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.