While the heap of parts all originally comprised Vern’s Volvo, they are not his car. Once removed from the whole, each individual piece lost its place as part of Vern’s car. Each time he had a piece replaced, Vern gave up that piece and made he new piece a part of his Volvo. He took ownership of the new pieces, and made them a part of his everyday life.
The new pieces are the ones that travel with Vern, that are used by him on a daily basis, and that do the work of the car. His car is the one that he has been driving for the past 20 years. The reason that the original pieces no longer comprise Vern’s Volvo is that the car is constantly evolving; the car changes and supposedly improves with each new piece, and the discarded piece, once replaced, is no longer a part of the working vehicle.
This could be compared to a team or group within a workforce: when a member of the team no longer carries out his or her job efficiently, he/she is removed from the team and replaced with a better, possibly younger worker. Despite the fact that the old pieces are all in one place, they are unused, and are no longer part of a whole, working machine; this renders them veritably useless in their current state.
In short: the old parts may have the potential to be a Volvo, but since they are not working as members of the team that is Vern’s car, they are sadly not Vern’s Volvo.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, November 16, 2009
Myself, Thyself, All Our Selves...
Assignment Four: November 12-16
Know Thyself
What does it mean to know yourself?
Assignment
In your blog, answer the following questions, each in a separate paragraph or series of paragraphs. You may use anecdotal evidence to illustrate your answers.
a) Explain what it means to know oneself; and discuss the value of this self-knowledge.
b) Discuss what you believe is your own weakness (or worst quality) and explain what, if anything, you have done to combat this weakness.
c) Discuss what you believe to be your strength (or best quality). Don't be modest here, just honest.
d) End by reflecting on what makes it so hard to think-- and write-- about one's own weaknesses and strengths. How do you feel about having to do this? Why? Explain.
A) Through the ages, man has tried to answer questions about life and human nature. Through centuries of searching, failing, and discovering, man has learned about the human race as a whole, as well as individuals. But for a person to truly know himself he must have a close understanding of his limits and his potential, he must be familiar with both his body and mind. Simply knowing one’s abilities can lead to far deeper self-discovery; by learning about what one can and can’t do, physically and mentally, one can discover what is more important: why one can and cannot act, think, and feel certain things. To understand the self is to know why one is a certain way, to know what can change that, and to know whether one is better off as one already is.
B) While definitively stating my own worst quality is nearly impossible, I can easily say that a major weakness of mine is selfishness. I enjoy doing things for others, but almost without fail I do such things for some personal gain: to be recognized, to test myself, to feel above others in some way. I feel a need to constantly better myself, a self-centered desire to achieve more than those around me. Many of my beneficial and detrimental actions are founded in selfishness; I might drive a friend home when she is in need, but I secretly want to be owed a favor in the future, or I want to spend the extra time driving, listening to the radio. If I procrastinate from work, I spend that time fulfilling hedonistic desires to listen to music, read a book for myself instead of writing a thank-you note, or bake cookies for myself that no one else will even see. The time I spend being selfish and indulgent could easily go to more productive or helpful uses; I could be volunteering in my community, but then again I might only be doing so in order to put volunteer work on a résumé.
To combat such a trait, I could simply toughen up, stop indulging, and act more for others than for myself. However, one thing that I cannot change is the hidden motive behind many of my actions. In acting for others I will always reserve a piece of the result for myself. In trying to please others, I really try to gain favor and praise. I am self-serving, and will never be able to fully give myself up.
C) On a more flattering note, I believe one of my best qualities to be my perspective. That is not quite as odd as it sounds. By “perspective” I do not at all mean that I have excellent depth perception; on the contrary, I am near-sighted, and I have never been good at any activities involving catching things coming from long distances. What I mean is that in most situations I am able to see things from a very objective point of view. I can recognize and understand my own opinions, but can keep those feelings separate from facts and truly relevant issues. In arguments, debates, or any situation that involves both fact and feeling (that would be almost every situation ever), I am able to rather easily take a step back, remove myself, and see things from a rational mindset. This ability is most likely derived from my tendency to sit back and quietly watch the world around me, to observe and reflect rather than participate. I have the chance to analyze an issue from every angle, to carefully pick through the opinions and biases to dig out the raw information inside. This may sound a little cold and removed, but I actually have a far better understanding of my own feelings than I might otherwise. I can identify my own feelings and those of others, and can understand where those feelings are founded. My gaze is clear (not physically; I am still near-sighted), and I am as a result free to let my feelings soar, without fear of obscuring the reality in front of me.
D) It may be difficult to identify and discuss one’s own strengths and weaknesses for the very reasons I stated above: it can be maddeningly difficult to separate one’s opinions of oneself from one’s true qualities. I therefore do not find it too bothersome to simply sit down and reflect on my positive and negative qualities; they are what they are, and I can only change so much of myself. In looking at my actions and my motives, I can easily see my selfishness, and in doing just that I can distinguish my own ability to view life from any available perspective. I do not terribly mind facing those qualities of myself, because as long as I am aware of them I can keep them in balance. When I begin isolating myself from emotion entirely or turning into either the egocentric or altruistic fairy, then I will know that things have gone too far. But as long as I am looking inward and paying close attention to my own attributes, I can continue on as my equally strong and flawed self.
Know Thyself
What does it mean to know yourself?
Assignment
In your blog, answer the following questions, each in a separate paragraph or series of paragraphs. You may use anecdotal evidence to illustrate your answers.
a) Explain what it means to know oneself; and discuss the value of this self-knowledge.
b) Discuss what you believe is your own weakness (or worst quality) and explain what, if anything, you have done to combat this weakness.
c) Discuss what you believe to be your strength (or best quality). Don't be modest here, just honest.
d) End by reflecting on what makes it so hard to think-- and write-- about one's own weaknesses and strengths. How do you feel about having to do this? Why? Explain.
A) Through the ages, man has tried to answer questions about life and human nature. Through centuries of searching, failing, and discovering, man has learned about the human race as a whole, as well as individuals. But for a person to truly know himself he must have a close understanding of his limits and his potential, he must be familiar with both his body and mind. Simply knowing one’s abilities can lead to far deeper self-discovery; by learning about what one can and can’t do, physically and mentally, one can discover what is more important: why one can and cannot act, think, and feel certain things. To understand the self is to know why one is a certain way, to know what can change that, and to know whether one is better off as one already is.
B) While definitively stating my own worst quality is nearly impossible, I can easily say that a major weakness of mine is selfishness. I enjoy doing things for others, but almost without fail I do such things for some personal gain: to be recognized, to test myself, to feel above others in some way. I feel a need to constantly better myself, a self-centered desire to achieve more than those around me. Many of my beneficial and detrimental actions are founded in selfishness; I might drive a friend home when she is in need, but I secretly want to be owed a favor in the future, or I want to spend the extra time driving, listening to the radio. If I procrastinate from work, I spend that time fulfilling hedonistic desires to listen to music, read a book for myself instead of writing a thank-you note, or bake cookies for myself that no one else will even see. The time I spend being selfish and indulgent could easily go to more productive or helpful uses; I could be volunteering in my community, but then again I might only be doing so in order to put volunteer work on a résumé.
To combat such a trait, I could simply toughen up, stop indulging, and act more for others than for myself. However, one thing that I cannot change is the hidden motive behind many of my actions. In acting for others I will always reserve a piece of the result for myself. In trying to please others, I really try to gain favor and praise. I am self-serving, and will never be able to fully give myself up.
C) On a more flattering note, I believe one of my best qualities to be my perspective. That is not quite as odd as it sounds. By “perspective” I do not at all mean that I have excellent depth perception; on the contrary, I am near-sighted, and I have never been good at any activities involving catching things coming from long distances. What I mean is that in most situations I am able to see things from a very objective point of view. I can recognize and understand my own opinions, but can keep those feelings separate from facts and truly relevant issues. In arguments, debates, or any situation that involves both fact and feeling (that would be almost every situation ever), I am able to rather easily take a step back, remove myself, and see things from a rational mindset. This ability is most likely derived from my tendency to sit back and quietly watch the world around me, to observe and reflect rather than participate. I have the chance to analyze an issue from every angle, to carefully pick through the opinions and biases to dig out the raw information inside. This may sound a little cold and removed, but I actually have a far better understanding of my own feelings than I might otherwise. I can identify my own feelings and those of others, and can understand where those feelings are founded. My gaze is clear (not physically; I am still near-sighted), and I am as a result free to let my feelings soar, without fear of obscuring the reality in front of me.
D) It may be difficult to identify and discuss one’s own strengths and weaknesses for the very reasons I stated above: it can be maddeningly difficult to separate one’s opinions of oneself from one’s true qualities. I therefore do not find it too bothersome to simply sit down and reflect on my positive and negative qualities; they are what they are, and I can only change so much of myself. In looking at my actions and my motives, I can easily see my selfishness, and in doing just that I can distinguish my own ability to view life from any available perspective. I do not terribly mind facing those qualities of myself, because as long as I am aware of them I can keep them in balance. When I begin isolating myself from emotion entirely or turning into either the egocentric or altruistic fairy, then I will know that things have gone too far. But as long as I am looking inward and paying close attention to my own attributes, I can continue on as my equally strong and flawed self.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Don't Lick That Metal Pole!!
Assignment Three: October 17-20
I Wish Someone Had Told Me...
"Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." (Andre Gide)
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? (Consider an answer other than the obvious-- never lick a metal pole in winter.) Who provided that advice? What made it so valuable?Using these questions only as a starting point, write a personal narrative that explains what made this advice so valuable to you and what you think you have learned from it. Be sure to explain who gave you that advice and in what context s/he provided it.
“Time to wake up.”
My mother shakes me gently and murmurs something vaguely encouraging, attempting to coax me out of my warm bed; my pillows have never felt so comfortable.
The urge to ignore school’s existence is stronger than ever today, for today is a huge day in the life of a first-semester high school junior: the day of the PSAT’s. Whoopee. It seems like the most momentous, pressure-packed day of my life, though there are far worse days not far on the horizon.
Not that I realize that now. Not today; today, all I feel is a sickening mix of anticipation, trepidation, and grogginess. One thing I will come to realize: early morning + important exam + not enough sleep = a fairly unhappy young lady.
So I roll out of bed, my bare feet pressing themselves into the rough carpet on my floor (which feels like a cactus compared with the comforter they had just been wrapped up in, I might add). I scuffle out of my room, nearly colliding with a dozen different dressers, chairs, book bags, and mysterious piles of dress shirts on my way. I wish I could just be finished with this burdensome day, could come home and lie on the floor and look at the strange patterns created by the early evening shadows. But sadly, I have an extremely malevolent test to get through. Sigh. Somehow, through my somnolence, I prepare for school.
Not too much later, as I prepare to head out the door and begin the slow ride to Scholastic Aptitude Land, I go to my father to say a solemn farewell and ask that he send my love to the family after I am swallowed up by the ferocious bubble sheets. I say good morning, tell him that I’ll be having a terrible morning, and wish him a good day. As usual, he decides to ignore the fact that I need to be at school by a specific time, and begins a conversation with me. He once again offers unsolicited, yet somehow unfailingly prudent, advice. My father has a way of rambling on far longer than is necessary about rather obscure things. He generally sticks to his favorite topics: art history, business networking, and defensive driving. He tells stories about seemingly irrelevant instances of my great uncle driving through a neighbor’s living room or the best way to convince someone to open up a bank account. He’s passed this rambling gene on to me... hmmmm. He tells his stories because he likes to talk to me, and because I love hearing them, but always brings them back to something relevant to my life, or his life, or someone’s life. How, I’ll never know. But his parables have a way of getting stuck in my brain, and popping up at odd times, some helpful, some just strange.
He says to me, as he has said to me on the mornings of every important test or presentation in my entire life, “Don’t worry about it.”
What? WHAT?! I’m tired, I’m cranky, and I’m freaking out about what is so far the most important exam of my life. Yeah, I’m not going to worry about it. I’m suddenly quite skeptical about my father, and beginning to wonder how he did in school, when he says something to make me feel even better: “It’s just a test; it’s not important.”
Wow. This seems like the least helpful thing my father has ever said to me. I smile and say something like, “Yeah, sure,” to placate him. He continues on to say that I’m a very smart kid, and I’ll do fine, and in the long run this test doesn’t really matter anyway. It’s not like it’s the real thing, and even that isn’t so important. I can feel every high school junior and senior cringing at that, but as absurd as I believe his words of wisdom to be, I am comforted a little by the fact that 24 hours from now, the dreaded PSAT’s will be nothing but a memory, and of course, my parents will love me no matter what.
So I take the test, which is not nearly as horrific as I expect, and I do rather well on it. Yay. Scariness over, for now at least.
Of course, that is not the end of it. Junior year goes on to suck royally. There is so much unexpected pressure that I feel as though my head has been shoved into a toaster oven (Sylvia Plath, here I come). I am bombarded with homework, quizzes and tests, midterm and final exams, and of course the king of academic abuse, the SAT. I get punched in the face by so many assessments I don’t know what to do with myself. Each time I say good morning and goodbye to my father, and each time he says the same thing “Don’t worry about it, it’s only a test.” Even if it’s not actually a test, he says it; the presentations, the lengthy assignments, each one is “only a test.”
I eventually came to take great comfort in my father’s words of wisdom. As with all of his exhortations, by listening closely and thinking on his meanings, I gathered the real message my father was imparting: “I love you and think you are sufficiently intelligent, and I don’t care what the tests say.” My father knew that I would always worry, that the tests were rather important, and that I could really benefit from a little confidence boost. He still tells me not to worry about any of it, that soon my current crisis will be over and I will have done fine. He is somehow able to temper my stress with his nonchalance, and can push me to that place in the middle where I can both relax and concentrate, and find that happy medium that actually allows me to get things done. Of course I still worry, but I do so with the knowledge that whatever the outcome of my daily crisis, my father is still there to tell me that there are more important things in life, like Byzantine paintings of the saints or the SMITH system of driving. My father’s seemingly outlandish guidance happens to be the best advice I’ve ever received, because it brings me back down to earth and keeps me from getting lost in the fray of the tumultuous teenage existence.
I Wish Someone Had Told Me...
"Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." (Andre Gide)
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? (Consider an answer other than the obvious-- never lick a metal pole in winter.) Who provided that advice? What made it so valuable?Using these questions only as a starting point, write a personal narrative that explains what made this advice so valuable to you and what you think you have learned from it. Be sure to explain who gave you that advice and in what context s/he provided it.
“Time to wake up.”
My mother shakes me gently and murmurs something vaguely encouraging, attempting to coax me out of my warm bed; my pillows have never felt so comfortable.
The urge to ignore school’s existence is stronger than ever today, for today is a huge day in the life of a first-semester high school junior: the day of the PSAT’s. Whoopee. It seems like the most momentous, pressure-packed day of my life, though there are far worse days not far on the horizon.
Not that I realize that now. Not today; today, all I feel is a sickening mix of anticipation, trepidation, and grogginess. One thing I will come to realize: early morning + important exam + not enough sleep = a fairly unhappy young lady.
So I roll out of bed, my bare feet pressing themselves into the rough carpet on my floor (which feels like a cactus compared with the comforter they had just been wrapped up in, I might add). I scuffle out of my room, nearly colliding with a dozen different dressers, chairs, book bags, and mysterious piles of dress shirts on my way. I wish I could just be finished with this burdensome day, could come home and lie on the floor and look at the strange patterns created by the early evening shadows. But sadly, I have an extremely malevolent test to get through. Sigh. Somehow, through my somnolence, I prepare for school.
Not too much later, as I prepare to head out the door and begin the slow ride to Scholastic Aptitude Land, I go to my father to say a solemn farewell and ask that he send my love to the family after I am swallowed up by the ferocious bubble sheets. I say good morning, tell him that I’ll be having a terrible morning, and wish him a good day. As usual, he decides to ignore the fact that I need to be at school by a specific time, and begins a conversation with me. He once again offers unsolicited, yet somehow unfailingly prudent, advice. My father has a way of rambling on far longer than is necessary about rather obscure things. He generally sticks to his favorite topics: art history, business networking, and defensive driving. He tells stories about seemingly irrelevant instances of my great uncle driving through a neighbor’s living room or the best way to convince someone to open up a bank account. He’s passed this rambling gene on to me... hmmmm. He tells his stories because he likes to talk to me, and because I love hearing them, but always brings them back to something relevant to my life, or his life, or someone’s life. How, I’ll never know. But his parables have a way of getting stuck in my brain, and popping up at odd times, some helpful, some just strange.
He says to me, as he has said to me on the mornings of every important test or presentation in my entire life, “Don’t worry about it.”
What? WHAT?! I’m tired, I’m cranky, and I’m freaking out about what is so far the most important exam of my life. Yeah, I’m not going to worry about it. I’m suddenly quite skeptical about my father, and beginning to wonder how he did in school, when he says something to make me feel even better: “It’s just a test; it’s not important.”
Wow. This seems like the least helpful thing my father has ever said to me. I smile and say something like, “Yeah, sure,” to placate him. He continues on to say that I’m a very smart kid, and I’ll do fine, and in the long run this test doesn’t really matter anyway. It’s not like it’s the real thing, and even that isn’t so important. I can feel every high school junior and senior cringing at that, but as absurd as I believe his words of wisdom to be, I am comforted a little by the fact that 24 hours from now, the dreaded PSAT’s will be nothing but a memory, and of course, my parents will love me no matter what.
So I take the test, which is not nearly as horrific as I expect, and I do rather well on it. Yay. Scariness over, for now at least.
Of course, that is not the end of it. Junior year goes on to suck royally. There is so much unexpected pressure that I feel as though my head has been shoved into a toaster oven (Sylvia Plath, here I come). I am bombarded with homework, quizzes and tests, midterm and final exams, and of course the king of academic abuse, the SAT. I get punched in the face by so many assessments I don’t know what to do with myself. Each time I say good morning and goodbye to my father, and each time he says the same thing “Don’t worry about it, it’s only a test.” Even if it’s not actually a test, he says it; the presentations, the lengthy assignments, each one is “only a test.”
I eventually came to take great comfort in my father’s words of wisdom. As with all of his exhortations, by listening closely and thinking on his meanings, I gathered the real message my father was imparting: “I love you and think you are sufficiently intelligent, and I don’t care what the tests say.” My father knew that I would always worry, that the tests were rather important, and that I could really benefit from a little confidence boost. He still tells me not to worry about any of it, that soon my current crisis will be over and I will have done fine. He is somehow able to temper my stress with his nonchalance, and can push me to that place in the middle where I can both relax and concentrate, and find that happy medium that actually allows me to get things done. Of course I still worry, but I do so with the knowledge that whatever the outcome of my daily crisis, my father is still there to tell me that there are more important things in life, like Byzantine paintings of the saints or the SMITH system of driving. My father’s seemingly outlandish guidance happens to be the best advice I’ve ever received, because it brings me back down to earth and keeps me from getting lost in the fray of the tumultuous teenage existence.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Meaning of Life... As I See It
Assignment Two October 7 - October 11My Life As I Wished I Lived It (or carpe diem)
At the end of life, how will your life be judged?
"Don't ask why. It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time."
Consider the things that you feel make life worthwhile and valuable. A) List five things you will want to possess or have experienced when you reach the end of your life (whenever that may be). B) Discuss why each of these things (or ideals or ideas) is important to you personally. C) Discuss how each of these things (or ideals or ideas) is valuable to humanity.
The meaning of life is as heavy a topic as any that could be discussed. The most we can do is to think on our own personal reasons and theories, and share those thoughts with others.
Everyone has his or her own reasons for living; those who don’t either don’t enjoy life or don’t continue to live, I suppose. Wow, that’s pretty grim. However, there are plenty of things that make life worthwhile. Friends and family give us reasons to roll out of bed in the morning, as do jobs and commitments, though those things are not always as enjoyable. For some, things like art and music give value to life. For others, the simple knowledge that a new day brimming with possibilities awaits is enough. There can be an infinite number of reasons for living our lives, but in an overwhelming number of cases, the reason involves a love for something: love of family, love of creativity, love of spontaneity, love of renown. In general, we consider our lives fulfilled if we accomplish or possess something we love or desire.
Five things I want to have achieved, possessed, or experienced by the time I go? Hmmm......
1) I want to have written a book. A novel, a tome, a book of essays, poems, short stories, any book of some importance. A rather scholarly work, I think, something that requires deep thought and insight. Or something viciously imaginative and creative. Who knows? I simply love writing, and want to put my overflowing thoughts down onto paper for someone else to read. Who wouldn’t want to be remembered, to put forth a record of some sort in one’s own words for the later generations to (hopefully) appreciate?
2) To be in a band. More of an ensemble, maybe. Something between a small orchestra and a rock band. The Bell Orchestre comes to mind. I love music, have months’ and months’ worth piling up in my iPod. It would be lovely to be able to compose and perform something, especially with all the talent our local musicians possess. Because of the fact that I am usually an incredibly shy and reserved person, it would be quite an experience to be the center of a whole lot of attention for once.
3) To play Chopin’s Polonaise No. 3 in A, Op. 40, No. 1- “Military” on a grand piano, and to play it flawlessly. This is similar to “thing I want to do in my life” number two, but not at all the same. “Military” is a very nice piece, and I can’t imagine trying to actually play it. But what an awesome experience it would be to hammer that song out on a grand piano! The playing of the song alone would be a feat, but to play it perfectly? Jaws would drop, and that’s what I want to cause...
4) To find and marry my soul mate. It’s a cliché, yes, but even the anti-social want to find that special someone and stay with that person forever and be sweet and in love. I want most of the stereotype: to find someone smart and sweet, who will love me no matter what, but who won’t take any of my crap. Someone to keep my company but give me space, someone to grow old with. In short, I want to find someone to love, whom I can be with while carrying out all the other things on my list of “things I want to do in my life.”
5) To get into an all-out fistfight with someone bigger, stronger, and tougher than I am (not difficult to find) and win. As in to clobber someone. This is an incredibly selfish (and violent) goal, if such a thing can even be considered a goal. However, we each try to prove ourselves in various ways, to compensate for our shortcomings. I love being perceived as the little, sweet, innocent girl who would never intentionally hurt or offend anyone, and I hope to continue to be that type of person. However, just once I would like to take my thoughts and emotions and turn them into action, to face an adversary and let my tiny fists fly! Metaphorically speaking, I would wield my slingshot (fist) against Goliath (aforementioned tough person) and emerge victorious! It’s a matter of personal pride, a small need to prove to myself that I’m tougher than I think I am.
I see this has become somewhat of a wish-list, but then again, what is life but the pursuit of our desires? Don’t we all spend the majority of our lives searching for happiness, striving to reach our goals and create the lives that will bring us comfort and contentment? We organize our days and years by what we hope to achieve, and measure our success by how many things we have accomplished and gained. We are each constantly obtaining the things we desire, yet the wish-list never shortens; with each accomplished goal, we add yet another to the pantheon. We keep the list growing, and maybe that is the answer: we are happy only when we are working towards something; the anticipation of that success and happiness keeps us going. Our true contentment and purpose in life lies in the journey to our goals and desires. Life is the pursuit of happiness.
At the end of life, how will your life be judged?
"Don't ask why. It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time."
Consider the things that you feel make life worthwhile and valuable. A) List five things you will want to possess or have experienced when you reach the end of your life (whenever that may be). B) Discuss why each of these things (or ideals or ideas) is important to you personally. C) Discuss how each of these things (or ideals or ideas) is valuable to humanity.
The meaning of life is as heavy a topic as any that could be discussed. The most we can do is to think on our own personal reasons and theories, and share those thoughts with others.
Everyone has his or her own reasons for living; those who don’t either don’t enjoy life or don’t continue to live, I suppose. Wow, that’s pretty grim. However, there are plenty of things that make life worthwhile. Friends and family give us reasons to roll out of bed in the morning, as do jobs and commitments, though those things are not always as enjoyable. For some, things like art and music give value to life. For others, the simple knowledge that a new day brimming with possibilities awaits is enough. There can be an infinite number of reasons for living our lives, but in an overwhelming number of cases, the reason involves a love for something: love of family, love of creativity, love of spontaneity, love of renown. In general, we consider our lives fulfilled if we accomplish or possess something we love or desire.
Five things I want to have achieved, possessed, or experienced by the time I go? Hmmm......
1) I want to have written a book. A novel, a tome, a book of essays, poems, short stories, any book of some importance. A rather scholarly work, I think, something that requires deep thought and insight. Or something viciously imaginative and creative. Who knows? I simply love writing, and want to put my overflowing thoughts down onto paper for someone else to read. Who wouldn’t want to be remembered, to put forth a record of some sort in one’s own words for the later generations to (hopefully) appreciate?
2) To be in a band. More of an ensemble, maybe. Something between a small orchestra and a rock band. The Bell Orchestre comes to mind. I love music, have months’ and months’ worth piling up in my iPod. It would be lovely to be able to compose and perform something, especially with all the talent our local musicians possess. Because of the fact that I am usually an incredibly shy and reserved person, it would be quite an experience to be the center of a whole lot of attention for once.
3) To play Chopin’s Polonaise No. 3 in A, Op. 40, No. 1- “Military” on a grand piano, and to play it flawlessly. This is similar to “thing I want to do in my life” number two, but not at all the same. “Military” is a very nice piece, and I can’t imagine trying to actually play it. But what an awesome experience it would be to hammer that song out on a grand piano! The playing of the song alone would be a feat, but to play it perfectly? Jaws would drop, and that’s what I want to cause...
4) To find and marry my soul mate. It’s a cliché, yes, but even the anti-social want to find that special someone and stay with that person forever and be sweet and in love. I want most of the stereotype: to find someone smart and sweet, who will love me no matter what, but who won’t take any of my crap. Someone to keep my company but give me space, someone to grow old with. In short, I want to find someone to love, whom I can be with while carrying out all the other things on my list of “things I want to do in my life.”
5) To get into an all-out fistfight with someone bigger, stronger, and tougher than I am (not difficult to find) and win. As in to clobber someone. This is an incredibly selfish (and violent) goal, if such a thing can even be considered a goal. However, we each try to prove ourselves in various ways, to compensate for our shortcomings. I love being perceived as the little, sweet, innocent girl who would never intentionally hurt or offend anyone, and I hope to continue to be that type of person. However, just once I would like to take my thoughts and emotions and turn them into action, to face an adversary and let my tiny fists fly! Metaphorically speaking, I would wield my slingshot (fist) against Goliath (aforementioned tough person) and emerge victorious! It’s a matter of personal pride, a small need to prove to myself that I’m tougher than I think I am.
I see this has become somewhat of a wish-list, but then again, what is life but the pursuit of our desires? Don’t we all spend the majority of our lives searching for happiness, striving to reach our goals and create the lives that will bring us comfort and contentment? We organize our days and years by what we hope to achieve, and measure our success by how many things we have accomplished and gained. We are each constantly obtaining the things we desire, yet the wish-list never shortens; with each accomplished goal, we add yet another to the pantheon. We keep the list growing, and maybe that is the answer: we are happy only when we are working towards something; the anticipation of that success and happiness keeps us going. Our true contentment and purpose in life lies in the journey to our goals and desires. Life is the pursuit of happiness.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Reflecting on the Hero
Assignment One- September 20-September 24: Thinking About the Hero
You've all read Beowulf, The Odyssey, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Most of you have seen (if not read) Star Wars films or Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Lord of the Rings. What do all of these works have in common? Many people would say that the protagonists in all of these could be considered heroes. But are they? What is a hero? How do we define heroic actions or behavior? And can a woman be a hero(ine)? If so, why are there no women in that list above? If heroes serve as models of particular conduct, how would you define that conduct? Secondarily, what purpose do heroes serve to us as humans? Do we need them? Why? Bertolt Brecht once said, "Unhappy the land that needs heroes." What does this mean, in light of your understanding of what a makes a hero? In your blog, explore the idea of the hero, making sure that you address all relevant questions.
When people picture heroes, they often picture Superman or some such really great guy. Traditionally, the hero was someone (usually a man) who, through some selfless act of intelligence and bravery, saves an innocent life, stops a criminal act from occurring, or stands up for the little defenseless guy. Even in modern contexts, we see this archetype; a pilot who doesn’t let his plane get blown to smithereens by a flock of birds must legally change his name to “Hero,” and while such an act may be laudable, today’s news media is all too eager to turn such a story into simply the next moneymaking headline.
Regardless of our motives for praising those we call “heroes,” our current criterion for heroic behavior have not changed too much from the days of Beowulf and Huck Finn. The traits a “hero” must possess usually include: honesty, bravery, strength, intelligence, selflessness, resourcefulness, trustworthiness, loyalty, dedication to justice, and, on occasion, friendliness.
In history, literature, and the public mindset, heroes are often men. However, today the general “hero” image is a little more flexible. Women of excellence are gaining “hero” status. People of different professions and origins are receiving praise; police officers, firemen/women, scientists (Marie Curie and her husband), and social/environmental activists (Rachel Carson) are all being called heroic for their noble acts and contributions to society.
I believe that the conspicuous absence of women in the list of “heroes” above is largely due to women’s expected roles in society at the time those stories were created, and how that perception of women has come into our modern culture. Women were seen as weaker, less intelligent, and less capable of “heroic” feats; whether intentional or not, this view has carried over to the present through the collective subconscious of our society.
To us, heroes (both real and fictitious) serve as exemplars of behavior and skill. Both children and adults look up to and respect those who are admired by society, in the hopes of being admired themselves. We absolutely need good role models to look up to, and for the most part, the widely accepted “hero” image is an appropriate image to replicate. A society in which people strive to imitate honest and brave heroes is a society with a healthy and positive mindset. On the other side of the coin, however, it is never a good idea to blindly follow someone just because he or she is famous, or to go jumping off the roofs of buildings in the hopes of being the next Superman. Anything in excess can be detrimental.
Bertolt Brecht’s quotation, “Unhappy the land that needs heroes,” can have several meanings; he can mean that a society in want of heroes is unhappy, or that a society that needs heroes to survive is unhappy. I’ll reflect on the latter. I must agree that any society that cannot survive on its own, without the aid of bunches of exemplary people, is not a particularly strong society. However, why should a society not have any brave, strong, selfless people? Heroic people are unavoidable; they pop up every once in a while whether we like it or not. What determines the beneficial or detrimental effects of those people is how a society treats and responds to its heroes. Truly heroic behavior should be encouraged, and praise should be given to those who commit brave and selfless acts. We just need to take care not to make a hero from a simple celebrity.
You've all read Beowulf, The Odyssey, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Most of you have seen (if not read) Star Wars films or Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Lord of the Rings. What do all of these works have in common? Many people would say that the protagonists in all of these could be considered heroes. But are they? What is a hero? How do we define heroic actions or behavior? And can a woman be a hero(ine)? If so, why are there no women in that list above? If heroes serve as models of particular conduct, how would you define that conduct? Secondarily, what purpose do heroes serve to us as humans? Do we need them? Why? Bertolt Brecht once said, "Unhappy the land that needs heroes." What does this mean, in light of your understanding of what a makes a hero? In your blog, explore the idea of the hero, making sure that you address all relevant questions.
When people picture heroes, they often picture Superman or some such really great guy. Traditionally, the hero was someone (usually a man) who, through some selfless act of intelligence and bravery, saves an innocent life, stops a criminal act from occurring, or stands up for the little defenseless guy. Even in modern contexts, we see this archetype; a pilot who doesn’t let his plane get blown to smithereens by a flock of birds must legally change his name to “Hero,” and while such an act may be laudable, today’s news media is all too eager to turn such a story into simply the next moneymaking headline.
Regardless of our motives for praising those we call “heroes,” our current criterion for heroic behavior have not changed too much from the days of Beowulf and Huck Finn. The traits a “hero” must possess usually include: honesty, bravery, strength, intelligence, selflessness, resourcefulness, trustworthiness, loyalty, dedication to justice, and, on occasion, friendliness.
In history, literature, and the public mindset, heroes are often men. However, today the general “hero” image is a little more flexible. Women of excellence are gaining “hero” status. People of different professions and origins are receiving praise; police officers, firemen/women, scientists (Marie Curie and her husband), and social/environmental activists (Rachel Carson) are all being called heroic for their noble acts and contributions to society.
I believe that the conspicuous absence of women in the list of “heroes” above is largely due to women’s expected roles in society at the time those stories were created, and how that perception of women has come into our modern culture. Women were seen as weaker, less intelligent, and less capable of “heroic” feats; whether intentional or not, this view has carried over to the present through the collective subconscious of our society.
To us, heroes (both real and fictitious) serve as exemplars of behavior and skill. Both children and adults look up to and respect those who are admired by society, in the hopes of being admired themselves. We absolutely need good role models to look up to, and for the most part, the widely accepted “hero” image is an appropriate image to replicate. A society in which people strive to imitate honest and brave heroes is a society with a healthy and positive mindset. On the other side of the coin, however, it is never a good idea to blindly follow someone just because he or she is famous, or to go jumping off the roofs of buildings in the hopes of being the next Superman. Anything in excess can be detrimental.
Bertolt Brecht’s quotation, “Unhappy the land that needs heroes,” can have several meanings; he can mean that a society in want of heroes is unhappy, or that a society that needs heroes to survive is unhappy. I’ll reflect on the latter. I must agree that any society that cannot survive on its own, without the aid of bunches of exemplary people, is not a particularly strong society. However, why should a society not have any brave, strong, selfless people? Heroic people are unavoidable; they pop up every once in a while whether we like it or not. What determines the beneficial or detrimental effects of those people is how a society treats and responds to its heroes. Truly heroic behavior should be encouraged, and praise should be given to those who commit brave and selfless acts. We just need to take care not to make a hero from a simple celebrity.
Monday, September 21, 2009
This Blog
The official purpose of this blog is for the Kimball/Hastings Humanities class, but hopefully this little blog will live and thrive long after Humanities is over. Although by that time, there may be so few words in Newspeak that the thoughts and opinions of this blogger will no longer be expressible. That would certainly be doubleplusungood...
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