I always have trouble trying to navigate myself across the treacherous waters of Google's search engine. While looking for research material on any given topic or author, I usually, with the help of Google, find some legitimate sites. However, more than often, a majority of those sites look like they have been thrown together by a college student with pink angels flying in the background and synthesized music to go along with their findings. Therefore, it is easy to question the accuracy of many of these websites.
John Skow in his essay, "Lost in Cyberspace" makes some practical observations while investigating the scary realms of the World Wide Web. His main concern is quite sincere and understandable: there are good sites out there, but more than likely, we may not be finding them. And if we do, it may take us quite a few Google trips to reach a solid destination. Skow says some of the reasons being is our inability not to just take a web site for its outer-appearance. Skow writes, "Yet doing research on the Internet is like taking a two-year-old for a walk. Pretty pebbles and deeply meaningful small sticks present themselves, but enlightenment seldom proceeds in a straight line" (240). Just like people and books, it cannot be judged by its outside cover.
In fact, we could be landing on a site that may finally answer our question, however, if it takes longer than three minutes to load---forget about it. Three minutes in the internet world is like waiting for 1.5 dog years or 20 human years. Certainly, no one wants to waste their time waiting for a site to load. Instead, we keep clicking hoping that we will somehow come across some valuable and insightful information.
Or perhaps we do come across a site that is low-funded and does not have all the high-tech graphics and videos to support every story. Right away, many people will figure that the website is just not good enough. They will put it in the same category as the college student's pink background with pixel-looking angels flying around. However, according to Skow, "...virtual power, not real size, is often what's important" (241). Therefore, perhaps we should take a double look at the website that was not professionally done. It could give us more information than we thought.
Skow's points become a rude-awakening for many Google travelers. We must learn to look cautiously and judge after investigating the site for more than two seconds. There may be a secret hidden treasure amongst all those simplistic features. However, I think the most important part about internet-surfing is to try and find web sites based from organizations, charities, and places where people know their stuff because it's how they make their pay check every Friday. Indeed, this would perhaps be the best piece of advice I could personally give throughout my years of experience. As the wise Skow puts it, "Run barefoot through its meadows, but be careful where you put your feet" (243). Explore past the outer-appearance of that website, but use a careful eye while reading information.
Oh, the woes of the internet. Magellan has no idea what we conquistadors must try to sift through to find our treasure.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
"Why We Crave Horror Movies" Stephen King
I have never read any literature by Stephen King and now see that I have been providing a disservice to my developing mind...or maybe there is a reasonable explanation. In King's explaining essay, he candidly writes about the different reasons why people want to watch horror movies. One point that certainly echoed a fiber in my body was when King wrote, "It urges us to put away our move civilized and adult penchant for analysis and to become children again, seeing things in pure blacks and whites" (312).
Many times I have approached a horror film with a very cynical and rational attitude. However, when entering the world of fictitious gruesome murders and disappearances caused by the supernatural, one must put aside all rationale and let the mind immerse in the story completely. It is only when I allow myself to strap on my velcro princess sneakers, do I get the full experience of a scary movie.
King was absolutely right. Adults never see the world in a mere black-and-white complex. Yet, horror film does not allow for the gray area in between. It is to be interpreted by what has been seen, not by an a priori knowledge. Philosophers, theologians, lawyers, legislators, and judges all might have a hard time putting down their over-analytical brains. It could become quite the challenge to slide on those childish brain cells and welcome the "invitation to lapse into simplicity" (312).
After all, as King points out, we all are insane, just in different degrees. The philosopher might want to shut himself into a room for years without coming out until reaching his climactic enlightening-experience. Society may call that philosopher a hermit or just plain crazy.
King wants to stretch the point that in some sick and twisted way, we all can relate to the ax-murder who killed all his wives. While I agree that we have to leave room for the imagination and throw away a grand deal of sensible knowledge, there is a significant gap between being a cannibal and picking your nose. Does it depend on our degree of insanity to how we view the movie? Is King able to write such terrifying novels because he is a little more twisted inside than the normal being?
I can only come to the conclusion that yes, we are all insane, but in different ways. The philosopher that locks himself in the room for several years may be insane, but would he appreciate the horror film the same that King would? I think not. Our levels of insanity may be different, but so is the reason that stimulates our crazy actions.
Perhaps that is why I am unable to crave a horror film as King describes. I am the over-analytical individual who is not willing to categorize every situation in black or white. I like to think that sometimes there can be a gray, blue, violet-- even tie-dye side to the story. And perhaps my type of insanity is different from that of an addicted viewer of the blood-oozing deaths. Perhaps my type of insanity allows me to crave (dare I admit it) chick flicks and Disney classics. I’d rather view a child movie that is intended to be watched with a teddy bear in hand rather than the rated “R” films meant to be seen with a child mentality. If I am going to wear my pink shoes and tie pink ribbons in my pig-tails, then I should just watch the movie that would compliment this behavior.
While I completely understand King’s valid points, I find myself being classified as a different brand of insanity. Sorry, King. I do not crave horror films or your novels.
Many times I have approached a horror film with a very cynical and rational attitude. However, when entering the world of fictitious gruesome murders and disappearances caused by the supernatural, one must put aside all rationale and let the mind immerse in the story completely. It is only when I allow myself to strap on my velcro princess sneakers, do I get the full experience of a scary movie.
King was absolutely right. Adults never see the world in a mere black-and-white complex. Yet, horror film does not allow for the gray area in between. It is to be interpreted by what has been seen, not by an a priori knowledge. Philosophers, theologians, lawyers, legislators, and judges all might have a hard time putting down their over-analytical brains. It could become quite the challenge to slide on those childish brain cells and welcome the "invitation to lapse into simplicity" (312).
After all, as King points out, we all are insane, just in different degrees. The philosopher might want to shut himself into a room for years without coming out until reaching his climactic enlightening-experience. Society may call that philosopher a hermit or just plain crazy.
King wants to stretch the point that in some sick and twisted way, we all can relate to the ax-murder who killed all his wives. While I agree that we have to leave room for the imagination and throw away a grand deal of sensible knowledge, there is a significant gap between being a cannibal and picking your nose. Does it depend on our degree of insanity to how we view the movie? Is King able to write such terrifying novels because he is a little more twisted inside than the normal being?
I can only come to the conclusion that yes, we are all insane, but in different ways. The philosopher that locks himself in the room for several years may be insane, but would he appreciate the horror film the same that King would? I think not. Our levels of insanity may be different, but so is the reason that stimulates our crazy actions.
Perhaps that is why I am unable to crave a horror film as King describes. I am the over-analytical individual who is not willing to categorize every situation in black or white. I like to think that sometimes there can be a gray, blue, violet-- even tie-dye side to the story. And perhaps my type of insanity is different from that of an addicted viewer of the blood-oozing deaths. Perhaps my type of insanity allows me to crave (dare I admit it) chick flicks and Disney classics. I’d rather view a child movie that is intended to be watched with a teddy bear in hand rather than the rated “R” films meant to be seen with a child mentality. If I am going to wear my pink shoes and tie pink ribbons in my pig-tails, then I should just watch the movie that would compliment this behavior.
While I completely understand King’s valid points, I find myself being classified as a different brand of insanity. Sorry, King. I do not crave horror films or your novels.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
"Los Pobres" Richard Rodriguez
I became fully aware of what a remembering essay encompasses after reading Richard Rodriguez's, "Los Pobres." Not only was he able to capture all the main points the chapter described for this type of essay, but he also managed to discuss some very important themes in his autobiographical story.
I think it is very interesting how Rodriguez touches upon the thought of going into a job with pre-conceived notions. Like all things in life, many things are never like the expectations that we held them to be. Rodriguez was shocked about the diverse amount of personalities he encountered while working at the construction site. Never before did he think that construction workers could be highly educated or have artistic capabilities. The stereotype of what a construction worker comprised of was installed in his memory. His summer job helped to refresh his thinking.
Similarly, I can recall countless amount of times when I have approached a situation with high and unrealistic expectations. For example, it would be silly of me to think that the volleyball skills I had possessed in high school would be even better after not playing the sport for about a full year. Yet, I did. I had in my mind that I would be able to spike the ball harder than ever before to prove to the collegiate athletes that I was up for the challenge to join their team. My first time trying to spike the ball again, I missed it completely and landed practically into the net. I looked like the middle-school version of my volleyball skills. I was mortified. For some reason I automatically dreamed up this mix between my image with the olympian skills of Misty May or Kerry Walsh. Unfortunately, I ended up playing like I had no idea that the ball was supposed to go over the net.
While reality can be quite devestating, it is only when we are able to crash those expectations do we achieve a better understanding of ourselves and the world that surrounds us. Rodriguez conveyed similar feelings. He thought that by the end of the summer job he would know what it would feel like to be a real worker. Yet, after meeting people who actually needed the money to survive, he realized he would never be that worker. By describing to the reader what he was in comparison to the worker, one is able to grasp a solid Rodriguez-definition of the "real worker."
The real worker needed the money desperately. The real worker could only depend on that particular job hoping that its skills (or lack of) would be able to get him or her through the week for the next pay check. The real worker needed the job for shelter, bread, and for a life. Rodriguez would never be able to be a real worker because he had something to fall back to--his education. (179). Rodriguez had much more than what the Mexican immigrants could have and I believe he realized that through their abensce of words.
Rodriguez was able to convey to the reader a sense of humility and gratefulness that he seemed to lack before. Likewise, there are many experiences in our own lives where we think that we possess qualitites others may have. Or that we have more to look forward to than surviving tomorrow. Many of us have a profitable future. Although my pre-conceived notions of my sweet volleyball skills only failed, it did not matter. I was not planning on becoming the next Misty May or Kerry Walsh. I have other talents that I can pursue and hopefully find success in. Even if I do not, there are many unique and special opportunities that my college experience fosters.
A college education was something that Rodriguez and I have in common and that many people unfortunately cannot afford. I, too, may never know what the "real worker" is.
I think it is very interesting how Rodriguez touches upon the thought of going into a job with pre-conceived notions. Like all things in life, many things are never like the expectations that we held them to be. Rodriguez was shocked about the diverse amount of personalities he encountered while working at the construction site. Never before did he think that construction workers could be highly educated or have artistic capabilities. The stereotype of what a construction worker comprised of was installed in his memory. His summer job helped to refresh his thinking.
Similarly, I can recall countless amount of times when I have approached a situation with high and unrealistic expectations. For example, it would be silly of me to think that the volleyball skills I had possessed in high school would be even better after not playing the sport for about a full year. Yet, I did. I had in my mind that I would be able to spike the ball harder than ever before to prove to the collegiate athletes that I was up for the challenge to join their team. My first time trying to spike the ball again, I missed it completely and landed practically into the net. I looked like the middle-school version of my volleyball skills. I was mortified. For some reason I automatically dreamed up this mix between my image with the olympian skills of Misty May or Kerry Walsh. Unfortunately, I ended up playing like I had no idea that the ball was supposed to go over the net.
While reality can be quite devestating, it is only when we are able to crash those expectations do we achieve a better understanding of ourselves and the world that surrounds us. Rodriguez conveyed similar feelings. He thought that by the end of the summer job he would know what it would feel like to be a real worker. Yet, after meeting people who actually needed the money to survive, he realized he would never be that worker. By describing to the reader what he was in comparison to the worker, one is able to grasp a solid Rodriguez-definition of the "real worker."
The real worker needed the money desperately. The real worker could only depend on that particular job hoping that its skills (or lack of) would be able to get him or her through the week for the next pay check. The real worker needed the job for shelter, bread, and for a life. Rodriguez would never be able to be a real worker because he had something to fall back to--his education. (179). Rodriguez had much more than what the Mexican immigrants could have and I believe he realized that through their abensce of words.
Rodriguez was able to convey to the reader a sense of humility and gratefulness that he seemed to lack before. Likewise, there are many experiences in our own lives where we think that we possess qualitites others may have. Or that we have more to look forward to than surviving tomorrow. Many of us have a profitable future. Although my pre-conceived notions of my sweet volleyball skills only failed, it did not matter. I was not planning on becoming the next Misty May or Kerry Walsh. I have other talents that I can pursue and hopefully find success in. Even if I do not, there are many unique and special opportunities that my college experience fosters.
A college education was something that Rodriguez and I have in common and that many people unfortunately cannot afford. I, too, may never know what the "real worker" is.
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