Okay, so I know the class has moved on from Baudrillard, but I have been sick, so he's still pretty fresh in my mind. But, today, as I was checking Facebook, I saw something sort of funny in my news feed. Someone I know commented on someone's profile picture, and so I got to see it. The picture is of a very traditional, and Renaissance-looking, picture of Jesus holding something in his hands. I don't know what the object would have been in an original picture, but it's surrounded in one of those star burst-looking halos. In this picture the halo is surrounding a six-pack of beer. Aside from being what some could consider sacrilegious, i found this picture to be a good example to go along with the multitude of others we discussed in class, for the loss of the real.
Maybe some of you have seen this picture, I even have a hazy recollection of maybe seeing something like it before, but the thing that struck me about it was the comment that the person I know made. He wrote "In Pabst we trust." I thought this was kind of funny, considering the comment itself is a kind of reflection of perversion of basic reality, or of the saying "In God we trust," anyway.
Well, hope you enjoyed that. This is one of the few times I've really seen a good example of something from one of my classes, and given it more than a passing thought. Anyway, just thought it was funny.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
There is No Spoon
Okay, so last Thursday's class is the first time in the history or Theory & Criticism (the class. not the concept) that I have had moments where I didn't understand a word of the explanations about a topic. This isn't true for the entire class, I think I have a shaky understanding about what Baudrillard says about representation and simulation. I'm not too worried, yet, about not totally following Thursday's class. I blame the migraine--sized headache I had going on, caused by two days with a total of about four hours of sleep, and a seminar that morning. When the class was discussing Baudrillard, my brain was pretty well tapped out. I know that I'll be doing some careful readings of what he wrote before diving into assignment # 9.
Speaking of our next assignment, I think the fact that I have seen The Matrix, and watched it quite a few times (until the sequels came out and, for whatever reason, I managed to loose interest with the all the movies) is one of the only reasons that I could somewhat follow the discussion on Baudrillard, at all. As, Dr. Pound said, understanding the concept is definitely in the examples. I found the map and the money examples, and the religious relics examples hugely helpful in following along. I really liked the money thing because I had always wondered (somewhere in the back of my mind) how shillings and pounds and the rest came about. I had wondered if it was something like, a pound is equal to the same in Stirling silver, and now I know. So, even if I can't say that I really understand Baudrillard, I can say that I learned where the concept of modern money got it's foundation.
Anyway, as I said, having seen the Matrix before, helped me follow along in class, to the extent that I could, with my skull cracking(or feeling like it was). I blame some of the one-track mind on being over-tired, but every time we were discussing something that I couldn't grasp at the time, I would just think, "right, 'there is no spoon,' I get it" (The Matrix).
So I guess to sum up my thoughts of the day, I need to read Baudrillard pretty carefully to try and figure out just what he's saying, I'm really glad that we still have another class to talk about him (and with any luck I'll have gotten sleep before hand), and there is no spoon.
Speaking of our next assignment, I think the fact that I have seen The Matrix, and watched it quite a few times (until the sequels came out and, for whatever reason, I managed to loose interest with the all the movies) is one of the only reasons that I could somewhat follow the discussion on Baudrillard, at all. As, Dr. Pound said, understanding the concept is definitely in the examples. I found the map and the money examples, and the religious relics examples hugely helpful in following along. I really liked the money thing because I had always wondered (somewhere in the back of my mind) how shillings and pounds and the rest came about. I had wondered if it was something like, a pound is equal to the same in Stirling silver, and now I know. So, even if I can't say that I really understand Baudrillard, I can say that I learned where the concept of modern money got it's foundation.
Anyway, as I said, having seen the Matrix before, helped me follow along in class, to the extent that I could, with my skull cracking(or feeling like it was). I blame some of the one-track mind on being over-tired, but every time we were discussing something that I couldn't grasp at the time, I would just think, "right, 'there is no spoon,' I get it" (The Matrix).
So I guess to sum up my thoughts of the day, I need to read Baudrillard pretty carefully to try and figure out just what he's saying, I'm really glad that we still have another class to talk about him (and with any luck I'll have gotten sleep before hand), and there is no spoon.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
General Observations
Hello to all who venture here. OK, I feel like that was massively nerdy, so moving on...
I'll just get this out of the way right now, this blog will probably not consist of anything particularly profound. This is just my thoughts on today's class, and another general thought or two that I've been meaning to post.
So, today's class was excellent. I mean really good. And not just because we sere talking about sex. I love when class is funny, it makes the whole learning thing so much less painful. Don't get me wrong, learning is a good thing, but I feel like it leaves the brain weeping for relief at times, like an overused muscle. But, aside form the funny stories, which were great, I though the discussion in general was interesting, with the class' examples of how people and institutions are changing--or not--to take into account sexuality and the expression of sexuality which does not fit into traditionally "normal" specifications. Gives me some real examples to file away for "issues" that I've already been mulling over.
As to the more theoretical ideas raised in class, more specifically, the idea that sexuality itself is a construct of society, I'm not sure that I can agree. Or disagree, fully. I think that it's pretty clear that ideals of masculinity and femininity have been internalized of over hundreds of years, but I'm not so sure that I can say the same exact thing for sexuality. I think that some things are actually born in us, innate components of who we are.
I also meant to post my thoughts of dissecting "My Life had stood-- A Loaded Gun," for the assignment. I can't remember all that I had to say about this anymore, it's been a while. But, I will say that I really liked this poem. There was so much going on, that it was interesting to pull out the different meanings. There was so much going on, however, that I'm pretty sure that I missed, or forgot to incorporate about half the stuff that I meant to say in my assignment. I wonder if it is just me, or are the assignments really getting quite a bit harder. This one has been the most difficult assignment for me to organize my thoughts on (until assignment # 7). It's definitely hard to juggle the different meanings of the poem and pull them together to make some sort of unified statement. This makes me long for Deconstructing a text. At first I didn't totally appreciate this approach, but as school stress took its tole last semester, there was something decidedly fun about ripping something apart and not having to find a unifying way to put it back together.
I leave you with these thoughts of mine, for now.
I'll just get this out of the way right now, this blog will probably not consist of anything particularly profound. This is just my thoughts on today's class, and another general thought or two that I've been meaning to post.
So, today's class was excellent. I mean really good. And not just because we sere talking about sex. I love when class is funny, it makes the whole learning thing so much less painful. Don't get me wrong, learning is a good thing, but I feel like it leaves the brain weeping for relief at times, like an overused muscle. But, aside form the funny stories, which were great, I though the discussion in general was interesting, with the class' examples of how people and institutions are changing--or not--to take into account sexuality and the expression of sexuality which does not fit into traditionally "normal" specifications. Gives me some real examples to file away for "issues" that I've already been mulling over.
As to the more theoretical ideas raised in class, more specifically, the idea that sexuality itself is a construct of society, I'm not sure that I can agree. Or disagree, fully. I think that it's pretty clear that ideals of masculinity and femininity have been internalized of over hundreds of years, but I'm not so sure that I can say the same exact thing for sexuality. I think that some things are actually born in us, innate components of who we are.
I also meant to post my thoughts of dissecting "My Life had stood-- A Loaded Gun," for the assignment. I can't remember all that I had to say about this anymore, it's been a while. But, I will say that I really liked this poem. There was so much going on, that it was interesting to pull out the different meanings. There was so much going on, however, that I'm pretty sure that I missed, or forgot to incorporate about half the stuff that I meant to say in my assignment. I wonder if it is just me, or are the assignments really getting quite a bit harder. This one has been the most difficult assignment for me to organize my thoughts on (until assignment # 7). It's definitely hard to juggle the different meanings of the poem and pull them together to make some sort of unified statement. This makes me long for Deconstructing a text. At first I didn't totally appreciate this approach, but as school stress took its tole last semester, there was something decidedly fun about ripping something apart and not having to find a unifying way to put it back together.
I leave you with these thoughts of mine, for now.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My Life as a Cyborg
Ugh! Writing this title causes an unpleasant shudder to wrack up my spine. I suppose the shudder comes in because, to me, the word cyborg ushers forth images of Aaaarnold, and creepy, emotionally-blank people garbed in what looks like material with a close relation to both electrical tape and tinfoil. If you like that sort of thing, more power to you, but despite my soft spot for Terminator 2, cyborgs are not for me. They are so cold, so sterile, so terribly... modern.
The notion that we (humans, at least Western humans) have become a variety of cyborg, offends my traditional bent. I'm 23, but I've always had a lurking suspicion that I should have been born about 150 years ago; not that I have a problem using, and appreciating modern technology or anything (unlike one of my aunts who shall remain nameless; I don't have a problem working my VCR...or a at least I wouldn't if I had one that still worked. Sadly it died of old age just last year. And yes I do realize that a VCR isn't exactly "modern", but it was what came to mind. ). I have a very real appreciation for indoor plumbing and electricity. Still, as useful as much of the newer technology is, I often feel that I use it mostly because I have to, or I'll risk getting left behind (that and Facebook is ridiculously addictive). Anyway, I have always felt that if I had been born in a time before the computers, the Internet, and satellite TV, I wouldn't miss them. Really! Well, probably. Maybe.
Just give me some books, some paper, and some writing utensils and I'll be happy as a shepherdess playing her lute in a meadow. But wait. As we discussed in class, aren't all of these things, at least to some extent, trappings of technology...
Surely I couldn't be....surely I'm not...not...a cyborg? [Cue the organ music and a blood curdling scream...or whatever horrified auditory equivalent comes to mind.]
It gets even worse, I'm afraid. I have been known to wear glasses from time to time. I even had contacts for about a year, until I tired of poking myself in the eye each morning. What's more, I have fairly terrible vision, and I went through elementary school experimenting, often not by personal choice, with a variety of magnifying and distance-assisting visual aids. Talk about being technologically enhanced! Although...the monocular does make me feel like an old-school pirate perched high up in the crow's nest of a ship with a telescope.
I don't have an iPod, nor do i particularly want one.
But I do have a cellphone. And although I don't exactly suffer from a fit of hyperventilation or missing-limb syndrome if I happen to leave without it (not quite, at least), I am much more comfortable if I have it with me, or near me at most times. Not only is it a texting device, aside from a phone, my cell functions as my watch and my alarm clock. So, I rely on it pretty heavily. Without it, I would probably never get to class on time, possibly not even at all.
But the real piece of technology that makes me fear that I too am reliant on machinery, is my laptop. Best intention ever. Imagine, a computer that I can haul around the apartment with me. I read books on it, watch movies on it, talk to friends and family on it, occasionally play chess on it, and generally find ways to fill and/or waste my time on it. Possibly most importantly of all, it contains copies of most of the writing that I've scribbled at over the last five years or so. I don't exactly bring it everywhere with me. But, when i go out of town and can't bring it along, I feel decidedly uneasy; as if I were a parent leaving my 15-year -old home alone for the weekend. I know that I probably shouldn't worry, but...who knows what could go wrong. Maybe it will throw a ruckus party and burn down the apartment or something...Okay, maybe not.
I guess what I'm long-windedly trying to say, is that, like it or not, I find that, given how my classmates seem to feel about their own technological trappings, there is a huge amount of truth in the notion that people have become cyborgs, or part-machine. And I am no exception, despite my wishes otherwise, I too am a cyborg. Although, I think that I prefer to be called Technologically Reliant
The notion that we (humans, at least Western humans) have become a variety of cyborg, offends my traditional bent. I'm 23, but I've always had a lurking suspicion that I should have been born about 150 years ago; not that I have a problem using, and appreciating modern technology or anything (unlike one of my aunts who shall remain nameless; I don't have a problem working my VCR...or a at least I wouldn't if I had one that still worked. Sadly it died of old age just last year. And yes I do realize that a VCR isn't exactly "modern", but it was what came to mind. ). I have a very real appreciation for indoor plumbing and electricity. Still, as useful as much of the newer technology is, I often feel that I use it mostly because I have to, or I'll risk getting left behind (that and Facebook is ridiculously addictive). Anyway, I have always felt that if I had been born in a time before the computers, the Internet, and satellite TV, I wouldn't miss them. Really! Well, probably. Maybe.
Just give me some books, some paper, and some writing utensils and I'll be happy as a shepherdess playing her lute in a meadow. But wait. As we discussed in class, aren't all of these things, at least to some extent, trappings of technology...
Surely I couldn't be....surely I'm not...not...a cyborg? [Cue the organ music and a blood curdling scream...or whatever horrified auditory equivalent comes to mind.]
It gets even worse, I'm afraid. I have been known to wear glasses from time to time. I even had contacts for about a year, until I tired of poking myself in the eye each morning. What's more, I have fairly terrible vision, and I went through elementary school experimenting, often not by personal choice, with a variety of magnifying and distance-assisting visual aids. Talk about being technologically enhanced! Although...the monocular does make me feel like an old-school pirate perched high up in the crow's nest of a ship with a telescope.
I don't have an iPod, nor do i particularly want one.
But I do have a cellphone. And although I don't exactly suffer from a fit of hyperventilation or missing-limb syndrome if I happen to leave without it (not quite, at least), I am much more comfortable if I have it with me, or near me at most times. Not only is it a texting device, aside from a phone, my cell functions as my watch and my alarm clock. So, I rely on it pretty heavily. Without it, I would probably never get to class on time, possibly not even at all.
But the real piece of technology that makes me fear that I too am reliant on machinery, is my laptop. Best intention ever. Imagine, a computer that I can haul around the apartment with me. I read books on it, watch movies on it, talk to friends and family on it, occasionally play chess on it, and generally find ways to fill and/or waste my time on it. Possibly most importantly of all, it contains copies of most of the writing that I've scribbled at over the last five years or so. I don't exactly bring it everywhere with me. But, when i go out of town and can't bring it along, I feel decidedly uneasy; as if I were a parent leaving my 15-year -old home alone for the weekend. I know that I probably shouldn't worry, but...who knows what could go wrong. Maybe it will throw a ruckus party and burn down the apartment or something...Okay, maybe not.
I guess what I'm long-windedly trying to say, is that, like it or not, I find that, given how my classmates seem to feel about their own technological trappings, there is a huge amount of truth in the notion that people have become cyborgs, or part-machine. And I am no exception, despite my wishes otherwise, I too am a cyborg. Although, I think that I prefer to be called Technologically Reliant
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