If I must, I must what?

In the Mary Poppins clip, Mary takes the children to see Uncle Alfred, who is addicted to laughter. When Uncle Alfred laughs, he seems to obtain some type of power and floats straight up to the ceiling, bobbing and spinning about with some magic. Throughout the clip Mary Poppins is the voice of reason against Uncle Alfred's madness, but in the end we see that she also has some special power as she sends the table up to the ceiling to meet the group. " I supposed you expect me to pour it out. Well if I must, I must", she says. I think it refers to how in many situations you can't always carry about the way you are used to, and have to mold your behavior to your settings. Sometimes you just have to allow yourself to explore all possibilities of things

This is very similar to the play Idiot Savant, staring William Defoe. In the play, we are allowed a small glimpse into the mind of an autistic genius. In the play, one of female roles asks the idiot savant "what makes a word magical?" This relates back to the Mary Poppins clip, in which anything that can make Uncle Alfred and the children laugh, they are filled with magic to float upward. But clearly it is only the certain words, the words that can make them laugh that has the magic, similarly to what was said in the play. All words have this magic, but how one interprets those words decides how the magic is released. That magic can paint a special image, and there is "no image like the image of language". The swirls of colors created with this magical dusting of consonants and vowel sounds. The nature of language is simply this magic displayed through human thoughts and human actions. Sometimes through ones thoughts comes "then the idea I was not finished", which once again I believe to be a misinterpretation of the magic.

can you see me...because i can see you!

Initially when the assignment was explained to me I was very intrigued. The idea of just watching and looking at someone just for the sake of doing that seemed like a foreign concept, but surprisingly i feel like i learned quite a lot from it. As a "stalker" you know nothing about what you are seeing and the person you are looking at as well, so it forces you to look at all the little details and not jump to conclusions.As a writer, this activity serves as a step in putting yourself into your audiences shoes. Just as we know nothing about the person we are observing, your readers don't know what you are going to say and having small details can really be key.

While in the library, I observed a male student using his laptop, while talking on his Blackberry. I noticed that he was unable to sit still and would continuously get up and walk away from his things to have a very business like conversation. His choice of clothes, like a writers choice of words I feel said a lot about himself. They were very busy and oversized, with lots of words and designs, as if to draw away attention from his true self, similarly how flowery metaphors and wording can. Through this exercise it helped strengthened how we analyze and interpret a situation, which is important to being a good writer.

What the Dog Saw

In "What the Dog Saw", Gladwell addresses two very different concepts. The first being the relationship with human beings and dogs, and the second representing the relationships between humans beings and other human beings. There is a someone what explicit idea that Gladwell tries to express to his audience. He breaks up the passage into different sections, each displaying the relationship between humans and dogs, and in the end he gives some analysis on human behaviors and the flaws that we posses.

There is a key concept that is key to understanding this essay, and that is simply "exercise, discipline and affection". It is imperative to understanding what Gladwell means because it explains how human beings think differently that other animals. How we overlook clues and formality in our actions many times and think emotionally. Animals, especially dogs are interested in humans, in our actions and behaviors. It allows them to analyze simple situations and solve them at a faster rate than humans might at times. So it makes you wonder if Gladwell is really trying to say that maybe, just maybe a a 4 legged, cold-nosed canine could actually be slightly more logical than a human? Maybe...just maybe.

Chelsea's Questions

Will novels eventually be considered to be something of the past?

Its hard to believe that novels will continue to exist as the world becomes technologically advanced. In a growing age the concept of "pen and paper" has begun to seem more and more prehistoric, as growth of BBM-ing and Facebook comments are on the rise. There are so many "greener" options to write down ones thoughts and I feel that despite all odds novels in there conventional form will become a rarity, to our iGeneration.

I do not believe that books will become completely extinct for our society, especially those that are for entertainment purposes strictly. However I do believe that biographies and other "educational" texts will eventually develop into a carefully arranged series of "wikis". Despite the wonderful smell and ability to curl up in bed with them, books I feel will be replaced by the idea of quick finds and convenience of online texts. Lets just hope its later than sooner.

Stitch Bitch Questions

1. What was the reason for writing this text?

2. Does the term hypertext stand for something else?

3.Do you know who the other "shelly jackson" is?

4. What did you hope to accomplish by writing Stitch Bitch?

5. Is there anything that your feel your readers should know before reading this article?

6. What was the purpose of the titles for each sections?

Stitch Bitch reaction

After reading Jackson's "Stitch Bitch", I don't think I have really gained a full understanding of

what he was trying to convey. I have re-read the article many times and yet the meaning is still lost to me. "In a text like this, gaps are problematic" and I found a large gap between what the author was trying to and what my mind was trying to comprehend. the underlying message that the media sources used in writing are in a transitional mode seemed clear, however their were so many other types of words and phrases that seemed to loose their meaning to me. I feel that it would be unfair of me to cast an opinion on the text at this point because I simply cannot appreciate what Jackson was trying to say, since I do not know.

Billy Collins response

Do you feel threthened by "Litany", and thats why she is the "knife"?

When hearing the poem by Billy Collins, I couldn't help but notice that there was so much aggression behind the objects he used to compare Litany to. As a reader, I have gotten the sense that he may feel threatened in some way, which would explain the comparison to the knife. Its unclear if the threat was a physical threat or something emotional. Maybe litany was more successful and that's why she is such a threatening object, or she tried to hurt Collins. However, it is evident, no matter the reason Collins find himself to be in a better state of being than litany, hence why she "could never be the pine scented air".

Billy Collins Questions

1. Why do you use contradicting symbols (goblet & wine)?
2. Is there a signifcance behind the objects used in the comparison?
3. Do you feel threthened by "Litany", and thats why she is the "knife"?
4. Why do you feel you can be comapred to "pine scented air"?
5. What is the relationship between "Litany" and yourself?

The ecstasy of influence: part 2

According to Lethem’s essay, his obsession with plagiarism stems from the idea that people who plagiarize do not get to experience that true richness of the piece. The arts that have become disposable to the public and will eventually loose meaning and the special value it held when original. In order for an artist, writer or anyone to release a masterpiece that is purely original, there is a great deal of hard work, dedication and creative insight put forth. When that work is reproduced and picked part, the emotion is lost and the piece becomes undervalued. The scenic collection of words is broken and the picture is lost forever, as its parts are scattered throughout other canvases. Lethem believes those who can understand the value of creativity will always be rich in ideas, since this gift will never be taken for granted.

Lethem, as a writer, is simply trying to say to the audience that sometimes it is not our fault that we use other texts to create our own, but instead from being trapped in the middle of the feud between the “artists” and the “corporations”. Lethem, admits that he too has fell subject to this time of “cut-up” methods and not all of his stories are really his own. He shares them with us willingly without hesitations, but if we are so intrigued as to pick them up, respect his voice. We must respect his voice and others like him and do not pass them off as our own, or break apart their canvases as an attempt to repaint another picture.

Mark Twain Article

It is true that many viewpoints of Mark Twain on writing can be used today in regards to online blogging. One of the most important pieces of advice Twain gives us, is to use less flowery language in writing. This is especially important when blogging since it is so informal. Blogging is a raw expression of emotion, it doesn't need to be proper and eloquent, but clear and concise. Use your adjectives and extreme expressions in moderation. "They give strength when they are wide apart", and every writer wants their words to be strong.

The ecstasy of influence: A plagiarism

I do not believe that Jonathan Lethem was arguing for plagiarism, but more-so the idea that a good idea, stems from the recreation of another idea. In order to create works of art, whether it be in literature, on a canvas or on film, ideas and inspiration come from reading books or looking at other works of art. The Walt Disney empire is an icon of success, with its tales of morals and life lessons, however majority of the classic movies were based on other works by other individuals."Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Song of the South, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Robin Hood, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Mulan, Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, and, alas, Treasure Planet, a legacy of cultural sampling that Shakespeare, or De La Soul, could get behind. " I feel that taking ideas from others should not be viewed as shameful, but as a compliment. The idea that another "artist" has taken the time to take an idea that I may have and use it again makes me feel appreciated as well as flattered. As a writer, artist or filmmaker, this form of flattery ensures that the legacy that you create through your work will live on even after creation ends.It doesn't mean that the originals have become forgotten, but they just simply are appreciated more now that they have been adjusted for the current time period.

writing makes me feel...

So here I am at Hofstra, and writing online makes me feel bouncy. As strange an unorthodox as that concept may see, I cannot help but feel a sense of energy when I type sentences on my keyboard. The rhythm of the keys springing up and down as I touch them, under my fingers, is infectious. I too feel as though it is pertinent to develop my own rhythm, thus I begin to feel bouncy, to feel full of energy and ready to spring back just like the buttons of my computer keypad.

at&t commercial

After watching the commercial, I don't think I have ever felt so annoyed by something before. AT&T uses children in their commercial to lure the viewers into watching what is a cleverly arranged ploy to manipulate us to use their services. Personally, besides feeling emotionally manipulated because of the two lost children, the commercial makes fun of a classic "Grimm Brothers" story, it is truly pointless. Gretel, the female character, uses a trail of bread crumbs as a method to find home, but the trail is erased by various means in the city and in the end she pulls out her cellphone and uses the GPS. I cannot help but think, what was the point of the breadcrumbs to begin with if she had her phone. As alluring and manipulative as this commercial was, I find that I am left feeling truly annoyed by its nature, and with AT&T.