the films, but once pointed out these connections made sense. As my last blog I just wated to write how this class gave me an opprotunity to learn new points of view and to re-interpret that which we think we already know. It was a fun class!
Kim Robinson - Misc. # 4
The other day in preperation for Spain, we were suppose set up and partake in this labyrinth. Unfortunately the day we had planned to set up the labyrinth was the beginning of this rainy weather we've been having and therefore the event had to be shut done because there just wasn't ebough time left in the school year to postpone it. Labyrinths originally have ties back to Acient Greece and are more often seen today as a sort of maze. ore often seen these days as a sort of maze. People walk on the paths of the labyrinth which curl back to each and evevtually you rach the center. They can be used as a physical form of prayer. I had done a labyrinth once before, but i was kind of excited to have the opprotunity to do it again.I wouldn't say that I've become more religious but rather more spiritual since the last time I walked a labyrinth. Its calming exerience if nothing else and gives a person time to slow down and collect their thoughts. I was excited that a labyrinth was coming to our school and people who have just a small example of what my summer will be like in Spain. Prayers do not always have to be in front a statue of Christ or in church kneeling before "the presence" of God. I wonder truly how many people at CNU have either done a labyrinth and how many have never even heard a labyrinth.I bet the differences are closer than we expect. And maybe we'd be surprised too that more have done than you think. It can be a very spiritual thing for those who are religious and now as I develop my own sense of my faith in a higher being, I wonder if doing a labyrinth now would be different than it was before????
Kim Robinson - outside reading #5
One of my classes this semester was called Power & Mystification. The majority of our time spent looking at and examining how political leaders and social figures gained and used their power. However, at the beginning of the semester we were discussing government as a whole and many of readings talked about church and state. It was interesting to read all these articles that highlight how religion has become part of every government, no matter how much they say they seperate it. Even in our own government there are obvious rituals or symbols that can be directly back to religion, more specifically Christianity. When the president gets sworn in every four years, he (so far) places his hand on a copy of the bible and some even add "So help me God" into their oaths of office. There the president of the US is acknowledging the power of God in a very public venue. Also, the official motto of the United States and it's government is "In God We Trust" . We now use that motto on almost all forms of currency. I'm not saying that I believe it is wrong that the US government uses religious symbolism or rituals in the practice of government. More that when I was reading these different articles it really just struck me that as a people and as a government we openly declare that the fate of us all lies in the hands of God. That we trust his reason above all others. I just thought it was interesting and now it makes me want to go look for connections of religion to out government :p
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
#7 Wilderness as Sacred Place: Spiritual Journey- no pain no gain
Afton Reed
Spiritual journey is comprised of many things. One important aspect is "no pain no gain," In order to recieve any benefits, like everything else, you have to be willing to push yourself to the limit. Finding your limits really allows you to grow as a person. You grow a new respect for yourself, and a new knowledge of what you can handle.To complete a spiritual journey you must have perseverence.
Spiritual journey is comprised of many things. One important aspect is "no pain no gain," In order to recieve any benefits, like everything else, you have to be willing to push yourself to the limit. Finding your limits really allows you to grow as a person. You grow a new respect for yourself, and a new knowledge of what you can handle.To complete a spiritual journey you must have perseverence.
#6 Wilderness as Sacred Place: My sacred place at CNU
Afton Reed
I don't feel like I have many places that I consider sacred.The only place that really strikes me is a place I went to a few times for answers. There were a few nights I just felt like going for walks and I always ended up at the fountain. Most nights no one was sitting there so I could do whatever I wanted to without feeling watched. Sometimes I cried. I often watched the sky or the water in the fountain. I'm not sure what was so relaxing about it. And why I felt so comfortable there, but there it was. I guess it chose, I didn't choose it. I didn't really perform any rituals there, but if crying could be considered a ritual, or somewhat questioning a higher power, then I performed rituals there. It is both local and universal because many people find water to be relazing. And finally it is tread upon every day but I am the only one who has entered it as a sacred place. But, now that I have shared it's sacredness, you may enter.
I don't feel like I have many places that I consider sacred.The only place that really strikes me is a place I went to a few times for answers. There were a few nights I just felt like going for walks and I always ended up at the fountain. Most nights no one was sitting there so I could do whatever I wanted to without feeling watched. Sometimes I cried. I often watched the sky or the water in the fountain. I'm not sure what was so relaxing about it. And why I felt so comfortable there, but there it was. I guess it chose, I didn't choose it. I didn't really perform any rituals there, but if crying could be considered a ritual, or somewhat questioning a higher power, then I performed rituals there. It is both local and universal because many people find water to be relazing. And finally it is tread upon every day but I am the only one who has entered it as a sacred place. But, now that I have shared it's sacredness, you may enter.
#5 Wilderness as Sacred Place: Community vs. Communitas
Afton Reed
Community is simply people living together in the same vicinity. It is conventional and utterly meaningless. But communitas is so much more. Communitas is people forced together in somewhat extreme circumstances who form this inexplainable bond. People form this connection from the experience. People who are living memorable, meaningful experiences are so overwhelmed with emotion they can't help but connect and relate those people to that experience.Communitas often incorporates flow. People just feel like everything is going right between them. Everyone is focused on eachother and sending eachother good vibes. Communitas is rare, and community is every day.
Community is simply people living together in the same vicinity. It is conventional and utterly meaningless. But communitas is so much more. Communitas is people forced together in somewhat extreme circumstances who form this inexplainable bond. People form this connection from the experience. People who are living memorable, meaningful experiences are so overwhelmed with emotion they can't help but connect and relate those people to that experience.Communitas often incorporates flow. People just feel like everything is going right between them. Everyone is focused on eachother and sending eachother good vibes. Communitas is rare, and community is every day.
#4 Liminality
Afton Reed
Liminality is an inbetween. You are who you are in the beginning and who you end up being changes drastically,the things inbetween being the cause. For example Kip refers to people who hike the Appalachian trail. They are thrown into this new situation, stripped of conventional society, forced to overcome goals, forced to persevere and push themselves to the limit and to do all of these things that they never have before,(that they may have thought they were incapable of doing) and if that doesn't change a person I don't know what does. Liminality is the state after being a catapillar but before you turn into a butterfly.
Liminality is an inbetween. You are who you are in the beginning and who you end up being changes drastically,the things inbetween being the cause. For example Kip refers to people who hike the Appalachian trail. They are thrown into this new situation, stripped of conventional society, forced to overcome goals, forced to persevere and push themselves to the limit and to do all of these things that they never have before,(that they may have thought they were incapable of doing) and if that doesn't change a person I don't know what does. Liminality is the state after being a catapillar but before you turn into a butterfly.
#3 Space and Place Diagram
Afton Reed
Space is expansive and place is enclosed.Both space and place have postive and negative qualities. Space consisits of freedom and threat. Freedom provides excitement, and a feeling of limitlessness. A free space is open and boundless.However, space can also be a threat. People are afraid that they will be lost in space. If the space is too large you felt swallowed up in it.There is no end and that can be frightening.Place also has a positive and a negative. The positive side is comfort. For example,the myths of a small town. predictability,and stability are comforting things that a small town can offer. Having things that are familiar. People you know by name, who know you by name can be a very reassuring thing to have. But a place can also be constricting.It can make you feel suffocated. It is unexciting and routine.
Space is expansive and place is enclosed.Both space and place have postive and negative qualities. Space consisits of freedom and threat. Freedom provides excitement, and a feeling of limitlessness. A free space is open and boundless.However, space can also be a threat. People are afraid that they will be lost in space. If the space is too large you felt swallowed up in it.There is no end and that can be frightening.Place also has a positive and a negative. The positive side is comfort. For example,the myths of a small town. predictability,and stability are comforting things that a small town can offer. Having things that are familiar. People you know by name, who know you by name can be a very reassuring thing to have. But a place can also be constricting.It can make you feel suffocated. It is unexciting and routine.
Kim Robinson - outside reading # 4
On another day when I was reading for my religious studies class I was reading about Japanese religions. This time the section was highlighting specific Shinto practices and one was able to catch my attention. It was the practice of misogi which is believed to purify one’s self by standing under a waterfall. This caught my attention because I began to think how that same practice is done throughout the world, specifically here in the United States. You have Southern Baptist churches who baptize their new members by submerging themselves in a river or body of water. The water is said to wash away the past sins. Also even in my church, St. Georges Episcopal Church, which George Washington attended when he lived in Ferry Farm, uses water to purify the one being baptized. The simple act of using water to form a cross on the forehead can relate back to the Japanese practice. It’s interesting to see how such a simple thing can translate into different cultures and religions.
#2 Cold Fever and the four axioms
Afton Reed
In Cold Fever,Hirata, a japanese business man, is forced to go to Iceland instead of a vacation to Hawaii. His is obligated to perform rituals at the place where his parents died 7 years ago. Along the way he encounters many strange things.He never would have suspected that he was trekking across a sacred place. However, Iceland's sacredness is revealed throughout the film. Let's see if it fits into Lane's view of sacred place by applying the 4 axioms, shall we? "Sacred place chooses, it is not chosen." Hirata obviously did not choose the place to be sacred. It is sacred because of circumstance. The place where his parents died evokes strong emotions. It is a place where he feels connected to them, as this was the last place they were, while on earth. Secondly, "sacred place is an ordinary place made ritually extraordinary." The river where Hirata's parents died is seemingly ordinary, but because of the events that happened there, rituals must take place there,making it is sacred. Hirata performs many rituals at the river. He lights candles and sends them down the river, he pours wine into the river and he prays at the river. All of these things are done because the place has meaning to Hirata, and because of that, the place is sacred. Thirdly, "sacred place can be tread upon but not entered." Hirata doesn't know anything about the sacredness of Iceland. This is evident when he rides by the fairy stones, that Icelandic people believe to be the home of fairies, and has no idea that they are something out of the ordinary. It is not until he is told about them that he can know of the sacredness, and truly enter the place. And lastly, "Sacred place is both local and universal." The rituals Hirata performs at the river are recognizable rituals. It is local, but it is also universal because someone else has a place that they hold sacred, where they perform similar rituals.They recognize his place as being sacred to him, because of their sacred place, and therefore it is universal.
In Cold Fever,Hirata, a japanese business man, is forced to go to Iceland instead of a vacation to Hawaii. His is obligated to perform rituals at the place where his parents died 7 years ago. Along the way he encounters many strange things.He never would have suspected that he was trekking across a sacred place. However, Iceland's sacredness is revealed throughout the film. Let's see if it fits into Lane's view of sacred place by applying the 4 axioms, shall we? "Sacred place chooses, it is not chosen." Hirata obviously did not choose the place to be sacred. It is sacred because of circumstance. The place where his parents died evokes strong emotions. It is a place where he feels connected to them, as this was the last place they were, while on earth. Secondly, "sacred place is an ordinary place made ritually extraordinary." The river where Hirata's parents died is seemingly ordinary, but because of the events that happened there, rituals must take place there,making it is sacred. Hirata performs many rituals at the river. He lights candles and sends them down the river, he pours wine into the river and he prays at the river. All of these things are done because the place has meaning to Hirata, and because of that, the place is sacred. Thirdly, "sacred place can be tread upon but not entered." Hirata doesn't know anything about the sacredness of Iceland. This is evident when he rides by the fairy stones, that Icelandic people believe to be the home of fairies, and has no idea that they are something out of the ordinary. It is not until he is told about them that he can know of the sacredness, and truly enter the place. And lastly, "Sacred place is both local and universal." The rituals Hirata performs at the river are recognizable rituals. It is local, but it is also universal because someone else has a place that they hold sacred, where they perform similar rituals.They recognize his place as being sacred to him, because of their sacred place, and therefore it is universal.
#1 Wilderness as Sacred Place: Lane's 4 axioms
Afton Reed
I guess I always thought of sacred place as nothing more than a place that someone felt connected to in a positive way. I never knew there were specific things that make a sacred place a sacred place. But, there are actually 4 axioms that characterize sacred place.These 4 axioms include: "A sacred place isn't chosen, it chooses." Which means that a place has a sacred quality that draws a person in. The place is divine and reveals itself to the beholder of the sacred.The place chooses to show itself to the person, the person doesn't merely pick it at random. The next axiom is "sacred place is an ordinary place, made extraordinary." This is pretty self explanatory. But to expand upon it, sacred place is geographically normal, nothing special, but the rituals that take place there make it sacred. The place isn't sacred without the person using it as a sacred place.The third axiom is "Sacred place can be tread upon but not entered." A sacred place can be overlooked to someone who is not informed of the place's sacred qualities. The sacred place can be physically walked on, but only when the person has the knowledge of the sacredness can they truly enter. And lastly, "sacred place is both local and universal." A place can be recognized as sacred by outsiders, because they share a similar bond with a place.
I guess I always thought of sacred place as nothing more than a place that someone felt connected to in a positive way. I never knew there were specific things that make a sacred place a sacred place. But, there are actually 4 axioms that characterize sacred place.These 4 axioms include: "A sacred place isn't chosen, it chooses." Which means that a place has a sacred quality that draws a person in. The place is divine and reveals itself to the beholder of the sacred.The place chooses to show itself to the person, the person doesn't merely pick it at random. The next axiom is "sacred place is an ordinary place, made extraordinary." This is pretty self explanatory. But to expand upon it, sacred place is geographically normal, nothing special, but the rituals that take place there make it sacred. The place isn't sacred without the person using it as a sacred place.The third axiom is "Sacred place can be tread upon but not entered." A sacred place can be overlooked to someone who is not informed of the place's sacred qualities. The sacred place can be physically walked on, but only when the person has the knowledge of the sacredness can they truly enter. And lastly, "sacred place is both local and universal." A place can be recognized as sacred by outsiders, because they share a similar bond with a place.
Kim Robinson - outside reading # 3
I’m currently enrolled in RSTD 211 or Religions of the East and right now we’re studying the religions of Japan. We’re learning about Shinto, Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and so many more. It’s amazing to me how their culture has been able to incorporate a truly pluralistic view of religion into their everyday lives. These different religions have different functions when it comes to how they interact with society. Shinto is seen as the native religion of Japan even though it’s a transplant from China. Buddhism is used in the Japanese practice of ancestor worship and also as final rites during funerals. Political life is dictated by Confucian philosophy which is strongly influenced by moral and rational reasoning. Japan has created their own cultural religion using aspects from many types of religions or belief systems. It’s strange to think how they were able to do that, but what makes it so improbable. Why can’t our culture be like that? We were once considered the mixing bowl because of how many cultures were represented by the immigrants who came to America in the early years. Why can’t we become a mixing bowl once again, but instead of culture it is our religions that blend together. It has happened it some areas I know, but why not on a larger scale. Tolerance is not a quality that some in this country have learned and if religions were to mix, maybe then people would seem as equals and different from one another….
Kim Robinson - Misc. # 3
As school winds down and I realize that it’s just a few short weeks until I leave for Spain it finally hits me, I’m going to Spain for 6 ½ weeks with almost no communication with those I’m leaving back in the states. Yes, one of my closest friends is going to Spain with me, but there’s so many things that I’m leaving behind, not to mention that this will be by far the longest I go being away from those people and everything that is normal to me. But on the other hand, I super stoked to be going. When else would I get a chance like this, to hike over 500 miles through a foreign country and on something so popular, so recognizable as the Camino. It has so much history to it, and there have been millions of people that have walked the same path before me. Some will be like me, out there for the physical aspect, a sense of faith to them but not doing the Camino so much as a Christian pilgrimage but more of an adventure. Then there will be those that are there to experience God. It’ll be an interesting mix of people and there is so much to see. As much as I am excited for the landscape, you cannot go to Europe and not be excited for the architecture, especially the cathedrals. Since we are such a young country comparatively, we don’t have these monumental structures dedicated to the worship of God as Europe does. I can’t wait to walk through all the different cathedrals and see how much detail went into them and to see these old world views of Christianity and God. Even though I’m already looking forward to it, I don’t think I’ll realize how monumental this trip will be in the grand scheme of my life until much later in it, until I’ve had the time to look back on it and remember it as a once in a lifetime experience.
Kim Robinson - outside reading # 2
As I said before I read a lot over spring break and just happened to be on a Dan Brown spree. After reading Angels and Demon, I read The Davinci Code. I had seen the movie already like most people have, but I had never read the book. People try to say that both books are far out there and nothing like the events could ever happen, I think that they aren’t that far off. The premise of The Davinci Code is that the church has been hiding the secret that there was/ still is a descendent of Jesus Christ. To me, at least, I don’t understand why this belief is so unreasonable. Although Jesus was sent to this earth in order to show man how to live and to sacrifice himself for us, he was still a man. He still had the same desires as all men. I guess one reason that I’ve been reading books like this and getting out of them the question of the church’s power is because of my paper for this class. My paper focuses on how the church does not have to be the only place that one receives faith. If someone receives their own faith by believing that Jesus Christ’s descendent walks among us today then why question it. It’s interesting just to read how this could all play out if an event like this did occur. It just makes you think about all the possibilities that life holds and what questions are still out there for us to judge.
Kim Robinson - outside reading # 1
Over spring break I went to New Orleans and in doing so I spent about 12 hours either in airports or flying. Over the course of the week I read several books that I hadn’t had time to read over the semester. One of the books that I had started over the summer but never finished was Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. It’s an interesting book and Brown does make you question the superiority that institutionalized practices of religion have over people. One dialogue from the book really sparked my interest though and I believe that it sums up what religion can be to different people.
Vittoria Vetra: Religion is like language or dress. We gravitate toward the practices with which we were raised. In the end, though we are all proclaiming the same thing. That life has meaning. That we are grateful for that created us.
Robert Langdon: So you’re saying that whether you are a Christian or a Muslim simply depends on where you were born?
Vittoria Vetra: Isn’t it obvious? Look at the diffusion of religion around the globe.
Robert Langdon: So faith is random?
Vittoria Vetra: Hardly. Faith is universal. Our specific methods for understanding it are arbitrary. Some of us pray to Jesus, some us go to Mecca, some of us study subatomic particles. In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves
For those who haven’t seen this movie, Langdon is not what you would call a good Christian boy, he does believe that there is something out there, he just doesn’t know what. The way that Vittoria views religion is a way that people like me can understand what the big deal is. I have never been the most religious of people but viewing religion, no matter what practice, as a quest for truth makes it seem not easier, but more reasonable than searching for that one person who rules or guides our lives.
Vittoria Vetra: Religion is like language or dress. We gravitate toward the practices with which we were raised. In the end, though we are all proclaiming the same thing. That life has meaning. That we are grateful for that created us.
Robert Langdon: So you’re saying that whether you are a Christian or a Muslim simply depends on where you were born?
Vittoria Vetra: Isn’t it obvious? Look at the diffusion of religion around the globe.
Robert Langdon: So faith is random?
Vittoria Vetra: Hardly. Faith is universal. Our specific methods for understanding it are arbitrary. Some of us pray to Jesus, some us go to Mecca, some of us study subatomic particles. In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves
For those who haven’t seen this movie, Langdon is not what you would call a good Christian boy, he does believe that there is something out there, he just doesn’t know what. The way that Vittoria views religion is a way that people like me can understand what the big deal is. I have never been the most religious of people but viewing religion, no matter what practice, as a quest for truth makes it seem not easier, but more reasonable than searching for that one person who rules or guides our lives.
Kim Robinson - thin red line
The final movie that we watched in this class was The Thin Red Line. I remember when the film came out and now that I look back and realize that it came out 12 years ago I’m amazed, I didn’t think it was that long ago, I was only 8. However, I did see the film when it came out and now re-watching it gives me a different view on it (either that or being told what to look for did it). The first thing I noticed each time watching it, was how the movie was filmed. From a cinematography standpoint the film is amazing. The images filmed that aren’t focused on the characters themselves helps to portray the emotions and feelings that the people are experiencing. Another thing that sticks out from the film is frailty of life. In war death happens all around and it’s sad that it takes an event like that or even a portrayal of that kind of event for people to realize it. We watch as Sgt. Keck blows himself up with a grenade. Even more than the frailty of death, we see those in charge play God. Col. Tall is in command and no matter how many lives he has to spare he wants to impress those higher up then him. Capt. Gaff struggles as he decides whether to disobey a command and save the lives of his men or follow orders and watch them die. Life is short and who are we as a country that expects the few to die for us all, and not by choice alone. World War II enlisted many men who never wanted to go to war, it is not like today where people are signing up to join military service. These soldiers didn’t have a choice to fully live their already short lives, and they were shortened even more due to this war.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Michael Christensen- Last Anything Post
I have absolutely no ideas of what to write about, so this will be another string of ideas. The reason I have nothing to write about is because, due to exams, I have had to completely bury my conscious ego in order to focus on the things which my ego balked at. Right now I am writing, not from my conscious, but from my subconscious. It feels like a lizard mind which reacts, but does not actually think unless prompted to. And then only so far. Due to a large amount of writing recently, I have needed to prompt that mind to work more efficiently, so I guess there has been some good to these posts. Even so, for months now I have had to do work which was not my own choosing, but rather laid along a path that a me four years prior had chosen. And now my ego can finally start to show itself. It can finally think on other things without detracting from the amount of cognition that goes into the other "necessary" work.
The first thing that I shall do when I am fully free (after my last exam on thurs) is to reflect on my life up until this point. After that I shall need to reflect on whom I consider myself to be, and then whom I wish to be. And finally I shall need to reflect on what paths in life I truly wish to take. It is out of my knowledge what shall come of all this, but of course one can guess. So far my only obligations in the future are to somehow acquire the money to pay off my loans (the only reason I am interested in money beyond a few hobbies I wish to pursue) and enter the Phoenix Program (which teaches young professionals about non-profits). After that I am now aspiring to enter Americorps, and then Peace Corps, but I am not sure that the future me shall have the same aspirations, so I am holding out on those for now. At some point in my life I hope to write a novel (of course), get a television show I am working on produced (I think its a hoot), teach a college class for a semester (one is all I ask), join a commune temporarily (I want to see its sense of community) and skydive. What aspirations do you have in life, or are they all checked off?
The first thing that I shall do when I am fully free (after my last exam on thurs) is to reflect on my life up until this point. After that I shall need to reflect on whom I consider myself to be, and then whom I wish to be. And finally I shall need to reflect on what paths in life I truly wish to take. It is out of my knowledge what shall come of all this, but of course one can guess. So far my only obligations in the future are to somehow acquire the money to pay off my loans (the only reason I am interested in money beyond a few hobbies I wish to pursue) and enter the Phoenix Program (which teaches young professionals about non-profits). After that I am now aspiring to enter Americorps, and then Peace Corps, but I am not sure that the future me shall have the same aspirations, so I am holding out on those for now. At some point in my life I hope to write a novel (of course), get a television show I am working on produced (I think its a hoot), teach a college class for a semester (one is all I ask), join a commune temporarily (I want to see its sense of community) and skydive. What aspirations do you have in life, or are they all checked off?
Michael Christensen- Anything
There is no value to this post. I have no intrinsic reason to write it. My personal reasons for coming to college was mental illumination through a liberal learning and to gain the experience of a college community. That is done and over, I have learned all that I will. Now I just await that all-important piece of paper. That piece of paper, though, is only important because society has left me with no visible way to go my own. I'd love to have been a pioneer in the days when land was young and virgin territory, but there is nothing to explore by foot and hand. And there seem no places which can produce shelter, water, and food (all a man needs besides some company) in achievable potentiality, which are not fenced off to be sold. What is one to do when all the land around him has been sectioned off and taxed by the generations past?
To another land, I might suppose, but they are beginning to look all the same. There is a McDonald's in every country it seems, a Starbucks in every land. Can a man not escape his own back yard? Possibly today, but what about tomorrow? It seems everyone is so connected that there shall be but one culture, with several fractions that pretend they are not alike. Only those without a computer can truly say they are not a part of this majority, but only if their acquaintances also do without.
As to identity, soon shall come a day when a man travels twelve thousand miles and they already know his favorite color of shoes, that is what this internet does. And when you meet them, those people twelve thousand miles away, they shall comment on the rude comment you made towards a bartender, that is what the internet will do. Of course they shall not look into the fact that the man shorted your change and watered down your drink, for people are not interested in hearing both sides when one is juicy. And so everyone will eventually see everyone else at their worst, and even the saints will be known for their sins. Can it be any way but this?
To another land, I might suppose, but they are beginning to look all the same. There is a McDonald's in every country it seems, a Starbucks in every land. Can a man not escape his own back yard? Possibly today, but what about tomorrow? It seems everyone is so connected that there shall be but one culture, with several fractions that pretend they are not alike. Only those without a computer can truly say they are not a part of this majority, but only if their acquaintances also do without.
As to identity, soon shall come a day when a man travels twelve thousand miles and they already know his favorite color of shoes, that is what this internet does. And when you meet them, those people twelve thousand miles away, they shall comment on the rude comment you made towards a bartender, that is what the internet will do. Of course they shall not look into the fact that the man shorted your change and watered down your drink, for people are not interested in hearing both sides when one is juicy. And so everyone will eventually see everyone else at their worst, and even the saints will be known for their sins. Can it be any way but this?
George Evans Blogs
The Decalogue 1-
In this film we see the dichotomous relationship between faith and evidence. The protagonist, a mathematics professor sees the world through the eyes of logic and reason, and has very little use for faith in god or religion. What is ironic is that he puts his faith into the weather forecast and his own calculations to the point of his own son dying when he skates on ice that is too thin. He has become what he hates, a person so incapable at looking at the other side of an issue that they are blinded by their own unanalyzed faith.
The Decalogue 2-
This film asks the question is it ever right to kill? It shows how horrible murder is but also how equally horrendous the death penalty can be in response to that murder. The director emotionally drags us through the mud and while he never equivalates the two forms of death -the end result of the film that he wants us to take is murder is murder, killing is killing and it is never a completely justified thing. The act itself is perverse.
In this film we see the dichotomous relationship between faith and evidence. The protagonist, a mathematics professor sees the world through the eyes of logic and reason, and has very little use for faith in god or religion. What is ironic is that he puts his faith into the weather forecast and his own calculations to the point of his own son dying when he skates on ice that is too thin. He has become what he hates, a person so incapable at looking at the other side of an issue that they are blinded by their own unanalyzed faith.
The Decalogue 2-
This film asks the question is it ever right to kill? It shows how horrible murder is but also how equally horrendous the death penalty can be in response to that murder. The director emotionally drags us through the mud and while he never equivalates the two forms of death -the end result of the film that he wants us to take is murder is murder, killing is killing and it is never a completely justified thing. The act itself is perverse.
George Evans Blogs Part 2
Outside Reading, Pontifical Academy on Stem Cells
This debate, like many we have seen, centers around the fundamental question, what constitutes a life? There is a divide, an impasse that centers around this question, because no matter how philosophical or how scientific arguments may be for or against a particular viewpoint, in the end it doesn’t matter. This is not a question of science; it is a question of religion, of dogmatic ideology. Nothing an individual can say to another individual will make them think discarding human life is ok, regardless of how many lives it may save, (using embryonic stem cells as an example). And if one has a more liberal view of when life begins, then the entire ordeal is less about the whether or not we are destroying a life, and more about the potential benefits that terminating a fetus or using stem cells from embryos can bring about. Where one side sees perverse genocide, the other sees medical opportunity and rights over a woman’s body. This is what makes the debate controversial and not very likely to go away any time soon.
With that context in mind we begin our debate. The Pontifical Academy, a religious entity asks the question “Is it morally licit to produce and/or use living human embryos for the preparation of ES cells?” (p314). Their answer –quite characteristically is no. They have a bevy of reasons for their stance but the first and most immovable is just as I described above. They write: “On the basis of a complete biological analysis, the living human embryo is - from the moment of the union of the gametes - a human subject with a well defined identity, which from that point begins its own coordinated, continuous and gradual development, such that at no later stage can it be considered as a simple mass of cells.” (p 315) From that bedrock their argument is fairly cut and dry. Because they view the union of gametes as producing a full fledged human being –who merely hadn’t the opportunity to develop into something more by terminating or using the stem cells for any other purpose than to allow them to mature into full humans is wrong and to do so in their view it to deny them their right to life. They write, regarding the stem cells, “it has the right to its own life; and therefore every intervention which is not in favour of the embryo is an act which violates that right.”
They disagree with cloning for the same reason: “Every type of therapeutic cloning, which implies producing human embryos and then destroying them in order to obtain stem cells, is illicit; for there is present the ethical problem examined above, which can only be answered in the negative.” (p 316).
This is in stark contrast to Michael Sandel’s point of view. He argues that “to regard an embryo as a mere thing, open to any use we may desire or devise, is, it seems to me, to miss its significance as nascent human life. One need not regard an embryo as a full human person in order to believe that it is due a certain respect. Personhood is not the only warrant for respect: we consider it a failure of respect when a thoughtless hiker carves his initials in an ancient sequoia, not because we regard the sequoia as a person, but because we consider it a natural wonder worthy of appreciation and awe—modes of regard inconsistent with treating it as a billboard or defacing it for the sake of petty vanity.” While he doesn’t come right out and say it, Sandel is arguing for a middle ground. The embryos are not just ‘things’ but they aren’t quite full humans either. This quite a moderate stance, but in this debate it might be easy to be mischaracterized as ‘’wish-y washy.” Instead Sandel provides a more nuanced view that while there is ultimately some respect that must be given to embryonic stem cells, it is not a black or white distinction that most people try to make. He writes: “The way to combat the instrumentalizing impulse of modern technology and commerce is not to insist on an all-or-nothing ethic of respect for persons that consigns the rest of life to a utilitarian calculus.” (p319) And while Sandel denounces the hubris of reproductive cloning he makes a utilitarian argument for biomedical research.
In the end regardless of how nuanced either side is, it does boil down to those who think stem cells are life and should be treated as such, and those who think that they aren’t. Sandel thinks they aren’t, though he would probably not like to be characterized so bluntly, and the Pontifical Academy thinks they are. This is an immovable differentiation that is the base of every other argument there is. The utilitarian concept that there are stem cells that will be thrown away regardless of whether or not they are life is the most middle ground that can be made. And probably one that even in its moderateness won’t be accepted by those who think life starts when gametes connect.
Miscellaneous Blog -Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin’s polticalization of schools in regards to teaching creationism along side evolution is not only scary, it is just plain illegal. Creationism in the sense that Governor Palin espouses is predominately a fundamental Christian ideology, relying on faith rather than actual scientific evidence. It would be unconstitutional for the state to sponsor such doctrine, as it would be clearly violating the first amendment which reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Governor Palin’s suggestion to teach creationism with evolution establishes a tacit sponsorship of the institution that proclaims creationism as truth, in this case Christianity. This tacit sponsorship is completely at odds with the preceding part of the first amendment in that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The doctrine of separation of church and state would be broken, a fundamental constitutional foundation. Furthermore, this is not even touching the ludicrousness of teaching a faith-based ideology in a scientific classroom, where evidence is the prerequisite for serious inquiry. To teach creationism along side of evolution is farce not only constitutionally, but scientifically as well.
Miscellaneous Blog -Musings on Religion
In every religion, there lies an inherent dichotomy in regards to the traditions and dogmas practiced, and those that actually end up in canonical law. The space between these two is often accrued via backroom political dealings, monetary influence, and what is considered acceptable behavior of the citizenry. Because religion then acts as a pillar for what is and what is not socially acceptable, what will and what will not bring eternal salvation, and which practices elevate men to holiness or cast them into condemnation –there lies an exceptional amount of power in the hands of those that can manipulate what is included and what is simply discarded from canonical texts.
Take then for example this passage : : Jesus said to them, If you fast, you will bring sin upon yourselves. And if you pray, you will be condemned. And if you give alms, you will injure your spirits. When you enter any region and walk about in the countryside, when people take you in, eat what they serve you and heal those who are sick among them. For what goes into your mouth does not defile you; what comes out of your mouth will." It would seem that this passage is hypocritical with the rest of scripture, such advice would be completely at odds with ideas of Kosher, eating meat or Friday, etc.
This debate, like many we have seen, centers around the fundamental question, what constitutes a life? There is a divide, an impasse that centers around this question, because no matter how philosophical or how scientific arguments may be for or against a particular viewpoint, in the end it doesn’t matter. This is not a question of science; it is a question of religion, of dogmatic ideology. Nothing an individual can say to another individual will make them think discarding human life is ok, regardless of how many lives it may save, (using embryonic stem cells as an example). And if one has a more liberal view of when life begins, then the entire ordeal is less about the whether or not we are destroying a life, and more about the potential benefits that terminating a fetus or using stem cells from embryos can bring about. Where one side sees perverse genocide, the other sees medical opportunity and rights over a woman’s body. This is what makes the debate controversial and not very likely to go away any time soon.
With that context in mind we begin our debate. The Pontifical Academy, a religious entity asks the question “Is it morally licit to produce and/or use living human embryos for the preparation of ES cells?” (p314). Their answer –quite characteristically is no. They have a bevy of reasons for their stance but the first and most immovable is just as I described above. They write: “On the basis of a complete biological analysis, the living human embryo is - from the moment of the union of the gametes - a human subject with a well defined identity, which from that point begins its own coordinated, continuous and gradual development, such that at no later stage can it be considered as a simple mass of cells.” (p 315) From that bedrock their argument is fairly cut and dry. Because they view the union of gametes as producing a full fledged human being –who merely hadn’t the opportunity to develop into something more by terminating or using the stem cells for any other purpose than to allow them to mature into full humans is wrong and to do so in their view it to deny them their right to life. They write, regarding the stem cells, “it has the right to its own life; and therefore every intervention which is not in favour of the embryo is an act which violates that right.”
They disagree with cloning for the same reason: “Every type of therapeutic cloning, which implies producing human embryos and then destroying them in order to obtain stem cells, is illicit; for there is present the ethical problem examined above, which can only be answered in the negative.” (p 316).
This is in stark contrast to Michael Sandel’s point of view. He argues that “to regard an embryo as a mere thing, open to any use we may desire or devise, is, it seems to me, to miss its significance as nascent human life. One need not regard an embryo as a full human person in order to believe that it is due a certain respect. Personhood is not the only warrant for respect: we consider it a failure of respect when a thoughtless hiker carves his initials in an ancient sequoia, not because we regard the sequoia as a person, but because we consider it a natural wonder worthy of appreciation and awe—modes of regard inconsistent with treating it as a billboard or defacing it for the sake of petty vanity.” While he doesn’t come right out and say it, Sandel is arguing for a middle ground. The embryos are not just ‘things’ but they aren’t quite full humans either. This quite a moderate stance, but in this debate it might be easy to be mischaracterized as ‘’wish-y washy.” Instead Sandel provides a more nuanced view that while there is ultimately some respect that must be given to embryonic stem cells, it is not a black or white distinction that most people try to make. He writes: “The way to combat the instrumentalizing impulse of modern technology and commerce is not to insist on an all-or-nothing ethic of respect for persons that consigns the rest of life to a utilitarian calculus.” (p319) And while Sandel denounces the hubris of reproductive cloning he makes a utilitarian argument for biomedical research.
In the end regardless of how nuanced either side is, it does boil down to those who think stem cells are life and should be treated as such, and those who think that they aren’t. Sandel thinks they aren’t, though he would probably not like to be characterized so bluntly, and the Pontifical Academy thinks they are. This is an immovable differentiation that is the base of every other argument there is. The utilitarian concept that there are stem cells that will be thrown away regardless of whether or not they are life is the most middle ground that can be made. And probably one that even in its moderateness won’t be accepted by those who think life starts when gametes connect.
Miscellaneous Blog -Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin’s polticalization of schools in regards to teaching creationism along side evolution is not only scary, it is just plain illegal. Creationism in the sense that Governor Palin espouses is predominately a fundamental Christian ideology, relying on faith rather than actual scientific evidence. It would be unconstitutional for the state to sponsor such doctrine, as it would be clearly violating the first amendment which reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Governor Palin’s suggestion to teach creationism with evolution establishes a tacit sponsorship of the institution that proclaims creationism as truth, in this case Christianity. This tacit sponsorship is completely at odds with the preceding part of the first amendment in that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The doctrine of separation of church and state would be broken, a fundamental constitutional foundation. Furthermore, this is not even touching the ludicrousness of teaching a faith-based ideology in a scientific classroom, where evidence is the prerequisite for serious inquiry. To teach creationism along side of evolution is farce not only constitutionally, but scientifically as well.
Miscellaneous Blog -Musings on Religion
In every religion, there lies an inherent dichotomy in regards to the traditions and dogmas practiced, and those that actually end up in canonical law. The space between these two is often accrued via backroom political dealings, monetary influence, and what is considered acceptable behavior of the citizenry. Because religion then acts as a pillar for what is and what is not socially acceptable, what will and what will not bring eternal salvation, and which practices elevate men to holiness or cast them into condemnation –there lies an exceptional amount of power in the hands of those that can manipulate what is included and what is simply discarded from canonical texts.
Take then for example this passage : : Jesus said to them, If you fast, you will bring sin upon yourselves. And if you pray, you will be condemned. And if you give alms, you will injure your spirits. When you enter any region and walk about in the countryside, when people take you in, eat what they serve you and heal those who are sick among them. For what goes into your mouth does not defile you; what comes out of your mouth will." It would seem that this passage is hypocritical with the rest of scripture, such advice would be completely at odds with ideas of Kosher, eating meat or Friday, etc.
Michael Christensen-Book post-Snow Crash
Written by Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash is a story about a future-day hacker/ninja/pizza delivery boy who, after finding out about an ancient linguistic disease which is soon to be unleashed on the world, goes out to stop a biker with a nuke strapped to him from delivering this plague to the mass populace through the medium of the internet. The basic theme plays on the idea of the tower of babel, and implies that the people there were struck with a disease which split them apart linguistically. This is a memonic virus that the target needs only to hear or read before they start to lose most of their mental capacity and wail incoherently. The idea plays off of memes, ideas which replicate and transmit themselves through human communication. Some memes, such as the very english language, are self-producing, in that the very knowledge of them makes the listener want to repeat them to another person (thus starting the process over).
I find the idea of a virus that needs just be heard to induce symptoms to be interesting. The basic idea that the book gives is that the brain is structured in such a way, linguistically, that words themselves can change the pattern in the brain (it seems to assumes that thought is all linguistic). Thus, if one encountered a very specific set of phonemes, their brain would essentially shut down in parts, and they would start wailing out incomprehensible broken words, which is what is implied happened at the tower of Babel so that humans would not build the great tower.
While an interesting theory, I doubt the veracity of the idea. I myself do not believe that people think only in linguistics. Instead, I would say that they think conceptually and that letters and phonemes are just so often used in communication that our brains have paths for them built right into our minds.
I find the idea of a virus that needs just be heard to induce symptoms to be interesting. The basic idea that the book gives is that the brain is structured in such a way, linguistically, that words themselves can change the pattern in the brain (it seems to assumes that thought is all linguistic). Thus, if one encountered a very specific set of phonemes, their brain would essentially shut down in parts, and they would start wailing out incomprehensible broken words, which is what is implied happened at the tower of Babel so that humans would not build the great tower.
While an interesting theory, I doubt the veracity of the idea. I myself do not believe that people think only in linguistics. Instead, I would say that they think conceptually and that letters and phonemes are just so often used in communication that our brains have paths for them built right into our minds.
George Evans Blogs
Outside Film - East to East
The film East to East offers a glimpse into the world of a family of mixed ethnicity, struggling with concepts of cultural assimilation and integration. Set in England in the mid 1970’s, the plot focuses on the half English half Pakistani Kahn family. Led by George Kahn, a first generation immigrant directly from Pakistan, and Ella Kahn, his English wife, the family has its share of cultural complications. The majority of these complications stem from George Kahn’s insistence that his sons follow traditional Pakistani customs, including arranged marriages, strict adherence to religion, and their manner of dress, among other things.
This tension erupts when George’s eldest son, Nazir, bails out of his arranged marriage last minute, causing his father to disown him. Seemingly unphased, George promptly arranges marriages for his next two sons. After a hilarious final encounter when his sons finally meet their soon to be wives, and a scul
pture of female genitalia is accidentally thrust onto their soon to be mother-in-law, the weddings are called off. When Ella Kahn finally stands up to her husband and is brutally assaulted, the family abandons him –only to come back a few days later. It is unclear how things will proceed, and the tension in the family doesn’t seem to have dissipated. There are no clear answers as the film ends.
Rogers Brubaker defines assimilation as similarity, or the process of increasing similarity. This is the case in the Kahn family. All members other than George Kahn and Maneer Kahn seem to merely put up a façade, vaguely pretending to uphold Pakistani traditions and values, and only when directly confronted about it. Brian Barry defines one of the facets of identity as “identifying with blood ties,” and in this sense most of the family has lost much of its Pakistani identity. They don’t see themselves as Pakistani, having been born in England, adopted English customs and living day to day in England. Several of George’s children have “English” hobbies, that they pursue, either to fit in or as a natural result from living and growing up in England. Nazir, the eldest son for example runs out on his arranged marriage to work as a hairdresser and is apparently a homosexual. Tariq Kahn sneaks out at night to frequent the English nightlife scene where he goes by the name of Tony, has a western style of haircut, dates a white English girl and doesn’t consider himself Pakistani in the slightest. Saleem Kahn lies to his father, pretending he is studying engineering at University but really studying art, (an illusion facilitated by his mother). Meenah Kahn wears western style clothes, and likes soccer –against her father’s wishes.
In an apparent attempt at preserving their culture, two sons seem to have backlashed again their brother’s rebellion. Abdul and Maneer Kahn are both dutiful, religious, and do not seem bothered by their father’s attempted indoctrination of Pakistani culture on them. They seem to be the odd men out, lone preservers of Pakistani culture in a family more English than Pakistani.
The Kahn family’s overall rebuke of Pakistani culture is probably due to their father’s own heavy handed nature, as well as his inconsistency of his own beliefs. His wife for example is supposed to be a “model Muslim wife”, and yet despite this, he makes her work at his business on weekends, despite the teachings of the Koran. Further, George Kahn puts his pride before the happiness of his children, disowning them if they dare cross what he says, because he knows best. In a way this makes it easier for the children to indentify with English culture –even if they aren’t accepted fully, at least they aren’t subjected to the betrayal and brutality of Pakistani culture exemplified by their father.
In the film Pakistani males are all characterized as dutiful, clean cut, and square. They all seem to pack into their caravan whenever they have to go into the city and are generally not well liked by the native English population. The English in the film are characterized as an ideal for the Kahn family to live up to, a standard imposed and set by themselves in an effort to fit in. Amongst kids, there seems to be less of a separation in culture as Sajit Kahn and Ernest, his English neighbor get along quite well.
The Kahn family seems more English than Pakistani. Perhaps with a different mother, a less heavy handed father the brothers and sister that make up the family would have been drawn to their Pakistani side more, but as it stands they find themselves more English than anything else, even if they aren’t perceived solely as such.
Alice in Wonderland
I actually didn't go to the field trip, but I had seen this one independently before. Alice in Wonderland is a remake where a 19 year old Alice travels back to wonderland. It's this surrealist experience that toys with concepts of reality, and whether or not we are truly ourselves. In the end Alice proves herself to everyone, but most importantly herself.
My experiential Notes, on all of the short films in class.
Bunny: looks real. though a bit cartoonish with its style. the realism and aburdity of the situation is a little unsettling.
the music helps add to the absurdity.
it gets crazier and crazier, perhaps a death metaphor -go towards the light. i didn't take it as a death metaphor until the end, despite visual cues such as the picture of the old bunny and her husband as newly weds.
Northfork: The sounds remind me of a toybox. It really looks like the child's dreams. The snow and buffalo add to the dream like state, every thing looks surreal.
The second clip has sadder music. And reminds me of isolation and desolation due to the lone car in the vast wilderness, looking up to the tall mountains.
Paris Texas- Desolate, dry desert...western style music.
The eagle and guy walking in a suit make it look surreal. Is he hallucianting?
Why the hat? Why the water bottle?
The green is a stark contrast. The bright colors stand out. The man's lack of speaking makes it weird.
Bright colors and sand. A mix between the two scenes. Then back to the isolation.
The child and his father near the interstate...it is like a transition.
Bright colors, and pretty women. The color red. Red shirts on both people, red lipstick.
The colors shift from red to black.
Northfork - Full Movie
Honestly I didn't quite get this film. I thought it was very weird and I didn't understand that it was actually the world through a dying child's eyes until I had a conversation with a fellow classmate about it. It was pretentious in its imagery and story and I can't quite describe why. I hated this film more than all the rest combined. It didn't leave me with a good experience.
The film East to East offers a glimpse into the world of a family of mixed ethnicity, struggling with concepts of cultural assimilation and integration. Set in England in the mid 1970’s, the plot focuses on the half English half Pakistani Kahn family. Led by George Kahn, a first generation immigrant directly from Pakistan, and Ella Kahn, his English wife, the family has its share of cultural complications. The majority of these complications stem from George Kahn’s insistence that his sons follow traditional Pakistani customs, including arranged marriages, strict adherence to religion, and their manner of dress, among other things.
This tension erupts when George’s eldest son, Nazir, bails out of his arranged marriage last minute, causing his father to disown him. Seemingly unphased, George promptly arranges marriages for his next two sons. After a hilarious final encounter when his sons finally meet their soon to be wives, and a scul
pture of female genitalia is accidentally thrust onto their soon to be mother-in-law, the weddings are called off. When Ella Kahn finally stands up to her husband and is brutally assaulted, the family abandons him –only to come back a few days later. It is unclear how things will proceed, and the tension in the family doesn’t seem to have dissipated. There are no clear answers as the film ends.
Rogers Brubaker defines assimilation as similarity, or the process of increasing similarity. This is the case in the Kahn family. All members other than George Kahn and Maneer Kahn seem to merely put up a façade, vaguely pretending to uphold Pakistani traditions and values, and only when directly confronted about it. Brian Barry defines one of the facets of identity as “identifying with blood ties,” and in this sense most of the family has lost much of its Pakistani identity. They don’t see themselves as Pakistani, having been born in England, adopted English customs and living day to day in England. Several of George’s children have “English” hobbies, that they pursue, either to fit in or as a natural result from living and growing up in England. Nazir, the eldest son for example runs out on his arranged marriage to work as a hairdresser and is apparently a homosexual. Tariq Kahn sneaks out at night to frequent the English nightlife scene where he goes by the name of Tony, has a western style of haircut, dates a white English girl and doesn’t consider himself Pakistani in the slightest. Saleem Kahn lies to his father, pretending he is studying engineering at University but really studying art, (an illusion facilitated by his mother). Meenah Kahn wears western style clothes, and likes soccer –against her father’s wishes.
In an apparent attempt at preserving their culture, two sons seem to have backlashed again their brother’s rebellion. Abdul and Maneer Kahn are both dutiful, religious, and do not seem bothered by their father’s attempted indoctrination of Pakistani culture on them. They seem to be the odd men out, lone preservers of Pakistani culture in a family more English than Pakistani.
The Kahn family’s overall rebuke of Pakistani culture is probably due to their father’s own heavy handed nature, as well as his inconsistency of his own beliefs. His wife for example is supposed to be a “model Muslim wife”, and yet despite this, he makes her work at his business on weekends, despite the teachings of the Koran. Further, George Kahn puts his pride before the happiness of his children, disowning them if they dare cross what he says, because he knows best. In a way this makes it easier for the children to indentify with English culture –even if they aren’t accepted fully, at least they aren’t subjected to the betrayal and brutality of Pakistani culture exemplified by their father.
In the film Pakistani males are all characterized as dutiful, clean cut, and square. They all seem to pack into their caravan whenever they have to go into the city and are generally not well liked by the native English population. The English in the film are characterized as an ideal for the Kahn family to live up to, a standard imposed and set by themselves in an effort to fit in. Amongst kids, there seems to be less of a separation in culture as Sajit Kahn and Ernest, his English neighbor get along quite well.
The Kahn family seems more English than Pakistani. Perhaps with a different mother, a less heavy handed father the brothers and sister that make up the family would have been drawn to their Pakistani side more, but as it stands they find themselves more English than anything else, even if they aren’t perceived solely as such.
Alice in Wonderland
I actually didn't go to the field trip, but I had seen this one independently before. Alice in Wonderland is a remake where a 19 year old Alice travels back to wonderland. It's this surrealist experience that toys with concepts of reality, and whether or not we are truly ourselves. In the end Alice proves herself to everyone, but most importantly herself.
My experiential Notes, on all of the short films in class.
Bunny: looks real. though a bit cartoonish with its style. the realism and aburdity of the situation is a little unsettling.
the music helps add to the absurdity.
it gets crazier and crazier, perhaps a death metaphor -go towards the light. i didn't take it as a death metaphor until the end, despite visual cues such as the picture of the old bunny and her husband as newly weds.
Northfork: The sounds remind me of a toybox. It really looks like the child's dreams. The snow and buffalo add to the dream like state, every thing looks surreal.
The second clip has sadder music. And reminds me of isolation and desolation due to the lone car in the vast wilderness, looking up to the tall mountains.
Paris Texas- Desolate, dry desert...western style music.
The eagle and guy walking in a suit make it look surreal. Is he hallucianting?
Why the hat? Why the water bottle?
The green is a stark contrast. The bright colors stand out. The man's lack of speaking makes it weird.
Bright colors and sand. A mix between the two scenes. Then back to the isolation.
The child and his father near the interstate...it is like a transition.
Bright colors, and pretty women. The color red. Red shirts on both people, red lipstick.
The colors shift from red to black.
Northfork - Full Movie
Honestly I didn't quite get this film. I thought it was very weird and I didn't understand that it was actually the world through a dying child's eyes until I had a conversation with a fellow classmate about it. It was pretentious in its imagery and story and I can't quite describe why. I hated this film more than all the rest combined. It didn't leave me with a good experience.
Michael Christensen-Really Free Market- Everyone is invited
I am trying to get a Really Free Market going out of my room tomorrow (wednesday the 28th) from my room. The express purpose is to get rid of a lot of items that I have picked up over the years in college. Now that I am about to graduate, I don't really know where I will end up, and I would rather to not have a lot of things tying me down to a certain amount of space or limiting my ability to transport everything I would need. Also I think it is a good time to start a new life. Out with the old and in with the new.
This is also based on the idea of community, and the exchange of value therein. In my mind, communities are partially about the transference of goods. People find a use in one thing (say a text book or hammer) and as they use it over time they either lose need of it (by having learned from the textbook) or acquire something of better quality (such as a more effective hammer). At that time the object is not doing good for them, and its potential is not being realized. These items then are just sitting around with un-realized potential while people very locally could find find good out of them. To this aim I have before tried to set up barter dates for people to come and exchange goods, but those fizzled. So this time I am giving things away (first to my own chosen community of friends, and then to my expanded communities of less colloquial relations). It is good if people can bring things that others may find use for, so I can include them on the table, but it is not necessary.
So, in that vein, I offer an open invitation to anyone to come by and either set up your own things to give away (I have extra table space) or to come and look at what you can find a use for. Or just to come and hang out, since I will be there all day after 5. And if you cannot make it that day then I will probably still have a selection for a couple days after before I will give the extra to charity. The place is 303B in the Village (above panera). Call 804-337-1343 if you need to be let in.
This is also based on the idea of community, and the exchange of value therein. In my mind, communities are partially about the transference of goods. People find a use in one thing (say a text book or hammer) and as they use it over time they either lose need of it (by having learned from the textbook) or acquire something of better quality (such as a more effective hammer). At that time the object is not doing good for them, and its potential is not being realized. These items then are just sitting around with un-realized potential while people very locally could find find good out of them. To this aim I have before tried to set up barter dates for people to come and exchange goods, but those fizzled. So this time I am giving things away (first to my own chosen community of friends, and then to my expanded communities of less colloquial relations). It is good if people can bring things that others may find use for, so I can include them on the table, but it is not necessary.
So, in that vein, I offer an open invitation to anyone to come by and either set up your own things to give away (I have extra table space) or to come and look at what you can find a use for. Or just to come and hang out, since I will be there all day after 5. And if you cannot make it that day then I will probably still have a selection for a couple days after before I will give the extra to charity. The place is 303B in the Village (above panera). Call 804-337-1343 if you need to be let in.
Spencer Beeson - More Blogs
Decalogue 1
The first short Decalogue film represented the commandment that one should not put any other God before him (the Christian God). In this film the young boy (Pavel) is caught between two influences. The first is his father who is a physics professor who believes that everything can be understood through mathematical formulas that he can plug into his computer program. For him there is no God because it can’t be explained within the conflicts of modern science. The second influence is Pavel’s aunt who is a very religious woman. As Pavel begins to question the existence of God, and what happens after one dies, she suggests that he should be able to go to the church. The father is skeptical of this idea and this creates some tension/conflict in the film. The true lesson comes when Pavel get the ice skates that he’s been wanting for Christmas. Everyday he begs his father to let him go skate on the ice that’s frozen over by their apartment. After plugging in all possible variables into a computer program, the father decides that the ice is thick enough and there is no possible way the ice could break. Of course the ice does break and Pavel dies before the rescue team can remove him from the freezing water. This short film was intended to show that, with God, anything is possible and we can’t just dismiss him because he can’t be proven through modern science. One should have faith that God does exist and should not place all their trust in such worldly things as science.
Decalogue 2
The second short Decalogue film centered on the commandment that thou shalt not kill. Disturbed by circumstances surrounding his sisters’ death, the young man begins to contemplate the possibility of killing someone himself. While this seemed to be premeditated, his decision on who to kill was kind of random. The director introduces the audience to the taxi driver who gets killed before this happens though. The taxi driver, while he may no be the worst man in the world, certainly has some twisted morals and is in no way beneficial for society. The young man has the taxi driver take him well away from the city where he then proceeds to strangle him to death. He is eventually caught and sentenced to the death penalty. The fact the he gets sentenced to death brings forth another problem of killing somebody who has killed. Can killing another human ever be justified? The director makes the young man seem just like the taxi driver; he may not be beneficial to society but does he really deserve to die. Is it not hypocritical to kill somebody for killing? Living in a world where death/killing seems unavoidable, this makes me question the legitimacy of such a commandment.
Northfork
For me, this filmed raised many important questions about a modern misconception of man vs. nature. The film took place in a small town called Northfork which was trying to be evacuated in order to turn the entire valley into a lake. The tendency for many to exert his force over nature creates many problems, like in the film when they try to get people to leave the area. More importantly, however, is that it promotes the idea that man is separate from nature. Even though humans are technologically advanced, this doesn’t negate the fact that we still are a species of this planet just like a squirrel, polar bear, oak tree, or any other living thing on this planet. This flawed perception of mankind separates us from any connection with God, who exists in all things on this planet (including us). How can we come to any understanding of God when we isolate ourselves from everything which he embodies?
Alice in Wonderland
For our field trip this semester our class took a trip to see Alice in Wonderland. I thought this was a mediocre film that fell short of all the hype that surrounded it. The film did, however, provide a good example of truly finding oneself. At the beginning of the film Alice is brought to a party which she is surprised to find out is her engagement party. She has been arranged to marry a goofy prince and she seems to have mixed feelings about this. When he asks her she runs away into the garden maze and falls down a rabbit hole into a different world. In this world there is much question as to whether or not she is the real Alice who is supposed to save the people and slay the jabberwocky. Even Alice herself begins to question who she is. She steps up and proves to herself and everyone else that she is the real Alice. She then decides to return back to the normal world where she is able to understand who she truly is, and make her own decision to not marry the prince.
The Thin Red Line
This was a powerful visual film with a story that captured the viewer’s emotions. A memorable moment was towards the beginning of the film when Private Witt came back from being AWOL and his sergeant was telling him how he has to behave if he is going to make it this world. Witt responded by saying that he’d already seen another world where he doesn’t have to behave that way. The film contained tons of beautiful shots of the rolling green hills and the diversity of life on such a beautiful island. The contrast between all the beauty and all the destruction of war was a key concept of this film. Later on Private Witt straightens up and wishes to help out his fellow soldiers in the battle. He single handedly leads a large group of enemy soldiers away from his group even though he knows this will end in his death. The brave move is similar to the ultimate sacrifice that Christ makes in the Bible. This film showed me how life can come out of death.
The Quality of Human Morality
The theme of man v. nature present in the film Northfork got me thinking about something I hadn’t given much thought to for a while, which was the legitimacy of our accepted moral beliefs and our influenced conception of right and wrong. For some time now I have recognized that humans are essentially animals and as much a part of this world as any other species. It seems that some people say that our morals are one major thing that separates humans from all other species. While morals may be a good thing in a large society, I still have trouble see our current moral system as anything more that a human construction taught to generation after generation. In Nietzsche’s essay, On the Genealogy of Morals, he discusses the difference between good/bad and good/evil. Whereas evil implies a wrong action, often judged/punished by a higher authority (God/The Law), bad is a “negative concept of low, common, and bad, and is only a pale contrasting image after the fact in relation to its positive basic concept, thoroughly intoxicated with life and passion”. I find Nietzsche’s outlook very logical and appealing but I have trouble incorporating/applying it to my everyday life, especially as a participant in modern society.
The World as One
Some of my classes that I’m taking this semester have led me to take an interest in the thought of the universe is all one, and that the separation/distinction between objects that we perceive is all an illusion. More importantly, is the common misconception of man as a separate ego causes an inability for pleasure and creativity which are essential to life. To quote Alan Watts’ The Book On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, “If I am I because you are you, and if you are you because I am I, then I am no I and you are not you. Instead we are both something in common between what Martin Buber has called I-and-Thou and I-and-It – the magnet itself which lies between the poles, between I myself and everything sensed as other”. My research on lucid dreams also brought me to the notion of a collective unconscious, but like my trouble with the denial of the current moral system, I have trouble integrating such a concept into my day-to-day life.
The first short Decalogue film represented the commandment that one should not put any other God before him (the Christian God). In this film the young boy (Pavel) is caught between two influences. The first is his father who is a physics professor who believes that everything can be understood through mathematical formulas that he can plug into his computer program. For him there is no God because it can’t be explained within the conflicts of modern science. The second influence is Pavel’s aunt who is a very religious woman. As Pavel begins to question the existence of God, and what happens after one dies, she suggests that he should be able to go to the church. The father is skeptical of this idea and this creates some tension/conflict in the film. The true lesson comes when Pavel get the ice skates that he’s been wanting for Christmas. Everyday he begs his father to let him go skate on the ice that’s frozen over by their apartment. After plugging in all possible variables into a computer program, the father decides that the ice is thick enough and there is no possible way the ice could break. Of course the ice does break and Pavel dies before the rescue team can remove him from the freezing water. This short film was intended to show that, with God, anything is possible and we can’t just dismiss him because he can’t be proven through modern science. One should have faith that God does exist and should not place all their trust in such worldly things as science.
Decalogue 2
The second short Decalogue film centered on the commandment that thou shalt not kill. Disturbed by circumstances surrounding his sisters’ death, the young man begins to contemplate the possibility of killing someone himself. While this seemed to be premeditated, his decision on who to kill was kind of random. The director introduces the audience to the taxi driver who gets killed before this happens though. The taxi driver, while he may no be the worst man in the world, certainly has some twisted morals and is in no way beneficial for society. The young man has the taxi driver take him well away from the city where he then proceeds to strangle him to death. He is eventually caught and sentenced to the death penalty. The fact the he gets sentenced to death brings forth another problem of killing somebody who has killed. Can killing another human ever be justified? The director makes the young man seem just like the taxi driver; he may not be beneficial to society but does he really deserve to die. Is it not hypocritical to kill somebody for killing? Living in a world where death/killing seems unavoidable, this makes me question the legitimacy of such a commandment.
Northfork
For me, this filmed raised many important questions about a modern misconception of man vs. nature. The film took place in a small town called Northfork which was trying to be evacuated in order to turn the entire valley into a lake. The tendency for many to exert his force over nature creates many problems, like in the film when they try to get people to leave the area. More importantly, however, is that it promotes the idea that man is separate from nature. Even though humans are technologically advanced, this doesn’t negate the fact that we still are a species of this planet just like a squirrel, polar bear, oak tree, or any other living thing on this planet. This flawed perception of mankind separates us from any connection with God, who exists in all things on this planet (including us). How can we come to any understanding of God when we isolate ourselves from everything which he embodies?
Alice in Wonderland
For our field trip this semester our class took a trip to see Alice in Wonderland. I thought this was a mediocre film that fell short of all the hype that surrounded it. The film did, however, provide a good example of truly finding oneself. At the beginning of the film Alice is brought to a party which she is surprised to find out is her engagement party. She has been arranged to marry a goofy prince and she seems to have mixed feelings about this. When he asks her she runs away into the garden maze and falls down a rabbit hole into a different world. In this world there is much question as to whether or not she is the real Alice who is supposed to save the people and slay the jabberwocky. Even Alice herself begins to question who she is. She steps up and proves to herself and everyone else that she is the real Alice. She then decides to return back to the normal world where she is able to understand who she truly is, and make her own decision to not marry the prince.
The Thin Red Line
This was a powerful visual film with a story that captured the viewer’s emotions. A memorable moment was towards the beginning of the film when Private Witt came back from being AWOL and his sergeant was telling him how he has to behave if he is going to make it this world. Witt responded by saying that he’d already seen another world where he doesn’t have to behave that way. The film contained tons of beautiful shots of the rolling green hills and the diversity of life on such a beautiful island. The contrast between all the beauty and all the destruction of war was a key concept of this film. Later on Private Witt straightens up and wishes to help out his fellow soldiers in the battle. He single handedly leads a large group of enemy soldiers away from his group even though he knows this will end in his death. The brave move is similar to the ultimate sacrifice that Christ makes in the Bible. This film showed me how life can come out of death.
The Quality of Human Morality
The theme of man v. nature present in the film Northfork got me thinking about something I hadn’t given much thought to for a while, which was the legitimacy of our accepted moral beliefs and our influenced conception of right and wrong. For some time now I have recognized that humans are essentially animals and as much a part of this world as any other species. It seems that some people say that our morals are one major thing that separates humans from all other species. While morals may be a good thing in a large society, I still have trouble see our current moral system as anything more that a human construction taught to generation after generation. In Nietzsche’s essay, On the Genealogy of Morals, he discusses the difference between good/bad and good/evil. Whereas evil implies a wrong action, often judged/punished by a higher authority (God/The Law), bad is a “negative concept of low, common, and bad, and is only a pale contrasting image after the fact in relation to its positive basic concept, thoroughly intoxicated with life and passion”. I find Nietzsche’s outlook very logical and appealing but I have trouble incorporating/applying it to my everyday life, especially as a participant in modern society.
The World as One
Some of my classes that I’m taking this semester have led me to take an interest in the thought of the universe is all one, and that the separation/distinction between objects that we perceive is all an illusion. More importantly, is the common misconception of man as a separate ego causes an inability for pleasure and creativity which are essential to life. To quote Alan Watts’ The Book On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, “If I am I because you are you, and if you are you because I am I, then I am no I and you are not you. Instead we are both something in common between what Martin Buber has called I-and-Thou and I-and-It – the magnet itself which lies between the poles, between I myself and everything sensed as other”. My research on lucid dreams also brought me to the notion of a collective unconscious, but like my trouble with the denial of the current moral system, I have trouble integrating such a concept into my day-to-day life.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Age Discrimination- Elissa Wilcox
There are many forms of discrimination in our culture. Whether it is because of disabilities, gender, sexual orientation, religion or age. Age is the one that is thought about least when thinking about discrimination, I think this is because people often fall into think that once a person is old they can not do anything anyway so there is no reason to discriminate against them because it is actually fact. This however, is not true because although people get old and perhaps more fragile, they are still able to do things. I know that when I get old I do not want people to think that I can’t do things by myself if I can. If a person who is elderly is being discriminated against they will not experience as rich of a life as those who are not being discriminated against. They will also not be as content in their lives because they have to fight for their rights everyday.
Cults- Elissa Wilcox
Cults are groups of people who all believe in the same ideals but take things too far. Their beliefs may be on track to a certain extent but then they take them to the extreme and begin to over glorify the leader. One of the main characteristics of a cult is that they believe in their leader as a deity. This makes a lot of sense because the leader has the ultimate authority in their eyes but instead of being distant and out of sight they are able to see and touch them. The leader is elevated from a normal person into the status of some sort of god. Another qualification for a cult is that they use deceitful means of recruiting their followers. One example is of a young man who was approached by the Moonie cult under the veil of being fellow students that were interested in becoming friends with him. He went away with them for a weekend and found that they were pushing their propaganda in a very subtle way that worked on him because for 3 years he was part of the Moonie cult.
Why People Believe Weird Things- Elissa Wilcox
This was another class that I took this semester. It is interesting to think about why people believe what they do. For example, why do people believe in alien abductions or that they see Virgin Mary in a grill cheese sandwich? The callus part of me wants to say that they just need something to believe in and therefore lose all rational and believe in the first thing that they find. The problem there is that most of the reasons that people believe in these so called “weird things” are reasons that most people have faith in religions that are accepted as a viable option. So what makes those beliefs different from the ones that are deemed “weird?” This class was a very interesting one because we looked at many different things that people accept as truth that do not actually have any validity to them. The most shocking one was the study of the paranormal. People actually have instruments that they use to find ghosts and such. It’s very interesting in itself, especially the fact that they are so sold on their beliefs that they cannot see the madness behind it.
Importance of faith- Elissa Wilcox
I think there are several important reasons for a person to have some sort of faith. One is that it is comforting when something bad happens; another is that it brings you out of the center of your life and makes you less selfish. I don’t think that having faith immediately makes a person selfless or perfect because I know that isn’t possible, however I think that it give a person something bigger than themselves to strive for. This does not only pertain to Christianity, but any sort of belief. It provides stability in times of trouble and usually (depending on the religion or faith) provides answers to how to deal with certain objections and situations. It is also a way to connect with other people. When you share a belief with someone else then there are connections that are formed that are not easily broken. Although there are groups that take this far too seriously and become separatists, for the most part community is a good thing. It brings people together and provides a natural arrangement for accountability and growth. I think that having some faith in something is more beneficial than having no faith at all.
The Thin Red Line- Elissa Wilcox
The Thin Red Line was a really interesting movie. There were so many different themes going on, rebellion against authority, being near death, courage and trust. It was different from any other war movie because there was an underlying sense of peace throughout the film. The first part we saw was the soldier calmly living with an indigenous people in harmony. He was swimming with the children and learning the ways of the camp. I though it was interesting that the director showed such a peaceful clip, only to be followed with war scenes. An interesting part of the film was when they were all hiding in the field, thinking they were going to die and trying their best to stay alive. On the side of the screen a baby bird was shown on the ground struggling to get up and fly. The bird looked as though it were dying because it was not meant to be on the ground but just as the men were doing, he was fighting for his life. The bird related to the soldiers in the way that it was very vulnerable on the ground because it could not fly and the soldiers were outnumbered as well as not having a very good position on the field, they were just as vulnerable as the baby bird.
Narnia- Elissa Wilcox
Through his books, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis presents a different view of the “wholly other” in a way that is easily accessible by many people. The “wholly other” is something that is completely different from ourselves, something that although we may be able to relate to, there is nothing that makes us equal to it in anyway. Lewis provided a view of what this “wholly other” could be in the form of Aslan. He was nothing like the children but he was someone who could relate to because of his kind heart and gentle mannerisms. Although the children were in awe of him they were also able to have normal conversations with him. I think that it was a really great picture that Lewis painted of a relationship with God. Although there is some disconnect due to the very nature of God, there is also a way in which we as humans can quickly become attached to him and in the same way Lewis presents the attachment that the children feel towards Aslan. Throughout the book Aslan was a very important character in and therefore was the most significant part in the children’s lives.
Bhagavad Gita- Elissa Wilcox
One of the main themes of the Bhagavad Gita is the idea of harmony. Through the text Krishna (the god of war) is comforting Arjuna in the heat of battle because he is losing heart. It is interesting to read about the turmoil that Arjuna experiences because it does not only relate to literal war, but also the internal war that we experience everyday, making decisions. The internal wars can be based not only on spiritual matters but also everyday matters such as what to do or where to go during the day, however in this account of turmoil I believe that it has more to do with the spiritual or moral war instead of something mundane. The account in the Gita has to do with literal fighting and the distress that he feels about killing not only his countrymen, but also his close friends and family. Can you imagine being in this situation?
The Bible- Elissa Wilcox
“You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). Although I believe the truth of the Bible I do wonder why God made a tree that Adam and Eve could not eat from in the first place. It seems very counterproductive and almost malicious that he would create such a tree only to punish them and the rest of mankind for eating from it. Although it was in his plan and in a way it makes sense because by bringing sin into the world there was a greater need for him. Although we would have loved him no matter what because he created us to love him, the intensity that we need him now because of sin is all part of his plan as well. What is the point of sin? What is the point of having it enter the world, even if it does show us our need for God, why couldn’t he do that without the whole incident with the tree? Although I’m not really expecting answers for the questions, and although they don’t actually change the status of my faith at all, I can’t dwell on them too long or I begin to feel depressed about the state the world is in.
Shi'ism-Elissa Wilcox
Shi’ism is a book that I had to read for my Islam class the semester. It is about the sect of Islam that believes in not only God as God and Muhammad as his prophet, but also that Ali (who was the son-in-law of Muhammad) was the rightful heir to Muhammad’s leadership when he passed away. They believe that Ali was chosen to carry on the teachings of the Koran, this is the division between the two sects. The Shi’ites are considered to be very fundamental in their beliefs. Although Ali and those who followed him believed that he was the rightful heir to everything that Muhammad left behind, there were many people who contested this belief and therefore he was forced to fight to stay in power. He waged many wars and because of this the Muslim world was thrown into turmoil for a while. It is interesting the there was no contention for someone to take over Jesus’ place when he was crucified. Yes, there were missionaries that went out and continued to share message that he preached, however there was no one who actually wanted to take Jesus’ place.
The Shack- Elissa Wilcox
“While Mack's relationship with God is wide, Nan's is deep.” The Shack has been a highly controversial book in the Christian world because of the depiction of God that it presents to the reader. The reader is greeted through Mack with a huge African American woman named Papa. Papa is the intimate name that Nan (Mack’s wife) uses for God. This quote is referring to the fact that although Mack had a relationship with God was shallow; it was surface level and not as intimate as Nan’s relationship with Papa. He observes that he could never call God “Papa” the same way that Nan did because he felt that he was not connected to Him enough. Gaining a deeper understanding of God is important, understanding that there is a way to connect intimately with the great creator is important to know and not be overwhelmed by. Although I don’t think it is possible (or good) to not be overwhelmed by the greatness that is God at some point, it should not stop you from understanding him on a more human level as well. What does it really mean to have a deep relationship with God?
The Jacket- Elissa Wilcox
The Jacket was a very intriguing film because it was so emotionally charged as well as being very easy to follow and understand. The film examined the journey of death and redemption. The film had many different symbols of both of these throughout. For example the main character, Jack, was put into a morgue drawer while he was being laced with drugs. The reason for this was that it was similar to the feeling of being in the womb and therefore the doctor believed that he could cure Jack of his PTSD by wiping the slate clean. This however did not turn out to be the answer in the way that the doctor imagined. Through the experience however Jack was able to find the redemption that he sought and provide a way for Jackie (the girl he falls in love with) to have a normal life that consisted of a loving mother and good family home instead of the one that she grew up with before meeting him. He transcended from a selfish view of searching for redemption into a selfless need to save.
Michael Christensen- Alice in Wonderland
Tim Burton's new form of Alice was not at all what I was hoping for. I had expected the man to generate a true reinterpretation, with new problems for the characters in wonderland, but instead parts seemed to have just been shuffled around a bit. The main problem was that the plot was much too linear for an iteration of Alice In Wonderland. Once the queen comes out you know she will be the antagonist throughout. Wonderland is supposed to be about surprises and strange happenings, and I would have much rathered an entirely new cast of Wonderlanders to a rehashing of the same old characters.
Truthfully, I should not fault Tim Burton himself, since the script was not his own. However, I would still would have liked some new characters (just a couple is not enough), and think Burton might have done a wonderful job in bringing his own to life. I look forward to him writing and producing his own script next time.
Do you agree that seeing a new side of Wonderland would have helped with the film?
Truthfully, I should not fault Tim Burton himself, since the script was not his own. However, I would still would have liked some new characters (just a couple is not enough), and think Burton might have done a wonderful job in bringing his own to life. I look forward to him writing and producing his own script next time.
Do you agree that seeing a new side of Wonderland would have helped with the film?
Michael Christensen- Modern Seamanship
For this book post I went into the library and picked up the first book that caught my eye (this one had white, bold, curvy letters against a blue background on the spine). Next I opened to book to the last three numbers in this blog's blog id and read that page in order to obtain a topic. I am sorry to report that the topic is about measuring the progress of a vessel.
Apparently the way to do it in 1972 was by electromagnetic log. A device is attached to the bottom of a ship which reads how much water passes below the ship. This sends a signal a computer, which records the process. It seems that there is a slight problem with this method, since water currents fluctuate often and thus the actual distance over ground is different.
I wonder how many ships became lost due to changes in ocean currents. It strikes me that there must have been some significant discrepancy at times. I imagine this is why so many ships became lost in the Bermuda Triangle; perhaps because the currents underwater change so often that a ship cannot get proper bearings and gets lost. I kind of hope that this is still a problem in the Bermuda Triangle, since large ships becoming inexplicably lost is part of what gives the ocean its sense of mystery, wouldn't you agree?
Apparently the way to do it in 1972 was by electromagnetic log. A device is attached to the bottom of a ship which reads how much water passes below the ship. This sends a signal a computer, which records the process. It seems that there is a slight problem with this method, since water currents fluctuate often and thus the actual distance over ground is different.
I wonder how many ships became lost due to changes in ocean currents. It strikes me that there must have been some significant discrepancy at times. I imagine this is why so many ships became lost in the Bermuda Triangle; perhaps because the currents underwater change so often that a ship cannot get proper bearings and gets lost. I kind of hope that this is still a problem in the Bermuda Triangle, since large ships becoming inexplicably lost is part of what gives the ocean its sense of mystery, wouldn't you agree?
Mike Christensen- The Thin Red Line
I really enjoyed The Thin Red Line. The tension throughout the film was great, and watching the different personalities fight against each other was a treat. What I really loved the most, though, was the scenery. The rolling hills were beautiful to look at, with so much green covering every inch of them. From the first time I saw big green hills I have always loved the way they look. They always have a peaceful presence to them, which calms one just be looking at them.
In fact, that type of terrain is the biggest factor in my desire to travel to Ireland. From what I hear the whole country (probably an overstatement, but still) has that type of beautiful scenery. And castles too!
There's really only so much that can be said for big green hills. This question for this entry shall be: What is the cheapest way to travel to, and within, Ireland?
In fact, that type of terrain is the biggest factor in my desire to travel to Ireland. From what I hear the whole country (probably an overstatement, but still) has that type of beautiful scenery. And castles too!
There's really only so much that can be said for big green hills. This question for this entry shall be: What is the cheapest way to travel to, and within, Ireland?
Michael Christensen- The Wall
Pink Floyd did a great job in making a artistic piece which, through its warping style and plot points, seemed to have more of an emotional plot than an overarching story. That said, watching it akin to having five nightmares back to back. The mood was dark and dreary throughout, and plays on all of the negative emotions and none of the positive. For the sake of explanation, let us run through a couple of key scenes.
The building of the wall touches on a basic human feeling of being walled in. Walls act to put a barrier between you and the other, but sometimes they can be used to cut one of from the world outside. There is nothing positive in walls, as they act always as a barrier, and at best work to reduce negative influences from crossing over.
Another scene of repugnancy is the judgment. The judge and jury are stacked against the accused, and there seems to be no voice in his favor. I think it hard that anyone can be unaffected by such extreme hostility and judgment.
Other negative themes, such as betrayal, riots, and brainwashing, are pervasive throughout the film, and create such an overwhelmingly negative succession that the film can leave a sour taste in one's stomach, and a poor view of humanity in one's mind.
Is there any way that the film can be interpreted positively?
The building of the wall touches on a basic human feeling of being walled in. Walls act to put a barrier between you and the other, but sometimes they can be used to cut one of from the world outside. There is nothing positive in walls, as they act always as a barrier, and at best work to reduce negative influences from crossing over.
Another scene of repugnancy is the judgment. The judge and jury are stacked against the accused, and there seems to be no voice in his favor. I think it hard that anyone can be unaffected by such extreme hostility and judgment.
Other negative themes, such as betrayal, riots, and brainwashing, are pervasive throughout the film, and create such an overwhelmingly negative succession that the film can leave a sour taste in one's stomach, and a poor view of humanity in one's mind.
Is there any way that the film can be interpreted positively?
Michael Christensen- Absolute Knowledge
Note: This post is meant to be read after the one on the Decalogues.
If the world is completely deterministic (as I believe) then one need only have complete knowledge of the past in order to know the future in its entirety. In fact, if that person were to have a complete understand of physics and the rules of interaction between things, they would only need to know a single moment of the universe to plot its advancement forward.
The real question is, why would anyone want to? Yes it is true that in knowing the future one would be able to be perfect in their own interactions and thus achieve the best possible scenario in any situation. However, there would be absolutely no surprise in their life. Is it not uncertainty that gives value to accomplishment? The very reason we put value in accomplishment is the fact that there was always some doubt as to whether it could, in fact and reality, be accomplished.
I would say that a person with omniscience would be reduced to a life of hedonism. In knowing the future, they would know exactly what they will do, and thus there is no point in thinking about how best to act. Without any worries about how to act towards a better future, the only thing to do is enjoy the ride. How else could an omniscient person live life with any sense of purpose?
If the world is completely deterministic (as I believe) then one need only have complete knowledge of the past in order to know the future in its entirety. In fact, if that person were to have a complete understand of physics and the rules of interaction between things, they would only need to know a single moment of the universe to plot its advancement forward.
The real question is, why would anyone want to? Yes it is true that in knowing the future one would be able to be perfect in their own interactions and thus achieve the best possible scenario in any situation. However, there would be absolutely no surprise in their life. Is it not uncertainty that gives value to accomplishment? The very reason we put value in accomplishment is the fact that there was always some doubt as to whether it could, in fact and reality, be accomplished.
I would say that a person with omniscience would be reduced to a life of hedonism. In knowing the future, they would know exactly what they will do, and thus there is no point in thinking about how best to act. Without any worries about how to act towards a better future, the only thing to do is enjoy the ride. How else could an omniscient person live life with any sense of purpose?
Mike Christensen- Decalogues
One of these films brings up the question of algorithms, and whether the universe can be accounted for. Even though the father runs all the information he can get, the ice still breaks. The moral of the film seems to be that you cannot trust algorithms to always give you the answer, and should not put your faith in them when something important is on the line.
I would say that this is false. As a determinist materialist, I believe that every action and event is the outcome of certain causes interacting upon one another. Even though those causes may be numbered in the hundreds or even greater, they can still be found by the right observer. I believe that one simply has to know all the causes and how they interact in order to understand the future event, and then that person shall know it with such certainty that it might as well have happened already.
The real question is whether we are able to view all of the causes. As in, is it physically possible for humanity to understand an event in such complete detail (even down to the atomic scale and beyond) to generate that view of the future? And if so, can we build a computer powerful enough to hold all of that information? If so, then the universe will someday gain consciousness.
I would say that this is false. As a determinist materialist, I believe that every action and event is the outcome of certain causes interacting upon one another. Even though those causes may be numbered in the hundreds or even greater, they can still be found by the right observer. I believe that one simply has to know all the causes and how they interact in order to understand the future event, and then that person shall know it with such certainty that it might as well have happened already.
The real question is whether we are able to view all of the causes. As in, is it physically possible for humanity to understand an event in such complete detail (even down to the atomic scale and beyond) to generate that view of the future? And if so, can we build a computer powerful enough to hold all of that information? If so, then the universe will someday gain consciousness.
Mike Christensen- North Fork
This film questions the role of appearance in identity, specifically in the appearance of angels. The evacuation team fancies themselves as angels. They speak about how they are delivering to these people a new life, by way of giving them money for moving to a new place. With their wings in tote, they go around trying to change people's lives under this heavenly pretense. However, these men are not doing so under altruism, and like the chicken feather wings, they only fake the appearance the benevolent appearance that they wish others to see.
In seeing the actual angels, one would expect the same wings and other accoutrements that are usually associated with angels. Instead, however, they are a strange mix with their own individual appearances, including one with fake hands and eyeglasses, as well as another with a texan garb. With such unusual appearances themselves it seems hypocritical that they tell the boy that he is not an angel because of his own appearance. Does one who is not what they appear have the right to say that others are not what they claim because of appearances?
In seeing the actual angels, one would expect the same wings and other accoutrements that are usually associated with angels. Instead, however, they are a strange mix with their own individual appearances, including one with fake hands and eyeglasses, as well as another with a texan garb. With such unusual appearances themselves it seems hypocritical that they tell the boy that he is not an angel because of his own appearance. Does one who is not what they appear have the right to say that others are not what they claim because of appearances?
Mike Christensen- Honor Code Schmonor Code
In their time at CNU, all students must sign an Honor Code, which runs as follows:
"On my honor , I will maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity and personal responsibility. This means I will not lie, cheat, or steal and as a member of this academic community, I am committed to creating an environment of respect and mutual trust."
While aspiring for the students to keep an honor code is a noble endeavor, the administration does so in a way that destroys the very essence of the honor code and creates a phrase without meaning. In example, a student is first forced to sign and sometimes even write out, the code when entering CNU and then whenever taking an exam. To make someone submit to a code of honor is antithetical to its meaning! Honor, if someone has it, is something that a person holds within themselves. It is a guiding force by which they act of their own volition. You cannot instill honor by making someone sign a piece of paper.
Even worse is the fact that the administration punishes people for violating this "honor code". A system of honor is own in which the people control their own actions through their own code of honor. To have punitive measures for people who violate their own morals is ridiculous! It destroys the very meaning of honor, and makes the code system into a law system, without any attachment whatsoever to the actual concept of honor.
Is forcing compliance with an honor code a dishonorable act itself? How might the administration try to cultivate actual honor in the student body?
"On my honor , I will maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity and personal responsibility. This means I will not lie, cheat, or steal and as a member of this academic community, I am committed to creating an environment of respect and mutual trust."
While aspiring for the students to keep an honor code is a noble endeavor, the administration does so in a way that destroys the very essence of the honor code and creates a phrase without meaning. In example, a student is first forced to sign and sometimes even write out, the code when entering CNU and then whenever taking an exam. To make someone submit to a code of honor is antithetical to its meaning! Honor, if someone has it, is something that a person holds within themselves. It is a guiding force by which they act of their own volition. You cannot instill honor by making someone sign a piece of paper.
Even worse is the fact that the administration punishes people for violating this "honor code". A system of honor is own in which the people control their own actions through their own code of honor. To have punitive measures for people who violate their own morals is ridiculous! It destroys the very meaning of honor, and makes the code system into a law system, without any attachment whatsoever to the actual concept of honor.
Is forcing compliance with an honor code a dishonorable act itself? How might the administration try to cultivate actual honor in the student body?
Mike Christensen- Stranger in a Strange Land
This book pushes many boundaries, and opens a lot of doors of thought. There are simply too many events and themes of interest to present them all here, so I will have to limit myself to one subject. Michael Valentine Smith, the protagonist of the story, was raised on Mars, where water is a valuable commodity. Because of that upbringing he has a view that to share water with someone is an event of high significance. After sharing water with someone, Mr. Smith feels a bond towards them, and calls them his "water brother". This bond is a surprisingly strong one, as in Michael's opinion water brothers are bonded in an agape which is stronger than kinship. They would always help each other, and one's home is open to the other.
The idea of a ritual bonding is a very deep and interesting theme, and a return to the idea of breaking bread with someone. It is a symbolic transcendence of the simple phrase of "I love you", a phrase which only gives a brief feeling of what it is that is meant behind the words. To say "I love you" is to put words between you. In connecting by ritual, the character's transcend the symbols of agape, and truly become kin to each other.
What other rituals (other than weddings) does our culture provide for people to express their agape for one another?
The idea of a ritual bonding is a very deep and interesting theme, and a return to the idea of breaking bread with someone. It is a symbolic transcendence of the simple phrase of "I love you", a phrase which only gives a brief feeling of what it is that is meant behind the words. To say "I love you" is to put words between you. In connecting by ritual, the character's transcend the symbols of agape, and truly become kin to each other.
What other rituals (other than weddings) does our culture provide for people to express their agape for one another?
Mike Christensen - Blink
Blink, by malcolm Gladwell, delves into the power of subconscious thinking. It describes a technique that humans have called thin-slicing, which is our ability to make an accurate judgment on something with seemingly sparse information and time. Gladwell asserts that, in fact, we take in a lot of information that we do not realize is even there, and our mind does a quick analysis of this information that we only interpret as a feeling. Upon meeting a new person you might instantly get a feeling that they are kind and caring, or unsavory and untrustworthy. This is because you take in things like their facial expressions, subtle movements, tone of voice, and posture, and then you your brain analyzes it all and forms an opinion just outside of your awareness.
This is an amazing ability that all humans seem to possess (unless brain damage has occurred). It allows a person to make a quick decision on viewing a situation that is just as good, and sometimes much better, than deliberating over all the data available for hours on end. The only problem with this snap judgment is that it plays on our already formed opinions and knowledge. Obviously an expert can make a judgment in no time at all, while a novice would need to consult textbooks over several hours to come to the same conclusion. In addition to that, a person who has obvious biases, such as racial or gender preferences, shall be influenced by these opinions. In order to make better snap judgments, a person should do the studying beforehand, and come in with an open mind.
Have you ever seemed to know the answer almost immediately to something without then knowing where that knowledge came from? Can you remember similar situations that you had seen before, which you may have soaked up without realizing?
This is an amazing ability that all humans seem to possess (unless brain damage has occurred). It allows a person to make a quick decision on viewing a situation that is just as good, and sometimes much better, than deliberating over all the data available for hours on end. The only problem with this snap judgment is that it plays on our already formed opinions and knowledge. Obviously an expert can make a judgment in no time at all, while a novice would need to consult textbooks over several hours to come to the same conclusion. In addition to that, a person who has obvious biases, such as racial or gender preferences, shall be influenced by these opinions. In order to make better snap judgments, a person should do the studying beforehand, and come in with an open mind.
Have you ever seemed to know the answer almost immediately to something without then knowing where that knowledge came from? Can you remember similar situations that you had seen before, which you may have soaked up without realizing?
Mike Christensen - Finite and Infinite games
Within his book, Finite and Infinite Games, James Carse sets up an interesting view of the purpose of society. In this view all human interaction is a series of games. Football, basketball, and other sports are evident examples, but they are just the obvious versions. To Carse, even the business relations within a corporation, or the struggle of a car salesman to get the most suckers, are games. People play these games against each other, setting up goals, rules, and boundaries in and effort to make the game finite. The winner triumphs over the loser, and thus gains a title which serves as a part of his identity from then on. To Carse, a person's social identity is composed of the titles they have won, and these are how or she shall be judged.
Although the idea seems to skip over the obvious fact that people have more complex needs than simple victory over another, the theory provides an illuminating outlook on human interaction. People do seem to define themselves through their battles. We speak of cancer survivors as having "beaten cancer" and our wars are judged by the power of the enemies. Humans do seem to feel the need to be the best, and thus to fight the best. The themes of generations before us were filled with allusions to man's battle with nature. Now man has triumphed over nature, and it needs a new adversary. Since there is no better opponent than man himself, the human race divides and individuals compete against each other. Is our dominance over the world so complete that we have no greater adversary than mankind itself? What other forces are still so powerful that mankind can name them as a worthy adversary?
Although the idea seems to skip over the obvious fact that people have more complex needs than simple victory over another, the theory provides an illuminating outlook on human interaction. People do seem to define themselves through their battles. We speak of cancer survivors as having "beaten cancer" and our wars are judged by the power of the enemies. Humans do seem to feel the need to be the best, and thus to fight the best. The themes of generations before us were filled with allusions to man's battle with nature. Now man has triumphed over nature, and it needs a new adversary. Since there is no better opponent than man himself, the human race divides and individuals compete against each other. Is our dominance over the world so complete that we have no greater adversary than mankind itself? What other forces are still so powerful that mankind can name them as a worthy adversary?
Friday, April 23, 2010
Vincent Farino Products- Choice
I thought this quote by T. Mitchel was very intereresting. Mitchell (1994) who is the author of Picture Theory, states “our common culture seems increasingly a product of what we watch rather than what we read” (p. 1). Mitchell stresses the fact that people are persuaded and influenced by what they are seeing on the screen. I believe that this quote can be very true with how popular film is in our present day. People escape to the movies because they want to relate to what they see on screen.
Vincent Farino Movie Bias- Choice reading
I believe that in all films there are internal messages that are expressed either through religious themes or through the makers own ideological beliefs. Deacy (2005) author of Faith in Film, would support this claim he states, “in recognition of that fact that no film is ever produced in a vacuum and that very often the filmmakers themselves have a theological vision- whether implicitly or explicitly- that is communicated through their life and work” (p.42). Deacy reveals that there is always some form of ideological framework functioning in all films. I believe that there is always some underlying meanings in film that filmmakers intentional put it to show their own beliefs or ideas.
Vincent Farino Media- choice reading
We live in a mediated world constantly bombarded with some form of media and rhetoric. I believe that media has a huge influence on how we live our lives. Rushing and Frentz (1995) authors of Projecting the Shadow, believe that “we are constantly bombarded by images which decay at an accelerated pace, and this creates a profound sense of impermanence” (p. 14). These authors believe that images and rhetoric are one in the same because of the power that we give these mediated influences. Rushing and Frentz (1995) note, “we must become aware of and accept responsibility for how we ourselves fuel the story” (p. 4). How we identify with these stories through our own experiences can fuel the images that we see in film and could even persuade or influence our own intellect by how we internalize the images that are viewed.
Vincent Farino Otherness-Choice reading
I really like this quote from C.M. Barry author of Visual intelligence: Perception, image, and manipulation in visual communication. She states "Yet what our eyes register is not a picture of reality as it is. Rather our brains combine information from our eyes with data from our other senses, synthesize it, and draw on our past experience to give us a workable image of our world." (p. 14)
We take in information through our senses, refer to our prior knowledge structures, and synthesize the data, which inevitably creates a meaningful, image experience. Humans need these symbols to relate to and to find there own meaning from. Barry (1997) reveals that people can be influenced by what they see, whether it is real or fake, simply because of the combination of factors that work together while viewing the image or images. Therefore, it is not whether or not an image can influence a viewer, but how great the influence depends on what exactly is being synthesized.
We take in information through our senses, refer to our prior knowledge structures, and synthesize the data, which inevitably creates a meaningful, image experience. Humans need these symbols to relate to and to find there own meaning from. Barry (1997) reveals that people can be influenced by what they see, whether it is real or fake, simply because of the combination of factors that work together while viewing the image or images. Therefore, it is not whether or not an image can influence a viewer, but how great the influence depends on what exactly is being synthesized.
Illusions and Being Radically Free - Elizabeth Roy
Illusions and Being Radically Free
Choice blog/non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
One of my favorite books is Illusions, by Richard Bach, in which a man discovers he is a kind of messiah. The book is strikingly similar to a parable about Kierkegaard's assertion that we are all radically free. According to this book, we are so free that we have chosen everything about our lives:
"The world is your exercise book, the pages on which you do your sums. It is not reality, although you can express reality there if you wish. You are also free to write nonsense, or lies, or tear the pages."
"You are lead through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self. Don’t turn away from possible futures before you’re certain you don’t have anything to learn from them. You’re always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past."
In other words, the only thing holding us back is our lack of ability to see how free we are - just like what Kierkegaard said. Interestingly for this class, one of the main characters uses film as an example of a radically free life. We go to the movies to entertain ourselves or to learn, which are the same reasons we have chosen the lives we lead. I have always found this point a little difficult, because it means that I have chosen any of the bad things that have happened to me. Is that a substantial disagreement - or is it just a desire to see myself as not radically free and thus have less responsibility?
Choice blog/non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
One of my favorite books is Illusions, by Richard Bach, in which a man discovers he is a kind of messiah. The book is strikingly similar to a parable about Kierkegaard's assertion that we are all radically free. According to this book, we are so free that we have chosen everything about our lives:
"The world is your exercise book, the pages on which you do your sums. It is not reality, although you can express reality there if you wish. You are also free to write nonsense, or lies, or tear the pages."
"You are lead through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self. Don’t turn away from possible futures before you’re certain you don’t have anything to learn from them. You’re always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past."
In other words, the only thing holding us back is our lack of ability to see how free we are - just like what Kierkegaard said. Interestingly for this class, one of the main characters uses film as an example of a radically free life. We go to the movies to entertain ourselves or to learn, which are the same reasons we have chosen the lives we lead. I have always found this point a little difficult, because it means that I have chosen any of the bad things that have happened to me. Is that a substantial disagreement - or is it just a desire to see myself as not radically free and thus have less responsibility?
Vincent Farino Church
Where did this theory or idea of church being held in a building come from? Viola and Barna state, “Emperor Constantine was the father of the church building. He did so to promote the popularity and acceptance of Christianity. Constantine’s thinking was dominated by superstition and pagan magic. Even after he became emperor, he allowed the old pagan institutions to remain as they were” (18). Many believed that Constantine granted freedom of worship and expanded Christian’s rights, but he was actually the beginning model of what the “church” has become. This model of church was taken from several pagan religions to “legitimize” Christianity, as Emperor Constantine would put it.
Robert Pinkett- choice
Jonathan Edwards Nature of true virtue
"True virtue most essentially consists in benevolence to being in general. Or perhaps, to speak more accurately, it is that consent, propensity and union of heart to being in general, which is immediately exercised in a general good will. "
Edwards nature of true virtue talked a lot about the heart and love and even beauty. He establishes that true virtue however, doesnt come from self-love or any type of selflessness. All of the love that is expressed should have some connection to or through God.
"True virtue most essentially consists in benevolence to being in general. Or perhaps, to speak more accurately, it is that consent, propensity and union of heart to being in general, which is immediately exercised in a general good will. "
Edwards nature of true virtue talked a lot about the heart and love and even beauty. He establishes that true virtue however, doesnt come from self-love or any type of selflessness. All of the love that is expressed should have some connection to or through God.
Robert Pinkett- Outside reading
John Wesleys Sermon 50-use of money is a very interesting peice. He states that money is evil which is funny because it still is today. He also wants you to understand the value of money and not give into the many temptations (i think he refered to gold) for material or social gain. He also expressed the difficult task of using your money wisley.
"Gain all you can, by common sense, by using in your business all the understanding which God has given you. It is amazing to observe, how few do this; how men run on in the same dull track with their forefathers. But whatever they do who know not God, this is no rule for you. It is a shame for a Christian not to improve upon them, in whatever he takes in hand. You should be continually learning, from the experience of others, or from your own experience, reading, and reflection, to do everything you have to do better to-day than you did yesterday. And see that you practise whatever you learn, that you may make the best of all that is in your hands."
I found this to be the best quote and is very true.
"Gain all you can, by common sense, by using in your business all the understanding which God has given you. It is amazing to observe, how few do this; how men run on in the same dull track with their forefathers. But whatever they do who know not God, this is no rule for you. It is a shame for a Christian not to improve upon them, in whatever he takes in hand. You should be continually learning, from the experience of others, or from your own experience, reading, and reflection, to do everything you have to do better to-day than you did yesterday. And see that you practise whatever you learn, that you may make the best of all that is in your hands."
I found this to be the best quote and is very true.
Robert Pinkett- Outside reading
St. Theresa of Avilla's Interior Castle
"Let us imagine, as I said, that there are many rooms in this castle, of which some are above, some below, others at the side; in the centre, in the very midst of them all, is the principal chamber in which God and the soul hold their most secret intercourse. Think over this comparison very carefully; God grant it may enlighten you about the different kinds of graces He is pleased to bestow upon the soul."
St. Teresa seemed to not like the body itself and cared a lot for the soul. She thought that the only communication between you and God took place through the soul. She questions the prayer process and beleieves that you "shouldnt talk to God so freely.""Although his lips may utter many words, i do not call it prayer."Prayers should simply come from the soul and this is where the "castle" metaphor that St. Teresa names this passage after comes from.
"Let us imagine, as I said, that there are many rooms in this castle, of which some are above, some below, others at the side; in the centre, in the very midst of them all, is the principal chamber in which God and the soul hold their most secret intercourse. Think over this comparison very carefully; God grant it may enlighten you about the different kinds of graces He is pleased to bestow upon the soul."
St. Teresa seemed to not like the body itself and cared a lot for the soul. She thought that the only communication between you and God took place through the soul. She questions the prayer process and beleieves that you "shouldnt talk to God so freely.""Although his lips may utter many words, i do not call it prayer."Prayers should simply come from the soul and this is where the "castle" metaphor that St. Teresa names this passage after comes from.
Robert Pinkett- choice
Martin Luther's 95 Theses adresses the many problems which he thought were wrong with the church. The main points focused mainly on indulgences and he also felt like the church was moving away from Christs original teachings. You could tell he definatly wanted his voice to be heard but i highly doubt he thought that we would be talking about it today as a key start to the protestant revolution. He talks quite a bit about the Pope and also about how the Pope cannot forgive sins and to tell you the truth it came off as if he could forgive sins himself when we all know that it is in the hands of God.
Transcendent and Unpopular - Elizabeth Roy
Transcendent and Unpopular
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
In Transcendental Style in Film (some of which we had to read for class) Schrader discusses, in one section, the characteristics of Western transcendental film using Bresson as an example. In my opinion, none of the films we have seen so far this year have fit the label of a true transcendental film. According to Schrader and Bresson, such a film is austere. It has little typical plot, a single camera angle, and no noticeable acting. None of the films we have watched fit this style – the only that might even come close could be Wings of Desire. However, there is a good reason for the lack of pure transcendental films, in my opinion. Nothing about transcendental style appeals to the general film viewer. While the transcendental film style might appeal to a religious ascetic or a film critic, nothing about it would appeal to normal people. I myself do not find the idea of a pure transcendental film much more fun than having a tooth pulled, and do not think most people feel differently.
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
In Transcendental Style in Film (some of which we had to read for class) Schrader discusses, in one section, the characteristics of Western transcendental film using Bresson as an example. In my opinion, none of the films we have seen so far this year have fit the label of a true transcendental film. According to Schrader and Bresson, such a film is austere. It has little typical plot, a single camera angle, and no noticeable acting. None of the films we have watched fit this style – the only that might even come close could be Wings of Desire. However, there is a good reason for the lack of pure transcendental films, in my opinion. Nothing about transcendental style appeals to the general film viewer. While the transcendental film style might appeal to a religious ascetic or a film critic, nothing about it would appeal to normal people. I myself do not find the idea of a pure transcendental film much more fun than having a tooth pulled, and do not think most people feel differently.
Robert Pinkett- choice
I dont know about everyone else but did college fly by? it sure did for me. I can remember high school and it seemed like it would never end but since i have been in college i feel like time just flies by. Im not sure if it is because there is so much going on with school, work, friends or something totally different. Whatever it is it seems like yesterday was move in day
Robert Pinkett- choice
The bunny cartoon was pretty funny even though i dont think there was a word spoken. The old bunny i think we agreed it was a girl bunny in class is trying to bake a cake and this annoying fly is buzzing around. It showed a picture on the wall of her husband and i think that was showing that the fly was actually some part of her husband coming to bring her to the afterlife. The bunny is very old and has trouble moving around and you can kind of tell her time is near. She finnaly catches the fly and goes crazy on the cake batter. She puts it in the oven and followed it in. This represented a kind of transporter for them like her husband came for her and they went off to heaven together.
Robert Pinkett- choice
the film Paris, Texas was a crazy one. The man looking lost and lonley dropping his only chance of survival, his water, and walking off into the desert like it was nothing. Luckily his brother catches up to him. They showed a lot of communication symbolism in this film and thats funny for a film which actors had very little. He always seemed like he was in a daze kind of like he was on a mission always looking ahead at where he wanted to go. You might think this is a film on a missing man but it really was a film on a man with missing feelings.
Divine Madness - Elizabeth Roy
Divine Madness
Choice blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
In one of my favorite films, Serenity, a young girl (River) is turned into a kind of 'killing machine' by the government. She has phenomenal fighting powers, and when she is triggered becomes capable of truly horrific things, despite the fact that she's only a girl (about 18) and does not seem to be a bad person. To me, this bears a lot of similarity to the bacchae or maenads. The followers of Dionysus, they were all women, mostly young ones. They were the worshippers of Dionysus and fell into madness or frenzy in which they became capable of horrific acts. In one of the most famous Greek plays, The Bacchae by Euripides, Pentheus is ripped into pieces by his own mother with her hands. In such a way, River is even capable of hurting those who care about her and who she cares about when she is frenzied. Yet, both kinds of madness are divine in a way. At the end of Serenity (spoilers!!!) River's divine madness saves the rest of the crew, allowing a horrible crime to be unmasked.
Choice blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
In one of my favorite films, Serenity, a young girl (River) is turned into a kind of 'killing machine' by the government. She has phenomenal fighting powers, and when she is triggered becomes capable of truly horrific things, despite the fact that she's only a girl (about 18) and does not seem to be a bad person. To me, this bears a lot of similarity to the bacchae or maenads. The followers of Dionysus, they were all women, mostly young ones. They were the worshippers of Dionysus and fell into madness or frenzy in which they became capable of horrific acts. In one of the most famous Greek plays, The Bacchae by Euripides, Pentheus is ripped into pieces by his own mother with her hands. In such a way, River is even capable of hurting those who care about her and who she cares about when she is frenzied. Yet, both kinds of madness are divine in a way. At the end of Serenity (spoilers!!!) River's divine madness saves the rest of the crew, allowing a horrible crime to be unmasked.
Living in the Reel World - Elizabeth Roy
Living in the Reel World
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
David Jasper, in “Living in the Reel World: The Bible in Film” discusses some of the problems inherent in the purposeful depiction of religion in film. He says that film involves deception, lies, limitation, and interpretation as a matter of course. Therefore, it’s impossible – and an invitation to failure – to try to create an accurate depiction of the Bible or of Jesus. Jasper says, “The too-serious refusal to risk the comedy of the intersection of ritual and representation - or, if you prefer more simply, the eternal and the temporal – results merely in absurdity, a wrong packaging of the deceiver's art, so that John Wayne's classic moment in George Stevens' The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), as the centurion drawling "devoutly" at the foot of the Cross, "Truly this man was the Son of God", becomes an act of hilarious inappropriateness” (32.) In other words, an attempt to make a serious movie about Christ often turns out to be high-handed, overdone, or impossible to take seriously. He argues that two of the most successful portrayals of Jesus are in two films strikingly different from normal “The Life of Christ” films. One is unique in its metanarrative (Jesus of Montreal is a film about a play) and the other is unique in its comedy (Monty Python’s The Life of Brian.) I tend to agree with Jasper. More modern films (the article was written in 1994) such as The Passion of the Christ may succeed in the box office, but they fail to move us, inspire us, or make us think. On the other hand, plays-turned-film such as Jesus Christ Superstar, by being both a metanarrative and not entirely serious, tend to succeed in one of these ways.
Jasper, David. "Living in the Reel World : The Bible in Film." Modern Believing 35.1 (1994): 29-37.
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
David Jasper, in “Living in the Reel World: The Bible in Film” discusses some of the problems inherent in the purposeful depiction of religion in film. He says that film involves deception, lies, limitation, and interpretation as a matter of course. Therefore, it’s impossible – and an invitation to failure – to try to create an accurate depiction of the Bible or of Jesus. Jasper says, “The too-serious refusal to risk the comedy of the intersection of ritual and representation - or, if you prefer more simply, the eternal and the temporal – results merely in absurdity, a wrong packaging of the deceiver's art, so that John Wayne's classic moment in George Stevens' The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), as the centurion drawling "devoutly" at the foot of the Cross, "Truly this man was the Son of God", becomes an act of hilarious inappropriateness” (32.) In other words, an attempt to make a serious movie about Christ often turns out to be high-handed, overdone, or impossible to take seriously. He argues that two of the most successful portrayals of Jesus are in two films strikingly different from normal “The Life of Christ” films. One is unique in its metanarrative (Jesus of Montreal is a film about a play) and the other is unique in its comedy (Monty Python’s The Life of Brian.) I tend to agree with Jasper. More modern films (the article was written in 1994) such as The Passion of the Christ may succeed in the box office, but they fail to move us, inspire us, or make us think. On the other hand, plays-turned-film such as Jesus Christ Superstar, by being both a metanarrative and not entirely serious, tend to succeed in one of these ways.
Jasper, David. "Living in the Reel World : The Bible in Film." Modern Believing 35.1 (1994): 29-37.
Is film Satanic? - Elizabeth Roy
Is film Satanic?
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
Anton Karl Kozlovic, in a well-written 2003 article, addressed the resistance of many religious people to the medium of film. His article, Religious Film Fears 1: Satanic Infusion, Graven Images and Iconographic Perversion, refutes the idea that films are inherently evil. Although in our class we have been looking at religious themes and ideas in movies, many people have trouble thinking of films as potentially a good or religious influence. Kozlovic points out that films have a huge potential not only to have religious meaning, but also to be a positive influence and even a teaching tool. Although the idea that movies are the work of Satan has mostly died out in the Western world, movies and religion are still seen as two separate and possibly opposing things. Kozlovic says that Christians (especially parents) and churches need to act as a filter or check for movies, allowing good ones but making sure that sinful ones are not viewed (at least by their children.) I would go even further, however. I would say that the way that religions have often washed their hands of the film industry is the reason that it often seems that there are more immoral than moral influences in movies. If the fundamental Christian segment of the population had been a film consumer from the get-go, that marketing would have had a moderating influence on the “sex and gore” of modern entertainment films.
“Religious Film Fears 1: Satanic Infusion, Graven Images and Iconographic Perversion”
Author: Anton Karl Kozlovic
Quodlibet Journal: Volume 5 Number 2-3, July 2003
ISSN: 1526-6575
http://www.quodlibet.net/articles/kozlovic-fears.shtml
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
Anton Karl Kozlovic, in a well-written 2003 article, addressed the resistance of many religious people to the medium of film. His article, Religious Film Fears 1: Satanic Infusion, Graven Images and Iconographic Perversion, refutes the idea that films are inherently evil. Although in our class we have been looking at religious themes and ideas in movies, many people have trouble thinking of films as potentially a good or religious influence. Kozlovic points out that films have a huge potential not only to have religious meaning, but also to be a positive influence and even a teaching tool. Although the idea that movies are the work of Satan has mostly died out in the Western world, movies and religion are still seen as two separate and possibly opposing things. Kozlovic says that Christians (especially parents) and churches need to act as a filter or check for movies, allowing good ones but making sure that sinful ones are not viewed (at least by their children.) I would go even further, however. I would say that the way that religions have often washed their hands of the film industry is the reason that it often seems that there are more immoral than moral influences in movies. If the fundamental Christian segment of the population had been a film consumer from the get-go, that marketing would have had a moderating influence on the “sex and gore” of modern entertainment films.
“Religious Film Fears 1: Satanic Infusion, Graven Images and Iconographic Perversion”
Author: Anton Karl Kozlovic
Quodlibet Journal: Volume 5 Number 2-3, July 2003
ISSN: 1526-6575
http://www.quodlibet.net/articles/kozlovic-fears.shtml
Is the Numinous Holy? - Elizabeth Roy
Is the Numinous Holy?
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
According to Otto, the numinous is the sense of mysterium tremendum, that which is aweful and fascinating. The numinous is often seen as inseparable from the holy or spiritual; in fact it is often seen as a close experience with the divine, or as close as mankind can come. However, is the numinous necessarily religious? According to the “Four Horsemen,” a group of atheist scholars, no. In a fascinating interview, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens, all intellectuals, discuss the fact that the numinous is a separate experience from that of the supernatural. According to them, when we have an experience of the numinous, it damages it to assume it is supernatural. By assuming that the numinous must have a supernatural component, we lessen our personal experience with the numinous. To an extent, I agree with this point of view. The numinous is not necessarily holy – only wholly other, something that touches on that which is outside our realm of experience. This can be divinity, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, C.S. Lewis consistently used the example of the tiger versus the ghost. If we are told there is a dangerous animal in the next room waiting for us, we feel fear. If we are told there is a ghost in the next room, we also feel fear, but of a different sort, and that indefinable quality is a look at the numinous. This example shows that people can feel the numinous without the stimulus being associated with the sacred. The numinous and sacred often occur together simply because the sacred is wholly other, which provokes the numinous – but other things have qualities of mysterium tremendum as well.
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
According to Otto, the numinous is the sense of mysterium tremendum, that which is aweful and fascinating. The numinous is often seen as inseparable from the holy or spiritual; in fact it is often seen as a close experience with the divine, or as close as mankind can come. However, is the numinous necessarily religious? According to the “Four Horsemen,” a group of atheist scholars, no. In a fascinating interview, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens, all intellectuals, discuss the fact that the numinous is a separate experience from that of the supernatural. According to them, when we have an experience of the numinous, it damages it to assume it is supernatural. By assuming that the numinous must have a supernatural component, we lessen our personal experience with the numinous. To an extent, I agree with this point of view. The numinous is not necessarily holy – only wholly other, something that touches on that which is outside our realm of experience. This can be divinity, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, C.S. Lewis consistently used the example of the tiger versus the ghost. If we are told there is a dangerous animal in the next room waiting for us, we feel fear. If we are told there is a ghost in the next room, we also feel fear, but of a different sort, and that indefinable quality is a look at the numinous. This example shows that people can feel the numinous without the stimulus being associated with the sacred. The numinous and sacred often occur together simply because the sacred is wholly other, which provokes the numinous – but other things have qualities of mysterium tremendum as well.
The Four Loves and Amelie - Elizabeth Roy
The Four Loves and Amelie
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
In C.S. Lewis’ The Four Loves, the final love he discusses is Charity. Charity is tied to agape, which we discussed when we viewed the movie Babette’s Feast. One way to think about Charity, according to Lewis, is as “gift-love,” which gives of itself selflessly to others. The French film Amelie shows an interesting example of a girl’s first experience with gift-love. Amelie is a young woman who has never really been shown any love in her life, as both of her parents were rather cold and distant, and she was a lonely child who was not able to go to school because of a supposed heart condition. However, Amelie decides to become a “regular do-gooder,” as the film’s narrator says. She begins to intervene in other peoples lives with the intention of making things better. Amelie gets nothing out of these interventions besides a sense of satisfaction – and perhaps a little mischievous humor. Although some people may not think Amelie’s actions represent charity, I believe that they do. They are a little high-handed and presumptuous, because Amelie never asks the people for permission to interfere and occasionally even utilizes deception to make people happier. However, for Amelie, it is not a reciprocal love. The world has given her next to nothing – her mother is now dead, and her father does not care about her. She has no friends, other than her pet cat. So for Amelie, helping others really is a gift to them, because she expects – and receives – nothing in return. Lewis also notes how the other forms of love, such as friendship and eros, come out of Charity. The film also supports this idea, because once Amelie experiences gift-love, she begins to receive other forms of love as well, finding friends and even a lover.
Non-assigned reading blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
In C.S. Lewis’ The Four Loves, the final love he discusses is Charity. Charity is tied to agape, which we discussed when we viewed the movie Babette’s Feast. One way to think about Charity, according to Lewis, is as “gift-love,” which gives of itself selflessly to others. The French film Amelie shows an interesting example of a girl’s first experience with gift-love. Amelie is a young woman who has never really been shown any love in her life, as both of her parents were rather cold and distant, and she was a lonely child who was not able to go to school because of a supposed heart condition. However, Amelie decides to become a “regular do-gooder,” as the film’s narrator says. She begins to intervene in other peoples lives with the intention of making things better. Amelie gets nothing out of these interventions besides a sense of satisfaction – and perhaps a little mischievous humor. Although some people may not think Amelie’s actions represent charity, I believe that they do. They are a little high-handed and presumptuous, because Amelie never asks the people for permission to interfere and occasionally even utilizes deception to make people happier. However, for Amelie, it is not a reciprocal love. The world has given her next to nothing – her mother is now dead, and her father does not care about her. She has no friends, other than her pet cat. So for Amelie, helping others really is a gift to them, because she expects – and receives – nothing in return. Lewis also notes how the other forms of love, such as friendship and eros, come out of Charity. The film also supports this idea, because once Amelie experiences gift-love, she begins to receive other forms of love as well, finding friends and even a lover.
Saved - Elizabeth Roy
Saved
Choice blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
The movie Saved is a film that explicitly and comically presents religious themes in order to entertain, but at the same time shows us a different kind of faith and religious practice. In Saved, a young teenage girl is attending a fundamental Christian (Protestant) school. She discovers that her boyfriend is actually gay, and believes that she has a mission to have sex with him to turn him straight. She subsequently becomes pregnant, and much of the film focuses on other peoples interactions with her and her gradual maturity. The kind of faith that most people in Saved have is shown in a highly critical light. Most of the people in the film are loudly and ostentatiously religious, which leads to them being very judgmental. These people are shown to be ridiculous, hypocritical, and unstable. However, the main character gradually comes into a different kind of faith. The other characters, along with the main character at the end of the film, have a faith that is centered on tolerance and understanding. These people are presented as less sinful and as basically better people. The filmmaker also seems to be saying that they are leading lives closer to what Jesus would have wanted – the supposed faith of the ostentatiously religious characters leads them to lie, vandalize, and manipulate. The faith of the other characters, however, leads them to tolerate, love, and grow.
Choice blog
Elizabeth Roy
4/23
The movie Saved is a film that explicitly and comically presents religious themes in order to entertain, but at the same time shows us a different kind of faith and religious practice. In Saved, a young teenage girl is attending a fundamental Christian (Protestant) school. She discovers that her boyfriend is actually gay, and believes that she has a mission to have sex with him to turn him straight. She subsequently becomes pregnant, and much of the film focuses on other peoples interactions with her and her gradual maturity. The kind of faith that most people in Saved have is shown in a highly critical light. Most of the people in the film are loudly and ostentatiously religious, which leads to them being very judgmental. These people are shown to be ridiculous, hypocritical, and unstable. However, the main character gradually comes into a different kind of faith. The other characters, along with the main character at the end of the film, have a faith that is centered on tolerance and understanding. These people are presented as less sinful and as basically better people. The filmmaker also seems to be saying that they are leading lives closer to what Jesus would have wanted – the supposed faith of the ostentatiously religious characters leads them to lie, vandalize, and manipulate. The faith of the other characters, however, leads them to tolerate, love, and grow.
Shannon Augustine Blogs
So I wrote all of my blogs in a word document because I didn't want to deal with this blog site, something about blogging on a site like this is uncomfortable for me. I have all the blogs in order right here so I hope that this will suffice. Thanks
Shannon
2/1 Decalogue
The films we watched tonight were . . . interesting. Although I may not have appreciated them for their content as much as I should have, I did see how they were filmed so expressively. I liked the way they used the same guy over and over again as a representation of God. It helped to express how God is everywhere and could be anyone or anything. The God character in these movies never really had that big of a role, and was by no means a huge character that changed the plot, but he was there and involved with just about everything. OK I understand that it sounds a little contradictory. What I mean was that he was more of the constant observer rather than a plot changer. We were instructed to see this film as an example of midrash. I can make connections as to how it relates by looking at some of the religious implications. For example, the movie with the boy and the ice and the computer showed the little boy and his father trusting the computer calculations more than any other type of warning. In this way they were holding the measurement higher than God. Midrash is the ultimate meaning. It is the connection between what is written and what is actually exemplified. The father and the boy failed to truly exemplify what it meant to be faithful and trusting and have no other gods before God. All in all though, I have a difficult time finding midrash exemplified here over any other movie we’ve watched so far.
2/1
God bless you! It’s actually a common phrase that most people say without even thinking. Generally if someone sneezes you quickly reply with “God bless you”. Originally this term derived from a time when people believed that when you sneezed, you were dispelling demons from your body. Picture it, every time you sneeze, a thousand teeny tiny little demons come flying out of your mouth along with all the spit and snot. . . . Yuck! Now, it was believed that if you immediately blessed the person who sneezed, then the demons would die and not be able to re-enter that person or any other person ever again. Over the years people have begun to realize that sneezing is not really the expellation of demons, but it is still a common custom to bless a person after they sneeze. I find it so interesting when you consider all the religious aspects in today’s society that no one thinks about. Saying “bless you” to a person is almost second hand to people and yet no one really takes into consideration just why it is said.
2/10 Psychology Book
OK, so you know that feeling you get sometimes right before you wake up. It’s that feeling where it seems like you’re paralyzed. You can’t move any part of your body, and it’s hard to even focus you attention on anything. It’s called either a hypnopompic or hypnogogic hallucination (one refers to right after you fall asleep, and the other is right before you wake up). This feeling scares me more than anything else. I find it absolutely terrifying to not be in control of myself and not being able to understand everything that is going on around me. However, it occurred to me that this is the feeling of having God in control of your life. It’s terrifying. It’s hard not to always know what’s going to happen to you or what kind of things God is going to put in your life or have you do. But that’s just it, that is faith. It’s the ability to trust that God will take care of you and God will provide for you and that you can have faith in Him that everything will be ok. Unlike having a hypnopompic or hypnogogic hallucination however, we can always deny God’s presence in our life, and choose paths that go against Him. It’s scary to not be in control, but I think that it would be scarier to not follow God’s path.
2/27 Nudge
This book talked a lot about how everyday things and how the placement of everyday things can affect the choices or decisions we make. I read this book because it was mainly referring to architectural design, and how the physical world can effect and manipulate the psychological world. However, I feel as though this goes perfectly with our movie class. So many times we have looked at the placement of things in the film and discussed why the director might have wanted to put them there; why he might have wanted them to be a focal point. Things like mountains, and power lines and different lighting and camera angles all are strategically done to help us focus on what the director thinks is important. Similarly, lighting and placement and framing are all key ways in which architects place focus on what they think is important.
3/8 Northfork
This movie was about a dying little orphan boy who no one could take care of. Father Harlem loved him and knew how wonderful he was, but couldn’t find anyone who would take him home and look after him. The town was being evacuated because they were going to flood it and make it into a giant lake. Through the course of the movie we see the boy’s interaction with “angels”. He has to convince the other angels that he is also an angel, but that he had been shot and his wings had been removed. During the movie, you’re not sure if the angels are real, or if they are simply hallucinations that the boy is having as a result of his sickness. My favorite quote was “we are all angels; it is what we do with our wings that separates us.” The whole movie seemed to focus on wings, from the guys’ hats, to the wings they gave away, to the airplane in the final scene. I feel as though the quote is applicable because out of all the guys with wings on their hats, not all of them were good people. Some just wanted to get their boon and so they did whatever they had to do without caring for the other people. However, so of them did what they did because they wanted everyone to be safe and ok, they did it more for others than for themselves.
3/12
What constitutes as a religious experience? Is it a different frame of mind? Is it a particular emotion, or feeling? What makes something a religious experience while others are not? I feel as though this is a bogus phrase. In my opinion, if you claim to be religious or spiritual, then it’s not a onetime thing. It isn’t every other Tuesday from 10am to 4pm I have a religious experience. That’s crap! Being religious and being spiritual is a way of living. It’s your life. Everything and every moment is you experiencing spirituality and religion. When you take on the commitment to live life in that way, then you know religion. So I’d rather not hear that it’s a wham bam thank you mam thing. It’s all or nothing, go big or go home deal.
3/15 Compilation of films
The first film with the Bunny and the fly was obnoxious to watch. However, I think that this was the point that the film maker was trying to convey. The fly seemed to represent death in this film. It loomed over the bunny and annoyed the bunny. The bunny fought the fly/death throughout the whole movie by attempting to make it go away outside, and then by trying to destroy it in her cake batter. In the end it was the fly that leads her into her happy and peaceful place inside the oven (heaven) and along with hundreds of other flies, flew with her toward the light. The overall reaching theme I got was that you can’t fight death, eventually what will happen will happen and it doesn’t matter what you do to try to stop it.
We returned to some pictures of Northforks. The first was of the boy running with his stuff to happy music. The second was of the car crossing at a crossroads, and then again with it facing the mountains in the background with the coffin on top. There was an obvious contradiction between the boy and the car, in that the boy was carrying hope (he wanted to go with the angels) and the car was carrying a burden (the mother). Both were shown in contrast to the mountains as if to represent the mountains within their own lives that they are forced to take on and overcome.
Paris Texas focused on the idea of miss-communication. The whole time that the guy is walking alone, he is following the communication pathways (telephone wires, railroad lines, and the roads). Every scene we watched had an example of mass communication within the background. It was ironic because that was why his marriage was failing. They didn’t have the proper communication with each other and as a result they were growing farther and farther apart.
3/22 Alice in Wonderland
This movie was a sequel to the original movie, and featured Alice’s return to Wonderland. She soon discovers that she is prophesized to return to Wonderland and save it from the red Queen and her pet dragon. During the entirety of the movie Alice keeps telling everyone that she won’t do it, that she can’t be their savior and kill the evil dragon. She is afraid to face those fears and be the strong and fearless women that they claim she is. It parallels her real life in which she is being forced to do things that she doesn’t want to do and is too afraid to face her fears and be a strong independent woman. The monster represents her own demons in her life. By overcoming the monster she suddenly realizes that she is capable of overcoming her demons in her real life.
3/22
Spring is coming around, slowly but surely. It’s my favorite season. Partly because everything is green and that’s my favorite color, but also because everything is blooming and coming to life. The entire world seems to be illuminating with color and sounds and smells that just seem to make me smile. Cheesy I know. But like or not it’s true. I really love the feeling of the weather right as it’s warming up. Being able to roll my windows down while I drive is the best feeling ever. The wind just rushes on my face (probably because I’m speeding) and it’s just cool and refreshing. Why do birds never sing during the winter? Ok I know that most of them migrate, but there are still some birds left around. They never sing! It’s so sad. I suppose if I really thought about it I would come up with the thought that they don’t sing because they aren’t looking for mates or whatever. Anyhow, the point is, they are finally singing again. Why is it so darn peaceful to hear birds sing, and feel the sun and breeze on your face, and see colorful flowers come to life? Whatever the reason I love it! Happy Springtime.
4/1Witch of Portobello
This book is about a woman who was highly spiritual and was known for her meditation practices through dancing. She started her own school and mass meditation sessions with a large community in London. Eventually, the fear of what she was teaching and doing (though really just a huge dance party) turned some of the people in the community against her and began to threaten her. Eventually she faked her own death to get away from the threats. The whole story seemed to follow Jesus’ story. Jesus was known for his prophet work and his spreading of God’s word. Many people followed his teachings and soon his following was quite large. Eventually people became scared of what he was doing and sentenced him to death. Classic stories of people being afraid of what they don’t know.
4/1
Everyone seems to be looking for a sign. For one thing or another, people always need signs to point them in the right direction. And it’s never little signs or general hints. Nope! They need big signs; they need a giant flood, a boat load of fish, a miraculous healing. If it’s not huge a big and in your face, then it’s not good enough. These demands for signs are ridiculous to me. I mean, I really don’t need or want to receive a boat load of fish, I actually hate fish, and I’m not really dying or suffering from anything so what miraculous healing could occur? As for the flood? Thanks but no thanks! That would suck! I don’t want to have to worry about drowning or building a giant boat to hold all those animals and my family and everything else. Why would someone look for a giant sign like that? God gives what you need. Sometimes all you need is a little grace period. Like if you’re running late to meet someone, and they’re running late too. Or if you forgot to do your homework and you teacher ends up pushing it back. Those are the things that I would appreciate and want to receive, not some huge bucket of fish.
4/4
How do you love those who hurt you? Forgiveness is something that is difficult to give and easier said than done. When someone does something that hurts you and tears you down as a person it’s hard to find the strength to let it go and forgive what was done. Imagine if someone you loved, someone you truly cared about and cherished, suddenly told you that they don’t love you anymore, and that they reject everything that is important to you. They don’t want anything to do with who you are or what you hold dear. On top of that they start doing terrible things to others and even to themselves. How do you ever accept that and forgive that? This is what God does for us all the time. So often we turn our backs on Him and what he has to say. We don’t listen and we don’t even try to listen. We do things that are wrong and hurtful, and then ask him to take us back. And He does. He loves us so much that he does take us back and holds us and continues to love and trust us because that’s how much he cares.
4/10
Why does God let bad things happen to good people? Today was Relay for life and they mentioned this question. I always think that this question is one that is always asked but the answer is never really found out. I have to admit that I don’t want to know the answer. I feel as though sometimes there are things we just aren’t meant to know or understand and that is just something that we have to accept. God has infinite knowledge, but we most certainly do not. Even if we were told “oh he died because of this . . .” we still wouldn’t be able to fully understand everything in that situation. I feel as though this is one of those times that it’s most important to simply have faith and know that even though we don’t know what’s going on all the time or happening all the time, we have to trust that God does know and that God will take care of us and keep us in his arms.
4/12
Today, one of the kids in the youth group that I help out with decided to question everything we said. First of all let me say that I have no idea why he comes to Sunday school in the first place. He claims to be atheist and he hates church, and I’m pretty sure he hates us too. But, for whatever reason, almost every Sunday there he is sitting on the couch pretending not to listen. Don’t get me wrong, we love to have him there, because we like to believe there is hope for him, but he doesn’t make it easy on us. Today was the worst. He asked questions such as “How can you believe a book that was written so long after the fact? How can you believe a book that wasn’t even written by Jesus? He didn’t really do those miracles, it’s just not possible. You can’t possibly believe that.” It was stuff that we’ve heard before and had to deal with before, but it was a tricky situation. He was our kid so we couldn’t attack him with our answers, and they are difficult questions to answer with someone who doesn’t know faith. When it comes down to it, I felt as though it came down to faith, and that is the basis of believing in God, and Christianity.
4/19 The Thin Red Line
This movie paralleled the story of the baghavagita (ok I know that’s not how you spell it). In this book, Arjuna is a warrior who is about to go into battle. He has to face a huge army, and one that contains friends and family. He is scared and asks for help. Vishnu comes and is able to give him courage and help him figure out what he must do. One can see the connection between this book and the movie. Whitt is like Arjuna because in the beginning he is afraid of death. He is so frightened that he runs frantically like everyone else. Soon he faces it and realizes the he is no longer afraid, and that he can use his fearlessness to help out his fellow soldiers. He is able to keep a clearer head than some of his other soldiers and in the end he makes the ultimate sacrifice, himself. One of the things that I found most interesting about this movie was the one soldier that was sitting in a lotus pose praying or meditating in the middle of the battle. He wasn’t moving or running, he just sat there as the commotion whirled around him, he was just calm. I found it funny that even though everyone was running around shooting people and harassing people, no one bothered the meditation guy. He was this huge contrast to the world around him.
Shannon
2/1 Decalogue
The films we watched tonight were . . . interesting. Although I may not have appreciated them for their content as much as I should have, I did see how they were filmed so expressively. I liked the way they used the same guy over and over again as a representation of God. It helped to express how God is everywhere and could be anyone or anything. The God character in these movies never really had that big of a role, and was by no means a huge character that changed the plot, but he was there and involved with just about everything. OK I understand that it sounds a little contradictory. What I mean was that he was more of the constant observer rather than a plot changer. We were instructed to see this film as an example of midrash. I can make connections as to how it relates by looking at some of the religious implications. For example, the movie with the boy and the ice and the computer showed the little boy and his father trusting the computer calculations more than any other type of warning. In this way they were holding the measurement higher than God. Midrash is the ultimate meaning. It is the connection between what is written and what is actually exemplified. The father and the boy failed to truly exemplify what it meant to be faithful and trusting and have no other gods before God. All in all though, I have a difficult time finding midrash exemplified here over any other movie we’ve watched so far.
2/1
God bless you! It’s actually a common phrase that most people say without even thinking. Generally if someone sneezes you quickly reply with “God bless you”. Originally this term derived from a time when people believed that when you sneezed, you were dispelling demons from your body. Picture it, every time you sneeze, a thousand teeny tiny little demons come flying out of your mouth along with all the spit and snot. . . . Yuck! Now, it was believed that if you immediately blessed the person who sneezed, then the demons would die and not be able to re-enter that person or any other person ever again. Over the years people have begun to realize that sneezing is not really the expellation of demons, but it is still a common custom to bless a person after they sneeze. I find it so interesting when you consider all the religious aspects in today’s society that no one thinks about. Saying “bless you” to a person is almost second hand to people and yet no one really takes into consideration just why it is said.
2/10 Psychology Book
OK, so you know that feeling you get sometimes right before you wake up. It’s that feeling where it seems like you’re paralyzed. You can’t move any part of your body, and it’s hard to even focus you attention on anything. It’s called either a hypnopompic or hypnogogic hallucination (one refers to right after you fall asleep, and the other is right before you wake up). This feeling scares me more than anything else. I find it absolutely terrifying to not be in control of myself and not being able to understand everything that is going on around me. However, it occurred to me that this is the feeling of having God in control of your life. It’s terrifying. It’s hard not to always know what’s going to happen to you or what kind of things God is going to put in your life or have you do. But that’s just it, that is faith. It’s the ability to trust that God will take care of you and God will provide for you and that you can have faith in Him that everything will be ok. Unlike having a hypnopompic or hypnogogic hallucination however, we can always deny God’s presence in our life, and choose paths that go against Him. It’s scary to not be in control, but I think that it would be scarier to not follow God’s path.
2/27 Nudge
This book talked a lot about how everyday things and how the placement of everyday things can affect the choices or decisions we make. I read this book because it was mainly referring to architectural design, and how the physical world can effect and manipulate the psychological world. However, I feel as though this goes perfectly with our movie class. So many times we have looked at the placement of things in the film and discussed why the director might have wanted to put them there; why he might have wanted them to be a focal point. Things like mountains, and power lines and different lighting and camera angles all are strategically done to help us focus on what the director thinks is important. Similarly, lighting and placement and framing are all key ways in which architects place focus on what they think is important.
3/8 Northfork
This movie was about a dying little orphan boy who no one could take care of. Father Harlem loved him and knew how wonderful he was, but couldn’t find anyone who would take him home and look after him. The town was being evacuated because they were going to flood it and make it into a giant lake. Through the course of the movie we see the boy’s interaction with “angels”. He has to convince the other angels that he is also an angel, but that he had been shot and his wings had been removed. During the movie, you’re not sure if the angels are real, or if they are simply hallucinations that the boy is having as a result of his sickness. My favorite quote was “we are all angels; it is what we do with our wings that separates us.” The whole movie seemed to focus on wings, from the guys’ hats, to the wings they gave away, to the airplane in the final scene. I feel as though the quote is applicable because out of all the guys with wings on their hats, not all of them were good people. Some just wanted to get their boon and so they did whatever they had to do without caring for the other people. However, so of them did what they did because they wanted everyone to be safe and ok, they did it more for others than for themselves.
3/12
What constitutes as a religious experience? Is it a different frame of mind? Is it a particular emotion, or feeling? What makes something a religious experience while others are not? I feel as though this is a bogus phrase. In my opinion, if you claim to be religious or spiritual, then it’s not a onetime thing. It isn’t every other Tuesday from 10am to 4pm I have a religious experience. That’s crap! Being religious and being spiritual is a way of living. It’s your life. Everything and every moment is you experiencing spirituality and religion. When you take on the commitment to live life in that way, then you know religion. So I’d rather not hear that it’s a wham bam thank you mam thing. It’s all or nothing, go big or go home deal.
3/15 Compilation of films
The first film with the Bunny and the fly was obnoxious to watch. However, I think that this was the point that the film maker was trying to convey. The fly seemed to represent death in this film. It loomed over the bunny and annoyed the bunny. The bunny fought the fly/death throughout the whole movie by attempting to make it go away outside, and then by trying to destroy it in her cake batter. In the end it was the fly that leads her into her happy and peaceful place inside the oven (heaven) and along with hundreds of other flies, flew with her toward the light. The overall reaching theme I got was that you can’t fight death, eventually what will happen will happen and it doesn’t matter what you do to try to stop it.
We returned to some pictures of Northforks. The first was of the boy running with his stuff to happy music. The second was of the car crossing at a crossroads, and then again with it facing the mountains in the background with the coffin on top. There was an obvious contradiction between the boy and the car, in that the boy was carrying hope (he wanted to go with the angels) and the car was carrying a burden (the mother). Both were shown in contrast to the mountains as if to represent the mountains within their own lives that they are forced to take on and overcome.
Paris Texas focused on the idea of miss-communication. The whole time that the guy is walking alone, he is following the communication pathways (telephone wires, railroad lines, and the roads). Every scene we watched had an example of mass communication within the background. It was ironic because that was why his marriage was failing. They didn’t have the proper communication with each other and as a result they were growing farther and farther apart.
3/22 Alice in Wonderland
This movie was a sequel to the original movie, and featured Alice’s return to Wonderland. She soon discovers that she is prophesized to return to Wonderland and save it from the red Queen and her pet dragon. During the entirety of the movie Alice keeps telling everyone that she won’t do it, that she can’t be their savior and kill the evil dragon. She is afraid to face those fears and be the strong and fearless women that they claim she is. It parallels her real life in which she is being forced to do things that she doesn’t want to do and is too afraid to face her fears and be a strong independent woman. The monster represents her own demons in her life. By overcoming the monster she suddenly realizes that she is capable of overcoming her demons in her real life.
3/22
Spring is coming around, slowly but surely. It’s my favorite season. Partly because everything is green and that’s my favorite color, but also because everything is blooming and coming to life. The entire world seems to be illuminating with color and sounds and smells that just seem to make me smile. Cheesy I know. But like or not it’s true. I really love the feeling of the weather right as it’s warming up. Being able to roll my windows down while I drive is the best feeling ever. The wind just rushes on my face (probably because I’m speeding) and it’s just cool and refreshing. Why do birds never sing during the winter? Ok I know that most of them migrate, but there are still some birds left around. They never sing! It’s so sad. I suppose if I really thought about it I would come up with the thought that they don’t sing because they aren’t looking for mates or whatever. Anyhow, the point is, they are finally singing again. Why is it so darn peaceful to hear birds sing, and feel the sun and breeze on your face, and see colorful flowers come to life? Whatever the reason I love it! Happy Springtime.
4/1Witch of Portobello
This book is about a woman who was highly spiritual and was known for her meditation practices through dancing. She started her own school and mass meditation sessions with a large community in London. Eventually, the fear of what she was teaching and doing (though really just a huge dance party) turned some of the people in the community against her and began to threaten her. Eventually she faked her own death to get away from the threats. The whole story seemed to follow Jesus’ story. Jesus was known for his prophet work and his spreading of God’s word. Many people followed his teachings and soon his following was quite large. Eventually people became scared of what he was doing and sentenced him to death. Classic stories of people being afraid of what they don’t know.
4/1
Everyone seems to be looking for a sign. For one thing or another, people always need signs to point them in the right direction. And it’s never little signs or general hints. Nope! They need big signs; they need a giant flood, a boat load of fish, a miraculous healing. If it’s not huge a big and in your face, then it’s not good enough. These demands for signs are ridiculous to me. I mean, I really don’t need or want to receive a boat load of fish, I actually hate fish, and I’m not really dying or suffering from anything so what miraculous healing could occur? As for the flood? Thanks but no thanks! That would suck! I don’t want to have to worry about drowning or building a giant boat to hold all those animals and my family and everything else. Why would someone look for a giant sign like that? God gives what you need. Sometimes all you need is a little grace period. Like if you’re running late to meet someone, and they’re running late too. Or if you forgot to do your homework and you teacher ends up pushing it back. Those are the things that I would appreciate and want to receive, not some huge bucket of fish.
4/4
How do you love those who hurt you? Forgiveness is something that is difficult to give and easier said than done. When someone does something that hurts you and tears you down as a person it’s hard to find the strength to let it go and forgive what was done. Imagine if someone you loved, someone you truly cared about and cherished, suddenly told you that they don’t love you anymore, and that they reject everything that is important to you. They don’t want anything to do with who you are or what you hold dear. On top of that they start doing terrible things to others and even to themselves. How do you ever accept that and forgive that? This is what God does for us all the time. So often we turn our backs on Him and what he has to say. We don’t listen and we don’t even try to listen. We do things that are wrong and hurtful, and then ask him to take us back. And He does. He loves us so much that he does take us back and holds us and continues to love and trust us because that’s how much he cares.
4/10
Why does God let bad things happen to good people? Today was Relay for life and they mentioned this question. I always think that this question is one that is always asked but the answer is never really found out. I have to admit that I don’t want to know the answer. I feel as though sometimes there are things we just aren’t meant to know or understand and that is just something that we have to accept. God has infinite knowledge, but we most certainly do not. Even if we were told “oh he died because of this . . .” we still wouldn’t be able to fully understand everything in that situation. I feel as though this is one of those times that it’s most important to simply have faith and know that even though we don’t know what’s going on all the time or happening all the time, we have to trust that God does know and that God will take care of us and keep us in his arms.
4/12
Today, one of the kids in the youth group that I help out with decided to question everything we said. First of all let me say that I have no idea why he comes to Sunday school in the first place. He claims to be atheist and he hates church, and I’m pretty sure he hates us too. But, for whatever reason, almost every Sunday there he is sitting on the couch pretending not to listen. Don’t get me wrong, we love to have him there, because we like to believe there is hope for him, but he doesn’t make it easy on us. Today was the worst. He asked questions such as “How can you believe a book that was written so long after the fact? How can you believe a book that wasn’t even written by Jesus? He didn’t really do those miracles, it’s just not possible. You can’t possibly believe that.” It was stuff that we’ve heard before and had to deal with before, but it was a tricky situation. He was our kid so we couldn’t attack him with our answers, and they are difficult questions to answer with someone who doesn’t know faith. When it comes down to it, I felt as though it came down to faith, and that is the basis of believing in God, and Christianity.
4/19 The Thin Red Line
This movie paralleled the story of the baghavagita (ok I know that’s not how you spell it). In this book, Arjuna is a warrior who is about to go into battle. He has to face a huge army, and one that contains friends and family. He is scared and asks for help. Vishnu comes and is able to give him courage and help him figure out what he must do. One can see the connection between this book and the movie. Whitt is like Arjuna because in the beginning he is afraid of death. He is so frightened that he runs frantically like everyone else. Soon he faces it and realizes the he is no longer afraid, and that he can use his fearlessness to help out his fellow soldiers. He is able to keep a clearer head than some of his other soldiers and in the end he makes the ultimate sacrifice, himself. One of the things that I found most interesting about this movie was the one soldier that was sitting in a lotus pose praying or meditating in the middle of the battle. He wasn’t moving or running, he just sat there as the commotion whirled around him, he was just calm. I found it funny that even though everyone was running around shooting people and harassing people, no one bothered the meditation guy. He was this huge contrast to the world around him.
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