Throughtout the course, I have learned the elements of order and chaos. My choices are Command+Military leader and Structure+Government for order, in addition, Disorder+New York City, Confusion+Black Friday and Upset+Protests for chaos. Comparing my thoughts before the course and after it allows me to clearly see how much I have evolved my ideas of order and chaos through my study in the class.
1, Command+Military Leader
Order can be described as command as shown in the world in the book, 1984. In the story, Big Brother is the top as can be seen from "the entire group of people broke into a deep, slow, rhythmical chant of "B-B!...B-B!...B-B!" over and over again" (Orwell 16). Also, people are forced to live under the themes of the government, which are "WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH." (Orwell 4). Because of the control of the government, people are not allowed to be against the system and have to believe that Big Brother is the supreme leader of the region. Therefore, it can be said that depending on the leader such as a milirary leader or Big Brother in 1984, people's lives can be distinct because those leaders can be described as order.
2, Disorder+New York City
When it comes to disorder, I think that the world in Blade Runner fits it. In the movie, Los Angels in 2020 is illustrated as destopia. Although technology is more advanced, the city is old and decayed. It is because most of people in the world have moved to other planets and only people who cannot affort it remain in the city. Even though at the beginning of the course, I believed enormous cities such as New York City and Tokyo are disordered, after watching the movie, I started to consider that in those cities, people more actively live and enjoy their lives to a certain extent, compared to the world in Blade Runner. Chaos has a lot to do with people's life style, so except for some elements like crimes, I do not regard New York City as chaotic anymore.
3, Confusion+Black Friday
I think confusion is a good synonym for chaos. In the story, Once Upon a Time, Nadine Gordimer creates a fairly tale including her view of the system apartheid, which consisted of segregative laws and valid in South Africa between 1948 and 1991. She implies how chaotic and dangerous it is to live in the place, where white people and black people are against each other, which is caused by the separation. For example, she expresses "there are police and soldiers and tear-gas and guns to keep them away" and "The riots were suppresssed, but there were many burglaries in the suburb [...] " As a result, she expresses the place as a fearful place to live in and it seems that she is confused of the chaotic situation in the country.
4, Upset+Protests
The feeling, upset, has a lot to do with chaos. One of the instances of the feeling is explained in The Book of Job. When Job lost everything, at first he was still optimistic as can be seen from his lines, "Foolish woman, have you lost your mind? We have accepted good fortune from God; we can accept bad fortune, too" (The Book of Job 8). However, once he began to be upset, he started to say negative things like "How can I prove my innocence? Do I have to beg him for mercy? If I testify, will he answer? Is he listening to my plea? He has punished me for a trifle" (The Book of Job 8). Above all, once he gets upset, he starts to be against God. Therefore, I claim that chaos is deeply connected to people's feelings.
5, Fluid+War
In the book, Night, the tragedy is effectively expressed like "Only three days ago, people were living here. People who owned the things we were using now. They had been expelled. And we had already forgotten all about them" (Wiesel 20). I had known the war negatively affects people's lives; however, it was surprising to know how much and fluidly peole's lives could transform due to the war.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Reflecting on Dr. Jacobson's lecture Lecture
Throughout the lecture given by Dr. Jacobson, I learned about Dynamical Systems and Chaos Theory. Most of the lecture was mathematical, so the lecture gave me a new view of chaos. The most interesting fact that I learned is that even simple dynamical systems can produce arbitrarily complicated behavior. One of the instances was shown through the formula; y=x²-c. C is called parameters and small changes in the initial value causes large changed in the value of later numbers of the sequence. In other words, the larger the parameter gets, the more complicated the behavior becomes. In addition, it happens the same way for almost every dynamical system. In my opinion, chaos in daily life is caused in a similar way to the theory, just like the relationship between x and c and the amount of them.Space Ritual. 27 Novemeber 2007. Online image. flickr. retrieved from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceritual/2068273907/
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Reflecting on Professor Kjar's lecture
I learned about evolution throughout the lecture given by Professor Kjar. First of all, I learned that when it comes to the topic, evolution, it is likely to include a variety of aspects such as theories, hypothesises, facts and truth. They appear to be all the same, each one is significantly different from each other. For instance, while facts are always the same as a conclusion not depending on the person, trush is something that you know. Evolution is likely to be believed as creation myths, which are different depending on regions and so it can be said that evolution is deeply related to the person's perspective or beliefs. However, in fact evolution always has something to do
with biological facts. I was also surprised at the fact that evolution has a lot to do with science and it can be taken place because of a lot of elements like mutation, recombination and genetic drift. Professor Kjar explained since science has been developed rapidly, it could affect the way how creatures evolve. However, the most interesting fact that I personally found during the lecture was that to focus on the origin of the human being, we are related to each other. This line added new perspective to me in terms of evolution because this is what I had never come up with. Before the lecture, I had never been familiar with the topic because it had seemed to be too complicated and not related to me. However, now I feel evolution is somewhat connected to me as a human being.
Pardeshi. 8 October 2007. Online image. flickr. retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pardeshi/1514977212/
with biological facts. I was also surprised at the fact that evolution has a lot to do with science and it can be taken place because of a lot of elements like mutation, recombination and genetic drift. Professor Kjar explained since science has been developed rapidly, it could affect the way how creatures evolve. However, the most interesting fact that I personally found during the lecture was that to focus on the origin of the human being, we are related to each other. This line added new perspective to me in terms of evolution because this is what I had never come up with. Before the lecture, I had never been familiar with the topic because it had seemed to be too complicated and not related to me. However, now I feel evolution is somewhat connected to me as a human being.Pardeshi. 8 October 2007. Online image. flickr. retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pardeshi/1514977212/
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Discussion Questions Related to Blade Runner
1. Blade Runner is best known for its cyberpunk mise en scene (design aspects of the film): the incredibly dense texture of its shots. Watch very carefully and describe the 2020 culture the movie suggests visually.
In Blade Runner, I consider that the world in 2020 is illustrated as destopia, which is old and decayed despite the high-technology. As I have just been to Los Angeles, where is the main stage of the film, I can compare the difference between the present one and the one which is illustrated in the movie. I found that although L.A. seems to have a variety of population such as Asian and Hispanic, it appears that the city in the film has more mixed and each culture is more influential. For instance, in the film people speak a variety of languages such as Japanese, Korean and German. Also, there are a lot of signs which are written in those languages. I analyze it is because those people, who do not afford to move to other planets, suddenly started to be forced to live in the dense city because of the environment of the earth. This is interesting because the phenomenon which seems to be taking place all over the world is globalization. In other words, every culture is getting similar or perhaps Americanized. However, what is expressed in the film is completely different.
2. One of the most dramatic philosophical points made in the movie is that we can't trust our memories: they may have been implanted in us regardless of how true they seem. what is the main reason that we trust our memories as more or less accurate accounts of our past events?
We are likely to judge things depending on our memories. I think the main reason for this is because our memories are a lot to do with our emotions. Emotions include a lot of elements such as love, hate, anger, jealousy, sorrow, fear, despair and happiness. For instance, when I was in junior high school, I belonged to a soccer team. I never forget the last game we played as a past event even though it has been more than 5 years. This is because after we lost the game, I looked back the incident over and over again as a regrettable memory. So, it still brings back bad memories. This can be explained by my statement, our memories have a lot to do with our emotions. If I had not felt anything about the game, I would not trust the memory or maybe I would have forgotten about it already. Consequently, I believe that because we strognly feel something which will eventually become a memory, we tend to trust the memory. Also, the stronger the emotion is, the more we are likely to trust the memory as an accurate account of our past event.
In Blade Runner, I consider that the world in 2020 is illustrated as destopia, which is old and decayed despite the high-technology. As I have just been to Los Angeles, where is the main stage of the film, I can compare the difference between the present one and the one which is illustrated in the movie. I found that although L.A. seems to have a variety of population such as Asian and Hispanic, it appears that the city in the film has more mixed and each culture is more influential. For instance, in the film people speak a variety of languages such as Japanese, Korean and German. Also, there are a lot of signs which are written in those languages. I analyze it is because those people, who do not afford to move to other planets, suddenly started to be forced to live in the dense city because of the environment of the earth. This is interesting because the phenomenon which seems to be taking place all over the world is globalization. In other words, every culture is getting similar or perhaps Americanized. However, what is expressed in the film is completely different.
2. One of the most dramatic philosophical points made in the movie is that we can't trust our memories: they may have been implanted in us regardless of how true they seem. what is the main reason that we trust our memories as more or less accurate accounts of our past events?
We are likely to judge things depending on our memories. I think the main reason for this is because our memories are a lot to do with our emotions. Emotions include a lot of elements such as love, hate, anger, jealousy, sorrow, fear, despair and happiness. For instance, when I was in junior high school, I belonged to a soccer team. I never forget the last game we played as a past event even though it has been more than 5 years. This is because after we lost the game, I looked back the incident over and over again as a regrettable memory. So, it still brings back bad memories. This can be explained by my statement, our memories have a lot to do with our emotions. If I had not felt anything about the game, I would not trust the memory or maybe I would have forgotten about it already. Consequently, I believe that because we strognly feel something which will eventually become a memory, we tend to trust the memory. Also, the stronger the emotion is, the more we are likely to trust the memory as an accurate account of our past event.
Twilightzone1960. 24 December 2008. Online image. flickr. retreived from
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Reflecting on Dr. Jesse Kabwila Kapasula's Lecture
On 8th March k
nown as International Women's Day, I had a lecture given by Dr. Jesse Kabwila Kapasula. She is a lady from Malawi and the topic was feminism. During the lecture, she kept us entertained by showing videos and telling jokes. I was surprised at the fact that feminism started in North America and spread to most parts of the world. Even in Japan, where has a compulitely different culture, it is said that the phenomenon has become common in the last few decades. For example, I heard the news that even after women get married and have children, some companies guarantee those women's positions. I think that even gender include inevitable different roles, when it comes about job opportunities or education, I think men and women should be treated equally. The song "single ladies" by Beyonce gives a perfect example of elements for feminism. In the song, it can be seen that she complains about the way her boy friend treats her.
Social Geographic. 7 March 2009. Online image. flickr. retreived from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/social _geographic/3337573972/
nown as International Women's Day, I had a lecture given by Dr. Jesse Kabwila Kapasula. She is a lady from Malawi and the topic was feminism. During the lecture, she kept us entertained by showing videos and telling jokes. I was surprised at the fact that feminism started in North America and spread to most parts of the world. Even in Japan, where has a compulitely different culture, it is said that the phenomenon has become common in the last few decades. For example, I heard the news that even after women get married and have children, some companies guarantee those women's positions. I think that even gender include inevitable different roles, when it comes about job opportunities or education, I think men and women should be treated equally. The song "single ladies" by Beyonce gives a perfect example of elements for feminism. In the song, it can be seen that she complains about the way her boy friend treats her.Social Geographic. 7 March 2009. Online image. flickr. retreived from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/social _geographic/3337573972/
Friday, March 12, 2010
Reflecting on Professor Lemak's Lecture,
1. How do we balance social justice with moral authority, or just with unjust laws?
I think that moral authority plays an important role in shaping social justice. Because of the existance of moral authority, people hesitate to do things they are not supposed to do. Actually, most people naturally balance social justice with moral authority to a certain extent.
2. What constitutes social responsibility and justice, and what is the relationship between freedom and power?
I believe that our rights as citizens in a certain place constitutes socail responsibility and justice. As we have the right to do something, it also means that we are responsible for ourselves and our actions in society. I think that freedom and power are deeply related and I consider that the relationship can be disrinct depending on the leader. If the leader tries to get power to bring freedom to the society, it works in a positive way. On the other hand, supposing the leader was tyrannical, it would be difficult for people to obtain freedom. Also, freedom could result in new power because with freedom, they have more chances to express themselves and act in his or her way.
3. What constitu
tes leadership and how do leaders confront moral choices?
As Professor Lemak mentioned, leaders are not super heroes, but humans; however I believe that good leaders are consistent in his or her decision. What is more, the leader has to convince people to get involved in his or her decision by speaking to those people. Then, the leader can effectively lead other people because they understand they have the same ambition to achieve. For instance, I respect Nelson Mandela as a leader, I think his leadership is prominent considering the fact that he never stopped insisting the abolition of apartheid even when he was imprisoned.
b1968. 7 May 2007. Online image. flickr. retrieved from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85788705@N00/489420674/
I think that moral authority plays an important role in shaping social justice. Because of the existance of moral authority, people hesitate to do things they are not supposed to do. Actually, most people naturally balance social justice with moral authority to a certain extent.
2. What constitutes social responsibility and justice, and what is the relationship between freedom and power?
I believe that our rights as citizens in a certain place constitutes socail responsibility and justice. As we have the right to do something, it also means that we are responsible for ourselves and our actions in society. I think that freedom and power are deeply related and I consider that the relationship can be disrinct depending on the leader. If the leader tries to get power to bring freedom to the society, it works in a positive way. On the other hand, supposing the leader was tyrannical, it would be difficult for people to obtain freedom. Also, freedom could result in new power because with freedom, they have more chances to express themselves and act in his or her way.
3. What constitu
tes leadership and how do leaders confront moral choices?As Professor Lemak mentioned, leaders are not super heroes, but humans; however I believe that good leaders are consistent in his or her decision. What is more, the leader has to convince people to get involved in his or her decision by speaking to those people. Then, the leader can effectively lead other people because they understand they have the same ambition to achieve. For instance, I respect Nelson Mandela as a leader, I think his leadership is prominent considering the fact that he never stopped insisting the abolition of apartheid even when he was imprisoned.
b1968. 7 May 2007. Online image. flickr. retrieved from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85788705@N00/489420674/
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Film Critique: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Questions from "self" unit:
Who am I?
It is hard to answer the question. I can state some of my characteristics. However, when it comes to the question, "Who am I?", I am not able to answer it. For instance, I do not really know why I was born and what I am living for. I believe that one of the aims of our lives is to find out who we are. The self could vary depending on the situation. In other words, our selfs are gained through our experience. Therefore, I insist that there is no answer for the question probably for everyone because we could change a lot as long as we are alive.
Is there a self that I can control?
I think that I can control some of my selfs. For example, I myself made a decision to study in the United States. I think through experience people gain, they learn how to control themselves. Interestingly, people manage to make easy decisions in their daily lives such as how long they sleep, what they eat and where they go. However, none of them is able to control all of our selfs. Our decisions are deeply related to their mind, which is gained thorough experience and memories. Taken all together, I claim that it is essential for people to experience a lot in order to control selfs and make wise decisions.
Film Critique Questions:
What is the significance of the Title?
Even though both Joel and Clementine decided to erase their memories in order to get spotless mind, they started to be attracted to each other again. The title mentions the importance of memories, which could become the base of ourselves. Even after they got spotless mind, their memories were still in their mind because the memories had already become a part of their selfs.
What is the message to the audience?
I think that the message of the movie to the audience is the significance of memories including unpleasant ones. I agreed with Joel's realization. He realized how big his love is in the process of erasing his memories. I also would not be willing to erase my bad memories even if I got a chance. Because of those memoris, I have been able to make more efforts to secceed and I have learned a lot. This movie allowed me to think more about self.
Who am I?
It is hard to answer the question. I can state some of my characteristics. However, when it comes to the question, "Who am I?", I am not able to answer it. For instance, I do not really know why I was born and what I am living for. I believe that one of the aims of our lives is to find out who we are. The self could vary depending on the situation. In other words, our selfs are gained through our experience. Therefore, I insist that there is no answer for the question probably for everyone because we could change a lot as long as we are alive.
Is there a self that I can control?
I think that I can control some of my selfs. For example, I myself made a decision to study in the United States. I think through experience people gain, they learn how to control themselves. Interestingly, people manage to make easy decisions in their daily lives such as how long they sleep, what they eat and where they go. However, none of them is able to control all of our selfs. Our decisions are deeply related to their mind, which is gained thorough experience and memories. Taken all together, I claim that it is essential for people to experience a lot in order to control selfs and make wise decisions.
Film Critique Questions:
What is the significance of the Title?
Even though both Joel and Clementine decided to erase their memories in order to get spotless mind, they started to be attracted to each other again. The title mentions the importance of memories, which could become the base of ourselves. Even after they got spotless mind, their memories were still in their mind because the memories had already become a part of their selfs.
What is the message to the audience?
I think that the message of the movie to the audience is the significance of memories including unpleasant ones. I agreed with Joel's realization. He realized how big his love is in the process of erasing his memories. I also would not be willing to erase my bad memories even if I got a chance. Because of those memoris, I have been able to make more efforts to secceed and I have learned a lot. This movie allowed me to think more about self.
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