iEdu

I have been reading, viewing, and hearing a lot about the future of education recently and it has really caught my interest. More specifically, I've been reading about how new technology is being fused into the classroom via video visual aids, instant communication with professors and students, and of course the internet's cornucopia of endless knowledge.

Today Apple unleashed its new 3G iPhone. I have personally been craving such a device for almost a year, but have found the price a little too steep for my preferences, my parents agree considering they pay the cell phone bill. However, there has been a dramatic change. Not only has the price dropped considerably, but a whole new adventure has begun in discovering the new capabilities of the iPhone. They are truly endless. From 3D gaming to biding on Ebay, new applications developed by private developers will unleash the full furry of such a device.

This is all great, but what does it have to do with education? During the keynote presentation Steve Job's and other made at the Worldwide Developer's Conference today, Apple discussed the fusion of the iPhone into enterprises. All sorts of companies, including commercial banks, pharmaceutical companies, and entertainment companies, will be able to fully integrate their business into the iPhone what seems to be flawlessly.

All these new programs and applications got me thinking that I really could use this product now before I got into the working world. I would love for a blackboard program to be fully functional with my iPhone. I would love to not have to bring my laptop with me everywhere and risk loosing it, when all I really need is to look at my assignments or view the online discussion my class is having. Blogging for literature based classes could be done from anywhere, I wouldn't need a WiFi network, just cellphone service. I could take sample quizzes to help study for my test during my 9 hour club hockey bus ride to Atlanta. A continuous flow of ideas and applications of this new technology is happening right now. I just wish I knew how to develop and write programs.

I am going to keep researching this new technology and coming up with new applications it could have to make my life more efficient and richer.

Blogging

I remember when we set our blogs, I was a little tentative about managing my own blog. HOwever, now I have come to realize the importance of having a blog. Through my blog I was better able to express ideas that I might have had in class, but wasn't able to fully explicate or if I had an idea outside of class that I just needed to get written down before I could forget. I feel that with my blog I had the freedom to write about whatever I wanted. I feel that I will continue with my blog. Recently I have begun taking breaks from studying and have been doing a lot of creative writing. I feel that posting my new work will be a good idea. As of now I am working on a new line of themed poetry and a short screenplay. I don't know how good any of it is, but maybe by managing my blog I can write better. We'll see how this goes but I feel that this will be a good experiment.

Real World Profanity

I feel that the use of profanity is often an overlooked concept in writing. Whatever the medium, book, television, or film, profanity can have a powerful impact on the viewer. Some critics believe that using profanity is an unnecessary use of expression and is simply a means of "copping out" rather than writing something original. However, I believe that there is a time and place for using profanity in writing. Sometimes the acts and emotions a character experiences and feels are too overwhelming or graphic to go into detail to. These words embody those acts and emotions simply because the are too much for the characters to deal with. This attests to the humanity of the characters and makes them more believable. In Persepolis, we do not see a major use of profanity until page 74, the scene where the mother has been attacked and threatened. The use of profanity here makes the situation all the more real. In addition, the use of profanity clearly embodies the horrific act described. This also attest the decreasing innocence we see of the narrator.

The Duality of Love

From the readings of Freud I have come to realize the duality of love. The first type of love is the pure physical and chemical love that our animal instincts crave. It is this type of love that leads to procreation not only for humans but all creatures. Then there is other type of love, a family love, " the positive feelings between parents and children"(Freud 58) We have seen people's struggle for both these type of love in our the novels we have read: Sputnik Sweetheart, Age of Iron, and, most recently, Giovanni's Room. Interestingly, in Giovanni's room we see the narrator's struggle between these two types of love. David's family love, has totally been skewed due to the unfulfilled relationship with his father and the lack of a relationship with his deceased mother. On the other hand, David's physical love is directed towards men. However, throughout many instances in the novel, David clearly rejects his seemingly instinctual inclination to be homosexual. I believe that it is the lack of a mother's love as a child resulting in a unfulfilled family love that is the crux of David's confusion. He cannot distinguish between these two types of love as well as not knowing which one he should pursue. It is this conflict that is the foundation of the plot throughout this novel, however their is no clear resolution which is extremely frustrating. Personally, I thought the entire novel was frustrating. If David had read Freud I think he would have been able to make a decision rather than living in guilt.

The Otherside?

I really enjoyed the first half of Sputnik Sweetheart. I thought that author had created an interesting cast of characters who each their own flaws and held a little bit of mystery. Intertwining these characters was an unique plot that got to the heart of discovering and pursuing relationships in a real modern way. The story took a turn in a different direction when Sumire goes missing. I feel that the author took what was a good plot and turned it into a attempt to create modern, mystified, transcendental work. It's just unbelievable and me as the reader had a hard time comprehending it. I wish it had an alternate ending.

Products in Writing

I feel that good writing comes from an author's attention to detail, and the way that they phrase it. Sometimes a subtle description and choosing the "just right" words and phrasing can make the difference between an airport novel and a timeless classic. However, sometimes author's can take detail too far. In the case of Sputnik Sweetheart, I feel that the author abused certain material aspects in two different instances. I do not understand why the author feels it is necessary to use "Powerbook" instead of laptop. This name dropping is unnecessary and takes away from the novel. It dates the novel in a way that 20 or 30 years from now, readers probably won't know what a powerbook is, thus confusing the reader on what I think is a pointless use of specific detail. Another name dropping incident occurs when K goes to grab an Amstel from the fridge. Now I know that a majority of readers will know that Amstel is a type of beer. However, I feel that by naming a specific brand to the beverage, it has taken away from what is really important at that point in the story.

I have never been a fan of brand names in books. In a world filled with advertisements, i know that at least while I am reading I will not be bombarded by commercialism.

Cages

In class on Wednesday we were talking about "cages", and how people can put themselves in them. I do not believe that it is a bad thing to put yourself in a specific cage. Some claim that by putting yourself in a cage you limit yourself to the other things in this world. I disagree. Because human beings are social beings it is imperative that they identify themselves with other people. Thus it is necessary to put yourself in a "cage" with these other people. What we must decide is what cage we find ourselves most comfortable in. In a broader sense, I do not believe that we are limited to just one cage. The more cages we can either associate with or understand, the more connected we as humanity can be.