I'm going to have to get Mr. Gunter on top of this. I teach 1984 & he teaches BNW. He has this quote that he's brought up before regarding their premises (that I'm about to miserably misquote): 1984 is how the things we fear will destroy us and BNW is how the things we love will destroy us. I think that's appropriate.
I saw a movie version of it once, so I'm vaguely aware of the concept. It was New Year's Eve & I think I stayed up way later than anyone else and watched the cheesy movies that were on TV. I knew it was about a dystopian society, but I didn't know it was BNW until the end. I'm pretty sure it had Leonard Nimoy in it. I'll have to IMDB that bad boy.
(Btw, I'm rambling like an idiot because I've been reading research papers & writing a final. Also, I had a nasty cold earlier in the week that I miraculously recovered from, but my head still feels a little bit beaten-about.)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Brave New World
I just finished reading Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I had never read it before, and it was definitely interesting. I found the setting and descriptions much more interesting than the plot, by the way.
In Brave New World, the dystopia is based on control of the people through entertainment and pleasure as opposed to force, as in 1984. The ideas of oppression and control are so similar, but the means are completely different. In 1984, control is through force and fear, whereas in Brave New World, the goal is for each individual to experience complete happiness so that they no longer understand or care about personhood.
With all the fears about the way America is changing and the government becoming such a large part of our lives, this is interesting if not suprising. In both dystopias, the government encompasses absolutely everything, leaving no room for individual choice or expression. Brave New World was published in the early 1930s, and it must have sounded crazy then. I read some other things Huxley wrote much later, looking back, and he wrote that it really was happening, and much faster than he imagined then.
Also intriguing is that Huxley was British and was condemning the Americanization of the world, the assembly line, interchangeable parts and people, the pursuit of pleasure above all else. (The most disturbing element of Brave New World to me is that humans are not robots at all but are completely interchangeable. They are "encouraged" to not form any lasting bonds with any one person.) That puts a new spin on seeing ourselves as others see us. Right now Americans are supposed to be understanding as never before that the rest of the world doesn't like us and doesn't want to be like us, and we are supposed to be ashamed for being Americans. This was written before that was a popular opinion here, as far as I know, and it's a fascinating thing to think about in retrospect.
Whether you've read Brave New World or not, what are your thoughts? I think the 1984 version is a scarier idea, but this is so much more likely to happen, already happening, that it's pretty frightening. Is it worth caring about and fighting, or is it really that bad? If there's no one to even really remember what freedom was, will it matter?
In Brave New World, the dystopia is based on control of the people through entertainment and pleasure as opposed to force, as in 1984. The ideas of oppression and control are so similar, but the means are completely different. In 1984, control is through force and fear, whereas in Brave New World, the goal is for each individual to experience complete happiness so that they no longer understand or care about personhood.
With all the fears about the way America is changing and the government becoming such a large part of our lives, this is interesting if not suprising. In both dystopias, the government encompasses absolutely everything, leaving no room for individual choice or expression. Brave New World was published in the early 1930s, and it must have sounded crazy then. I read some other things Huxley wrote much later, looking back, and he wrote that it really was happening, and much faster than he imagined then.
Also intriguing is that Huxley was British and was condemning the Americanization of the world, the assembly line, interchangeable parts and people, the pursuit of pleasure above all else. (The most disturbing element of Brave New World to me is that humans are not robots at all but are completely interchangeable. They are "encouraged" to not form any lasting bonds with any one person.) That puts a new spin on seeing ourselves as others see us. Right now Americans are supposed to be understanding as never before that the rest of the world doesn't like us and doesn't want to be like us, and we are supposed to be ashamed for being Americans. This was written before that was a popular opinion here, as far as I know, and it's a fascinating thing to think about in retrospect.
Whether you've read Brave New World or not, what are your thoughts? I think the 1984 version is a scarier idea, but this is so much more likely to happen, already happening, that it's pretty frightening. Is it worth caring about and fighting, or is it really that bad? If there's no one to even really remember what freedom was, will it matter?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
My DailyLit
I'm getting Leonard Maltin's 151 Best Movies You've Never Seen. I'm intrigued, but I have yet to actually see any of the movies I've never seen.
I'm always up for a little Capra, though, and there was a Capra film for number 12 or something.
I'm always up for a little Capra, though, and there was a Capra film for number 12 or something.
www.dailylit.com
What did you tell me you are reading on DailyLit.com now? I was interested, and now I can't remember. I'm starting to get tired of C.S. Lewis' poetry right now. It's not that it's not interesting, but it turns out I don't want to read it every day.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tweets & Books
So I spent a good half-hour last night trying to find/sign-in to/update my Twitter account and follow someone other than Anderson Cooper (Channel One Alum! Whattup!). And now I've forgotten what my account name is. Sigh.
Yeah, I couldn't stand Gatsby the first time I read (ahem.. listened to the audiobook of) it. It seemed slow-moving and bogged down in description. Having read it aloud to a class at least 4 times a year the last four years, though, I've come across things I find more meaningful. The kids can't stand all the characterization (and no action! OMG!), but I try to put it in the context of bored, rich party people and the inverse hierarchy of morals to money. I mean, minus explicit sex, isn't that what The Hills and Gossip Girl are about anyway?
Yeah, I couldn't stand Gatsby the first time I read (ahem.. listened to the audiobook of) it. It seemed slow-moving and bogged down in description. Having read it aloud to a class at least 4 times a year the last four years, though, I've come across things I find more meaningful. The kids can't stand all the characterization (and no action! OMG!), but I try to put it in the context of bored, rich party people and the inverse hierarchy of morals to money. I mean, minus explicit sex, isn't that what The Hills and Gossip Girl are about anyway?
Yes, I did read The Great Gatsby. It wasn't bad, but I can't say I've given it much thought since. I feel like I remember the pacing being uneven, but it's definitely about characterizations much more than action. There were definitely some character oddities. The rich people prove to be empty, but that was kind of the point, I think. Then there is the out-of-nowhere climax. I wish I could remember more about it! I would be happy to discuss specific questions. It may jog my memory.
You're kidding about Cliffs Notes! I have heard of Sparknotes, but I kind of thought of that as a knockoff. Ha.
You're kidding about Cliffs Notes! I have heard of Sparknotes, but I kind of thought of that as a knockoff. Ha.
The Great Gatsby
Did you ever read the book? You said you were, but I didn't hear anything about it. I'm about to start it with my AP kids & I'd like to be able to add something to the discussion, so I was thinking you could read it & blog about it & then I could add that into the conversation in my class. Like having a 3rd voice in the class: (1)the teacher's voice, (2)someone who has read the book's voice, (3)the students who have only read the Sparknotes'* voice.
*Did you know that these kids don't know what Cliff's Notes are? They know Sparknotes, but have never heard of Cliff's Notes and don't recognize the familiar black & yellow book covers. Crazy. Some marketing guy at Sparknotes should get a bonus.
*Did you know that these kids don't know what Cliff's Notes are? They know Sparknotes, but have never heard of Cliff's Notes and don't recognize the familiar black & yellow book covers. Crazy. Some marketing guy at Sparknotes should get a bonus.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Oh, no I've never heard of that. I'll check it out.
I don't fault you for not doing twitter. I do have it on my phone, but I rarely use it on there. I just do it because I sit in front of a computer all day and don't usually have anyone to talk to, and it can be very amusing once you figure out who you like to follow and who will tweet links to things you're interested in.
Tweets & NPR
I never really do twitter. Is it because I can’t access it from work? Yes. And perhaps because I haven’t downloaded the app to my phone because I find myself doin’ alright without it. Hmm, I’ll have to consider this.
Speaking of twitter, there was a great joke about the tweeting on “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” on NPR the other day. Have you ever listened to that? It’s like a current events game show on the radio with special guests & the ability to call in & participate. I think you’d like it. I download them on iTunes & listen when I can.
Speaking of twitter, there was a great joke about the tweeting on “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” on NPR the other day. Have you ever listened to that? It’s like a current events game show on the radio with special guests & the ability to call in & participate. I think you’d like it. I download them on iTunes & listen when I can.
TV Pruning
I've never watched Ghost Whisperer. Good? Although, yes, I don't need to add anything else! I watch my TV slowly but steadily. I've had to drop a few things, but it was worth it. I've dropped Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, just not worth it, and I've postponed The Office. That was an accident, but I missed so much that I'm just going to watch the whole season this summer or something. I did watch the episode where the baby is born, though.
Okay, yes, I remember reading that Adam Baldwin is on Chuck. His Firefly character is really funny. On Firefly, he's not really bright, but he's the muscle and force. Plus, everyone on that show says funny things, him included.
Another Brent Spiner thing. I started following him on twitter recently, and it's amusing. He has a weird relationship with his fans, and he's very dry. I don't try to tweet him or anything, but it's fun to read.
More About TV
Also (!), Casey from Chuck was on Firefly and he is probably my absolute favorite character (which, from what I gather, is very similar to the spirit of his Firefly character). His name is Adam Baldwin and I think the connection between the two is his gun-lovingness.
I’m still barely able to get in the TV I want to see now and I don’t like to be sitting in front of a show if I can’t be fully engaged in it, so I tend to save good TV for times when Clark is gone, busy or sleeping. Instead, I watch reruns of Ghost Whisperer.
I’m still barely able to get in the TV I want to see now and I don’t like to be sitting in front of a show if I can’t be fully engaged in it, so I tend to save good TV for times when Clark is gone, busy or sleeping. Instead, I watch reruns of Ghost Whisperer.
Chuck is on my Netflix also. Nerd goodness, but not scifi, right? I have such a long list, but I love how TV has evolved into this thing where you can do all of it as you're ready. I also think that TV is at a place where it is much, much better than the movies in general. The level of skill, storytelling, all that, is just so far above what you get at the movies.
BSG, the new one, is just amazing. There are slow moments, nothing's perfect, but wow. Firefly had enough good moments to keep me going through the whole series, and I really enjoyed it, and Nathan Fillion is my crush, but I can still see why it got cancelled. It just wasn't quite tight enough or something.
I don't know about the new Dune that you reference, but I have gathered that it spawned lots of follow-ups. You know me, I'm a bit purist, so I'm starting at the beginning with originals. I can tell you that the original book is good and I look forward to picking it up every time.
I try not to read much about Dune online until I'm done with it, but I came across some people who think that Star Wars is a ripoff, more than just influenced by Dune, and I can see what they're saying, but it still is totally a different story, and Lucas still had to come up with the characters and everything. It's more like the setting is the same with different names. The tones are different as well. I was a little disappointed that the Star Wars universe itself isn't original, since that's the backbone of a sci fi piece to me, but still, SW has its own merits.
Television Nerdhood/Greatness
Ok, I haven’t really done Battlestar Galactica yet, but Frankie knows the old one. Love Lost, watched a few episodes of Firefly back when it was on (liked it). I was okay with Buffy, but we both really liked Angel. I remember watching Threshold back in the day. (I had a “wishlist” on my Tivo that recorded anything with Brent Spiner in it.) I watched the occasional Stargate, but remember loving the movie. I know absolutely nothing about Babylon 5, though.
I watched the new Dune a few years ago, but wasn’t too into it. (I was watching it with/for Frankie) I had no idea it was related to Star Wars, but now that I google it, I see that Lucas acknowledged it’s influence on his work. Good to know.
I also don’t know too much about comics. I know about the movies and Frankie fills me in on the connections that are hinted at or behind the scenes in movies. In that vein, though, we really love Chuck. It’s nerd/spy goodness: Chuck embodies a lot of the things that Frankie is/loves. It’s good times.
I watched the new Dune a few years ago, but wasn’t too into it. (I was watching it with/for Frankie) I had no idea it was related to Star Wars, but now that I google it, I see that Lucas acknowledged it’s influence on his work. Good to know.
I also don’t know too much about comics. I know about the movies and Frankie fills me in on the connections that are hinted at or behind the scenes in movies. In that vein, though, we really love Chuck. It’s nerd/spy goodness: Chuck embodies a lot of the things that Frankie is/loves. It’s good times.
SciFi Goodness
I knew, I was joking!
Yes, I totally remember! I still pull the
Dude, that would be fun! I started looking for conventions in
I'm reading Dune right now, and I'm absolutely amazed. It's very good, and I just read about 10-20 pages at night before I go to sleep. Plan to watch the movie when I'm done. I've always heard of Dune, but I didn't realize that the Star Wars universe is taken from Dune, based on Dune, whatever. Star Wars takes place far in the past, though, right? Dune is far into the future, but that's a small point really. Are the Star Wars humans supposed to be related to us?
What about comic books, though? People who like the movies/TV that I like seem to be really into that, too, and I haven't found an interest yet. Is there something really good that I should start with? Have you read any?
I'm so into entertainment. Is that wrong?
I meant that I didn’t have words for how funny that was.
When we got that free trip to Vegas a couple of years ago, I purposely scheduled it for the week of the convention. We didn’t go to any of the “convention” things but we went to the casino that hosted it & there was Quark’s bar & lots of people dressed up & a shop. Remember? I bought myself (and you?) a Starfleet Academy tshirt.
When we got that free trip to Vegas a couple of years ago, I purposely scheduled it for the week of the convention. We didn’t go to any of the “convention” things but we went to the casino that hosted it & there was Quark’s bar & lots of people dressed up & a shop. Remember? I bought myself (and you?) a Starfleet Academy tshirt.
Aaah! I used to look at this site all the time and haven't in forever now. Okay, I love Star Trek, but I would just know better than to do that.
My boss is going to a Star Trek convention in Vegas this fall, and he totally buys the photo ops, too. He already has pictures of himself with several of them, and he's filling in a couple of gaps this year. He keeps telling me, you and Wesley should just go. Just take a few days and go. Then, I actually looked into it, and it really isn't nearly as expensive as I thought it would be, but still, Wesley would never go for it. And it still would be several hundreds of dollars. I'd like to do that someday, but it's one of those things where I can imagine lots of other things to do with the money, too.
I guess I did have words, ha.
My boss is going to a Star Trek convention in Vegas this fall, and he totally buys the photo ops, too. He already has pictures of himself with several of them, and he's filling in a couple of gaps this year. He keeps telling me, you and Wesley should just go. Just take a few days and go. Then, I actually looked into it, and it really isn't nearly as expensive as I thought it would be, but still, Wesley would never go for it. And it still would be several hundreds of dollars. I'd like to do that someday, but it's one of those things where I can imagine lots of other things to do with the money, too.
I guess I did have words, ha.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)