A couple weeks ago, my cousin and I were discussing our love for Carl Sagan. After awhile, he told me about a website called symphonyofscience.com. This awesome site features various music videos that have to do with science and philosophy. Not only do these videos have catchy beats, they are super educational and interesting. They feature people like Sagan (obviously), Stephen Hawking, Jill Bolte Taylor, Richard Feynman, and various other intellectuals.
In my opinion, these videos are excellent. They can serve as alternative learning methods in school settings when lectures get too boring (and they most often do). From past experience, I've seen that Powerpoint lectures aren't always effective. Stuff like this, though, has the ability to make people want to learn. These videos have so much to offer. Also, they combine different intellectuals into the same video, which I believe is a great idea, because we can better see connections and variations in their thought processes.
These videos are a lot like humanities... I think it's amazing that someone decided to combine their knowledge of both science and music and proceed to create a bunch of science and philosophy music videos. I think this "alternative" idea is a great one.Viewing these videos makes me think about other ways to make sometimes boring subjects more interesting and entertaining. Upon that, there are so many ways to improve our learning and thinking, and this is only one of them. So, it seems only appropriate to end with an inspiring quote from Carl...
"A still more glorious dawn awaits" (Sagan).
Friday, May 13, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
An Inconvenient Truth: people are easily distraught
It doesn't take much to tear someone's life apart: the death of someone loved, an addiction, a failure, a disaster...
Things happen all the time in this hectic and unfair life. Very often, these things are negative and somewhat destructive. However, they are too common for the intense effects they tend to have on most people. Not that I'm saying death and hurricanes aren't bad, they obviously are, I'm just saying we should be prepared for this kind of crap and not let it destroy our lives completely. Afterall, throughout the years, I think humans should be accustomed to the fact that, yes, all humans die and yes, disasters and other hardships occur.
Even small occurrences, like verbal beatings or bad grades, have the ability to gnaw at someone. As humans, we are capable of twisting the truth of events in our minds. We're able to make things seem so much worse than they truly are; and I wish that weren't the case.
Often, when something bad happens it's nearly impossible for people to look forward and see the brighter side of things. We dwell on stuff, let it fester in our minds. If only we had the ability to see things objectively and not let them destroy us.
I think the best remedy for this ridiculous hardship bestowed upon us is this: Don't take anything too seriously. I've heard this numerous times, but I tend to not abide by it. Like most other humans, I am easily troubled. However, considering this in times of hardship might help. People just have to remember to live and breathe and take things one step at a time.
Things happen all the time in this hectic and unfair life. Very often, these things are negative and somewhat destructive. However, they are too common for the intense effects they tend to have on most people. Not that I'm saying death and hurricanes aren't bad, they obviously are, I'm just saying we should be prepared for this kind of crap and not let it destroy our lives completely. Afterall, throughout the years, I think humans should be accustomed to the fact that, yes, all humans die and yes, disasters and other hardships occur.
Even small occurrences, like verbal beatings or bad grades, have the ability to gnaw at someone. As humans, we are capable of twisting the truth of events in our minds. We're able to make things seem so much worse than they truly are; and I wish that weren't the case.
Often, when something bad happens it's nearly impossible for people to look forward and see the brighter side of things. We dwell on stuff, let it fester in our minds. If only we had the ability to see things objectively and not let them destroy us.
I think the best remedy for this ridiculous hardship bestowed upon us is this: Don't take anything too seriously. I've heard this numerous times, but I tend to not abide by it. Like most other humans, I am easily troubled. However, considering this in times of hardship might help. People just have to remember to live and breathe and take things one step at a time.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Blogging Around
This is a response to Doug's blog post on the chill environment in Humanities this time of year:
What's up? I just had some fun reading your blog post... I totally agree with you. Some seniors last year made it sound like the whole year would be a breeze, but that was definitely not the case. However, I think we learned some pretty meaningful and insightful stuff this year. It wasn't just busy work, which is cool.
Humanities is really chill this time of year, it would seem. I also am a big fan of the Do You Mind? questions and watching people's TED presentations. I think we're learning a lot about ourselves and the world.
This is a response to Sammy's blog post on fear:
Your blog post is super interesting! I didn't know you were a singer, that's awesome. and ps I like that song "let me love you." I'm sure you sung it beautifully.
I also share your fear of performing in front of others... I sincerely suck at it. and I agree that it's because I fear what others will think... haha my family, my older sisters more so, are the exact same way. Sometimes their criticism actually makes me sick to my stomach.
I'm proud of you for digging into your fears, that's probably one of the biggest challenges any person can face... and I'm sooo happy you're on De La Cru and performing for the school, it wouldn't be half as good without you!
What's up? I just had some fun reading your blog post... I totally agree with you. Some seniors last year made it sound like the whole year would be a breeze, but that was definitely not the case. However, I think we learned some pretty meaningful and insightful stuff this year. It wasn't just busy work, which is cool.
Humanities is really chill this time of year, it would seem. I also am a big fan of the Do You Mind? questions and watching people's TED presentations. I think we're learning a lot about ourselves and the world.
This is a response to Sammy's blog post on fear:
Your blog post is super interesting! I didn't know you were a singer, that's awesome. and ps I like that song "let me love you." I'm sure you sung it beautifully.
I also share your fear of performing in front of others... I sincerely suck at it. and I agree that it's because I fear what others will think... haha my family, my older sisters more so, are the exact same way. Sometimes their criticism actually makes me sick to my stomach.
I'm proud of you for digging into your fears, that's probably one of the biggest challenges any person can face... and I'm sooo happy you're on De La Cru and performing for the school, it wouldn't be half as good without you!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Best of Week: Hana's TED presentation
Hana did her TED presentation on Emily Pilloton, co-founder of Project H design. Learning about Pilloton was really interesting and it got me thinking about the world around me.
I was really amazed by Pilloton's work; she and her team are truly making a difference in an innovative, groundbreaking way. By working alongside the community (specifically Bertie County), Pilloton and her team have already redesigned much of the county. In her TED presentation, Hana showed us the computer labs and tire-math course the design team has created. It's amazing to see a run-down town change with the help of others.
Pilloton emphasized the significance of design in her TED talk. Design really does play an important role everywhere. It reminded me of the numerous talks we've had in Humanities about the lack of interaction in the school- math and science in one wing and English and social studies in the other, and of course the maze-like English office. By redesigning for better interaction, discoveries can be made... humans are social beings and therefore need interaction with all kinds of people- not just ones who think like them- that would be a huge mistake.
Also, Pilloton's humanitarian work reminded me how great it is to be human. We have the ability to make a difference, and she has definitely acted upon that role. I don't want to live and die in this world without having made somewhat of a positive impact on it.
I was really amazed by Pilloton's work; she and her team are truly making a difference in an innovative, groundbreaking way. By working alongside the community (specifically Bertie County), Pilloton and her team have already redesigned much of the county. In her TED presentation, Hana showed us the computer labs and tire-math course the design team has created. It's amazing to see a run-down town change with the help of others.
Pilloton emphasized the significance of design in her TED talk. Design really does play an important role everywhere. It reminded me of the numerous talks we've had in Humanities about the lack of interaction in the school- math and science in one wing and English and social studies in the other, and of course the maze-like English office. By redesigning for better interaction, discoveries can be made... humans are social beings and therefore need interaction with all kinds of people- not just ones who think like them- that would be a huge mistake.
Also, Pilloton's humanitarian work reminded me how great it is to be human. We have the ability to make a difference, and she has definitely acted upon that role. I don't want to live and die in this world without having made somewhat of a positive impact on it.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Mashup: Love
1. Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
2.
3. Works of art are of an infinite solitude, and no means of approach is so useless as criticism. Only love can touch and hold them and be fair to them.
4. It is also good to love: because love is difficult. For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation.
5.
6. Therefore, dear Sir, love your solitude and try to sing out with the pain it causes you.
7. Learning-time is always a long, secluded time, and therefore loving, for a long time ahead and far on into life, is-: solitude, a heightened and deepened kind of aloneness for the person who loves.
8. For their nature tells them that the questions of love, even more than everything else that is important, cannot be resolved publicly and according to this or that agreement; that they are questions, intimate questions from one human being to another, which in any case require a new, special, wholly personal answer-.
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcSMDqXT52s
10. There are so many ways to be connected to people. There are the people you feel this unspoken connection to even though there's not even a word for it...There's the people who you've known forever...who know you in this way... that other people can't. Because they've seen you change. They've let you change.
11. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.
12. I love you. Not like they told you love is, and I didn't know this either, but love don't make things nice; it ruins everything. It breaks your heart. It makes things a mess. We aren't here to make things perfect. The snowflakes are perfect. The stars are perfect. Not us. Not us! We are here to ruin ourselves and to break our hearts and love the wrong people and die. The storybooks are bullshit.
13. You can never know if a person forgives you when you wrong them. Therefore it is existentially important to you. It is a question you are intensely concerned with. Neither can you know whether a person loves you. It’s something you just have to believe or hope. But these things are more important to you than the fact that the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees. You don't think about the law of cause and effect or about modes of perception when you are in the middle of your first kiss.
14. For it is only habit and memory that dulls the physical passion. Without memory, each night is the first night, each morning is the first morning, each kiss and touch are the first.
2.
3. Works of art are of an infinite solitude, and no means of approach is so useless as criticism. Only love can touch and hold them and be fair to them.
4. It is also good to love: because love is difficult. For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation.
5.
6. Therefore, dear Sir, love your solitude and try to sing out with the pain it causes you.
7. Learning-time is always a long, secluded time, and therefore loving, for a long time ahead and far on into life, is-: solitude, a heightened and deepened kind of aloneness for the person who loves.
8. For their nature tells them that the questions of love, even more than everything else that is important, cannot be resolved publicly and according to this or that agreement; that they are questions, intimate questions from one human being to another, which in any case require a new, special, wholly personal answer-.
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcSMDqXT52s
10. There are so many ways to be connected to people. There are the people you feel this unspoken connection to even though there's not even a word for it...There's the people who you've known forever...who know you in this way... that other people can't. Because they've seen you change. They've let you change.
11. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.
12. I love you. Not like they told you love is, and I didn't know this either, but love don't make things nice; it ruins everything. It breaks your heart. It makes things a mess. We aren't here to make things perfect. The snowflakes are perfect. The stars are perfect. Not us. Not us! We are here to ruin ourselves and to break our hearts and love the wrong people and die. The storybooks are bullshit.
13. You can never know if a person forgives you when you wrong them. Therefore it is existentially important to you. It is a question you are intensely concerned with. Neither can you know whether a person loves you. It’s something you just have to believe or hope. But these things are more important to you than the fact that the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees. You don't think about the law of cause and effect or about modes of perception when you are in the middle of your first kiss.
14. For it is only habit and memory that dulls the physical passion. Without memory, each night is the first night, each morning is the first morning, each kiss and touch are the first.
1. "Aristotle Quotes." Quotations Book. Web. 23 Apr. 2011.
2. Matt and Kim. Digital image. NME: First for Music News. 31 Mar. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2011.
3. Rilke, Rainer Maria. Letters to a Young Poet. New York: The Modern Library, 2001. (23)
4. Rilke, Rainer Maria (68).
5. Soldier Kissing his Girl. Digital image. Things about Love. Web. 25 Apr. 2011.
6. Rilke, Rainer Maria (41).
7. Rilke, Rainer Maria (69).
8. Rilke, Rainer Maria (73).
9. Pretty in Pink. Dir. Howard Deutch. Perf. Molly Ringwald and John Cryer. 1986. Film.
10. Lightman, Alan. Einstein’s Dreams. New York: Vintage Contemporaries, 1993.
11. Rilke, Rainer Maria (92).
12. Moonstruck. Dir. Norman Jewison. Perf. Cher and Nicolas Cage. 1987. Film.
13. Gaarder, Jostein. Sophie's World. New York: Farrar, Straus Giroux, 2007.
14. Lightman, Alan.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Best of Week: Consilience Quote
While reading Consilience, I came upon a quote about the arts that I liked very much. Wilson states that, "The defining quality of the arts is the expression of the human condition by mood and feeling, calling into play all the senses, evoking both order and disorder" (232).
Upon reading this, I thought about how well-put this statement was; I was very calmed, almost, by it. The arts tend to be very confusing, open ended, and personal (very much like the human mind). So, finding something that gives the arts a "defining quality" is very settling and comforting, to me anyway.
Without a doubt, the arts express the human condition; especially after studying modernism and postmodernism, it is evident that art represents time periods and the human condition of the era. I'm also fascinated by this quote because it understands that art plays on all parts of someone- upon viewing a new work of art, I am always amazed by the emotions it may evoke. Artwork is very personal, and it therefore has various effects on those who view it. The great thing about it, is that it doesn't matter how a work of art makes one feel. There's no right or wrong in that, no set answer.
Next time I see a new work of art, I'll definitely remember this quote. It has further clarified my views on the arts, and for that I am thankful (if one can be thankful to a quote). It also makes me consider why some people try to over interpret art, and thus kill it. Often, it's best to interpret art to some extent, for one's own purposes, but at some point, one must realize that there is actually no universal answer.
Some art may make someone sick, while it makes another joyful; art is an intimate experience that utilizes all the senses and has the ability to bring out all sorts of random emotions.
Upon reading this, I thought about how well-put this statement was; I was very calmed, almost, by it. The arts tend to be very confusing, open ended, and personal (very much like the human mind). So, finding something that gives the arts a "defining quality" is very settling and comforting, to me anyway.
Without a doubt, the arts express the human condition; especially after studying modernism and postmodernism, it is evident that art represents time periods and the human condition of the era. I'm also fascinated by this quote because it understands that art plays on all parts of someone- upon viewing a new work of art, I am always amazed by the emotions it may evoke. Artwork is very personal, and it therefore has various effects on those who view it. The great thing about it, is that it doesn't matter how a work of art makes one feel. There's no right or wrong in that, no set answer.
Next time I see a new work of art, I'll definitely remember this quote. It has further clarified my views on the arts, and for that I am thankful (if one can be thankful to a quote). It also makes me consider why some people try to over interpret art, and thus kill it. Often, it's best to interpret art to some extent, for one's own purposes, but at some point, one must realize that there is actually no universal answer.
Some art may make someone sick, while it makes another joyful; art is an intimate experience that utilizes all the senses and has the ability to bring out all sorts of random emotions.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Blogging Around
I left this comment in Jayne's blog; it primarily discussed her readiness to get out of high school and perceptions of the world around us:
I really enjoyed reading you post. I completely agree with you. This year especially, I've felt very trapped and somewhat isolated from the world around me. We hear a lot on the news about terrible occurrences around the world, but living in this North Shore bubble is kind of like a protective shield. Nothing really effects us here, so worldly events almost don't seem as important (for me anyway). I know that's terrible, but I think it's due to the fact that this is where I have grown up and it's a somewhat inevitable feeling. However, I'd definitely like to care and take part in this world.
I know what you're saying about the high school "status quo." You put some of my thoughts into words here, which was really awesome. I'm seriously ready to get out of high school and just be myself and not pretend to be someone I'm not anymore.
Also, I get what you're saying about people's perceptions of the world around them. I think a lot of people take this place for granted and treat it like dirt. Everyone's mind is so different, and people definitely tend to perceive things in odd ways.
This is the comment I left for Ben K. His blog was on dreamcatchers and the placebo effect they had on him:
I dig your post on dreamcatchers. I am still a firm believer in the dreamcatcher; I have two above my bed and one by my desk, just in case one nightmare somehow escapes from the other two... I know what you're saying, though. Humans will lunge at anything that makes them feel safe.
I used to have pretty bad nightmares as a kid... dinosaurs eating me alive, invading aliens, etc. Then I was introduced to the dreamcatcher, and I of course stuck one in my room. I think it worked. I like to think that all of my would-be nightmares are sucked out of my head while I sleep and magically flow like smoke into the netting of the catcher, getting tangled and forever trapped. I'm probably crazy.
I really enjoyed reading you post. I completely agree with you. This year especially, I've felt very trapped and somewhat isolated from the world around me. We hear a lot on the news about terrible occurrences around the world, but living in this North Shore bubble is kind of like a protective shield. Nothing really effects us here, so worldly events almost don't seem as important (for me anyway). I know that's terrible, but I think it's due to the fact that this is where I have grown up and it's a somewhat inevitable feeling. However, I'd definitely like to care and take part in this world.
I know what you're saying about the high school "status quo." You put some of my thoughts into words here, which was really awesome. I'm seriously ready to get out of high school and just be myself and not pretend to be someone I'm not anymore.
Also, I get what you're saying about people's perceptions of the world around them. I think a lot of people take this place for granted and treat it like dirt. Everyone's mind is so different, and people definitely tend to perceive things in odd ways.
This is the comment I left for Ben K. His blog was on dreamcatchers and the placebo effect they had on him:
I dig your post on dreamcatchers. I am still a firm believer in the dreamcatcher; I have two above my bed and one by my desk, just in case one nightmare somehow escapes from the other two... I know what you're saying, though. Humans will lunge at anything that makes them feel safe.
I used to have pretty bad nightmares as a kid... dinosaurs eating me alive, invading aliens, etc. Then I was introduced to the dreamcatcher, and I of course stuck one in my room. I think it worked. I like to think that all of my would-be nightmares are sucked out of my head while I sleep and magically flow like smoke into the netting of the catcher, getting tangled and forever trapped. I'm probably crazy.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Final Blog- Literature Circles
I read: Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
I'm responding to: Becca W's blog on Temple Grandin's Thinking in Pictures, My Life with Autism
Initially, it is unlikely that one would think these two books are related in any way. However, there are various similarities among them.
In the first few lines of her response, Becca discusses the way that Grandin instructs and guides the reader through autism. When I read this, I thought about how Johnson uses this same method of informing and guiding. Though Johnson teaches the reader about the perfect formula for innovation and good ideas- not autism. Therefore, both of these books are, to an extent, handbooks or guides.
Not only do both of these books act as teaching devices, they also largely discuss innovation and inventions. Becca mentions Grandin's squeeze machine, which actually simulates a hug or a hold. I considered this fascinating invention for awhile and about how well it relates to Where Good Ideas Come From. Johnson mentions a variety of inventions, such as incubators that run on car parts, the printing press, and the World Wide Web. All of these things were once just small "slow hunches" or ideas that had been brewing in someone's mind. However, after some creativity and work, these small thoughts grew into inventions that have had an immense impact on society today. I thought about Grandin's invention and realized that this process probably happened in her mind while she considered creating the squeeze machine.
The squeeze machine is so entirely creative that I'm surprised it didn't appear in Where Good Ideas Come From. To simulate a human embrace is an entirely new and significant idea. I think Grandin's invention is the epitome of creativity and innovation.
Johnson uses the metaphor of "coral reefs" often in his book. By referencing animals (especially those that live within coral reefs) to humans, Johnson mimics Grandin's thoughts that humans are very much like animals. Johnson especially mentions the amazing abilities of animals- like the water flea Daphnia that is capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction and the beaver that indirectly creates a "platform" for many other species.
Although Temple Grandin wrote a book about living with autism and Steven Johnson wrote a book on the history of innovation, there are striking similarities between the two.
I'm responding to: Becca W's blog on Temple Grandin's Thinking in Pictures, My Life with Autism
Initially, it is unlikely that one would think these two books are related in any way. However, there are various similarities among them.
In the first few lines of her response, Becca discusses the way that Grandin instructs and guides the reader through autism. When I read this, I thought about how Johnson uses this same method of informing and guiding. Though Johnson teaches the reader about the perfect formula for innovation and good ideas- not autism. Therefore, both of these books are, to an extent, handbooks or guides.
Not only do both of these books act as teaching devices, they also largely discuss innovation and inventions. Becca mentions Grandin's squeeze machine, which actually simulates a hug or a hold. I considered this fascinating invention for awhile and about how well it relates to Where Good Ideas Come From. Johnson mentions a variety of inventions, such as incubators that run on car parts, the printing press, and the World Wide Web. All of these things were once just small "slow hunches" or ideas that had been brewing in someone's mind. However, after some creativity and work, these small thoughts grew into inventions that have had an immense impact on society today. I thought about Grandin's invention and realized that this process probably happened in her mind while she considered creating the squeeze machine.
The squeeze machine is so entirely creative that I'm surprised it didn't appear in Where Good Ideas Come From. To simulate a human embrace is an entirely new and significant idea. I think Grandin's invention is the epitome of creativity and innovation.
Johnson uses the metaphor of "coral reefs" often in his book. By referencing animals (especially those that live within coral reefs) to humans, Johnson mimics Grandin's thoughts that humans are very much like animals. Johnson especially mentions the amazing abilities of animals- like the water flea Daphnia that is capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction and the beaver that indirectly creates a "platform" for many other species.
Although Temple Grandin wrote a book about living with autism and Steven Johnson wrote a book on the history of innovation, there are striking similarities between the two.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Where Good Ideas Come From- Lit Circle Response
Where Good Ideas Come From
Meeting #2, pages 43-128
The three chapters in this reading discuss three major patterns that tend to be the platforms for innovation: Liquid Networks, The Slow Hunch, and Serendipity. Liquid Networks allow people’s ideas to flow freely and connect; Johnson often associates this particular pattern with structure and communication. He then discusses “slow hunches,” in which ideas sit idle in the mind for years, until one day the ideas are complete; Johnson discusses the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the World Wide Web to further get across his point. In Serendipity, the creation of environments that foster such moments are talked about, as well as the effect that the internet and new programs, such as DEVONthink, have had on these serendipitious moments.
“[Serendipity] completes a hunch, or opens up a door in the adjacent possible that you had overlooked” (109). Johnson proves this statement by examining various moments when creativity thrives and people are enlightened with a serendipitious insight. He explains that going for walks, taking long showers or baths, reading, keeping journals, and looking everything up on the internet often lead to those moments where slow hunches are completed, and innovation is created. By allowing creativity and switching things up a bit, innovation is nearly unavoidable. Google requires its employees to spend one hour of every five hours they work, working on their own projects. By allowing personal creativity and creating serendipitious environments, innovative ideas are discovered and completed.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Captured Thought: Documenting Daily Life
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Wake up at 7, brush my teeth, wash my face, drive to school, go to classes, drive home, do homework, eat, shower, brush my teeth, wash my face, go to sleep.
Saturday, Sunday: catch up on sleep, do more homework, see friends.
My life, like the chorus of a dull song, tends to be ridiculously repetitive. It is as if I live everyday the same way, and I'm so entirely sick of it. If only there were some way that I could excite my days- change this rhythmic pace and disrupt the consistency.
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about how to do that, and I've decided that there is definitely something I could do, or anyone looking for a bit of change could do, to make their cake of life a little less vanilla-y:
Often, as I sit in class or at the dinner table or in the car, I try to think of interesting or out of the ordinary occurrences of my usually repetitive day. Surprisingly enough, there is always something. Yes, it's typically something small and silly, but it makes me feel better, knowing that there has been a change- some addition of rainbow sprinkles to my stale cake of life. Sadly, I tend to forget these moments- caught up in homework or too bored to think of anything except nothing.
Therefore, if I were to document these moments, say by writing about them or taking a picture of them, I could remember the reasons I have for living this dull life. It is the little, unexpected, spontaneous moments that occur during the course of my too regular day that remind me that this life isn't so bad, after all.
No day, no matter how invariable it may seem, is ever the same.
3/4/11: Today's unusual event: the cookies and cream cupcake that I got for free at a new place called Cup of Cake... Who doesn't get excited over a delectable (free) cupcake?
No One.
Saturday, Sunday: catch up on sleep, do more homework, see friends.
My life, like the chorus of a dull song, tends to be ridiculously repetitive. It is as if I live everyday the same way, and I'm so entirely sick of it. If only there were some way that I could excite my days- change this rhythmic pace and disrupt the consistency.
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about how to do that, and I've decided that there is definitely something I could do, or anyone looking for a bit of change could do, to make their cake of life a little less vanilla-y:
Often, as I sit in class or at the dinner table or in the car, I try to think of interesting or out of the ordinary occurrences of my usually repetitive day. Surprisingly enough, there is always something. Yes, it's typically something small and silly, but it makes me feel better, knowing that there has been a change- some addition of rainbow sprinkles to my stale cake of life. Sadly, I tend to forget these moments- caught up in homework or too bored to think of anything except nothing.
Therefore, if I were to document these moments, say by writing about them or taking a picture of them, I could remember the reasons I have for living this dull life. It is the little, unexpected, spontaneous moments that occur during the course of my too regular day that remind me that this life isn't so bad, after all.
No day, no matter how invariable it may seem, is ever the same.
3/4/11: Today's unusual event: the cookies and cream cupcake that I got for free at a new place called Cup of Cake... Who doesn't get excited over a delectable (free) cupcake?
No One.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Connection: Einstein's Dreams and Chances Are
Two nights ago, as I read through pages 6-9 of Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman, I was immediately reminded of a film that I saw a couple of weeks back called Chances Are.
Although the pages are few, they are loaded with complex ideas that really make one think. Within the small chapter, Lightman begins by saying, "Suppose time is a circle, bending back on itself" (6). If this were so, everything would repeat. However, most people are unaware of this repitition and they unknowingly relive the same life over and over. Every breath, action, and word spoken would be the same in each life. Despite these many unmindful people, there are those who are educated with the fact that they live a recurring life. Not entirely consciously do they know this, but in their dreams it is confirmed. These people suffer deeply, knowing that every mistake and misfortune they ever had will continue repeating itself in the loop of time.
Chances Are affirms Lightman's theory about circular time to some extent. In the film, a young man is hit by a car and dies just a short time after getting married. He is sent to heaven and is asked where he'd like to return in his next life. Flustered and upset, he runs off without getting the special injection that would make him forget his past life. He is then reborn again and ends up coming into contact with his wife and his daughter! Slowly, he begins to remember his past life and a series of comical and sentimental events follow.
Both Einstein's Dreams and Chances Are play with the theory of circular time. As I read through that chapter, scenes from the film replayed in my head and allowed me to better understand what I was reading. Though lighthearted and sometimes silly, the film helped me comprehend a difficult concept in the book, and for that I was grateful. Because I read that chapter, I feel like I have a better grasp on the movie now, as well. Having deeper insight on an odd idea surely helps one's mind adjust to that idea. Therefore, both helped me understand the other.
The idea of circular time is significant because it is possible that this is exactly how time works on this earth. However, there are many possibilities for how time works as Lightman explains in Einstein's Dreams.
Although the pages are few, they are loaded with complex ideas that really make one think. Within the small chapter, Lightman begins by saying, "Suppose time is a circle, bending back on itself" (6). If this were so, everything would repeat. However, most people are unaware of this repitition and they unknowingly relive the same life over and over. Every breath, action, and word spoken would be the same in each life. Despite these many unmindful people, there are those who are educated with the fact that they live a recurring life. Not entirely consciously do they know this, but in their dreams it is confirmed. These people suffer deeply, knowing that every mistake and misfortune they ever had will continue repeating itself in the loop of time.
Chances Are affirms Lightman's theory about circular time to some extent. In the film, a young man is hit by a car and dies just a short time after getting married. He is sent to heaven and is asked where he'd like to return in his next life. Flustered and upset, he runs off without getting the special injection that would make him forget his past life. He is then reborn again and ends up coming into contact with his wife and his daughter! Slowly, he begins to remember his past life and a series of comical and sentimental events follow.
Both Einstein's Dreams and Chances Are play with the theory of circular time. As I read through that chapter, scenes from the film replayed in my head and allowed me to better understand what I was reading. Though lighthearted and sometimes silly, the film helped me comprehend a difficult concept in the book, and for that I was grateful. Because I read that chapter, I feel like I have a better grasp on the movie now, as well. Having deeper insight on an odd idea surely helps one's mind adjust to that idea. Therefore, both helped me understand the other.
The idea of circular time is significant because it is possible that this is exactly how time works on this earth. However, there are many possibilities for how time works as Lightman explains in Einstein's Dreams.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Metacognition: First Semester in Humanities
First semester seems to have flashed by. However, it feels like it's been a long time since starting the Shadow Catcher and discussing creativity, and in a way, it has been. I think over the course of this semester, my mind has changed significantly. I see new thought processes beginning to emerge that never have before. Sometimes I even catch myself thinking philosophically. Humanities has definitely altered my mind, taught me much, and identified my weaknesses.
After reading many articles, especially Mihály Csíkszentmihályi's "The Creative Personality, " my eyes were opened to the world of creativity. I thought about all of the mind bending ideas that he had concerning creative people... each person is so complex and different, and it made me excited to learn and think creatively myself.
The Shadow Catcher also made me think in a different way. At times, that book was very confusing. However, in the end, everyone was connected, and it was kind of brilliant. We also discussed how place became a character in that book. I thought that that was a really fascinating concept, and I will remember that in further literature that I come across.
I really disliked Sophie's World. I'd always call it "a philosophy textbook disguised as a cheesy novel." However, I'm sure most people don't feel this way. It just wasn't my style. I noticed how difficult it was for me to retain the philosophical information in the novel. Each philosopher seemed to run together and I could never match them with their philosophies. In addition to my usual annotations, I solved this problem by using Post-Its. By writing everything down, it was easier to remember who was who and who thought what. I'll continue using this method in the future when I'm having trouble with a book. Although much of Sophie's World is a blur, Freud's chapter remains in my mind. Sometimes I use his method in an attempt decipher my dreams, though I'm very bad at it.
We also watched a variety of excellent films in Humanities first semester. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about India's red light district, paper folding, and dance. We also saw some TED talks that I thought were very intriguing. It's amazing how much there is in this world that I am still unaware of. I am happy to have watched these films because my mind definitely enjoyed the intake of various information. Each was so different, yet so pleasing to learn about.
Humanities has definitely made me see that my mind is still a baby. It has also made me realize that the world is a very interesting place and it is full of information totally unknown to me.
After reading many articles, especially Mihály Csíkszentmihályi's "The Creative Personality, " my eyes were opened to the world of creativity. I thought about all of the mind bending ideas that he had concerning creative people... each person is so complex and different, and it made me excited to learn and think creatively myself.
The Shadow Catcher also made me think in a different way. At times, that book was very confusing. However, in the end, everyone was connected, and it was kind of brilliant. We also discussed how place became a character in that book. I thought that that was a really fascinating concept, and I will remember that in further literature that I come across.
I really disliked Sophie's World. I'd always call it "a philosophy textbook disguised as a cheesy novel." However, I'm sure most people don't feel this way. It just wasn't my style. I noticed how difficult it was for me to retain the philosophical information in the novel. Each philosopher seemed to run together and I could never match them with their philosophies. In addition to my usual annotations, I solved this problem by using Post-Its. By writing everything down, it was easier to remember who was who and who thought what. I'll continue using this method in the future when I'm having trouble with a book. Although much of Sophie's World is a blur, Freud's chapter remains in my mind. Sometimes I use his method in an attempt decipher my dreams, though I'm very bad at it.
We also watched a variety of excellent films in Humanities first semester. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about India's red light district, paper folding, and dance. We also saw some TED talks that I thought were very intriguing. It's amazing how much there is in this world that I am still unaware of. I am happy to have watched these films because my mind definitely enjoyed the intake of various information. Each was so different, yet so pleasing to learn about.
Humanities has definitely made me see that my mind is still a baby. It has also made me realize that the world is a very interesting place and it is full of information totally unknown to me.
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