1. Is revenge sometimes the right approach in dealing with someone that has wronged you? Why or why not?
I feel that revenge is a way for people to vent their feelings if they have been wronged. I feel that revenge will not fix what has happened or do anything more that just keep the wrongdoing going. On the other hand it is a way to vent and possibly get over and through the problem.
2. Is it better to think before you act or act before you think? Why?
I think that depends on the situation. There are times when you need to just react and not think about what you are doing and then there are times where it requires a lot of time and thought because it could be a life-altering decision.
3. Is there one singular reality, or do each of create our own realities through our perceptions and attitudes?
I think reality and truth are both perceived differently by each single person. I feel that reality is based on personal experiences and what you believe to be true. It is also to an extent based on what your morals are because that is how you live your life and obviously how you live your life you are going to believe is reality and truth.
4. What are the qualities of a good friendship? Is it ever okay to spy on a friend if you are concerned about them?
I feel that trust, dependability and honesty are three of the biggest foundations of a friendship. I feel that you should look out for the best interests of your friend but spying on them is invading their personal space and I don't think that doing that for the fact of looking out for them is right.
5. Should parents let their children make their own mistakes and let them learn from it, or should they keep a close eye on them?
I think is crucial that kids make their own mistakes and learn from them because the best way to learn is to experience those times and mistakes. I think parents should watch out for their kids and make sure they are on the right path but as for the mistakes, I feel that to experience them is the best way to learn from them.
6. Should children always be supportive of parents if they decide to remarry after their spouse’s death or divorce?
I think that it would be hard for a child to accept someone else as their father or mother if thats not who they grew up with or if its not what they want. I think that its up to the child about how they feel with it and what they do and if they accept it. I also feel that its the parents choice if they want to remarry or not, but I think that the child should have his or her own opinion about it.
7. Is there ever a time when grieving process goes too far?
I don't think you can mourn or grieve a death or a loss for too long. To a point you will always grieve a great loss like losing your mother or father because as you go through life you will always want them and have a need for them and miss them. Over little insignificant things though yes I believe that someone can grieve and mourn for too long.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Matrix questions #2
1. The character of Cypher makes a decision that returning to the Matrix and living in its alternative reality instead of being fully conscious of the reality. This goes against the decision made by the released prisoner from the Cave. Why do you think Cypher decided to go back to the Matrix instead of living fully aware? Is his reasoning valid? Is ignorance bliss? Why?
I think Cypher decided to go back to the alternate reality because his will to fight for control of the real world back was weak and he was easily persuaded. I think with his personal feelings he is in the realm of valid reasoning, but he shouldn't of have betrayed the people who fought to give him the chance to see real life. I think that it is up to a persons morals and beliefs as to if ignorance is bliss. If a person can live without knowing the truth and reality then yes to them ignorance is bliss but to other people, people like me, who need and want to know the truth and reality then no ignorance is not bliss.
2. Neo is prophecized to be the one by Morpheus. Does Neo seem to accept this high profile role? What other character from literature you've read seems to be placed in this hero/savior role by others?
Neo I think as the movie goes on is realizing his potential and how me might actually be the one to defeat the machines. I think that Neo is learning and fulfilling that role. Jesus in the bible I feel is paralleled by the matrix and Neo.
3. Humans are described by humans as a disease, imperfect, for a perfected technological program, yet the machine is viewed as the enemy/evil even though its reason and logic is supposed unflawed. What would the world be like if everyone was perfect and logical? What are other examples in movies and books where technology becomes the enemy/evil?
If everything and everyone in the world was perfect the why would we learn? We would never be able to experience failure and learn how to better ourselves and society. Another movie where technology over takes the human race is i-robot.
I think Cypher decided to go back to the alternate reality because his will to fight for control of the real world back was weak and he was easily persuaded. I think with his personal feelings he is in the realm of valid reasoning, but he shouldn't of have betrayed the people who fought to give him the chance to see real life. I think that it is up to a persons morals and beliefs as to if ignorance is bliss. If a person can live without knowing the truth and reality then yes to them ignorance is bliss but to other people, people like me, who need and want to know the truth and reality then no ignorance is not bliss.
2. Neo is prophecized to be the one by Morpheus. Does Neo seem to accept this high profile role? What other character from literature you've read seems to be placed in this hero/savior role by others?
Neo I think as the movie goes on is realizing his potential and how me might actually be the one to defeat the machines. I think that Neo is learning and fulfilling that role. Jesus in the bible I feel is paralleled by the matrix and Neo.
3. Humans are described by humans as a disease, imperfect, for a perfected technological program, yet the machine is viewed as the enemy/evil even though its reason and logic is supposed unflawed. What would the world be like if everyone was perfect and logical? What are other examples in movies and books where technology becomes the enemy/evil?
If everything and everyone in the world was perfect the why would we learn? We would never be able to experience failure and learn how to better ourselves and society. Another movie where technology over takes the human race is i-robot.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Matrix questions
1. Explain how Neo's experience in and out of the Matrix parallels the Allegory of the Cave. Be specific using examples from each text.
Neo and everyone else in the world it like the four men chained to a wall in the face is we believe what we see. Neo is like the man who got cut free and shown the real world when they brought him in and took him out of the matrix and showed him the real world. At this point in time Neo is still learning and experiencing the real world like the man who got cut free before he will understand completely everything.
2. Morpheus poses the question, "what is real? how do you define real?" We're going to read literature that poses that very question. What tools and indicator do we use to define and describe the world around us? Is reality a definite concept measurable and quantifiable, or is it a fluid concept defined by perceptions? Why?
Usually people perceive real things by what they can feel emotionally or physically, what they can see with their own eyes and what is proven to work and be real. We describe life and reality by what we have determined to be things that can be proven or seen or touched. But, reality I feel is a fluid concept that is defined by peoples perceptions and thoughts and experiences. People feel think things are real because they have been able to experience those ideas and things and have physically encountered it. Other things are just thought to be and accepted as real because they have been proven, but these things may not be reality because as technology advances and we can more in depth experiment with ideas accepted facts can and will be challenged and possibly changed as it has been in the past.
3. The Matrix is part of the science-fiction genre, and while we may not be controlled by technology in the literal sense as The Matrix describes, does our current society in 2008 parallel the the world of The Matrix in certain ways? Has technology actually the lessened the quality of life in some ways? Why or why not?
I feel that technology has advanced our society by leaps and bounds and we wouldn't be where we are not without it. I feel that it has been and intricate part in our lives and very practical and important. On the other hand i don't think we should make everything we do able to be done with technology. I still feel that manual labor and man power is one of the most important parts of a society. So no I don't think technology has lessened the quality of life I actually think that it has vastly improved it but technology can only help and improve to a point.
Neo and everyone else in the world it like the four men chained to a wall in the face is we believe what we see. Neo is like the man who got cut free and shown the real world when they brought him in and took him out of the matrix and showed him the real world. At this point in time Neo is still learning and experiencing the real world like the man who got cut free before he will understand completely everything.
2. Morpheus poses the question, "what is real? how do you define real?" We're going to read literature that poses that very question. What tools and indicator do we use to define and describe the world around us? Is reality a definite concept measurable and quantifiable, or is it a fluid concept defined by perceptions? Why?
Usually people perceive real things by what they can feel emotionally or physically, what they can see with their own eyes and what is proven to work and be real. We describe life and reality by what we have determined to be things that can be proven or seen or touched. But, reality I feel is a fluid concept that is defined by peoples perceptions and thoughts and experiences. People feel think things are real because they have been able to experience those ideas and things and have physically encountered it. Other things are just thought to be and accepted as real because they have been proven, but these things may not be reality because as technology advances and we can more in depth experiment with ideas accepted facts can and will be challenged and possibly changed as it has been in the past.
3. The Matrix is part of the science-fiction genre, and while we may not be controlled by technology in the literal sense as The Matrix describes, does our current society in 2008 parallel the the world of The Matrix in certain ways? Has technology actually the lessened the quality of life in some ways? Why or why not?
I feel that technology has advanced our society by leaps and bounds and we wouldn't be where we are not without it. I feel that it has been and intricate part in our lives and very practical and important. On the other hand i don't think we should make everything we do able to be done with technology. I still feel that manual labor and man power is one of the most important parts of a society. So no I don't think technology has lessened the quality of life I actually think that it has vastly improved it but technology can only help and improve to a point.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The cave
1. Summarize what the allegory is about in your own paragraph
This allegory is about coming out what of you have known forever and understanding new things and the way things really work even if they are contradictory to what you feel and have known for all your life. It also shows how someone can be criticized for feeling or understanding certain things if they are against or contradict the normal or the way things are thought to be. Another part to this allegory is learning and understanding new things may have to completely change your understanding of everything.
2. What do you think Socrates is trying to say about the nature of reality/truth?
The nature of reality and truth can sometimes be completely contradictory to each other depending on the circumstances of your upbringing. If you have lived and been taught things are a certain way and they are truths if you come to realize that the reality is that they are not truths and the way things are it will take understanding and time and learning to adapt.
3. How does this allegory relate to the learning process and education in general?
It shows that things will not always be the way you first understand them to be and that truths sometimes take a lot of understanding and comprehending and experience to understand. Things may not become evident instantly to some people just because of their background and how they were raised.
4. Think about our modern day technological society; how does this allegory written thousands of years ago connect to our culture?
It shows that things may not always be as they appear or have appeared to you for as long as you may have lived. You have to experience things to fully comprehend or understand how they work or what the truths are about them. To learn is to experience and try truths and learn about what you don't know already.
This allegory is about coming out what of you have known forever and understanding new things and the way things really work even if they are contradictory to what you feel and have known for all your life. It also shows how someone can be criticized for feeling or understanding certain things if they are against or contradict the normal or the way things are thought to be. Another part to this allegory is learning and understanding new things may have to completely change your understanding of everything.
2. What do you think Socrates is trying to say about the nature of reality/truth?
The nature of reality and truth can sometimes be completely contradictory to each other depending on the circumstances of your upbringing. If you have lived and been taught things are a certain way and they are truths if you come to realize that the reality is that they are not truths and the way things are it will take understanding and time and learning to adapt.
3. How does this allegory relate to the learning process and education in general?
It shows that things will not always be the way you first understand them to be and that truths sometimes take a lot of understanding and comprehending and experience to understand. Things may not become evident instantly to some people just because of their background and how they were raised.
4. Think about our modern day technological society; how does this allegory written thousands of years ago connect to our culture?
It shows that things may not always be as they appear or have appeared to you for as long as you may have lived. You have to experience things to fully comprehend or understand how they work or what the truths are about them. To learn is to experience and try truths and learn about what you don't know already.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Delayed Adverbs practice 2
Practice 2: Unscrambling to Imitate
In the model and the scrambled list, identify the delayed adverb. Next, unscramble and write out the sentence parts to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify and delayed adverb.
Model: As I watched him, he seemed to adjust himself a little, visibly
--F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
c, b, a, d
c. When she told him, she tried to excuse herself a bit, lamely
Own Sentence: As it happened, the boy tried to move on a little carelessly, stumbling
Practice 3: Combining to Imitate
In the model identify the delayed adverbs. Next, combine the list of sentences to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify any delayed adverbs.
Model: The cars traveled Reynolds Streets, slowly and evenly.
--Annie Dillard, An American Childhood
a. The girl crossed Washington Avenue, confidently and purposefully.
a,b,c,d
Own Sentence: The man sat at Grand Central Station, patiently and eagerly.
Practice 4: Imitating
Identify the delayed adverbs in the models and sample imitations. Then write an imitation of each model sentence, one sentence part at a time.
1. Still winder, Smith sat up, slowly,
--Robert Ludlum, The Moscow Vector
Sample: Almost finished, Peter speed up triumphantly.
Own Sentence: After the win, the team celebrated, crazily.
2. We explored the streams, quietly, where the turtles slid off the sunny logs and dug their way into the soft lake bottom.
--E.B. White "Once More to the Lake"
Sample: We walked the streets, dreamily, where the sun set in the crystal sky and melted its way over the inky black skyscrapers.
Own Sentence: The woman studied the book, engagingly, when it came to the part where they revealed the murderer.
3. He was clambering, heavily, among the creepers and broken trunks, when a bird, a vision of red and yellow, flashed upwards with a witch-like cry.
--William Golding, Lord of the Flies
Sample: She was running, desperately, between the road the railroad track, after a car, her hope for escape and rescue, passed by with an oblivious driver.
Own Sentence: The basketball player fell to the ground, helplessly, hitting the floor, like a ton of bricks, screaming in agony.
In the model and the scrambled list, identify the delayed adverb. Next, unscramble and write out the sentence parts to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify and delayed adverb.
Model: As I watched him, he seemed to adjust himself a little, visibly
--F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
c, b, a, d
c. When she told him, she tried to excuse herself a bit, lamely
Own Sentence: As it happened, the boy tried to move on a little carelessly, stumbling
Practice 3: Combining to Imitate
In the model identify the delayed adverbs. Next, combine the list of sentences to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify any delayed adverbs.
Model: The cars traveled Reynolds Streets, slowly and evenly.
--Annie Dillard, An American Childhood
a. The girl crossed Washington Avenue, confidently and purposefully.
a,b,c,d
Own Sentence: The man sat at Grand Central Station, patiently and eagerly.
Practice 4: Imitating
Identify the delayed adverbs in the models and sample imitations. Then write an imitation of each model sentence, one sentence part at a time.
1. Still winder, Smith sat up, slowly,
--Robert Ludlum, The Moscow Vector
Sample: Almost finished, Peter speed up triumphantly.
Own Sentence: After the win, the team celebrated, crazily.
2. We explored the streams, quietly, where the turtles slid off the sunny logs and dug their way into the soft lake bottom.
--E.B. White "Once More to the Lake"
Sample: We walked the streets, dreamily, where the sun set in the crystal sky and melted its way over the inky black skyscrapers.
Own Sentence: The woman studied the book, engagingly, when it came to the part where they revealed the murderer.
3. He was clambering, heavily, among the creepers and broken trunks, when a bird, a vision of red and yellow, flashed upwards with a witch-like cry.
--William Golding, Lord of the Flies
Sample: She was running, desperately, between the road the railroad track, after a car, her hope for escape and rescue, passed by with an oblivious driver.
Own Sentence: The basketball player fell to the ground, helplessly, hitting the floor, like a ton of bricks, screaming in agony.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Opening Adverbs
Practice 2: Unscrambling to Imitate- In the model and the scramblist, identify the opening adverb. Next, unscramble a write out the sentence parts to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify the opening adverb.
Model: Suddenly, Alfred, who had heard the fight from the across the street, attacked from the rear with his favorite weapon, an indoor ball bat.
John Steinbeck, Cannery Row
d,c,b,a,e
Afterward, Jasmine, who had read the novel for over two hours, sat up in the bed with her nightly snack, a mini Oreo cookie.
Own Sentence: Before, the team, who had prepared for weeks, opened their football season with a win, over their rivals.
Practice 3: Combining to Imitate
In the model, identify the opening adverb. Next, combine the list of sentences to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify any opening adverbs.
Model: Outside, the doctor's car was surrounded by the boy while Finny was being lifted inside by Phil Latham.
John Knowles, A Separate Peace
Inside, Laura was being tutored by their teacher while younger children were involved with games.
Own Imitation Sentence: Outside, the runners ran with their coach next to the field where the football players practiced.
Practice 4: Imitating
Identify the opening adverbs in the model and then write your own example.
1. Here, relatives swarmed like termites.
--Wallace Stegner, Crossing to Safety
Own Imitation: Before the test, the students crammed like crazy.
2. Slowly, methodically, miserably, she ate the jellied bread.
Toni Morrison, Beloved
Own Imitation: Agonizingly, dreadfully, mournfully, we walked to the funeral.
3. Very slowly and very carefully, Harry got to his feet and set off again as fast as he could without making too much noise, hurrying through the darkness back toward Hogwarts.
--J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Own Imitation: Very throughly and very methodically, the instructor checked over the project , before he finally gave the student an A.
Model: Suddenly, Alfred, who had heard the fight from the across the street, attacked from the rear with his favorite weapon, an indoor ball bat.
John Steinbeck, Cannery Row
d,c,b,a,e
Afterward, Jasmine, who had read the novel for over two hours, sat up in the bed with her nightly snack, a mini Oreo cookie.
Own Sentence: Before, the team, who had prepared for weeks, opened their football season with a win, over their rivals.
Practice 3: Combining to Imitate
In the model, identify the opening adverb. Next, combine the list of sentences to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify any opening adverbs.
Model: Outside, the doctor's car was surrounded by the boy while Finny was being lifted inside by Phil Latham.
John Knowles, A Separate Peace
Inside, Laura was being tutored by their teacher while younger children were involved with games.
Own Imitation Sentence: Outside, the runners ran with their coach next to the field where the football players practiced.
Practice 4: Imitating
Identify the opening adverbs in the model and then write your own example.
1. Here, relatives swarmed like termites.
--Wallace Stegner, Crossing to Safety
Own Imitation: Before the test, the students crammed like crazy.
2. Slowly, methodically, miserably, she ate the jellied bread.
Toni Morrison, Beloved
Own Imitation: Agonizingly, dreadfully, mournfully, we walked to the funeral.
3. Very slowly and very carefully, Harry got to his feet and set off again as fast as he could without making too much noise, hurrying through the darkness back toward Hogwarts.
--J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Own Imitation: Very throughly and very methodically, the instructor checked over the project , before he finally gave the student an A.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Argumentative Paragraph
We read two very different stories; The Knight's Tale and The Miller's Tale. Yet in both stories we read the deadly sins of lust and greed were present. I will tell you how these two stories, yet very different, both included these two factors. In The Knight's Tale two willful knights fight for the love and hand of one fair lady named Emily. This shows lust in the fact that they didn't know anymore about Emily than how she looked. Greed is shown in by the way how Arcita and Palamon go about getting her, Artica wants to win the war that has precipitated between them and Palamon just wants her regardless. The king came up with the idea of this war when he came upon the two of them in the forest he said,
"That each of you shall follow his own quest,
Free of all ransom or of fear of me;
And this day, fifty weeks hence, both shall be
Here once again, each with a hundred knights,
Armed for the lists, who stoutly for your rights
Will ready to battle, to maintain
Your claim to love." pg 49 lines 810-816
Then there is The Miller's Tale which shows greed and lust in a less honorable light. There is a woman who has a husband but is not faithful to him. This wife, very superficial, shows greed in that she wants more than just her husband and is unfaithful to him which also shows lust. There is a carpenter, he husband, an astrologer, and a priest who all fall for this fair young lady. The astrologer is the sliest of the pursuers makes a heinous story to get to the carpenters wife. He says there is a major flood to come and that only the three of them will be saved he says,
"Your wife and you must hang apart, that in
The night shall come no chance for you to sin
Either in looking or in carnal deed.
These orders I have told you, go, God speed!
Tomorrow night, when all men are asleep,
Into our kneading-tubs will we three creep..." pg 81 lines 403-408
In these two very different stories we see how both lust and greed are present. Although there are some similarities it shows how there very different people about how they go about getting things and committing these deadly sins in these two stories.
"That each of you shall follow his own quest,
Free of all ransom or of fear of me;
And this day, fifty weeks hence, both shall be
Here once again, each with a hundred knights,
Armed for the lists, who stoutly for your rights
Will ready to battle, to maintain
Your claim to love." pg 49 lines 810-816
Then there is The Miller's Tale which shows greed and lust in a less honorable light. There is a woman who has a husband but is not faithful to him. This wife, very superficial, shows greed in that she wants more than just her husband and is unfaithful to him which also shows lust. There is a carpenter, he husband, an astrologer, and a priest who all fall for this fair young lady. The astrologer is the sliest of the pursuers makes a heinous story to get to the carpenters wife. He says there is a major flood to come and that only the three of them will be saved he says,
"Your wife and you must hang apart, that in
The night shall come no chance for you to sin
Either in looking or in carnal deed.
These orders I have told you, go, God speed!
Tomorrow night, when all men are asleep,
Into our kneading-tubs will we three creep..." pg 81 lines 403-408
In these two very different stories we see how both lust and greed are present. Although there are some similarities it shows how there very different people about how they go about getting things and committing these deadly sins in these two stories.
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