I think what is interesting about #2 is that an embedded
idea in a tool can be detrimental, but if we do not look past the basic
function of the tool to an idea then we are, in sense, curbing innovation. It is a highly paradoxical idea because
powerful mediums, such as newspapers are charged with informing the
public. However, they stretch
beyond their basic function. The
large majority of newspapers do not objectively report. They are riddled with political biases and they taint stories to change the public’s view of current events.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
"The purpose of education is to free the student from the tyranny of the present."
I'd like to start this one off by saying the grass is always greener. There are masses of people who romanticize the past and claim they were born in the wrong decade. While the past has its charms and the present never seems to have any, we must all recall that the past was the present at some point or another.
Let's take, for example, the overwhelming amount of today's teenagers that claim the 90's was the golden era. For a generation that hasn't even lived two decades, this is an odd statement. Regardless, I'm sure that while we all had a good time eating sweets and not attending high school, our parents remember the 90's as a time in which they changed many diapers and spent many sleepless nights hearing our cries.
My point is that one period in time is no better than any other. Saying the 90's > the 00's is an opinion from a unique perspective, as is claiming our present condition is tyranny. While there are many disturbing aspects of the present world, there are also countless redeeming aspects. This quote, from what Nicki and I have gathered, is about taking those disturbing aspects and improving upon them. We must build a future so great, the 90's will seem like the real tyranny (NO INTERNET?! HOW IS THAT THE GOLDEN ERA?!).
The quote above states that the positive progression of mankind can be achieved through education. We must not only educate ourselves on our current condition, but also discover the many ways we can improve it.
Earlier today, Nicki and I touched upon the example of global warming in our chat. By educating today's generation about the dangers of mindlessly consuming the Earth's resources, we can at least hope to slow down the damage being done. Nicki and I were shamelessly pessimistic about the possibilities of "saving the Earth", though.
- taylor kennedy
I think I posted in the wrong place so here it is again:
11. "Information creates the illusion of knowing something but in fact leads one away from knowing"
Ex: When studying for a test, you have all of the facts, dates, and events recorded in your notes. Although you may be able to memorize all of the information, you don't have a deeper understanding of the material, and when asked to describe the significance of certain "things", you have no idea what to write. This situation reveals that you may be able to literally understand information and get every factual question correct, but you still may have no idea how to connect ideas and see the big picture. This quote represents the difference between memorization and true comprehension.
11. "Information creates the illusion of knowing something but in fact leads one away from knowing"
Ex: When studying for a test, you have all of the facts, dates, and events recorded in your notes. Although you may be able to memorize all of the information, you don't have a deeper understanding of the material, and when asked to describe the significance of certain "things", you have no idea what to write. This situation reveals that you may be able to literally understand information and get every factual question correct, but you still may have no idea how to connect ideas and see the big picture. This quote represents the difference between memorization and true comprehension.
Sam W (with aid from Cat, of course) discusses:
16: "Tyrants of all varieties have always know [sic] about the value of providing the masses with amusements as a means of pacifying discontent. But most of them could not have even hoped for a situation in which the masses would ignore that which does not amuse... How delighted would be all the kings, czars, and fuhrers of the past to know that censorship is not a necessity when all political discourse takes the form of jest."
This statement, like several others, touches upon multiple topics explored in AOTD. In class I believe we touched briefly upon the way that entertainment is taken for granted as truth. I don't mean this as a sweeping generalization; I refer only to, of course, television. Much of the population will view programs of any subject, virtually all of which are designed solely for pleasuring, numbing the minds of, and gaining money from subjects, as assistance in the pursuit of knowledge. Certainly, any propaganda-exploiting ruler would love this-- all it takes to get the masses to follow you is for you to provide them with entertainment? A real dream come true.
Another useful tendency for people, most active in politics, is the way that people so vehemently follow a certain leader under no threat of any sort, simply because they identify with certain beliefs and a certain political party. It seems to be a tendency for people to take a very ardent interest in what their corresponding candidate believes and shape their beliefs on that, rather than choosing a candidate based on their beliefs. The current dichotomous political system combined with televised and now internet-based passive-aggressive squabbles between candidates really cause people to choose sides strongly, something that really causes public opinion to be swayed one way or another quite easily. Isn't that helpful? One barely has to try to influence public viewpoints.
On a smaller scale but still something to consider, I often find that teachers are largely selected as "good teachers," or at least desirable teachers, based not only on their empathy, intelligence, and tactics but also on their wit and having a conscience that allows them to waste a class period with something that isn't even pertinent. Of course, there's nothing wrong with wit or even wasting time; both are really my favorite things in the universe. It's just another way of showing that we really can't be educated effectively without having fun. It's just how we are, I'd say. Not only that, but we really do respond much more effectively if something can be made into a joke of some sort. We're so easy, aren't we?
Ok I am finished thank you have a good night bye yes thank you goodbye
16: "Tyrants of all varieties have always know [sic] about the value of providing the masses with amusements as a means of pacifying discontent. But most of them could not have even hoped for a situation in which the masses would ignore that which does not amuse... How delighted would be all the kings, czars, and fuhrers of the past to know that censorship is not a necessity when all political discourse takes the form of jest."
This statement, like several others, touches upon multiple topics explored in AOTD. In class I believe we touched briefly upon the way that entertainment is taken for granted as truth. I don't mean this as a sweeping generalization; I refer only to, of course, television. Much of the population will view programs of any subject, virtually all of which are designed solely for pleasuring, numbing the minds of, and gaining money from subjects, as assistance in the pursuit of knowledge. Certainly, any propaganda-exploiting ruler would love this-- all it takes to get the masses to follow you is for you to provide them with entertainment? A real dream come true.
Another useful tendency for people, most active in politics, is the way that people so vehemently follow a certain leader under no threat of any sort, simply because they identify with certain beliefs and a certain political party. It seems to be a tendency for people to take a very ardent interest in what their corresponding candidate believes and shape their beliefs on that, rather than choosing a candidate based on their beliefs. The current dichotomous political system combined with televised and now internet-based passive-aggressive squabbles between candidates really cause people to choose sides strongly, something that really causes public opinion to be swayed one way or another quite easily. Isn't that helpful? One barely has to try to influence public viewpoints.
On a smaller scale but still something to consider, I often find that teachers are largely selected as "good teachers," or at least desirable teachers, based not only on their empathy, intelligence, and tactics but also on their wit and having a conscience that allows them to waste a class period with something that isn't even pertinent. Of course, there's nothing wrong with wit or even wasting time; both are really my favorite things in the universe. It's just another way of showing that we really can't be educated effectively without having fun. It's just how we are, I'd say. Not only that, but we really do respond much more effectively if something can be made into a joke of some sort. We're so easy, aren't we?
Ok I am finished thank you have a good night bye yes thank you goodbye
#2. "In every tool we create, an idea is embedded that goes beyond the function of the thing itself."
Give an example. In the example you've chosen, show how this idea could be either beneficial or detrimental. Meerkat and I chose TV. Going along with the quote, TV itself is something that for sure has an idea that goes far beyond it's actual function. As Neil Postman writes throughout his entire book, TV has changed our perception of "serious matters" such as religion, politics and the news and turned them purely into forms of entertainment, with attractive actors, beautiful sets, and background music.
11. "Information creates the illusion of knowing something but in fact leads one away from knowing"
Ex. #2
Like Neil Postman said in Amusing Ourselves to Death, TV can provide information that leads a person away from knowing. For example, on the news a new story is told every few seconds. In this way people aren't given the time to really learn, question or understand the material, and because of this are likely forget it entirely by the end of the day. Although they have been exposed to new information, they have no greater knowledge because of it.
Ex. #2
Like Neil Postman said in Amusing Ourselves to Death, TV can provide information that leads a person away from knowing. For example, on the news a new story is told every few seconds. In this way people aren't given the time to really learn, question or understand the material, and because of this are likely forget it entirely by the end of the day. Although they have been exposed to new information, they have no greater knowledge because of it.
How to Post?
Though I am somewhat technologically limited myself, it would be helpful (and easier to read) if you all POSTED, rather than commented. On my screen (which may be different from yours since I am the blog creator/administrator) the option to POST appears in the top right corner. If you are officially invited to the blog, which I can do for you once I have your email address, then perhaps that gives you the option of posting versus commenting. Or maybe you can post without such preliminaries... but if given the choice, please choose POST vs. COMMENT. Thanking you! (No worries for those of you who have already commented...)
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