I found Bolter's introduction interesting, particularly in his defence or justification of the changes made from the previous edition to this one. Bolter cites "prophetic claims that either did not come true or were simply made irrelevant..." as a cause for the shortening from the previous edition by some 10,000 words. I thought that this was a fascinating example of how fast technology develops, that in the decade or less between editions, much of the writing was already made obsolete. It reminded me of some old science texts that I found years ago, claiming that by 2000 we would be travelling to the moon frequently and space travel would be anybody's right. Maybe a more appropriate comparison would be Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey. While oftentimes, revisionism makes us less optimistic, Bolter's edits came because we are in an age of unparalleled technological advancement.
I also enjoyed Bolter's use of Victor Hugo to compare the birth of printed media with the growth of current communication technologies. It's almost eerie how well Frollo echoes today: The internet will kill the publishing house! In a world where becoming self-published is more and more accessible, the old ways are ending, just as the printing press brought literacy, education, and new ideas to the masses. I do believe, however, that Bolter may be a bit early in declaring this the "late age of print." Bound books are not going anywhere anytime soon, and while interactive media are growing more and more prominent, it is more than likely that printed text will continue to rule for the foreseeable future.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Problem of Describing Trees
"The gene pool threw up a wobbly stem
and the tree danced. No.
The Tree capitalized.
No. There are limits to saying,
In language, what the tree did..."
In these lines, Robert Hass rejects some common imagery of the humble tree; it is not dancing in the wind, nor is it dominating. The author posits that language does not have the depth to describe what it is the tree is doing exactly; to paraphrase Freud, sometimes a swaying tree is just a swaying tree. In the closing line, Hass says "Aspens doing something in the wind." This reinforces the idea that the imagery of the tree's dance, or of the mighty tree dominating, is not the end-all. Sometimes the best poetry doesn't rely on gimmicky visuals or unnecessarily flowery language; honesty in writing trumps these cliches any time.
and the tree danced. No.
The Tree capitalized.
No. There are limits to saying,
In language, what the tree did..."
In these lines, Robert Hass rejects some common imagery of the humble tree; it is not dancing in the wind, nor is it dominating. The author posits that language does not have the depth to describe what it is the tree is doing exactly; to paraphrase Freud, sometimes a swaying tree is just a swaying tree. In the closing line, Hass says "Aspens doing something in the wind." This reinforces the idea that the imagery of the tree's dance, or of the mighty tree dominating, is not the end-all. Sometimes the best poetry doesn't rely on gimmicky visuals or unnecessarily flowery language; honesty in writing trumps these cliches any time.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Poole, Pain, and Desperation
Hungover jumping jacks
Imagine the most intense headache you've ever had - maybe a long night of drinking, waking up at noon next to the bathtub, wondering where your pants are and how you mysteriously ended up with a burn on your ass...add to this confusion and general malaise the terror of hundreds upon hundreds of jumping jacks. This is probably the worst idea in the history of time
Throwing self down the stairs
Does this really need any further explanation? One the list of things to do before I die, throwing myself down the stairs is usually absent...usually.
Deep pit of discarded writings
How did the pit get there? Obviously it took a lot of frustrated energy to dig such a hole, even a figurative one.
Imagine the most intense headache you've ever had - maybe a long night of drinking, waking up at noon next to the bathtub, wondering where your pants are and how you mysteriously ended up with a burn on your ass...add to this confusion and general malaise the terror of hundreds upon hundreds of jumping jacks. This is probably the worst idea in the history of time
Throwing self down the stairs
Does this really need any further explanation? One the list of things to do before I die, throwing myself down the stairs is usually absent...usually.
Deep pit of discarded writings
How did the pit get there? Obviously it took a lot of frustrated energy to dig such a hole, even a figurative one.
A Sentence Starts Out Like...
a wide-thrown net, not knowing where it is going or what it is going to catch, but confident in its purpose. When writing, one has to take the mass (or mess) of ideas and wrangle them, and from there find an eloquent way of expressing these thoughts. If it is not written with confidence, the reader will not take the writings as they are meant to; one must project his or her ideas as his or her truth, and at the same time persuade the reader that this personal truth is more far-reaching and universal. If done skillfully, one can capture not just the ideas he or she had, but also the reader as well; if done poorly, it is easy enough to simply become entangled instead.
Friday, February 25, 2011
How Do I Know This Is Good?
Sample G:
Pros:
1. The author's theory of the bull as a symbol of power and agression is an interesting point that contrasts with the product's usual light-hearted advertising campaigns.
2. "One's supreme transformation after drinking this beverage..." When drinking something like this, we often focus on the immediate effects of it rather than whatever long-term effect it may have
3. "Americans can...fly their way to success with the help of Red Bull's wings instead..." Great use of imagery in relation to the product's slogan
4. The juxtaposition of Red Bull with Drank, the "anti-energy drink" was a great choice for comparison; it helps to reinforce the author's thesis that Americans on the whole are forced into hectic schedules with no room for relief.
5. "Red Bull is a very appropriate metaphor for our accelerated culture." Nice summary of the author's thesis; in such a hectic world, the symbolic wings of Red Bull let one get done what needs to be done quicker.
6. "Until Americans learn to slow it down and appreciate life at a more pleasant pace, energy drinks like Red Bull will continue to contribute to our lifestyle, as well as embody its spirit." This is a great closing point; though it is not in our best interest, energy drinks are a symbol of the modern world.
Cons:
1. "Red Bull pioneered the energy drink movement." Coffee has been an integral part of American culture for centuries; though Red Bull may have been the first of a new kind of energy drink, such products have been around for ages.
2. "Red Bull...embodies the spirit of energy, liveliness, and athleticism that would befit a healthy lifestyle..." The sugar content and health risks of Red Bull makes it more of an unhealthy and possibly dangerous choice.
3. "The active lifestyle, which characterizes the United States..." America is facing an unprecedented obesity epidemic, which is in no small part the fault of increased inactivity, the growing prevalence of video games and internet connectivity.
4. "Red Bull provides such instant gratification so anticipated by Americans." Though we do live in a society that demands instant gratification, the effects of energy drinks on the whole are not exactly instantaneous enough to draw this connection.
5. The paragraph beginning "While eating well balanced meals..." The sense of energy and well-being provided by a healthy lifestyle is far superior to any high one might get off of an energy drink.
6. "Products aimed to increase productivity and alertness are successful in American culture. This implies their evident need..." Though Americans on the whole are overworked and overstressed, isn't it possible that products such as Red Bull perpetuate a serious flaw in the American identity? Wouldn't it be better, not to mention healthier, to take the time to breathe and relax rather than chemically alter ourselves to attain unrealistic expectations?
Sample H:
Pros:
1. "In the past decade, the iPod has become a cultural icon, itself symbolic of the desire to have the world at one's fingertips in a world of media oversaturation." Given the figures quoted in the opening paragraph, it's easy to understand how oversaturated the media world has become.
2. "The iPod's design philosophy can be summarized in a single word: simplicity." Technology has always had a somewhat negative connotation, bringing to mind a pair of thick-framed glasses and sweater vests; by reducing technology to its easiest form, the technology becomes far more accessible, and even fashionable.
3. "This range of options helps ensure that nearly anyone can find a model that he or she will love..." Apple's design philosophy has helped to ensure its supremacy in the digital music arena.
4. "...this makes the iPod touch a unique device, in that it now serves the dual purposes of consuming and creating media...by expanding the capabilities of the device, Apple has once again shown its player to be on a different level than even its closest competitors." The iPod touch provides an interesting paradox; modern technology provides us an unlimited amount of media, and at the same time allows us to create our own media to share with others. As higher quality all-in-one products become easier and cheaper to procure, this cycle of consumption and creation can continue indefinitely.
5. "...the iPod line has relied on a certain amount of 'hipness' to keep its sales up..." Few products today are as ubiquitous as the iPod; were it not for this "hip factor," it is unlikely that the iPod would have developed the following it has to this day.
6. "Owning an iPod is now no as much a status symbol as it is almost a rite of passage..." It is an interesting idea that such a seemingly simple device has risen to such cultural prominence in the modern age.
Cons:
1. The opening paragraph may cite too many sources of media, becoming redundant.
2. When the author speaks about the importance of podcasts, is this relevant to the significance of the iPod, or more appropriate to a discussion about the "do-it-yourself spirit" of the internet?
3. The author should have spent more time developing the idea of the duality of the creation/consumption relationship.
4. Does the herd mentality ever really fade away? Though prominent in youth, isn't it possible for others to experience the same sort of mentality?
5. The author provides speculation on the future of the product without citing evidence. What proof does he or she have to back this up, or is it just wishful thinking?
6. The entire article seems to sing the praises of Apple without showing any of its darker aspects (planned obsolescence, cheap components, the Foxconn controversy, etc.)
Pros:
1. The author's theory of the bull as a symbol of power and agression is an interesting point that contrasts with the product's usual light-hearted advertising campaigns.
2. "One's supreme transformation after drinking this beverage..." When drinking something like this, we often focus on the immediate effects of it rather than whatever long-term effect it may have
3. "Americans can...fly their way to success with the help of Red Bull's wings instead..." Great use of imagery in relation to the product's slogan
4. The juxtaposition of Red Bull with Drank, the "anti-energy drink" was a great choice for comparison; it helps to reinforce the author's thesis that Americans on the whole are forced into hectic schedules with no room for relief.
5. "Red Bull is a very appropriate metaphor for our accelerated culture." Nice summary of the author's thesis; in such a hectic world, the symbolic wings of Red Bull let one get done what needs to be done quicker.
6. "Until Americans learn to slow it down and appreciate life at a more pleasant pace, energy drinks like Red Bull will continue to contribute to our lifestyle, as well as embody its spirit." This is a great closing point; though it is not in our best interest, energy drinks are a symbol of the modern world.
Cons:
1. "Red Bull pioneered the energy drink movement." Coffee has been an integral part of American culture for centuries; though Red Bull may have been the first of a new kind of energy drink, such products have been around for ages.
2. "Red Bull...embodies the spirit of energy, liveliness, and athleticism that would befit a healthy lifestyle..." The sugar content and health risks of Red Bull makes it more of an unhealthy and possibly dangerous choice.
3. "The active lifestyle, which characterizes the United States..." America is facing an unprecedented obesity epidemic, which is in no small part the fault of increased inactivity, the growing prevalence of video games and internet connectivity.
4. "Red Bull provides such instant gratification so anticipated by Americans." Though we do live in a society that demands instant gratification, the effects of energy drinks on the whole are not exactly instantaneous enough to draw this connection.
5. The paragraph beginning "While eating well balanced meals..." The sense of energy and well-being provided by a healthy lifestyle is far superior to any high one might get off of an energy drink.
6. "Products aimed to increase productivity and alertness are successful in American culture. This implies their evident need..." Though Americans on the whole are overworked and overstressed, isn't it possible that products such as Red Bull perpetuate a serious flaw in the American identity? Wouldn't it be better, not to mention healthier, to take the time to breathe and relax rather than chemically alter ourselves to attain unrealistic expectations?
Sample H:
Pros:
1. "In the past decade, the iPod has become a cultural icon, itself symbolic of the desire to have the world at one's fingertips in a world of media oversaturation." Given the figures quoted in the opening paragraph, it's easy to understand how oversaturated the media world has become.
2. "The iPod's design philosophy can be summarized in a single word: simplicity." Technology has always had a somewhat negative connotation, bringing to mind a pair of thick-framed glasses and sweater vests; by reducing technology to its easiest form, the technology becomes far more accessible, and even fashionable.
3. "This range of options helps ensure that nearly anyone can find a model that he or she will love..." Apple's design philosophy has helped to ensure its supremacy in the digital music arena.
4. "...this makes the iPod touch a unique device, in that it now serves the dual purposes of consuming and creating media...by expanding the capabilities of the device, Apple has once again shown its player to be on a different level than even its closest competitors." The iPod touch provides an interesting paradox; modern technology provides us an unlimited amount of media, and at the same time allows us to create our own media to share with others. As higher quality all-in-one products become easier and cheaper to procure, this cycle of consumption and creation can continue indefinitely.
5. "...the iPod line has relied on a certain amount of 'hipness' to keep its sales up..." Few products today are as ubiquitous as the iPod; were it not for this "hip factor," it is unlikely that the iPod would have developed the following it has to this day.
6. "Owning an iPod is now no as much a status symbol as it is almost a rite of passage..." It is an interesting idea that such a seemingly simple device has risen to such cultural prominence in the modern age.
Cons:
1. The opening paragraph may cite too many sources of media, becoming redundant.
2. When the author speaks about the importance of podcasts, is this relevant to the significance of the iPod, or more appropriate to a discussion about the "do-it-yourself spirit" of the internet?
3. The author should have spent more time developing the idea of the duality of the creation/consumption relationship.
4. Does the herd mentality ever really fade away? Though prominent in youth, isn't it possible for others to experience the same sort of mentality?
5. The author provides speculation on the future of the product without citing evidence. What proof does he or she have to back this up, or is it just wishful thinking?
6. The entire article seems to sing the praises of Apple without showing any of its darker aspects (planned obsolescence, cheap components, the Foxconn controversy, etc.)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Response to Will
"We live in a world where color is seen as setting certain moods..."
It is a psychological fact that color has an impact on our emotions. Many studies have shown that different colors make people feel differently; for example, red is commonly perceived as being innately related to passionate, intense feelings. It is possible that changing the colors used while writing a paper can subconsciously change the mood of the reader.
"When writing a serious paper, a reader should not see what the writer is feeling by visuals; instead the writer should paint a picture with words..."
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. It is not the visuals that matter, but the ideas presented. If they are presented in a vivid enough way, the writer loses the need to provide a visual aide; if one must use the design of the essay to sway the reader, than perhaps he or she should consider the underlying strength of one's argument. That is not to say that every paper needs to "spring to life" off the page; for example, a scientific research paper can be a rather dry read while still conveying all of the information one needs to visualize the matter at hand while still remaining professional.
"Society has set these rules and by not following them, one can become outcast, and less accepted."
I somewhat agree with this statement; though the example Will provides is drastic, it is likely that deviating from the norm in most papers will at least make them taken less seriously, if not even totally dismissed. That is not to say that a single instance of fudging a font or margins is going to be one's final act of writing; it is just wiser on the whole to try to stick by these guidelines to avoid any problems.
It is a psychological fact that color has an impact on our emotions. Many studies have shown that different colors make people feel differently; for example, red is commonly perceived as being innately related to passionate, intense feelings. It is possible that changing the colors used while writing a paper can subconsciously change the mood of the reader.
"When writing a serious paper, a reader should not see what the writer is feeling by visuals; instead the writer should paint a picture with words..."
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. It is not the visuals that matter, but the ideas presented. If they are presented in a vivid enough way, the writer loses the need to provide a visual aide; if one must use the design of the essay to sway the reader, than perhaps he or she should consider the underlying strength of one's argument. That is not to say that every paper needs to "spring to life" off the page; for example, a scientific research paper can be a rather dry read while still conveying all of the information one needs to visualize the matter at hand while still remaining professional.
"Society has set these rules and by not following them, one can become outcast, and less accepted."
I somewhat agree with this statement; though the example Will provides is drastic, it is likely that deviating from the norm in most papers will at least make them taken less seriously, if not even totally dismissed. That is not to say that a single instance of fudging a font or margins is going to be one's final act of writing; it is just wiser on the whole to try to stick by these guidelines to avoid any problems.
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