False Photography

First off, I'd like to say that the pictures of the celebrities pictures that were touched up are crazy, that's something that I think should be more publisized because girls everywhere are comparing themselves to and trying to become something that is not even real. It is impossible to be like something that is not even real.
I also think that its insane that history has altered people out of pictures that were not wanted, I never even considered this something that people would even consider doing, since history is such an important matter. As for the picture of the basketball player, I dont think that should be allowed in the media. I think it is one thing for pictures of people to be touched up or photo shopped it is taking it to another level by taking people completely out of pictures.

Read more!

Announcement II-21-07

Folks,

  I've added another very interesting website for discussion next week. Please see the main course site http://cust100-notes.blogspot.com/ for details. Hope your break is going well!

Cheers & Best,

Michael

Read more!

Animal Farm

I found animal farm to be an interesting read, it was not much like the other novels that i've been asked to read this year during school. It had more of a unrealistic story line to it (talking animals and such) which i found less interesting personally. I thought the movie portrayed the novel well but it left out all of the detail that i experienced through reading the book.

Read more!

The Animal Farm

I think that squealer the pig displays a good example of rhetorics in speech. The whole time that I read the book Animal Farm I thought how could these animals be so stupid. I wonder if in the real history of the Russian Revolution there were a bunch of people who were so stupidly misguided by some liar who specialized in the art of rhetorics as the animals were by squealer in the Animal Farm. Worse yet, I wonder if I would be one of those people.

Read more!

Essay Suggestions...

Instead of comparing the play to the Alice story, compare a movie adaptation to the Alice story? This has not yet been approved by Sarah... I'm waiting for a response.

Write about the history and rhetoric of the Russian Revolution in Animal Farm. I think I might do this one! I didnt get to see the play...

If someone knows nothing about the Russian Revolution, is Animal Farm as effective? What does the reader get out of the story then?

Read more!

Animal Farm as a Historical Fable

The difference of interpretation in 2 types of fables:

Because the fable “To Build A Fire” is not based on historical events, events can be exaggerated as it moves away from the truth. Animal Farm however uses animals to show the truth of the Russian Revolution.

Because Animal Farm is an allegoric story it has point by point connections to reality (The Russian Revolution). The characters and the setting do move away from reality considering it is about farm animals, however it explains reality.

The other fable is an exageration of reality. Considering Tom Vincent fell into ice water, realistically his chances of surviving with no one around to assist him are minimal. Most people die within minutes of falling into ice water. It is also unrealistic that he survived the ice water considering he was not wearing a personal floating device. There is even a slim chance of lighting a fire after falling in the ice water. Although he showed signs of hypothermia – extreme shivering, numbness, fatigue, impaired ability and aches – the time and the ability to try to light a fire numerous times seems unrealistic. This fable does not explain reality.

Read more!

Animal Farm

I read Animal Farm in High School. Reading it this time it means something different. I guess I am a little more knowledgable of the Russian Revolution. I think with maturity I was able to look past the talking animals, which I though was silly in high school, and actually get the message. Orwell leaves little for our interpretation. The book is obviously based on historical figures. I couldn't read it and think it's about something totally different. Even with limited historical knowledge, you know the book is political.

Read more!

Next Essay

So I was just wondering if anyone had really though of any topics for which we could write on. I'm sure I'm not the only person but I have been racking my brain and have yet to think of a topic that seems to be worth while, anyone have any ideas they would like to throw out there? I mean we dont necessarily have to do that topic word for word but it would be good if we could get some solid ideas out there that we could even get other ideas from. As soon as I come up with anything decent I will post them right away. Thanks guys. See you in class.

Read more!