I finished my English essay. I think I'll get a B or a B+. I'm okay with that.
I'm finishing my Linguistics research paper. I'm hoping for a B. I need to do well on this and the final in order to pass the class. Fuck.
I have an English exam on Thurs at 9am. Then a Chem exam on Friday at 6pm. Then the Linguistics exam on Monday at 2pm. Then I'm done!
I'll blog more then...
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Getting into the analytical frame of mind
I. Hate. This. Essay.
Is this analytical enough? I'm trying not to just re-tell the story. Also, do you think I need to find a source, or am I saving my ass by saying "it is generally believed?"
During the Jupiter Mission section of the film, man loses control over the very tools put in place to assure the success of the mission and the safe keeping of the astronauts. By having this essential piece of technology fail and endanger both the mission and the inhabitants of the space station, killing most of them in fact, Kubrick suggests that perhaps our society’s dependence on complicated tools is dangerous. Kubrick’s view may not have been that far off. In 1999, there was a huge scare when the media publicized the possibility of total failure of all computer systems when the year changed from 99 to 00. Some of the bigger conspiracy theorists believed that this glitch would cause banks to shut down and planes to fall out of the sky. We can assume that before this time, most of the general population did not think their lives were so dependent on technology. Much like Kubrick’s protagonist Dave Bowman did not know how to react upon learning of HAL’s fallibility, the general public panicked when confronted with the possibility that their technological tools might fail.
Is this analytical enough? I'm trying not to just re-tell the story. Also, do you think I need to find a source, or am I saving my ass by saying "it is generally believed?"
During the Jupiter Mission section of the film, man loses control over the very tools put in place to assure the success of the mission and the safe keeping of the astronauts. By having this essential piece of technology fail and endanger both the mission and the inhabitants of the space station, killing most of them in fact, Kubrick suggests that perhaps our society’s dependence on complicated tools is dangerous. Kubrick’s view may not have been that far off. In 1999, there was a huge scare when the media publicized the possibility of total failure of all computer systems when the year changed from 99 to 00. Some of the bigger conspiracy theorists believed that this glitch would cause banks to shut down and planes to fall out of the sky. We can assume that before this time, most of the general population did not think their lives were so dependent on technology. Much like Kubrick’s protagonist Dave Bowman did not know how to react upon learning of HAL’s fallibility, the general public panicked when confronted with the possibility that their technological tools might fail.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
I need your help
MY AWESOME ESSAY TOPIC WAS ACCEPTED!!!!! WOOO!!!!! I'm so excited, because I know that now, I can write and awesome essay. The thing is, I'm insecure and I would LOVE some feedback (obviously, not on the whole thing, but on parts like the intro and conclusion).
So here's my intro:
Science fiction films often try to convey either a vision of the future or a “what if” idea in the present. Both 2001: A Space Odyssey and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, directed by Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg respectively, try to transmit a powerful message through their stunning cinematography, direction, writing and soundtrack. As each film progresses, the main protagonists seem to lose their ability to use tools. In Kubrick’s film, the characters in space must relearn to use basic tools: using the toilet, for example. Dave must also regain control over HAL, a tool used to assure the mission’s success. Roy, the protagonist of Spielberg’s film, on the other hand, loses his language and communication tools: his ability to express and explain his thoughts and feelings. Both characters, however, are rewarded in the end. Dave learns the secret of life from the monolith and becomes the Star Child, an evolved being independent from machinery. Roy is chosen to be an explorer and ambassador of sorts and is welcomed into a society that uses basic sound as a form of communication. Both these characters were chosen by an alien society to reach the next step in human evolution which seems to be a throwback to the first stages of the human race: using fewer, simpler tools.
What do you think? Is my thesis clear? Is the wording clear? Any feedback would be fantastic and, possibly, rewarded :P
So here's my intro:
Science fiction films often try to convey either a vision of the future or a “what if” idea in the present. Both 2001: A Space Odyssey and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, directed by Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg respectively, try to transmit a powerful message through their stunning cinematography, direction, writing and soundtrack. As each film progresses, the main protagonists seem to lose their ability to use tools. In Kubrick’s film, the characters in space must relearn to use basic tools: using the toilet, for example. Dave must also regain control over HAL, a tool used to assure the mission’s success. Roy, the protagonist of Spielberg’s film, on the other hand, loses his language and communication tools: his ability to express and explain his thoughts and feelings. Both characters, however, are rewarded in the end. Dave learns the secret of life from the monolith and becomes the Star Child, an evolved being independent from machinery. Roy is chosen to be an explorer and ambassador of sorts and is welcomed into a society that uses basic sound as a form of communication. Both these characters were chosen by an alien society to reach the next step in human evolution which seems to be a throwback to the first stages of the human race: using fewer, simpler tools.
What do you think? Is my thesis clear? Is the wording clear? Any feedback would be fantastic and, possibly, rewarded :P
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Writer's Block SUCKS!
I have to write an 7-8 page English essay for Friday. It wouldn't be so bad if I had a clear idea about what I wanted to write. As of right now, I have one AWESOME thesis that's not part of the assigned topics (and I missed the approval deadline so I'm waiting to see if the TA will make an exception for me) and one mediocre thesis (that's part of the assigned topics). I'm just not sure how to go about it. I'm analyzing. comparing and contrasting two films: 2001: A Space Odyssey and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I won't bore you with the details of my analysis, just know that it will either be an epic win or an epic fail. Either way, right now, it's an epic nothing.
To try to get me in the mood, in terms of writing, I have my iTunes on shuffle. My music collection is pretty eclectic: it always has. Now, with the internet and the fact that new bands and artists are putting their own music out there, I feel like I can't be a proper music fan UNLESS I have such diverse tastes and interests. Not only that, but I LOVE discovering new (to me) music! Gord bless the interwebs, as I would be listening to plain and boring music without it.
Well, I guess I should try writing some more...
To try to get me in the mood, in terms of writing, I have my iTunes on shuffle. My music collection is pretty eclectic: it always has. Now, with the internet and the fact that new bands and artists are putting their own music out there, I feel like I can't be a proper music fan UNLESS I have such diverse tastes and interests. Not only that, but I LOVE discovering new (to me) music! Gord bless the interwebs, as I would be listening to plain and boring music without it.
Well, I guess I should try writing some more...
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Happy Easter!
Not a huge blog today, just a few quick things.
1. If you haven't heard it, please try to look up Rabbit and the Resurrection by Barenaked Ladies. FANTASTIC Easter song!
2. I wonder if anyone in my family will remember I'm lactose intolerant and not serve milk/cream/cheese based dishes?
3. Happy Zombie Jesus day! Try not to eat too many chocolates in one sitting :P
Edited to add: Here's a video that I made of the BNL song I mentioned in #1
1. If you haven't heard it, please try to look up Rabbit and the Resurrection by Barenaked Ladies. FANTASTIC Easter song!
2. I wonder if anyone in my family will remember I'm lactose intolerant and not serve milk/cream/cheese based dishes?
3. Happy Zombie Jesus day! Try not to eat too many chocolates in one sitting :P
Edited to add: Here's a video that I made of the BNL song I mentioned in #1
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