http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/map_item.pl
Above is a link to the map I picked to look at. This map is a map of Argentina. Any map from the olden days will be a lot different than maps we see today. One thing about this one that really stands out to me is that is isn't very detailed in the lay of the land, but does have more art like detail. The map is colorful, patterned, and almost more like a work of art than a map. There are little boats drawn onto it with a big colorful compass right in the middle. The most detail that this map has relating to the land itself is the mountains drawn along the coast line. This map really tells the story of what people saw when they first came to this section of the world. They have pictures of the animals they saw and the landscape (a minimal amount) they encountered. A quote that I found from the reading we did really relates to this map. "In addition to being directional guides, maps are material artifacts that represent cultural perception during particular periods of history." This goes off of what I said. This map doesn't so much show detail direction but really shows the sort of things they saw on their journey to this new land. Which personally, I believe, is equally (if not more) important than the directions itself.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
The Great Gatsby... then and now.
As you know, we have recently read the classic novel The Great Gatsby, we watched the most recent version of the movie. This movie followed the plot line of the novel while adding many fun and modern twists. It kept the same characters, setting and conflicts. While showing these things it made them seem more real and almost, likable. Some people claim they can't stand the book because there is no emotional connections. I feel like this movie does s very good job of creating more connections between the audience and the characters. This would make the movie a little more enjoyable to some, but to others, it may lose that classic feel.
/Another thing that I enjoyed about this movie was that is really mixed the roaring twenties with the modern world. This was best shown at Gatsby's parties. The music he was playing was a mix of the jazz type music they would listen to in the 20's and the hip hop/rap that is popular today. Obviously this isn't how it would be in the 20's, but again, it may add to the audiences ability to connect to the story, characters and setting shown in the film.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I think that reading the book first really made me appreciate all that went into creating this visual version of a classic novel.
/Another thing that I enjoyed about this movie was that is really mixed the roaring twenties with the modern world. This was best shown at Gatsby's parties. The music he was playing was a mix of the jazz type music they would listen to in the 20's and the hip hop/rap that is popular today. Obviously this isn't how it would be in the 20's, but again, it may add to the audiences ability to connect to the story, characters and setting shown in the film.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I think that reading the book first really made me appreciate all that went into creating this visual version of a classic novel.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Synthesis Activity
The American dream. Something everyone has heard about at some point in their life. Everyone knows what it is, and knows they want it, but will they ever have it? Will there ever be a day in America where everyone is equal? Everyone will be treated the same? Where Democracy will be accepted by everyone? Personally, I doubt it. American is supposed to be this place where everyone has a chance of living a stable life. But look around. You drive through the neighborhoods and see people living in conditions that are dangerous, and could hardly be considered home. The American dream is slowly dying, and it would take a miracle to save it.
If you're born into a rich family, you're already going to be better off. As stated in Source A, "students growing up in richer families have better grades and higher standardized test scores, on average, than poorer students". This alone shows that they are set up to be more successful. How is that equal? It isn't a child's fault that they were born into a poorer family, yet it seems they are being punished for it. This may not be able to fix this problem, but it is a great example of how unequal things are in America. Something tells me that this huge gap in social class isn't as normal as we think it is.
Source C is about this teenage girl, Jinzhao Wang, who moved to America from China. She said that she has never seen anything like the huge Long Island mansions before. This got me thinking of how far apart the lower class is from the lower class. It most definitely causes a problem with how unequal things are. Later in the same source, a 17-year-old girl from the Dominican Republic said something interesting. "I think this American dream is an interpretation of a white poor man's dream." In a way she's right. We are told that having a lot of money is a common way to look at this American dream. Obviously this isn't possible for everyone. The problem is that everyone wants this. "Regardless of birthplace, 310 million Americans face the same expectation" (Source D). Everyone in America wants this dream, and it isn't going to happen for everyone. So, it only happens for those who have enough luck.
The American dream. It's out there, and everyone knows it. It isn't impossible to reach, because nothing is impossible. Though, it's rather ironic that part of the American dream is having equality, and there is little to no equality when it comes to reaching this dream. While I do make it seem like I believe this dream is nearly impossible, I do have hope that one day we will be able to have this American dream become the American reality.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Social Class
The quiz we took on class was interesting. I wasn't really sure what to expect but it did end up placing me in the correct class (or at least I think it did). The quiz said I was part of the middle-class American's which I can completely agree with. My family lives a pretty good life. We have a nice home, plenty of food and a few extra things that aren't needed for survival. I believe that the way to quiz defines middle-class is fairly accurate, although, I happen to enjoy heavy metal music!! I guess some people are just different, hah.
We have been reading a lot about class recently and there have been several experiences in my life that I could relate back to the texts we have read. After reading "The Shadowy Line That Still Divides" I began to look back on several family trips I have taken. Last spring break, my family and I went to Tennessee. On the way there we drove through and area of Kentucky that really made reminded me of this article. There were mobile homes everywhere. Typically when you see mobile homes you think they are part of the lower-class. Well, these were different homes. They were run down, old, and needing a lot of work. BUT sitting right outside of these homes were brand new, fancy, cars. Like, sports cars. It confused me. They lived in such poor conditions yet had these gorgeous cars parked in their yard. So, what class were they? They had homes like lower-class and cars like upper-class! It was disorienting. I never realized how hard it was to tell what class someone was until that day.
We have been reading a lot about class recently and there have been several experiences in my life that I could relate back to the texts we have read. After reading "The Shadowy Line That Still Divides" I began to look back on several family trips I have taken. Last spring break, my family and I went to Tennessee. On the way there we drove through and area of Kentucky that really made reminded me of this article. There were mobile homes everywhere. Typically when you see mobile homes you think they are part of the lower-class. Well, these were different homes. They were run down, old, and needing a lot of work. BUT sitting right outside of these homes were brand new, fancy, cars. Like, sports cars. It confused me. They lived in such poor conditions yet had these gorgeous cars parked in their yard. So, what class were they? They had homes like lower-class and cars like upper-class! It was disorienting. I never realized how hard it was to tell what class someone was until that day.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Wiki Leaks
As many, if not all of you, know there has been a topic in the news lately that about the controversial issue regards a website founded by a man that goes by the name Julian Assange. He was arrested for commiting several crimes that were completely unrealted to the website. After his arrest of officials are trying to determine whether realsing secrets to the public is a crime or not. Assange argues that he was doing it to "protect" the people of America. He claims that the public should know the things that could potentially harm those who reside in the U.S.
The views on this topic are slipt right down the middle. There are those who believe what he is doing is the right thing, because the public desereves to know what is really going on outside of the U.S. While this is a valid argument as to why it is not a crime, there are also a large amount of people, uncluding U.S. officials who believe that sharing these secrets could cause panic and worry people who have nothing to worry about.
Personally, I find both arguments to be valid. Although this is true, I personally think it should be a crime to share/relase secret government should be considered a crime. I believe that the goverment must have their reasons as to why they are keeping these things from the public. If they concerened the citizens of the U.S. then I'm sure they would have released it already. Sharing things that have been kept from the public could, as I said earlier, cause panic throughout the country. These documents he has shared on his website may not have all the informatin uncluded which could give people the wrong idea. I, for one, have had this happen before. I read only part of something and because it was out of context it sounded A LOT worse then it actually was.
Either way people have very strong opinions on this topic which could cause some very heated debating. As long as one has the facts and a steady argument, I really cannot bash on their view.
The views on this topic are slipt right down the middle. There are those who believe what he is doing is the right thing, because the public desereves to know what is really going on outside of the U.S. While this is a valid argument as to why it is not a crime, there are also a large amount of people, uncluding U.S. officials who believe that sharing these secrets could cause panic and worry people who have nothing to worry about.
Personally, I find both arguments to be valid. Although this is true, I personally think it should be a crime to share/relase secret government should be considered a crime. I believe that the goverment must have their reasons as to why they are keeping these things from the public. If they concerened the citizens of the U.S. then I'm sure they would have released it already. Sharing things that have been kept from the public could, as I said earlier, cause panic throughout the country. These documents he has shared on his website may not have all the informatin uncluded which could give people the wrong idea. I, for one, have had this happen before. I read only part of something and because it was out of context it sounded A LOT worse then it actually was.
Either way people have very strong opinions on this topic which could cause some very heated debating. As long as one has the facts and a steady argument, I really cannot bash on their view.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
18 In America by Dylan Dethier
As some of you might know, I am an avid golfer. I love golf and everything about it. So, I found a book about a golfer. His name is Dylan Dethier. He was 17 at the time and did something I would kill to do but will never have the guts.
Dylan packed his things and shoved it all into his car, including his golf clubs, and left. For the entire year after he graduated high school, this young man drove around the lower 48 states and played 18 holes in each of them. Starting and ending in his home town of Williamstown, Massachusetts. He had $4,700, and a car full of supplies and that was it.
On his epic journey, he struggles to find places to sleep, eat, and even golf! He meets so many interesting people along the way. Each of them helping him get closer and closer to finding what he set out for. Dylan was in search of finding the essence of the game. For those who play, you'll understand what I say when I mean there is just something about being out on that course that makes you feel a rush. It's a game of honesty and integrity. You have to trust your playing partners are true because there are no refs to call out a foul, or penalty. It really is something special to know how to play this wonderful game. And for someone at such a young age to have this chance is great.
It was a great book and a I learned a lot from it. Many people would think that you would only enjoy it if you play the game, but trust me. You don't need to know the difference between a putter and a driver to enjoy this wonderful book. Dylan did a phenomenal job.
Congrats to him and I wish him the best down the road! Keep on golfing, man!
It was a great book and a I learned a lot from it. Many people would think that you would only enjoy it if you play the game, but trust me. You don't need to know the difference between a putter and a driver to enjoy this wonderful book. Dylan did a phenomenal job.
Congrats to him and I wish him the best down the road! Keep on golfing, man!
The Problem With Google
Similar to the author of this article, I too used to find reading a novel or article almost like second nature. There would be times where I would find a book, sit down and just read for hour after hour. Now, it's becoming more and more difficult to find pleasure in reading. For the longest time I just said to myself "I'm a teenger. No teenager can sit still for hours and stare at a page full of words." But after reading this article I know have a better idea of why this rather unfortunate dilemma is occurring. It has also brought a strange comfort knowing that I'm not the only one suffering from this upsetting lack of patience.
My parents have told me time and time again that they never had the luxury of the internet. That they were always stuck with paging through book after book searching for the right information. Personally, I can't even begin to comprehend not having the web to find the answers to my every question. It is getting to the point where I don't even want to think about not having easy access to everything. Sure, being able to find everything you need just by clicking the mouse a few times it great, but at the same time, after reading this article, part of me thinks that this power is being abused.
Laziness. That's the big problem here. People are getting too lazy to get up and go to a library to do research on whatever. People want the "easy way out", i.e the internet. Now, I shouldn't be one to talk because I do most, if not all, of my research and whatnot on the internet. I'm not proud of the this, but it's hard not to lean towards doing it. This is what I grew up with. Doing things the easy way.
Now, most people say "There's nothing wrong with doing things on the internet." No, there's not. But there is a problem with doing EVERYTHING on the web. Think about it. When you use Google to look things up, you can scan through thousands of pages without even opening to website. For example, if you type in "How to tie a knot" you get 35,100,000 results to pick from. On the first page alone, there are about ten or so results. Under each link there is always a description of what is on the website. It makes it easy and extremely fast to see if that website has what you're looking for or not. Where if you were to use a book, you have to find the book, find the page, and read the section just to know what information was contained. It takes twice as long and more effort, yet you gain more from it. You put more effort into it and in the end you're going to learn more on the subject you were looking up. Whereas for Google, you learn nothing but the information you set out to find.
So yes, after reading this article and thinking very deeply on this subject, I do believe that Google (along with many other search engines) are infact making us stupid.
My parents have told me time and time again that they never had the luxury of the internet. That they were always stuck with paging through book after book searching for the right information. Personally, I can't even begin to comprehend not having the web to find the answers to my every question. It is getting to the point where I don't even want to think about not having easy access to everything. Sure, being able to find everything you need just by clicking the mouse a few times it great, but at the same time, after reading this article, part of me thinks that this power is being abused.
Laziness. That's the big problem here. People are getting too lazy to get up and go to a library to do research on whatever. People want the "easy way out", i.e the internet. Now, I shouldn't be one to talk because I do most, if not all, of my research and whatnot on the internet. I'm not proud of the this, but it's hard not to lean towards doing it. This is what I grew up with. Doing things the easy way.
Now, most people say "There's nothing wrong with doing things on the internet." No, there's not. But there is a problem with doing EVERYTHING on the web. Think about it. When you use Google to look things up, you can scan through thousands of pages without even opening to website. For example, if you type in "How to tie a knot" you get 35,100,000 results to pick from. On the first page alone, there are about ten or so results. Under each link there is always a description of what is on the website. It makes it easy and extremely fast to see if that website has what you're looking for or not. Where if you were to use a book, you have to find the book, find the page, and read the section just to know what information was contained. It takes twice as long and more effort, yet you gain more from it. You put more effort into it and in the end you're going to learn more on the subject you were looking up. Whereas for Google, you learn nothing but the information you set out to find.
So yes, after reading this article and thinking very deeply on this subject, I do believe that Google (along with many other search engines) are infact making us stupid.
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