Four Letter Word Project: HOPE revisited

Four Letter Word Project on Hope

Final Product

Blog 12/12

"You who asked for advice, listen: When the tower falls, be like that child. Laugh so loud everybody in the world frowns and says, "Shhhh." Then start again."

These words from the end of a poem by Ron Koertge, explain perfectly my advice for anyone beginning WSC 1 with Dr. Lay. She forces you to not only think outside the box, but to write and compose in ways that are far beyond that box's boundaries. She teaches like this poem - writing is certainly not a clean, linear process, but instead one that spirals and moves in all directions.

My advice to anyone starting out would be to release any fears or preconceived notions about writing. I have found that my best writing comes when I stop worrying about what I am going to say, and just say it. It also helps if the subject matter means something to you. So, make EVERYTHING mean SOMETHING. Also, do not be afraid or even hesitant of the writing processes suggested to you. Yes, some may seem strange, but take advantage of them - they really do help you to see things in a new way. At one point in the semester, Dr. Lay gave everyone a piece of paper and crayons. We had to respond to a question using this medium, instead of the usual blog space or a pen. The resulting products further explained and explored a previous subject of conversation regarding visual arguments. In answering a question about flexibility of speech, we also discovered more about visual creations.

Never be afraid of writing anything too strange or too silly. Write with all your heart and spirit and never look back. Create. Explore. Innovate. Write.

Blog 11/12

Are the four-letter word projects writing? (What is writing?) Or, are they compositions, inscriptions, or something else?

In the most unconventional way, the four-letter word montages are writing. Even though there are no words or traditional text on a page, the montages create, illustrate, and defend arguments. It is a strange concept to consider: writing without the inscription of letters and characters. The videos present information in a similar way to the first writing on cave walls and in the dirt. They are pictures, and they mean something. These projects transcend the boundaries and limitations of the standard written word. They force the audience to think in a broader way and break out of the normal mold of writing. So yes! These projects are most certainly writing - just of a different language.

Blog 10/12

In his poem, Hubris at Zunzal, Rodney Jones explores the idea of human compulsion. He writes about losing things, but not missing them or realizing their value until they are gone. He writes about regret in throwing possessions away, especially those that can never come back - those that are washed away by the waves. Jones also briefly mentions the idea of language as an extremely powerful image. He even begins his poem by saying, "No image like the image of language." He argues that the words and thoughts he is about write create an image more powerful than any picture or other visual production.

Blog 9/12

When you put on text (on your person - as clothing/textile, tattoo, or jewelry), do you honestly anticipate readers?

I am not so sure what I anticipate when I wear text (either as clothing or as jewelry). Many times, I guess I wear certain text for reasons, but I do not necessarily expect an audience. If I am going to a public place where I can wear a sweatshirt, I will probably choose one that reads either "Hofstra" or "Merion" or some other place to which I belong. This also poses the question, do we dress for other people and for the opinions of others? I'm not so sure. As a society, we are fairly narcissistic, and we want to be noticed. Still, how many people actual read the text we wear? Perhaps, we wear the text for ourselves - to make ourselves feel like we are part of something.

Blog 8/12

Transcribed sample reviewed in post 7/12

I don't believe that flexibility of voice leads to flexibility in all things. The word "all" can return to haunt the lazy fact-checker, so I will replace it with "most." Flexibility in voice allows or a person to put on or inherit a variety of masks. I once saw an interview on The O'Reilly Factor (yes, fox. My defense is that it pays to know what the enemy is up to) involving Marilyn Manson. I have though, akin to most people, that Marilyn Manson is out. of. his. mind crazy. However, during the interview Manson was quiet, well-spoken, and obviously intelligent. I think that even Mr. O'Reilly was taken aback and had to regroup himself and his questions. The show made me think of Dave Chappelle's quote of "people label you crazy when they can't understand you." This interview showed about as well as anything that a person with an articulate voice can be flexible in many different roles of life.

Blog 7/12

Consider the material nature of the crayon response you are reviewing -- this is not your own writing! Is the writer influenced by the writing implement s/he uses? Is the writer more expressive or less expressive as a result of the physical constraints of the crayoned page? Is this writing any good? How do you know that it is good (or not)?

The writer of the piece I am reviewing was absolutely not influenced by the crayon. He simply wrote as he would have with a pen or with a keyboard. The crayon did not seem to hold him back - or to push him forward creatively. He simply wrote. Don't get me wrong, the writing was good. The author just did not take advantage of the crayon he was given. From the looks of it, he LOVES words, not pictures, images, and colors, and obviously disagrees with the claim that visual arguments can be as powerful as verbal ones. He also seems to disagree with idea that flexibility of voice offers a flexibility of life. He supports his claim though through examples, and fights a good fight... I'm just not so sure I agree.

Blog 6/12

Twouble with Twitter


Although I rarely tweet, (I only ever tweet textual clothing as people #putontext) I do get extremely stressed out before I ever post anything on twitter. Honestly, very few people are actually going to see what I have to say, less will care. Still, though, I agonize over every character until it is exactly perfect. Really, only 12 people follow me and I'm sure very few of them judge, nonetheless read, my tweets. Blogging though seems to be different. I feel much more able to write and not care what others think. I even doubt that many people outside of this class read it. Yet, it is strange to think that people from across the world could be reading and analyzing my every sentence.


This paradoxical cartoon, mocking twitter, makes an excellent point, and to an extent, I agree. It seems to me that most tweeters become so obsessed that they need to share every piece of their lives with the rest of the twitter connected world. This short video, also slightly extreme, plays off of this idea that even on the floor bleeding, a die-hard tweeter will still send those pointless blurbs of too much information into cyberland.

Blog 5/12

At the end of her essay, Zadie Smith says, "In this lecture I have been seeking to tentatively suggest that the voice that speaks with such freedom, thus unburdened by dogma and personal bias, thus flooded with empathy, might make a good president" (192). Yet, immediately following she rejects this by preaching for the many-voices of her own people - the poets. In today's society, the rhetoric of a president and of a poet is more similar than one might think. The president must be able to speak to all of the country's people, if he accomplishes that best by having many voices, so be it. Smith says of Obama that he, "doesn't just speak for his people. He can speak them." (182). He puts on many voices speaking of, "Main Street in Iowa and of sweet potato pie in northwest Philly." (185). This putting on of voices though can be a bad thing. People start to question when, if ever, they are told the truth. If a president can play the role of both a urban philadelphian and small town farmer, who is he actually? What does he actually believe? What is actually trying to accomplish? The poet, on the other hand, is celebrated for having many voices. The best poets and writers are fluent in many tongues and can tell better stories and paint better pictures with these voices. The most accomplished poets have countless vernaculars up their sleeves, ready to pull any out at any given time.

Smith side steps around whether she thinks there should be a difference between the poet's and the president's voices. She seems to suggest that the idea is far off, yet she wishes it would happen. She wants the president to "speak with freedom" yet she knows the controversy it would cause. Smith sees the potential for presidents to use the language native to her - the language of a poet - yet she acknowledges the difficulty of this task.

Blog 4/12

At the start of her essay, Speaking in Tongues, Zadie Smith examines her experiences of going to college and changing the way she spoke. She says, "at home, during the holidays, I spoke with my old voice, and in the old voice seemed to feel and speak things that I couldn't express in college, and vise vera. I felt a sort of wonder at the flexibility of the thing. Like being alive twice." (180). Why does society place such a pressure on blending in and forming to the supposed mold? Why do we feel such shame in being different?

In that opening, she takes full advantage of the word, voice. In the first three paragraphs the words is used nearly 10 times. What is the significance of this word? Why does she repeat it so many times?

Smith talks about Eliza Doolittle and her father both becoming stuck between two types of people. "By the time the curtain goes down, both Doolittles find themselves stuck in the middle, which is, to Shaw, a comi-tragic place to be, with the emphasis on the tragic. What are they fit for? What will become of them?" (181). Why do Shaw and Smith find such horror in being stuck in the middle? Is it perhaps a result of Smith's experiences in the middle?

Throughout the second portion of her essay, Smith talks a lot about Obama and his multi-voiced campaign. She even questions whether this is good and trustworthy for a president to have the ability to hide behind so many voices. Does she make a point here? Is she right?

She also goes on to briefly examine ways in which racism still is prevalent for blacks (188-189). She seems to say that there are many types of black people. Why does she even include this section? It does not support her argument of many voices and biracial identity. It seems rather to create separation between people of one race.


On the last pages of her text, Smith tells the story of being afraid of traveling to Harlem the night of Obama's election because she was too different. Is this anecdote effective in making her entire argument more tangible and relatable? Does it serve its purpose - making us take another look at what she was trying to prove?

Blog 3/12

What I really think about the writing space that twitter affords is...

Twitter is the world's next useless stalking website. It allows everyone the opportunity to inform the world of each and every twitch of the finger and flex of a muscle. It places its users in glass houses where each move made is on display for the world. I mean, honestly, who cares that Sally just had a sandwich or that Stanley is in dire need of a nap? I certainly do not. I just cannot grasp why certain people feel the need to publicize their lives.

If twitter was used in a different way though, the way that very few talented tweeters practice, it would be more interesting and effective. They share quotes and interesting bits of knowledge. The one-hundred forty character limit forces users to write concisely, cleverly, and in a catchy manner. Users that take advantage of this sort of tweeting, I applaud. But as for the rest of the world, stop making your private life a show for the world.

Blog 2/12

I'm not sure why so many people wear texts on their clothing and on their skin. Perhaps they feel that such portable writing serves to make a statement. Maybe it is their way of stating what they believe in and who they are as people. Perhaps it forms a unification of common interests and ideals, making the text's wearers feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. It creates a bond between wearers of the same text. Textual clothing also allows for conversation. Written tattoos, t-shirts, and sweatpants beg to asked about - the stranger the text, the better the conversation that follows. Wearing text can raise awareness. It can join people together and spark dialogue. It introduces a person in an instant.

Blog 1/12

The Problem of Describing Trees by Robert Hass

What is the argument of the poem?

In his poem, "The Problem of Describing Trees," Robert Hass argues that it is extremely difficult to describe trees because they are constantly moving, constantly changing, and never the same. All trees are different, and even one particular tree constantly shifts. Perhaps the reason trees are so difficult to describe is because they are better illustrated visually. Maybe, this is an instance in which the visual argument would be more effective than one that is linguistic. After struggling to fully explain and explore the tree, he even says, "There are limits to saying in language, what the tree did." It is possible, that Hass argues that trees would be best described in images, movement, and color - not in words.


"Dance with me, dancer. Oh, I will." Hass says to his reader. Just after launching the idea of a far more powerful visual representation, he asks his audience to go with the idea and to let it ruminate in their minds. He wants them to try to accept his seemingly unconventional argument. After all, he is a poet trying to argue that maybe words are less powerful than images.

4 Letter Word Project

Possibility of Visual Arguments

Can images do what words do? Are visual arguments possible?

Images can definitely do what words can. I am a dancer, if I did not believe that I could make a statement, create an argument, or prove a point using only the visual aspects of movement, I would be going into the wrong profession. It is my deepest belief that it is possible to communicate effectively without uttering actual words. I do admit that messages could be interpreted in different ways, and depending on the audience, the argument could be less strong if not explicitly spelled out in words. However, I stand by my belief that if strong enough, visual arguments can be equally as effective as written or spoken text.

Rambling List of Synonyms - Both Derogatory and Complimentary

Girl

Chick

Dame

Harlot

Lady

Lass

Ma’am

Miss

Madame

Chica

Chiquita

Wench

Maid

Gal

Woman

Female

Doll

Boy

Sir

Dude

Bro

Guy

Lad

Brother

Man

Bloke

Gents

Gentleman

Fellow

Male

Amigo

Chap

Considering Project 3 Again

I keep thinking about my project 3, and I'm pretty sure my next [rhetorical] move will be to reexamine my personal narrative. In its current state, the paper as a whole is very disconnected and in a way, chunky. Once I discover how to weave my personal stories through my explanations of home in a more cohesive way, my piece will be more effective.

Regarding Zero-Draft of Project 3 - the Place Project

I've been thinking about my own draft for Project 3, and I have to tell you (Prof. Lay) that it feels disjunct and not connecting. The piece as a whole seems a little bit like large chunks that do not exactly fit together. It's like a puzzle. All the pieces are there, they just are not fitting together perfectly yet.

I am peer reviewing a colleague's draft of Project 3, and my first reaction is that this draft is that is written about a good idea, yet not executed as well as it could be. The sentences are awkward when read in succession. Maybe if embellished and extended, they would flow together more naturally.

A Sentence Starts Out Like...

A sentence starts out like a marble perched at the top of a mountain. It sits waiting for some external force to push it into motion, setting it loose on a downhill free-for-all. Rolling out of control with only gravity as its guide. It is extremely raw and natural. It is a process moving towards a conclusion, and hoping that it does not crash.

If these walls could talk...

In Wesch's piece, he describes the plight of the modern day student. He beings by asking a simple question, "If these [classroom] walls could talk, what would they say?" He argues that they would be very disappointed with the serious problems technology throws into society that cause a decline in the quality of education. He claims that technology is not improving life, but rather deteriorating its quality. For one, he claims that the average student would need 26.5 hours in a day to complete everything that he or she actually does. This would mean that he would definitely need to multi-task. While beneficial in the fact that more can be accomplished, it separates the student from life happening around him.

Rediscovering Central Asia

In his essay, Rediscovering Central Asia, S. Frederick Starr discusses the majesty and intellectual glory of ancient Central Asia and argues that in order to understand the region's modern day turmoil, "acquiring a deeper knowledge of [their]... past is an essential place to begin." (209). One method in which he moves his piece forward is his use of rhetorical questions. He asks, "Are there other solar systems out among the stars?" (195), "How important was religion to this explosion of creativity?" (201), "Why did the great age of Central Asia fade?" (203), and "Would this happen today in Central Asia?" (208). In fact, nearly every new section of the work begins with one such question. This allows the reader to gather her own thoughts and form her own opinions before delving into Starr's argument. He also juxtaposes ancient culture to the very different world in Central Asia today, making the discussion more modern, and therefore more relevant and also more interesting. At one point, for example, he talks about the fact that today, "In impoverished Afghanistan, traditionally considered the heart of Central Asia, U.S. forces are fighting a backward-looking and ignorant Taliban." (196). As a whole, the essay presents an interesting view into this highly controversial space and tries to convince of its wonder.

Baby with an iPad

This clip demonstrates the idea of remediation of text from print to digital media in an extremely obvious way. For a toddler, the magazine is just what the video suggests - an iPad that does not work. An entire generation of people are being born that will never fully appreciate print text, much less even ever take advantage of the form. Also interesting is the way in which the video's creator moved the piece forward. With each new example of the child with either a "dysfunctional" magazine or a technologically advanced iPad, he places text on the screen describe what is to come. This gave more weight to his argument by letting it lie more heavily on his thoughts, giving the audience a glimpse into his perspective.

http://meddysarhan.blogspot.com/2011/10/ps-i-stumbled-upon-this-video-and.html

The Flight of the Reader -- Billy Collins

What is your relationship with your reader?

When I write, my reader is like the incessant hum of the refrigerator. It is always there and always annoying, yet with time, the roaring buzz becomes a mere murmur and disappears. If I let it, the thought of my reader can overtake my thoughts, paralyzing my writing as I agonize over every last syllable, let alone letter. My best writing, though, comes when my awareness of the refrigerator is present, yet not overpowering. I must know that he is there, but my fear of his judgments and thoughts cannot leave me incapacitated.

Response to Coney Island of the Mind

In watching this video, it is apparent that the author has a great love and fondness for his hometown of Coney Island. That feeling of nostalgia that we all seem to feel towards our own homes permeates the entire piece. He dreams about the "dream land" that it once was yet still recognizes that it is certainly not. His descriptions of this treasured place are also extremely insteresting. In describing what the Island is not, he sets a stage in the viewers mind so that when he finally reaches what this place is, one can much more clearly see it.

Merion could potentially be like...

Merion might be like cage from which the captured animal is trying escape. It could be like the matador, constantly instigating a war with the poor, helpless bull. Or perhaps, Merion is like the nightmare from which you need to escape before you can fully understand its meaning. Maybe this place is like the aggravating puzzle that you cannot figure out, no matter how hard you try. Or maybe it is the fickle river, always changing course and never knowing exactly how it feels. Merion could potentially be described, in a word, as a conundrum.

Merion is. and is not....

Merion is like home. It is a place of complete comfort. It is a house of mercy. It IS mercy. It is the best friend who is always there. It is like a theater - all of the magic and glory happens behind the scenes, far from what one can see from the outside.

Merion is not like disney world.

It is not a place of sheer and utter happiness. It is not comparable to the excitement that builds when waiting in lines for the most thrilling and exhilarating rides. There are no ice-cream stands with small mickey mouse heads, nor are there spontaneous parades with singing and dancing - well actually, there sometimes are. There is no source of constant joy or laughter. In fact, the walls seem to be saturated with a lot of tears and stress. If you walk the halls, you will almost always find someone crying or at least freaking out about the obscene amounts of stupid work that needs to be done for class in 3 minutes. But this stress and times of misery are not what make this place Merion. This place is instead defined by the beautiful friendships formed and the people who will always be there. It is found in the smiles and hugs that greet you all day long, no matter the time or day of the year. The beauty of Merion Mercy Academy is in the ornately decorated lockers on birthdays and in the hallways that appear to be an exploded wrapping paper emporium at Christmas time. The amazingness of this place is found in the need to make a difference in the lives of others. It is the constant struggle for social justice and harmony in the world. The splendor of this place is in the spontaneous singing and dancing, and in the awful yellow, green and red uniform kilts. Merion is a home. It is where everyone always feels welcome.

First thoughts... for sixty seconds

Home is the place to which you can always return. It is the one place where you can be completely free to be yourself and to be relaxed. After a long trip, returning home is like finally being able to take a deep breath. It is comfort, and familiarity, and family, and friends.

Inkshedding

Use the following paragraph from chapter 2 and write a perfect paragraph demonstrated Bolter's point and supported by a concrete example from your own experience of visual media. "In one sense the goal of representation has been transparent presentation. The medium is supposed to function as a window through which the viewer can see the objects represented... One the other hand, artists and their audiences do not always want the medium to disappear; they often want to be made conscious of and even surrounded by media. Instead of transparency, they strive for hypermediacy, an intense awareness of and even reveling in the medium (25)."

According to Bolter, writing in print has led to an under-appreciation for the print itself. He suggests that with new technology, authors can make the actual medium (the computer or internet) an important part of the text. This is similar to watching dance on YouTube. At first, the Internet can just be seen as a window into the movement, but with hypertext and linking, it is possible to be taken on a journey through choreography and music. Instead of simply watching dance, the medium allows for a person to be more involved and connected through hypertext and other advanced features. Watching a piece online, eliminates the unconsciousness and engrosses you into the performance. The transparency fades away allowing you to pay attention to what is unfolding in front of your eyes. This is very similar to the use of digital text. Not only are you a spectator like in print text, but instead, you are a participant.

Hypertextuality of the Mind

Presentation by Ani, Chris, Justin, and Sydney

In their presentation, they argue that hypertext makes reading more natural and is more structured to the way people think than printed text.

Hypertext - the Nature of the Mind

Presentation by Amanda, Andrew, Kyle, and Tyler

They argue Bolter's point, "Hypertext reflects the nature of the human mind - because we think associatively, not linearly, hypertext allows us to write as we think," through a creative presentation with solid examples and a relevant layout that makes the media more than just a lens.

Afraid of Writing?

Are you ever afraid to write? Do you take writing as seriously as Jacques Derrida?

Writing can be a scary thing. Once the words are put on paper, you can not take them back, and you can not deny them. They are there for anyone and everyone across the globe to read, analyze, and make judgements upon. Who would not be afraid to have the entire literate world critique and even tear apart your own ideas, words, and opinions. There is something intimidating about the very act of writing. It publicizes your inner most thoughts and leaves you vulnerable. Derrida makes an interesting point when he says that no one should write anything that he does not mean. Why would anyone ever want to write something that he does not mean? That is what makes writing so terrifying, but at the same time, almost freeing. If you only write what you believe, the worst part is discovering what that actually is. Once that realization occurs, writing should not be as scary - yet it always is.

The Evolution of Writing Spaces

Presentation by Stephen, Linda, Sean
The transition from scroll to printing press to computer revolutionized writing again and again. Through this transformation, writing has become more and more electronic, giving a larger span of textual understanding across the globe.

The New Technology of Writing

Bolter, Chapter 2
Presentation on Writing as a New Technology

The Endless Possibilities of Digital Text

Presentation by:

Kaitlyn, Irina, Jessica, and Taylor

They argue that digital text, but more so digital media in general, is connecting, speeding, and improving the lives of everyone by making the world a smaller and more accessible place.

Textual Orientation

How does the poem differ in its two recensions? What reading does spoken word (orality) privilege? What does the textual writing space (unconventional as it is) play in the transmission of meaning?

Taylor Mali creates and performs slam poetry across the country. An intrigued supporter took one of these poems and set the audio of Mali's voice to a visually stimulating clip that displayed each word in a picturesque way. Needless to say, the two presentations of the same piece had very different effects on those watching. In the original piece, we watch as Mali performs his poem, seeing each facial expression and movement in his body. The second time, we hear that same voice, yet we see the lines of the poetry dancing on the screen. This gives such meaning to each individual word, because now, no one can miss anything. The format of the words and their constant motion keeps the viewers interested, and the pictures created with the actual lyrics captivates everyone. At one particular moment, Mali uses the analogy of tree limbs being chopped down. Upon the first hearing, I did not grasp the full meaning of the metaphor. But when I saw the words form a tree with delicate leaves and watched as it was chopped down, I formed a deeper appreciation for the text. In the end, it comes down to a battle of the senses. It is the visual versus the aural, the eyes versus the ears. What I prefer about the typographic display of the poem is its employment of both. In combining sight with sound, the creators found a way to maintain a sense of intrigue throughout the entire work, and left the audience with more senses remembering.

original presentation of poetry

animated words

Is the Machine Using You?

Writing is a technology. Is the machine using us?

In the past decade, technology and the internet have become large entities in daily life. They are more or less, a machine. It's creepy to think that every time we search, tag, post, tweet, or blog we are teaching the machine. An anthropologist from Kansas seems to think that it is this machine that is controlling us. I like to think instead, that the internet is connecting people. I do think that people become too obsessed with the world wide web, constantly updating facebook and tweeting numerous times throughout the day. However, it allows you to stay in contact with far-away friends and long-lost family members. With current technology, going away never really means going that far. With skype and facebook, everyone is just 1 click away. Technology is not so much controlling us, but rather making goodbyes less and less sentimental.

True Confessions

In Chapter 6, "Diction," Trimble exhorts writers to pay attention to several qualities of word choice. Which advice felt familiar (or perhaps necessary) for you to apply to your own writing?

In this chapter about diction, Trimble offers three specific pieces of advice regarding conciseness, vigorous verbs, and freshness. The section about "vigorous verbs" mostly discussed the use of active and passive voices. Trimble asserted that the active voice should always be used in writing. I completely agree with this statement, as it is one that teachers have drilled into my head. When I write, I find it useful to use the active voice, and it has become a habit, though I do catch myself in the passive voice a lot.
In reflecting over this chapter, I do find one major area with which I struggle, conciseness. So often, I find myself writing extremely flowery, embellished, and long sentences. Even this past sentence could have easily been said in half as many words: Often, I find myself creating lengthy and embellished sentences (3  words less, and could probably be shortened even more!). It has been pounded into my being to write in order to reach a certain "length goal." This reinforces the habit of creating too many words with not enough substance, a quirk in my writing that needs to be corrected.

"Closers" Prezi

Prezi About Concluding a Piece of Writing
http://prezi.com/qlgcbhnc-zrp/closers/

You've Been Flash Mobbed

How many times do you check your cell phone every day? The number is probably close to forty, if not more. According to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, American youth between the ages of 8 and 18 spent about seven and a half hours every day using this sort of technology. That is nearly half of the time spent awake. Now, imagine you misplaced your phone or you had no service. Chances are, you would feel naked, lost, and potentially foolish.

AT&T likes to think so. In a recent commercial, they place numerous people in a bustling train station. As the clock strikes 12, a single man rips off his trench coat and begins to dance.  He continues on alone for several seconds until the scene becomes almost awkward. We then realize, as his phone finally gets a new message, that the flash mob in which he was supposed to participate was moved back an entire half hour.

In this commercial AT&T suggests that with their service and products, you will never be the last to know. This poses an interesting question: Are we too obsessed with our phones that we embarrass and humiliate ourselves without them? Are we too reliant on them in the first place? Without our phones, or even with limited service, we feel completely and utterly hopeless and lost. Nonetheless, in AT&T's mind, we, as a society, need to ensure that these seven and a half hours spent glued to out smart phones are hours spent with superior service or we face the consequences of public humiliation in highly-trafficked train stations. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd8ppk0UCx8

Old-Worldly Metropolis

Imagine the most unlikely pairing you could think of. Perhaps unicorns and thunderstorms or sunshine and death came into your mind. But not mine. I of course, thought of Hansel and Gretel and a big American city. Apparently, AT&T had the same thought. In a recent commercial, they threw the old-worldly pair into a huge metropolitan community. As one could probably guess, they stroll through the streets dropping breadcrumbs so as to find their way back. The problem is that all the crumbs seem to disappear as birds and sewage drains eat them. It is only when they run out of bread that they realize the gravity of their situation. Do not fret, for Gretel is in the possession of an AT&T smart phone with a navigation system to lead them back to the cottage.

Many things in this commercial are a bit unsettling. For starters, these two small children have a cell phone. Not only that, but they are alone in a city that seems strange and new to them. What parent allows their young children to roam around urban America without guidance? Perhaps, though, that is the purpose of the advertisement. Thanks to modern navigational technology, mothers everywhere can feel safe allowing their kids to wander around and find their way back, even if they do lose all of their breadcrumbs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_iWajvrZns

Chel White: A Painful Glimpse into My Writing Process

What is your writing process like?

According to Chel White, writing is a painful, suicidal, and agonizing process that causes binge eating and hyperactivity. I do not necessarily agree with this. Writing, as with most things in life, requires thought. Otherwise, it would be meaningless, and no one would care. I do believe that there are times in which the formulation of an idea creates anxiety. However, I think it is a problem if that anxiety causes you to drive your car into a lake. For me, the writing itself is a fairly painless process. It is the creation of a new and innovative idea that is the worst. Many times, the idea is spoon-fed to you on a plate, but even then, making that your own can be difficult. Once an idea is planted firmly, the words typically flow out of my fingers and onto the page. Once the piece is drafted, the revision process is almost fun - trying to make the words flow as smoothly as possible.

Questions about AT&T Commercial

1. Why are the children dressed so strangely?
2. What is the purpose of throwing breadcrumbs?
3. What does it mean for them if all the breadcrumbs disappear?
4. Who are the children supposed to represent?
5. Who is the target market? Mothers, perhaps?
6. Why are the children alone in the city?
7. Who are these children?
8. Why is the music so happy if the children are supposed to represent Hansel and Gretel, a fairly gruesome fairy tale?
9. Why do these little children have a cell phone?
10. What is the effect of the contrast between the old-fashion clothing and persona of the children and the new-age, modern city?
11. What is there no dialogue?
12. What is the role of bread in old-world cultures?

Exercise in Creating Verbs

10 Things that Baseball Players Do


1. Run
2. Hit the Ball
3. Throw
4. Get Paid
5. Sweat
6. Slide
7. Practice
8. Eat
9. Sleep
10. Endorse Companies

Questions about Heineken Commercial

1. Why does it only target men?

2. Why are the guests as excited as the owners?

3. What does it mean if this is a housewarming party and the space is new?

4. Why does it portray women screaming over clothing?

5. Why are men the only ones who like beer? - Why aren't the women screaming for Heineken?

6. Why are the people, especially the women, portrayed so materialistically?

7. Is it intended to be literal?

8. Why can't men be excited over clothes?

9. Why do we look at the genders as separate?

10. Who is the target audience of the commercial?
11. What station is playing the commercial and what is their audience?

12. What does the Heineken commercial say about men and women?

Dreaming of Beer

What is more exciting for a woman than a walk-in closet full of clothes? Probably not much. Well consider the equivalent for a man, a walk-in fridge filled with beer. Heineken likes to believe that this is the case. They even go as far as to create an entire commercial around the topic.

The advertisement begins with presumably wealthy women touring a new living space, eventually ending in a spacious walk-in closet. Over their squeals of excitement, roaring male voices are heard. Soon enough, we learn that this enthusiasm is from nothing other than a beer-filled closet. It is obvious that their thrill is far greater than the women's over the clothes. This brings the very interesting topic of dreams to the forefront. Through this advertisement, Heineken suggests that man's ultimate wish is to have a closet full of beer, as it is a woman's wish to obtain a multitude of material possessions in the form of clothing and jewelry. Notice, also, that when the two closets are flaunted to the guests, the guests appear to be equally as excited as the space's owners. Perhaps this also has to do with the idea of wish fulfillment. Are the guests excited for the closets' inhabitants, or are they dreaming of what could be for themselves. Regardless, this promotion of beer suggests that throughout the western world, men and women are obsessed with the idea of having closets chock-full of material possessions and constantly dream of luxury.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIutgtzwhAc

Pachelbel and Shampoo

A soaring violin line is interrupted by a blaring car horn and seemingly violent yelling in another language. The familiar music begins again - it is no other than Pachelbel's Canon in D. As the scene progresses, the canon becomes a triumphant and joyous song of empowerment and courage. 

What is this you ask? None other than a shampoo commercial following a deaf girl and her struggle to be something, perhaps a musician. Throughout the advertisement, this small girl is bullied, regardless of if it is because she cannot hear or because she is different, it crushes and frustrates her. The story proceeds to a classical music concert and contest. As the emcee announces the entrance of a new participant, the small, and deaf nonetheless, girl walks onto the stage, and there is silence. This courageous girl begins to play and we are transported to a place where she feels free, a place where her deafness does not debilitate her musicianship, a place where her beautiful hair flows freely like a field of wheat. For a moment, there is silence. Silence among the crowd as this girl who is unable to hear, tries to play the violin. After a moment of astonishment, the crowd begins to applaud, perhaps in response to her courageousness. The music beings again, and it grows and flourishes to bring the story to an end with the success of the girl and her triumph over her difficulty, thanks to her gorgeous hair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC9PsJb6S_s&feature=fvsr

Focus Free-Write (9/12) - Five Minutes

John Trimble makes the case that all writers are like warriors, defending claims and fortifying arguments. How do you respond to this trope, this figurative turn?

I agree with this statement. I think that is what writing is all about. It would be pointless and all together a waste of time to simply write opinions or thoughts without backing them up and defending them. Writing without regards to argument is in essence, lifeless. It has no strength and no spine holding it up. All good, substantial writing is based upon defending claims and fortifying arguments. If it wasn't, the piece of work would simply be a retelling of a story or event without anything to think about. After all, the best writing is the kind that makes you think while you are reading. Wouldn't you rather read something full of life than something weak and flimsy.

the start of a new beginning

So here I am at Hofstra, and I am blogging. Writing online makes me feel a number of things. I feel anxious and nervous to be blogging for the first time. It is nerve-racking to know that I will be showcasing my writing to everyone owning a computer, rather than just to my professors, family, and friends. This first post is considered to be free-writing - writing constantly for 12 minutes, whatever comes to mind - without ever looking back and without revision. This is also a stressful thought. So many things come to mind. What do I say? How can I organize my thoughts without rambling or changing topic too quickly? What can I talk about that would have some impact on anyone? 


I think this concept of blogging is quite interesting. If you think about it, someone in China or in India or Brazil could read what I, a college freshman, am writing. But that also makes me wonder, do people in China and India and Brazil actually care what an American teenager has to say? Maybe that is the beauty of blogs and of the internet. It is a way for literally anyone, be it a student or a scholar, to get a message out into the world. It is a way of communicating with more than just the people that we see every day. It is a way of realizing that human beings are really not as different as we could imagine. The internet connects people who would other wise be oceans away.


Well, 12 minutes have passed and my first post is complete. I hope you enjoy what I write as I experiment and explore writing these next few months.