My question is this: With the popularity of video games, Internet, and various smart phones increasing by the hour, is traditional reading on its way to becoming extinct and books becoming an endangered species? If so what can we do as a society to reverse this phenomenon and still foster a culture that embraces technology and advancement?
You probably already know that young people today are watching more telivision, surfing the web, playing video games, and doing all of the above on their cell phones, and doing less reading. Changes in young peoples reading habits are taking place at unpresidented levels and if we are not careful, the simple act of picking up a paper back book and reading it may someday become irrelevant and perhaps not even an option for many people.
A report released by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2007 highlights some scary statistics:
Only 30% of 13-year olds read almost every day.
Almost half of Americans between ages 18 and 24 never read books for pleasure.
The average person between the ages 15 and 24 spends 2 to 2.5 hours a day watching TV and only 7 minutes reading.
Books are simply losing the battle for kids and young adults spare time and it is starting to show at an intelectual level. The same report cited above found that the more books that are in a young persons home, the higher the test scores in science and math. Even more provacitive was the claim that, regardless of income, levels of reading for pleasure correlate closely with level sof social life. Probably the most sobering statistic of all was that only about one-third of high school seniors read at a proficient level. How are we ever going to compete with a world-wide work force if we are actually becoming less intelligent?
So how do we as a society continue to foster an enviroment that embraces technology and still promote the act of reading books for pleasure and eductional purposes, even when it is less convinent or accessible than our laptops and blackberries?
http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2007/11/19/young_people_reading
http://abcnews.go.com
Reading & Happiness By Lawerence Baines
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Blog Entry 22
I dropped my absentee ballot in the mailbox yesterday and walked over to a nearby coffee shop afterwards to sit down and read the local paper. One of the articles quickly caught my eye. It was about the increased use of Internet by politicians to berate each other and sling the usual mud back and forth at eachother. The portion of the article that interested me was the part that spoke about the unregulation of facts and truths and that it was a virtual free for all between candidates and that when it came to cyber space, anything goes, regardless of validity. Apparently candidates know if they post a fact or make a claim in an newspaper article or interview that they can be called out on that at anytime, but the Internet is a little more murky. So whats the difference? I consider the Internet a reputable news source today, yes I know that anybody can get on a computer and post anything they want and rant and rave all day long. But what about official websites and personal pages like face book? Should they not be help accountable for the information they contain? With our increased reliance on the Internet and cyberspace growing by the hour we need to do a better job of holding people accountable for the information or misinformation that is contained in their websites and postings.
Blog Entry 21
For the scene response I chose a U-tube clip of Othello directed by Oliver Parker where Othello is played by actor Laurence Fishborn. The video begins just prior to Othello taking his own life where he is speaking to the group of men in the room and pleading his case and this is having a profound emotional effect on a few of the men who appear to have tears in their eyes as they witness the deep pain and sadness that Othello is feeling. Once Othello has said all he is going to say he abruptly stabs himself and crawls on the bed as the men all stand and watch. As we read the story Othello and watch the video clips we knew that the story was building up to a tragic climax and this particular video clip does a good job of showing us that dramatic conclusion. Laurence Fishborn also does a good job of projecting the anger, misery, and sadness that Othello must have been feeling that ultimately caused him to take his own life.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Blog Entry 20
"Had it pleased in heaven to try me with affliction, had they rained all kinds of sores and shames on my bare head, steeped me in poverty to the very lips, given to captivity me and my utmost hopes, I should have found in some place of my soul a drop of patience" (Shakespeare Pg. 987)
I think this moment in the play is important because Othello is reaching his breaking point and confronting Desdemona about his suspicions. The quote really sums up Othellos state of mind and illustrates just how depressed and angry he is at that very moment, and the reader gets a faint glimpse that things are about to get worse...
I think this moment in the play is important because Othello is reaching his breaking point and confronting Desdemona about his suspicions. The quote really sums up Othellos state of mind and illustrates just how depressed and angry he is at that very moment, and the reader gets a faint glimpse that things are about to get worse...
Blog Entry 19: Freestyle
My favorite reading subject is history. It has not always been that way, in fact I used to read exclusively fiction (King was my favorite) But as I grew older I found that fiction could not hold my attention like non-fiction subjects could. I am particularly fond of military history. I don't consider myself a big military buff, I am just really fascinated by how much war has shaped our world today and the unending extreme sacrifices made by men much younger than myself. It is for this reason that I feel kids should be required to study and read about World Wars I & II when they are in school. I was taught almost nothing in the public schools about those conflicts (and I actually liked history) Why is that? Whole Countries were created and eradicated, tens of millions of people were killed, and the worlds landscape was literally changed overnight from these two conflicts. I think the public schools could do a much better job of teaching history to its students, particularly military history, if for no other reason than perhaps it will help us avoid ever experiencing the horrors of a war like that again.
Monday, August 9, 2010
"I think my wife be honest and think she is not;
I think that though art just and think though art not."
(Shakespeare Pg. 967)
This quote describes the variety of emotions that are tearing Othello apart on Othello. He is now convinced that his wife is cheating on him and is wracked with anger and pain. I think this quote is important because Othello is not only angry with his wife, but he is tremendously embarrassed and feels like his reputation and name have now been tainted along with his wife.
I think that though art just and think though art not."
(Shakespeare Pg. 967)
This quote describes the variety of emotions that are tearing Othello apart on Othello. He is now convinced that his wife is cheating on him and is wracked with anger and pain. I think this quote is important because Othello is not only angry with his wife, but he is tremendously embarrassed and feels like his reputation and name have now been tainted along with his wife.
Blog Entry 17
"I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be-for women. I tell you , its queer, Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things-its all just a different kind of the same thing." (Glaspell Pg. 818)
I chose this quote by Mrs. Hale in triffles because this is the point in the story where the reader starts to understand that Mrs. Hale, and for that matter, the rest of the women, are going to watch out for each other and understand each others trials. Obviously the women feel guilty for not spending time with each other and watching out for each other like they use to and each one secretly is unhappy with their married lives and can relate to making your husband "disappear."
I chose this quote by Mrs. Hale in triffles because this is the point in the story where the reader starts to understand that Mrs. Hale, and for that matter, the rest of the women, are going to watch out for each other and understand each others trials. Obviously the women feel guilty for not spending time with each other and watching out for each other like they use to and each one secretly is unhappy with their married lives and can relate to making your husband "disappear."
Blog Entry 16
The scene in the gym when Oden and Hugo are working out together is pivotal because it really illustrates the conflict between the two and sets the tone for things to come. Oden has an opportunity to stand up to Hugo but Hugos personality and ability to manipulate is to strong for Oden. Had Oden been more confident in his relationship with his girlfriend he would not have let Hugo get into his head, however Hugos plan worked. I think this particular scene is important because you really begin to see Hugo for who he is, a master manipulator who will do anything or take advantage of anybody he thinks he needs to.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Blog Entry 15
Iran the enemy-truth or fiction?
With the exception of North Korea, no other Country is so often referred to as Americas Nemesis's as Iran is. In fact since the fall of Russia and the cold war I can think of no other Country that has been vilified as much as this Country. When most westerners think of Iran they think of fundamentalism, terrorism, and fanaticism. In all fairness this very well may be an accurate picture....but of who, the people or the Government? I know very little about Iran and its history and I certainly could stand to know more before ever making judgement. So what is the real Iran? Do they really hate Americans? Or does their Government just dislike our Government. I tend to think that most Iranians are loving, good natured people who get up and go to work everyday so that their children can have better lives than them. Sadly the political posturning and aggressive rhetoric between their leaders and ours leaves little opportunity for improves relations between our two great Countries.
With the exception of North Korea, no other Country is so often referred to as Americas Nemesis's as Iran is. In fact since the fall of Russia and the cold war I can think of no other Country that has been vilified as much as this Country. When most westerners think of Iran they think of fundamentalism, terrorism, and fanaticism. In all fairness this very well may be an accurate picture....but of who, the people or the Government? I know very little about Iran and its history and I certainly could stand to know more before ever making judgement. So what is the real Iran? Do they really hate Americans? Or does their Government just dislike our Government. I tend to think that most Iranians are loving, good natured people who get up and go to work everyday so that their children can have better lives than them. Sadly the political posturning and aggressive rhetoric between their leaders and ours leaves little opportunity for improves relations between our two great Countries.
Blog Entry 14: Quote Response
"Ok, enough of that. The real Islamic invasion has come from our own government." (Satrapi, Pg. 81)
This quote is in response to the comment made by a young Satrapi to her father that the Islamic invasion came from the Arabs while they are in their car driving. This frame is important in the novel because it really summarizes the struggle and cultural differences that are taking place in the story. Of particular interest is the fact that many of the people in Iran today are saying the same types of comments and blaming the Government for oppression, aggressive attitudes towards the West, and the resulting isolationism that has occurred. So my question is this; what has changed politically in the relationship between Government and the people since Persepolis was written? Have things stabilized, improved, or gotten worse? Lastly, is it possible that we will see another Revolution in the near future?
This quote is in response to the comment made by a young Satrapi to her father that the Islamic invasion came from the Arabs while they are in their car driving. This frame is important in the novel because it really summarizes the struggle and cultural differences that are taking place in the story. Of particular interest is the fact that many of the people in Iran today are saying the same types of comments and blaming the Government for oppression, aggressive attitudes towards the West, and the resulting isolationism that has occurred. So my question is this; what has changed politically in the relationship between Government and the people since Persepolis was written? Have things stabilized, improved, or gotten worse? Lastly, is it possible that we will see another Revolution in the near future?
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Blog Entry 13
"I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference"
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken.
I chose this particular quote because it really sums up where he is going with this story and what message that he wants to convey to the reader. "Go out and make your own path in life, and you will be richer for having done so." I like this poem for several reasons and I think the fact that it is so well known and famous speaks for itself. How often do we really choose the more difficult path, the one that is harder to see and does not come with a guarantee?
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken.
I chose this particular quote because it really sums up where he is going with this story and what message that he wants to convey to the reader. "Go out and make your own path in life, and you will be richer for having done so." I like this poem for several reasons and I think the fact that it is so well known and famous speaks for itself. How often do we really choose the more difficult path, the one that is harder to see and does not come with a guarantee?
Blog Entry 12: Poem Paraphrase
Robert Bridges, Triolet. 1890.
How could we possibly have known back then
That our love would change
Beyond common friendliness
When we first met who could have guessed
That things would change between us
That things could possibly be this bad
How could we have possibly known then
That our love would fade and with it our relationship
How could we have known that it would not last forever
How could we possibly have known back then
That our love would change
Beyond common friendliness
When we first met who could have guessed
That things would change between us
That things could possibly be this bad
How could we have possibly known then
That our love would fade and with it our relationship
How could we have known that it would not last forever
Blog Entry 11
"The grey winds, the cold winds are blowing where I go" (Joyce Pg. 541) This short poem titled All Day I Hear and written by James Joyce in 1907 leaves you wondering exactly what it was that the author was trying to tell you. It could be about a fishermen going out on a stormy morning to catch fish, or a lonely sailor who misses his wife, or it could be about a homeless person who is living on the beach next to a busy port. Regardless of where the story takes place you cant help but feel a shiver and a little melancholy after reading the poem, which is what I suspect James Joyce wanted...
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