5 of 12: The Voices of a Poet and President Obama

According to Zadie Smith's essay Speaking in Tongues, it is better for a poet to have multiple voices than it is for a president. "Being many-voiced may be a complicated gift for a president, but in poets it is a pure delight in need of neither defense nor explanation" (193).

Furthermore, Smith does not believe that there should be a difference between a president's voice and the many voices that a poet can have. All of our voices should be able to coexist. However, Smith admits that she is unsure of the possibility of a multi-voiced president: "My audacious hope in Obama [his different voices] is based, I'm afraid, on precisely such flimsy premises." (194) Smith continues to talk about her opinion in the next paragraph where she states, "We'll see if Obama's lifelong vocal flexibility will enable him to say proudly with one voice, 'I love my country,' while saying with another voice, 'It is a country like other countries'"(194). As Smith says, I guess we will have to see if President Obama's voices will be effective or not. 

4 of 12: We Should Speak In Tongues

1. Zadie Smith states her opinion on the difference between her hometown and college town in an interesting way. "Willesden was a big, colorful, working-class sea; Cambridge was a smaller, posher pond, colorful, and almost univocal; the literary world is a puddle" (180). Why does Smith use such simple adjectives to describe Willesden (big and colorful) juxtaposed to Cambridge (posh and univocal) since she ostensible prefers the language of her hometown?

2. "In Dream City everything is doubled, everything is various. You have no choice but to cross borders and speak in tongues" (184). Although Smith is saying that we should have multiple voices, what about those who only have one voice? If the people from Dream City have no choice but to speak in tongues but they cannot talk in another voice aside from their own, what will happen?

3. Smith exclaims, "The idea that one should speak one's cultural allegiance first and the truth second (and this is a sign of authenticity) is precisely such a deformation" (186). However, how does this statement help her argument to express the immense importance of one speaking in his or her own tongue? Was explaining some of Smith's additional frustrations the purpose of her including this statement?

4. In Speaking in Tongues, what exactly does Smith mean when she claims that the term "keep it real" reminds her of a prison cell where one cannot live comfortably because it is too narrow (188)?

5. Why does Smith believe that "someone should make a proper study of it [the voice of the philosophic historian]" (192). The paragraph mentions what she hoped to see in politics, but does voice need to shape one's speech? A historian and politician can both speak of the same matter, using different voices, in a coherent way for a broad audience. Right?

6. What is the real basis behind why Smith wrote this essay? Was she trying to argue about her life (the two tongues), Obama, or both of these arguments?

12 of 12: Some Advice For Those Starting Out

Just like Ron Koertge states in his poem, when you begin college you should be relaxed. Be ready to enjoy your college and writing experience. You do not have to be serious all the time--definitely make sure you give yourself time to have fun.

While many students think college is just about doing your work and getting good grades, it is important to be social, make friends, and stray away from the normal obedient student.

Get out of your seat. Be creative. And be willing to "laugh so loud everybody in the world frowns and says, 'shhh'"(Koertge). Although you are getting older, you are all young at heart. Let your child inside of you show. Let it shine. And do not be afraid to be who you are.

College is not as scary as you think. It is actually awesome to be able to do whatever you want when you want it. As well, there are so many students here, which will soon become your friends.

10 of 12: Should we listen to Rodney Jones or Jacques Derrida?

Read the poem and then check the brief analysis at the bottom of the page:


Hubris at Zunzal

by Rodney Jones June 22, 2009

Nearly sunset, and time on the water

of 1984. Language its tracer.

No image like the image of language.

I had waded out about thigh deep.

Then a shout from the beach.

I held in my hand half a coconut shell

of coconut milk and 150-proof rum

and dumped it white into the waves

when it came on me how sweet it had been,

then the idea I was not finished,

then the act of reaching down

with the idea I would get it back.

Analysis:

In the poem above, by Rodney Jones, the poet is arguing that once you dump your drink into an ocean, you cannot get it back. This can be related to writing in real life; once we have posted online or on our blogs our words are gone forever. Anyone can read what we have written, and although we sometimes may want to take back what we have said, we cannot. The internet is like an ocean. 

Could you imagine spilling a drink into the ocean? It would be impossible to get that drink back. Therefore, when we spill our drinks into the ocean (when we write online), we should also be wise with what we say because we cannot get our words back.

Isn't it intriguing to compare Rodney Jones and Jacques Derrida? Jones tells us to be careful while Derida tells us not to be afraid. Who should we listen to when we are writing?  

11 of 12 Our Four-Letter Word Projects Are Writing

Are the four-letter word projects writing? (What is writing?) Or are they compositions, inscriptions, or something else?

In order to determine if the four-letter word projects are writing, we should first consider what writing is. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, one of the definitions of writing states "[writing] is a style or form of composition" to communicate (Merriam Webster). However, many writers often write books or arguments using words. Does this mean that writing cannot be images that make an argument?

Images can definitely make an argument. The four-letter word projects are compilations of images, which is what formulates a composition. Therefore, since a dictionary defines writing the same way that we can define the project, shouldn't the projects be considered writing? Who said that writing has to be making an argument with words? Although the four-letter word projects do not use words, they are argumentative compositions that should be considered writing.

Revised Four-Letter Word Project: Play

Here is my final draft on "play":

Four-Letter Word Project: Play

"Play" Take One

Here is my original video on "play": 

"Play" Take One

9 of 12: You Can Read My Text If You Would Like

When I wear text on my shirt, I normally am not anticipating readers. Actually, I wear shirts in an attempt to match and if they happen to have words on them, then you can read them. My intentions are not mainly to have my shirt read though.

There are rare instances where I do wear clothing to be read. For instance, when I go to a sports event, I try to wear a shirt supporting the team and a player that I like. Is this considered wearing a shirt to be read or would you say I am just trying to interact with you?

8 of 12: A Peer's Argument About the Flexibility of Non-verbal Assertations

A peer wrote a composition with crayons that said with words:

"I think it is true. By not putting restrictions and identifying the voice, readers have the flexibility of interpretation. When aspects of writing (such as voice) are not identified or are open to interpretation, the reader's imagination can run freely, providing a great deal of flexibility. If the character's voice is not clear cut or writer's identifiable, the reader must then raise the voice how he/she wants. When the reader gets to decide or interpret aspects like voice, the possibilities are endless. So yes, I find it very true" (Jhenna).

7 of 12: Crayons Are For Drawing...Shouldn't We Use Them That Way?

In the composition that I read, I do not think the writer was very influenced by the writing implement that she used. She wrote in crayons to depict that images can do what words can do, yet she wrote with the crayons. Why didn't she draw a picture with the crayons to be more creative?

She was a little creative though, because she used different color crayons for each sentence. Similar sentences were the same color. However, I am still baffled why this writer chose to use words? If she believes that images can be flexible, don't you think that she should have illustrated the page with the crayons instead?

While the composition could be much better, it still is unique. She was definitely constrained by the difficulty that crayons present to writing with words, but she still took on this task. She added a twist to this composition by using different colors to show logical sections of her writing. The main question I wonder about once again is why we chose to write in words when we are given a utensil that is more suited for another depiction, such as crayons?

6 of 12: Social Media May Just Be Our New Personal Communication

The parody "Twouble with Twitter" raises many intriguing questions about Twitter. The animation uses satire to ridicule how crazy many of us can be with microblogging, posting short tweets to update where we are or what we are doing. I honestly believe that Twitter is an excellent social media website; however, millions of users have become too obsessed. 

Why do we feel the necessity to tell everyone who reads our tweets what we are doing or so much about our life? Is spilling our lives to the whole world part of the Twenty-First Century? In fact, I wonder if most people who tweet about their personal lives are really this expressive in person. I know I would rather call one of my friends and talk to him or her, like the animation suggests. I do not think it is necessary to tweet everything about our lives. We do not completely know who is reading what we are tweeting and even if we have our twitters private, those following us on Twitter could be sharing our personal tweets with others. 

While it may not be an immense issue to consider, is our generation courageous or not? We post personal information online for many people to see, which is definitely bold, yet in person we hide this information from others. The more important statement to notice is that Twitter is allowing those who normally may never express their opinions to feel like they can. Therefore, Twitter can be seen as a significant way for someone to be personal without being afraid. 

Furthermore, if we look at the progression of technological communication, we can notice an interesting pattern. Instant messaging began as a great way to communicate, which led to a more mobile form known as texting. Then Facebook became popular so that people could share information, on a less personal basis though. Finally, Twitter is now popular too. What do these advancements mean for the writing space?                
                                                         
These social, electronic advancements are also important for our generation because everyone goes on these websites. It almost appears that someone who does not text, use Facebook or Twitter will most-likely feel secluded or "not connected to the world". However, should it be the other way around? By using our phones or going online all the time, how do we have time to hangout with our friends in person to really connect with them? When we tweet every ten minutes, are we looking for attention, simply addicted to Twitter, or do we feel like we need to go on these social medias to stay hip and connected with our friends? Should we need to think we are pressured to go on to Twitter to feel connected to the world? 

Nevertheless, while I do not agree with microblogging, it may just be a form of communication in our present-day society and (maybe ironically) the way that some people can be personal. The writing space has to advance and transform with our progressing civilization, but is Twitter the most appropriate change to the writing space of the Twenty-First Century? I guess until someone else reinvents a more popular writing space, we should just optimistically accept the microbloggers on Twitter. 

3 of 12: Twitter is More Social Than Educational

What is writing? Is tweeting writing? And what is the purpose of tweeting? 

These three questions are compelling when one ponders about twitter. The social online writing space is a new advancement of technological writing. Writing on twitter is called tweeting and it definitely is writing, conveying an argument or information with words. Tweets incorporate arguments where anyone can understand the tweeter's intentions because hashtags (#) are used to concisely sum up a tweet. For example, if I am trying to say that Hofstra University is awesome, I may tweet: "I love Hofstra University #awesomecollege." 

Therefore, how could you not consider tweeting to be writing? In a tweet, words are used to convey an argument or information. Tweeting is just a newer form of writing that has been reinventing the writing space by adjusting communication to what our society wants.

In addition, twitter allows us to look at common tweets. After I tweet, anything I have hashtaged becomes a link; I can could now click on the hypertext. This link takes me to a page where I could can view anyone else's tweet who has hashtaged awesome college too (#awesomecollege).

While twitter only permits you to post a limited number of characters per tweet, and therefore words, the messages that you can deliver are endless. We must also remember that this website is normally referred to as a social network. Consequently, although tweets should be considered a form of writing and can be informative, we must acknowledge that twitter is more of a form of entertainment than an educational website.    

2 of 12: Portable Writing Services Are Just Our Friends

Have you ever noticed that many people wear text on their clothing, legs, and even their bodies? An intriguing thought to ponder about is whether these people realize how their texts are portrayed. For example, sometimes I judge people depending on what their shirt says--yea, I know that's not right but isn't a shirt part of who we are? We are the ones who decide to wear the text instead of choosing to wear a shirt without text. 


Sometimes text on a shirt even allows me to start a conversation, such as when I see someone wearing a familiar text (a baseball team's logo or a favorite brand of mine). However, this invitation to read our shirts can be awkward. Occasionally I see someone I don't know looking at me like I have about ten heads. I wonder if he or she is reading the text on my shirt or what this person is looking at. And then, you notice the awkward eye contact with that guy from your economics class that you have never spoken to. Why is he checking me out?....He is actually looking at my shirt. 


Although there are many analyses of the text on our shirt, maybe these texts are just good for our society. We could look at the texts this way: by someone else wearing a shirt with text on it, he or she is saying, "You can look at my shirt. I won't bite you." This friendly view should not be overlooked because text is really just an invitation for a new friendship.    

1 of 12: Roots, Tree Trunk, Branches, Leaves: How Could a Tree Be Hard to Describe?

There is a problem describing trees according to Robert Hass' poem, The Problem of Describing Trees. In the poem, his argument is that we can only say so much about the tree in written language. Furthermore, Hass is also saying that poetry sometimes cannot describe the tree either. As writers, we can try to follow the poet, but words can only describe a certain extent of emotions or feelings.

Dance with me, dancer. Oh, I will is a compelling line to analyze in Robert Hass' poem. As a reader, we may wonder who is speaking this and who it is addressed to. I believe we are speaking to the tree without even realizing it. Could this possibly be the case? Well, before the italicized line the poem says "It is good sometimes for poetry to disenchant us." Therefore, since we realize that we often have difficulty describing things such as a tree, we are talking to the tree directly; we are asking the tree to help us better describe it by telling the tree to dance with us. One of the lines in the poem even says "And the tree danced," which would further prove my point that we are speaking to the tree. This may sound a little asinine, but if you think about it, doesn't it make sense?

Reflection on Briana’s Four-Letter Word: Hope

http://inventingbrianag.blogspot.com/2011/11/4-letter-word-project.html

A montage is a representation of speech and according to Gunther Kress, “Whatever is represented in speech (or to some lesser extent in writing) inevitably has to bow to the logic of time and sequence in time” (Kress 2). Therefore, even a visual production follows a sequential order of where the images are placed. However, a producer may also direct our attention to only focus on a more specific section of his or her argument ostensibly by zooming in or out from a picture: “The organization of the image is governed by the logic of space, and by the logic of simultaneity of its visual/depicted elements in spatially organized arrangements" (Kress 2).    

Briana made a video montage that only used the word hope to portray an argument. The song, “Beauty from Pain,” that she uses in the production has a melancholy tone just like the pictures in the montage that show children in poverty and a desperate dancer jumping for a savior. However, she is able to show that through dancing we can help poor children; we can give them hope. Since art allows one to express him or herself creatively and persuasively, this video production adequately illustrates that images can make an understandable argument.

            A production has truth value, as J. Anthony Blair signifies, if that an expression can be affirmed or rejected (Blair 25). Therefore, since the pictures of the starving children and of the dancer can be perceived in different ways, Briana’s four-letter word project on hope has truth value.      

            While there may be many interpretations of an expression, the argument that an artist tries to convey is truth value. In The Possibility and Actuality of Visual Arguments, the author J. Anthony Blair maintains: “The artist in each case [of each painting] intended to send a message and evoke a reaction” (Blair 28). Thus, Blair shows the reader how truth value is the intention that the artist who made the painting is trying to illustrate. Furthermore, Blair shows how an expression has truth value if the argument can be accepted or rejected: “In order to reconstruct any of these paintings [expression] as an argument, it is necessary not only to give propositional expression to it but also to identify and distinguish premises from conclusions…There is no way to have confidence in any one conclusion that the painter wanted his viewers to draw” (Blair 28). Since we cannot fully know the author’s intention (Briana for this example), many inferences are drawn from our observations, some which will, therefore, be rejected.

Consequently, by showing that an argument can be affirmed or rejected (many conclusions can be drawn from a painting), Blair is able to explain that truth value is an artist’s value behind his or her artwork. Similarly, in Briana’s montage, truth value is evident because the viewer can have different interpretations of the pictures that are displayed to the audience. While we will never fully know her true intentions, we may argue that the montage is trying to show a hope for success or even the possibility that dance can improve the conditions of poor countries. This argument can be affirmed when analyzing that the montage portrays smiles on the children’s faces at the end of the visual production. The production may have been advanced if some of the pictures were taken out of the montage because while they may show poverty, they do not directly enhance the argument: the first four pictures of houses and property for instance do not prove the argument that dancing gives us hope to surpass adversity.         

            So how is communication (visual production) effective without words? Many pictures have different meanings in context, just like many words can have different meanings in context. However, using Briana’s production as an example, when we see young children carrying wood in old or ripped clothing, we can infer that these children are poor. This picture in combination with a dancer leaping who has her arms spread out, then shows us that we need to strive for this goal. Following these images are pictures of children learning to dance and eventually smiles on these children’s faces. In conclusion, this sequence of pictures shows us that we can help give hope to children who need it.  

            The visual production is predictable because while we observe the negativity of poverty, we see the word hope. Shortly after this we see children smiling, thus showing us the desire for a positive future, the word hope appears in front of us. At last, the picture of a dancer jumping in the air with her arms spread out allows us to predict that the production will show a search for help; when someone spreads his or her arms out and leaps into the air with an upset facial expression, they are looking, or desperate, for help. Hence, we can predict that Briana is going to show how we can strive or help poor children.   

             Briana’s visual production was successful, although everyone in the class did not completely understand her argument. This does not mean that images cannot do what writing can—images can successfully form an argument. However, there are only three seconds to view each image and connect it with the next or previous images. The whole production is also shorter than it would normally take to read an essay and a montage is a form of hypermediacy compared to a written essay, or transparent media (Bolter 26). It is easier for us to view an essay and go back to the sentences or paragraphs that confused us, and we can even write on the paper to help us understand the argument. With hypermediacy, we cannot as easily go back to the visual that confused us, but it can be done. We cannot write on hypermediacy though—unless we post a comment. Needless to say, visual productions can portray an argument if the audience and the producer share common knowledge like in Briana’s production.

Works Cited

Blair, J. Anthony, and Christopher W Tindale. Groundwork In The Theory Of

Argumentation, Selected Papers Of J. Anthony Blair. Springer Verlag, 2012. Print.

Bolter, J. David. "Chapter 2: Writing as Technology." Writing Space: Computers,

Hypertext, and the Remediation of Print. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2001. 26. Print.

Kress, Gunther R. Literacy In The New Media Age. Psychology Press, 2003. Print.

4 Letter Word Project. Prod. Briana Giordano. Inventing Briana G. Blogspot.com. Web.

22 Nov. 2011. <http://inventingbrianag.blogspot.com/2011/11/4-letter-word-project.html>.

Four letter word

My four-letter word is "lure". I find this fascinating because this word can have a positive or negative connotation. However, I am arguing that it is important to lure people in if you want them to help you with a job.

Can Images do what words do? Are visual Arguments possible?

Visual arguments are definitely possible to persuade one's point. Why? Well, could we say that images have meanings? Then could we say that the meanings from the images may be combined to show an argument? Therefore, can we simply say that visual arguments exist? 

I believe that images can be very persuasive, but not as persuasive as words. In an essay, words have universal meanings--we can look in a dictionary as well to define a word. However, not all pictures or images are perceived the same way by everyone. Consequently, when we do not know what an image is intending to mean, where can we look to find that answer? 

It is certainly practical to say that visual arguments exist. Albeit, most often, words provide a more concrete and clear argument.   

Prezi: The New Writing Technology

The group argued that technology is adjusting our writing spaces.

First Thoughts on Project Three

I keep thinking about my project three, and I'm pretty sure my next (rhetorical) move will be to include more metaphors and expand/solidify my metaphor relating my place to a hospital. I also need to make sure that my argument is clear throughout my whole essay.

A collegiate's paper

The introductory essay that I just read was excellent. The writer was successfully able to pose questions and comments that I had while I was reading. The overall structure was different but compelling too.

An Ant Sometimes Makes Us Feel Just Right

A sentence starts out like an ant lost in a large grass field,
where his family cannot find her.
Looking around, all she sees is green strands,
all different sizes, and occasionally another bug or two.
The ant must dig her way around,
make the best of what she has
and work hard so that she may finally get to her family.

We, the readers, are her family,
and the ant is looking for us.
But once she finds us,
the struggle is not over.
She must bring us food,
even if it is only piece by piece,
until finally we are full.

Sometimes the ant takes a while
to feed us properly.
She often brings us the wrong food
veering off track from her goal.
Eventually, if the ant is effective,
she will be able to feed us well,
leaving us not too bloated,
not too hungry, but just right,
just like the first sentence can be.

Is Time or Technology the problem?

If walls could talk they would explain the troubles that college students go through; walls recognize that we do not have enough time in the day to complete everything that we need to. In Wesch's video students showed how they needed about two and a half more hours a day to complete everything that they are asked to complete. However, computers are distracting students from completing what we need to because we are going on Facebook and sending hundreds of emails instead of doing our work. In addition, Wesch argues that we often do not pay attention to the professor during class.

What is the solution? Wesch says that we have not created many problems, but we still need to deal with the issues. We should be trying to eliminate or deal with problems like poverty, stress, and political issues. However, are we adding to our own problem?

If walls could talk, they would say that computers are distracting us from coping with our problems. "You are spending too much time on Facebook or video chatting," our walls would most likely say. The walls are able to see what we often have difficulty realizing. Would we have more time to solve problems like world hunger and economic issues if we were less distracted by technology?

Babies Like To Be Interactive

The video has a caption that says "A Magazine Is an iPad That Does Not Work". This metaphor compares a magazine with an iPad by showing a baby unable to do anything with a magazine but the girl gets excited (which is clear by her voice) when she touches an iPad.

I find this clip very interesting and it relates to our class because we are talking about the remediation of text. For this baby, printed text (magazine) means barely anything to her, but an iPad (electronic text) is more engaging and makes her excited. The baby does not understand what the magazine is and why it is static. On the other hand, she can see movement on the iPad which causes her to laugh possibly since the iPad is more like reality. Until the baby understands that not everything is interactive, she will not realize that printed text will not change.

Is Writing a Wrestle For You?

My relationship with my reader is mostly a wrestle for my reader to grasp what I am trying to say. Eventually neither the reader nor I pin each other down. I feel like I freeze once I am in the ring, and although I know I need to bring my reader close to me to pin him to the mat, I have trouble figuring out the best way to do that: 

Last weekend I was in an intense wrestling match. I froze up and before I knew it, the match was over, the day was over, and I had not won anything. In fact, I spent all of my time trying to win the battle but I just did not know how to win. Once again, another match lost. 

I am always asking myself what I can do to win the match, but it always appears that just when I think I know how to pin him down, he wiggles away and I need to try again. I have never had such a hard wrestling match with anyone other than my reader. Why won't he just let me defeat him?

 

The Foundation of Writing: Printed Texts

Transparent mediums and hypermediacy are different methods of viewing text that our generation and future generations are and will be interacting with. While transparent media is like a book, the pages disappear as we continue to read, hypermediacy is an interactive writing space where we can see pictures, videos, and visit other web-sites or view information. Since almost everyone that I know has some type of computer, I sometimes wonder whether transparent media will eventually become obsolete--replaced by technological advancements. However, the two different medias have their own advantages and disadvantages.

In transparent media, we can turn easily revisit a page that has "disappeared"--since we just turned the page in the book and hence literally still have the text in our hands. Although, turning to previous pages becomes frustrating and time consuming because we must tediously sift through hundreds of words to find the sentence or words that we wanted to reread. Nonetheless, with hypermediacy, like computers, all of the information is right in front of us (we can now search a page to find a word, phrase, or sentence), but reading a screen all day often strains our eyes. In addition, it is often difficult to find text we have read, or videos, if we forgot where they were located; to access information, we must know where to look (online, our desktop, or in a document on our computer) and the file name of what we want. Obviously both mediums have their pros and cons, yet we still feel obligated to chose one media over another.  

Are writers having a competition to see whose writing can be read easier? I do not think so. Is the question really about whether transparent media will exist in twenty years? Again, I do not think this is the question to ponder, but this inquiry may be compelling. Albeit, if we continue to think about advancements in writing, I believe that many scholars will ask: are these new technologies, and future innovations, going to completely outdate older writing methods?

I would like to know if transparent media and hypermediacy can coexist. The readers who prefer printed text and the readers who want technology to be incorporated into their learning experience should both be able to coincide. But if we ever eliminate printed texts, which I hope would only be from an extremely more effective and advantageous advancement than a computer, we must always remember where these texts have led us to today.

The Armory is....is not...might be...cool?

The Armory in New York City is like a breezy day,
not too cool or too warm
but just the right temperature.
You do not need a sweatshirt
but you may wear one if you would like to.

The Armory lets me be free.
I do not feel constrained by anyone other than myself
only my mind and body hold me back,
so I run like the wind
and eventually I feel a puff of air.

The Armory is an indoor track,
not an uncontrollably, windy soccer field.
The Armory is a individual battle,
not a team game.
It's like a breezy day--everything feels pleasing to me
and it is not like a bothersome, long car ride
where my friend is taking up my space.

The Armory is not like a car ride
where my friend is taking up my space,
nor is the Armory like a trampoline without springs,
or with prickly pine leaves making it uncomfortable to jump.
And the Armory is definitely not like opening an empty refrigerator,
when I desperately need something to drink.

The Armory might be like a vacation to Aruba,
or like one of your favorite spots.
It might be like going into the ocean on a warm day,
or taking a shower after you I have been full of sand.
The Armory might be the best place I have ever been to,
and the armory might be the worst place you have ever gone to,
however, the armory might just be the coolest experience you will ever have.

Home is like...home

Home is like home. How do I describe the warmest place I know? Home is like good cooking, clean clothes, a comfortable bed and so much more. I have my dog, my couches, my pool table, and I can even play ping pong there. I am going to mention that I have amazing food at home too and awesome, loving parents as well.

Inkshedding

We are all guilty of distracting audiences from our main focus: Have you ever tried to make a picture look nicer than it was by adding a decorative frame to your artwork?

Elaborate media, such as a frame that "effectively adds meaning to a work of art," can be called hypermediacy (Sample J). In contrast, transparent presentations (of artwork or writing) are more ambiguous because the medium that are used can vanish. Hence, we may believe that transparent media is more realistic and comparable to our everyday speech; since both our speech and transparent media can become lost, these communications are "left for the audience to interpret" (Sample J).

Artists often prefer that their viewers can see their medium (hypermediacy), but sometimes artists are abstract--creating an image that can disappear. For example, cubism is an art movement where the frame does not disappear, however, sometimes the artwork appears to be unclear, ambivalent, and/or equivocal. While audiences may all obtain different interpretations of artwork, cubism allows the reader occasionally to clearly see his or her image (hypermediacy), but there are instances where cubistic artwork can disappear (transparent mediacy).

Artists include hypermediacy, transparent media, and both hypermediacy and transparent media.    

Is Hypertext a More Natural Way to Write?

Prezi by: Andrew Marks, Kyle Beam, Tyler Krastans, and Amanda Love

Prezi: An argument about how hypertext makes reading more natural

The group believes that hypertext allows us to navigate and deviate from the normal, flat book. Electronic writing is not linear--it does not end. Furthermore, hypertext allows us to write associatively, linking ideas together, similar to the way that we think.  

Would I Write Anything?

Have you ever been afraid to write before? I know I certainly have. There are those who do not mind critiquing and offending others with their writing; however, in some countries vulgar writing can even be sentenced to jail. Should there be limits, and do you think there are limits, on the extent that one can go to when writing?

In contrast, Jacques Derrida has a different view on writing. He was not scared of writing against authority or expressing his ideas. Since he was not afraid of writing, did this make him a stronger writer? Was Derrida able to portray his ideas easier than most writers can because he wrote what he wanted to?      

Which do you prefer, live or textual presentations?

After viewing both a live performance and spoken textual representation of Taylor's Mali poem, I have realized the catastrophic differences that these two renditions have. When the author of a piece recites his poem on stage, the effect that it has is shown to a greater extent. There is still emphasis on Taylor's meaning when we hearing his poem, while watching the words create a unique structure in our minds, but I felt less engaged in his work. In his video, facial expressions, hand gestures, and emotions can all be interpreted; however, the textual writing takes away from these additions to the main argument. Written text does allow for the reader to visually and audibly grasp the main idea though.

Seeing the possibly dorky man speak about his issue of "sounding cool," adds to the humor of the poem. "You know what I'm sayin"? Both texts are able to successfully convey his message that, "We are the most aggressively inarticulate generation to come along since you know a long time ago". The orally and visual productions continue to say, "It is not enough to simply question authority you have to speak with it too." However, the live performance enhanced my understanding more than the oral depiction conveyed the message to me because it was more lively, realistic, and imaginable.  

FFW: Is the Machine Using Us?

Have you ever though that a computer could actually be using us? What does this even mean? If we think about computers, how do they work--web pages, documents, and even software?

We are helping machines use us. For machines to work, we must have created web pages, documents, and software to use these machines with. The way they function is by people, like myself right now, blogging online, posting pictures, and using java to create the internet. Who created computers, Microsoft Office, and the internet? Who continues to keep these machines running?

Machines are using us. They probe us every day to input more information into them and keep machines running. Since they are emotionless and non living, we can't be using them, but they are certainly using us.

My Diction Confessions

I often use words that are "almost the right word" in my writing. Since I don't believe that my vocabulary is adequate enough, my diction is not always the best either. Recently I have been trying to avoid overused terms, but I definitely am guilty of using clichés occasionally--especially when I cannot think of any other word and I have limited time.

In addition, I have found it hard to replace words such as "this," "it," or "thing". I recognize that these words are ruining the continuity of some of my sentences but finding alternative words seems unnatural. Finally, choosing more contemplated and unique verbs would enhance my writing too. (That sentence even sounds awkward. I think I should change it to "finally, thinking more about the verbs that I use would help enhance my writing".)

Sometimes It’s Better to Laugh Instead

“The Best Part” was actually a challenge to produce a Super Bowl commercial in 2011. The main idea of the video is that one of the men loves Doritos so much he will lick it off others’ hands or rip off their pants if they have wiped any of their leftovers on themselves. What would you do if either of these scenes happened to you?

Do you think these men, depicted below, will have the same response to the man who loves Doritos? It looks like it’s a common reaction to hold your hand up, implying, why did you do that? The men still have the bag of Doritos in their other hand too.

They are probably shocked that someone would act so childish; however, what can they really do about these situations? They both could call the police and file a law suit for harassment but that is extreme. These incidents may bother some people more than others, which changes the severity of ones’ response. The man without his pants on could try to tell his boss his issue, but the boss may just fire both of them. Therefore, should these men just forget about what occurred?

FW Chel White Response

What is my writing process like?

Normally I procrastinate only for about 15 minutes, and then I try to at least write something down. If it is too late at night, I have trouble thinking, and therefore, writing too, so I tell myself that I will do the assignment in the morning. It is hard to estimate how much time will be needed though. Once I have ideas written down on my paper, what I really want to write about comes to me within a few minutes; however, after I have written what I have intended to say, I always go back and look it over. This is usually really frustrating since it takes me a long time to revise my writings. I scrutinize each sentence and I tend to find many mistakes or sentences that don't even make any sense. Finally, I reread my writing another day when my mind is fresh to check if I have stated my ideas clearly.

Funny commercial

Doritos commercial

Look what our phones can do now

Maps have been around for hundreds of years, and possibly even over a millennium. They have helped billions of people who were lost, wanted to know where something was located, or how far a location was from them. Recently though, cell phones have been equipped with navigation systems. One doesn't realize how helpful these devices can be until they are in a situation where GPS is needed.

In the AT&T commercial, two children dress up to be Hansel and Gretel. They drop bread crumbs behind them as they walk, to leave a trail, but at night they don't see the crumbs. Hence, "Gretel" takes out her cell AT&T cell phone and uses GPS to find their way back to the cottage. Would the children have been able to get back if they had a map with them instead?

AT&T's unique advertising technique makes me question whether technology is becoming too powerful in our society today. Traditional approaches to problems, like the one faced here, do still exist; however, the twenty-first century has been named the digital age where people rarely talk about the disadvantages of technology. Cell phones, GPS, and the computer have certainly saved many lives and made communication more efficient but they have become detrimental to our society too. For instance, machinery has raised unemployment levels since it lowers the amount of workers needed to complete a task. Radiation from having these devices near one's head or lap is an issue to consider too. Furthermore, others are too dependent on navigation systems--such as when they use GPS to get to a friend's house five minutes away.

AT&T commercial questions

How old are the children?
What is the noise heard when the children look into the basket?
Is this one of AT&T's best phones?
Where does the phone even come from?
Is AT&T the fastest network still?
Why were the children leaving bread crumbs if they had a phone anyway?
What time is it at night when the children realize they are lost?
Which city does the commercial take place in?
Are the children related?
What are the children thinking when they realize the bread crumbs are not on the ground anymore?
Is there any significance in the limited talking during the commercial?
Do people use maps anymore or only GPS?

Heineken commercial questions

What is the woman saying in the beginning of the commercial?
Who are all the people in the living space?
Is the man sitting on the couch drinking a Heineken?
What room does the woman show the other women before they see the closet?
Did the men just go straight to the walk in fridge, or did they get a tour of the living space too?
Why is the tall man on the left jumping up and down so flamboyantly?
Who is the man that is looking in on the walk in fridge at the end of the commercial?
Do girls really organize their closet and color code their shoes?
Why does the camera go back to the woman for a split second and then back to the men in the walk in fridge?
How much would a fridge like that cost?
How old are these men and women?
Are the men and women dating or married by any chance?

Heineken. The world's best beer!

Heineken uses the strategy of dramatization to sell their product. In the beginning of the commercial “walk in fridge,” a woman gives a tour of a living space to three women who all scream for joy when they see a huge closet full of clothes and shoes. One of these woman, who is wearing a scarf, may even have found apparel that she thinks will look good on her, which can be inferred from her stunned facial expression.
   
Within instants though, the women suddenly stop their cries of happiness after hearing loud screams from below them. It's very interesting to continue analyzing the women. The woman who was giving the tour becomes a little concerned or worried and she turns around see what's going on. The other three women are confused, as well, and they stop shouting.
 
During the next two seconds of the commercial, we hear noise from the basement but still see the women, perplexed, standing in the doorway to the closet. Most of us are probably thinking, what is Heineken trying to portray? The following scene enhances another overreaction and answers our question; four men are yelling, jumping up and down, and hugging each other because they are so excited to see a walk in fridge full of Heineken beer in someone's living space.

Does your violin smell like Pantene?

Pantene is a company that uses unique advertisements:

After viewing the extraordinary Pantene commercial, many people may wonder, why and how is a deaf girl trying to learn the violin? The child's disability, along with the complexity of even playing a violin, causes her goal to be very difficult to achieve. Pantene's narrative envinces that this girl has been using music to help her surpass the obstacles she faces--bullying and a sense of difference.

When the deaf girl is on stage performing at the end of the commercial, she envisions all of her past struggles, as if they are motivating her or even escaping her mind with each note she plays. The audience's reaction, which includes a standing ovation, leads us to believe that this deaf girl has successfully learned how to play the violin and has overcome her hinderance. Nevertheless, the production and applause that follows the girl's recital may just be part her imagination. How do we know that the deaf girl wasn't dreaming about feeling accomplished?

It's surprising that the commercial's ostensibly feel-good narrative is, in fact, for the shampoo company Pantene. How does this promotion relate to a deaf girl playing the violin? The slogan "you can shine," may help the viewer understand that anything is possible; however, Pantene may be trying to make another point. If you are deaf or blind you may never be able to hear music, or see beautiful hair, but you can still smell the great scent that Pantene gives off.

Inventing Andrew M

So here I am at Hofstra and I am blogging.  Writing online makes me feel like I am connected to the world. I like to listen to other people's opinions and idea's, so the internet is cool for me. So far, Hofstra University has been really fun for me but I haven't liked that my friends all have different schedules. I am playing on the club baseball team, and I would also like to play on the club soccer team, if I have time to. The writing class seems very interesting and I know it definitely is going to help me out a lot. English is one of my weakest subjects, but I feel like I am a decent writer. I am not great at organizing my ideas though, as you all can probably see. The other classes that I have seem pretty interesting, I am a business major by the way. I am going to have a pretty hard time adjusting to the college life, work, social aspects, and everything else that Hofstra has to offer us. Overall, though, I think that Hofstra will be a great time and that I will get an amazing education here. On my free time, I like to draw and paint as well. Actually, I was thinking about minoring in art, but I can't find any art classes to take besides from ones that are "art history" classes. Anyway, I hope you are all enjoying reading about me and I hope this isn't too boring. I really have no idea what I am suppose to be writing about but this task is pretty fun and different. I have a brother who goes to school in Montreal, Canada--McGill University. I am very close to him and we always have long talks and go to dinners together whenever we can. I also have a girlfriend that I have been going out with for over a year and I love her very much :). I find that Hofstra is a great fit for me because it is only 20 minutes from my house. This being said, I can come home whenever I want to but I am also getting the experience of staying away from my parents. Over the course of my 18 years, I have always hated school, but I am hoping that college is different. I love to dig into writing and analyze readings and or situations. I like to workout at the gym and run too. I would say that I am a fairly social guy who is always there to talk to. My parents, Helene and Gary, are amazing parents who have taught me very well. I wish they taught me how to organize what I was writing because like I said before, I have no structure to my ideas. I am hoping that one day, I can be successful, have a loving family, and have amazing relationships with my friends, family, and peers. I was reading today for 4 straight hours. I read the Genesis, which I knew a lot about anyway. I am a very slow reader, and sometimes typer, but hopefully this class will be well worth my time. I hope you now have an idea of who I am.