Assignment MT6.2

Mind = Printing Press
John Locke compares the mind to a printing press. His metaphor on how humans think highlights several aspects of the printing press and there are multiple hidden meanings as well. Like a printing press, Locke believes that all the information we retain, we “stamp” into our minds as a printing press would “stamp” sheets of paper with information. These “sheets of paper,” then are stored and filed in our brains so that we can recall them later. He states, “yet we can bring in sight, and make appear again, and be the Object of our Thoughts, without the help of those sensible Qualities, which first imprinted them there.” His metaphor includes several hidden meanings that relate to a printing press as well. Sheets that are produced by this machine, can fade, be torn, or damaged, making the information distorted and unclear. Our minds can have the same ability with memory. Memories are not always crisp or clear and there can be pieces missing. Sometimes one has to think hard and dig deep to remember a past event. Also, printing presses can make mistakes that include typos. Our mind when retaining information can also make mistakes. We can remember certain events completely different to another person that was involved in the same event. The perceptions of the events can be highly skewed.

Mind = Computer
Comparing the mind to a computer has the same concepts of a printing press, but there are several key differences as well. Information that is stamped on a sheet of paper is harder to change than a computer. One could easily change information on a computer with the aid of a word processor. When recalling information, the mind can easily change the details of certain events in the past to his/her liking. Also, recalling information on a computer is a lot easier and faster and the information is more precise. Instead of just relying on the written language to remember things, people now have multiple types of media that they can recall to jog their memories such as video, music, and digital still pictures.

I believe as our technology improves, so does the human mind. We are getting smarter, information is moving a lot faster, and the creativity in our minds has expanded greatly. Just as how the printing press developed into highly complex machines such as the computer, our minds have consequently followed suit. Humans have evolved into highly intricate beings that love to think. To answer the question of when society switched from “Sense Impression,” to “Sense Data” is the span of time when we transitioned from simple machines (the printing press), to highly sophisticated technology. Several processes run through our head every day to function, just like that of a modern day computer. I think the computer best describes the human mind better than the metaphor of a printing press because the storing information cannot be described by one simple process of “stamping” information on a piece of paper, but it is more complex like that of a computer. I believe it is too difficult to compare it to a simple machine such that of a printing press and does not do it any justice. On the other hand, computers are highly complicated and multifaceted, thus humans are the only beings that know how to build and use these urbane machines. They are not always simple and can be very confusing at times just like the human psyche. In J.M. Balkin’s article, Cultural Software, he makes a statement that says “Some philosophers of mind have gone so far as to argue that the human mind is essentially indistinguishable from a computer…” which I can very much relate and agree upon in this case.

Assignment MT6.3

Brain = Washing Machine
Depression = Broken Washing Machine

Rosenthal compares a brain to a washing machine and sees the serotonin in one’s brain as the “water in the machine.” The imbalance or the lack of serotonin is like having a broken washing machine that cannot be filled with water even though it is set on high. The action of not being able to fill up to washing machine with the right amount of water or “serotonin” levels can have severe consequences that lead to depression.

Depression = Mistuned Radio

Burns describes depression as a radio that is in perfect working order, but just needs to be tuned for it to work properly. This metaphor looks at depression as being easily curable. All one has to do is “adjust the dials” The action of “adjusting” the dials leads to a good consequence in being cured of depression.

Finding the cure to Hysteria = Unearthing and researching artifacts at an archeological excavation site.

Fraud sees curing hysteria as going to its source and “digging deep” into the mind trying to unearth and pinpoint what exactly caused this disorder, like an excavation site where people try to unearth and discover as much as possible about the ruined civilization that once stood beneath them. The cure cannot be found if the explorer just views what is in plain view, but he/she must excavate to find real answers. The action of digging and unearthing research leads to finding out the source of what caused an ill person’s hysteria.

Men = Energy that produces economy by force

I am not quite sure what this quotes on Adams is exactly about, but I think that Adams means that educating men leads to them being successful. He sees men as a form of energy and by educating them, they reduce the friction by which they are being held be to become an economic force. The action of educating men produces them to be successful and economically driven as a consequence.

Suppression of hysteria = Controlled by boundaries

Fraud relates the suppression of hysteria as how well one can hold the traumatic events that caused this illness in by their boundaries. Theses traumatic events can slip through these boundaries, causing one to become hysteric. The action of suppressing traumatic thoughts and containing them within boundaries, can lead to these frightening thoughts to come out later causing one to become hysteric as a consequence.

Assignment MT 4.2

Strange Actions= Illness
Strange Actions = Possessions

Metaphorically describing strange actions as an illness is looking at these actions as a medical condition. Describing strange actions as a possession is looking at it as a spiritual problem. If we think of strange actions as an illness, we think of the person with these symptoms as being able to be treated through medication, surgery, and therapy like Eve in “The Three Faces of Evil.” They are not at fault for this illness because these disorders are something people are born with and cannot be helped until discovered. If we were to live in the 1500’s of England, we would be living in an age where spirituality trumps science. Things that could not be answered and things out of the ordinary were seen as acts of The Devil. In “A True and Most Dreadful Discourse,” Margaret Cooper was found to be speaking “Idle” terms therefore she was thought to be possessed. Her husband being worried, asked upon God to help cure her of her possession,

“…he persuaded her to call upon God, and that being the creature of God she should not forget to call upon her Creator in the day of trouble: wherefore he counseled her to pray with him, and to say the Lord's Prayer after him, which she partly did: Yet the devil who always both builds his Chapel so near as he may to [fear?] God's Church, began to withdraw her from Prayer…”

Margaret could not be medically diagnoses in the 1500’s because the technology did not exist. The only thing that seemed most logical to Stephen Cooper was to see this as an act of the Devil. The main difference between thinking of “strange actions” as an illness and “strange actions” as a possession is that “strange actions” as a possession cannot be medically diagnoses and treated, but can only be cured by prayer and a cry for help to God. Also, people with “strange actions” as possessions are seen to be at fault because they have renounced their faith and God in someway as opposed to being born with it and not having fault if you see “strange actions” as a illness. Therefore Eve would not be held accountable for her “strange actions” because she was born with this disorder as opposed to Margaret. Margaret would be at fault because of her actions of questioning her faith.
I think Ian Hacking would say both of these women are wrong in what truly afflicts them. He argues that disorders and conditions are heavily exploited when they are discovered. He argues that multiple personality disorder is a “product of social circumstances, a culturally permissible way to express distress or unhappiness.” He believes that “Once we have that idea, we have a very powerful tool for making up people, or, indeed, for making up ourselves.” Hacking mentions that only since 1972, multiple personality disorder was considered just a curiosity and only a dozen cases were reported. A decade later, the count exploded and hundreds and thousands of people were being diagnosed. He ponders why might this be? Margaret and Eve would be wrong in their claims through Hacking’s eyes because he believes “the soul that we are constantly constructing we construct according to an explanatory model of how we came to be the way we are.” They are just using “culturally permissible” ways to express their distress and unhappiness.

Assignment MT3.3

Metaphor 1: “Shine brighter than ever” (intelligence and success= light)
This advertisement is for Bowling Green State University and their photochemistry department. The caption below the metaphor describes how research at Bowling Green helped Spectra Group Limited, Inc. become one of the world’s leading companies in research for photopolymers. The metaphor, relates to intelligence as being light and the brighter you shine, the more successful and smarter you become. It implies that if you attend or do research at Bowling Green’s photochemistry department, you can become smarter and more successful than you ever were and become “brighter” than people without the education from BG. This metaphor also implies that not only will you get an education and diploma from BG, but the “bright” lifestyle that comes along with it. Since this ad is so specific to BG, I do not think that it can affect public policy.




Metaphor 2: “Small is beautiful” (Small and Simple Technology = Beauty)

This slogan is for the new Mac mini from Apple Computers. It functions just like an ordinary computer but it fits in the palm of your hand. It is about the size of three stacked DVD cases. The metaphor, “Small is beautiful” implies that technology should be small, thin, light, and simple in order for it to be appealing to people. In the 1950’s when computers were first developed, these machines would take up an entire room and weigh a ton. Scientists in this era predicted that future computers would become much bigger and heavier. Today, the complete opposite has taken place, where the most sophisticated technology is “the thinnest,” and “the lightest.” This metaphor affects the way people should perceive technology. It makes people believe that the most advanced technology should small and light in order for it to be pleasing. Apple has really set a new trend towards “shrinking” electronics and computers. I am just waiting for the day were I can have a live wireless Internet feed directly into my brain.




Metaphor 3: “Your cell phone is so Zach Morris.” (Technological or electronic device = cheesy character of 80’s teen sitcom)

I first heard this term among one of my friends who can sometimes act like a ditsy stereotypical sorority girl. If someone had a phone that looked kind of dated or old, my friend would use this metaphor. If you did not know, Zach Morris is the main character in the 80’s sitcom, “Saved by the Bell.” In the show, he would always pull out cell phone that reflected “primitive 1980’s cell phone technology.” It was a about the size of a shoebox and was a dull grey color with a huge antenna. Even if you search for “Zach Morris” in Google Images, many images are found with random people holding up their old cell phones. Not only can you use this term for cell phones, but it can be used for any other electronic devices such as, “your TV is so Zach Morris.” Even though this metaphor sounds really silly, it show a lot about how fast technology is moving around us. It does not take much time for a lot of technologies to become dated. A lot of people get new cell phones every year, or even upgrade their computer every other year. This metaphor demonstrates how hard it is too keep up with the most current technologies. Everyday, something new is coming out and trends are changing constantly. It can be very overwhelming for people.

Assignment MT1.2

Anger is often equated with fire or dynamite because it brings out the intensity within an individual that these two items possess. Dynamite can be used as a metaphor to describe anger because when it explodes, it is quick and sudden, just how people can react and change from being happy to angry in a blink of an eye. Anger is one of those emotions that can come and go really quickly, just like an explosion. Fire metaphorically describes anger because when an individual becomes angry, they physically undergo a process where their bloods starts flowing rapidly, adrenaline pumps through their body and like fire they get hot and red in the face. Also fire and explosions are easily containable when they are small such as when a child has a temper tantrum. On the other hand, when fires and explosions get too big, they are harder to control and can get out of hand such as a drunken fraternity guy.
In the poem, “A Poison Tree,” the author William Blake offers another metaphor for anger. He describes anger as the complete opposite as dynamite and fire. Dynamite and fire are quick, sudden, and intense, but his metaphor is more passive. He shows that anger is like a plant that grows slowly in “both day and night.” It grows and grows until it flowers or it “bores an apple bright.” Blake demonstrates that anger grows and builds up within an individual when it is held in. Instead of the plant growing and building up its’ anger with water, it is “watered in fears, night & morning with my tears.” He highlights that anger is not as brutish and sudden as described by dynamite, but it is more cautious and meticulously planned.

Anger = Plant
1. I absorbed the anger like the roots of a plant.
2. My face blossomed to bright red like an apple.
3. My growing anger flourished after he made that comment.
4. His anger photosynthesized out of control.
5. He makes my chloroplasts turn bright green.

Assignment MT1.2

Anger is often equated with fire or dynamite because it brings out the intensity within an individual that these two items possess. Dynamite can be used as a metaphor to describe anger because when it explodes, it is quick and sudden, just how people can react and change from being happy to angry in a blink of an eye. Anger is one of those emotions that can come and go really quickly, just like an explosion. Fire metaphorically describes anger because when an individual becomes angry, they physically undergo a process where their bloods starts flowing rapidly, adrenaline pumps through their body and like fire they get hot and red in the face. Also fire and explosions are easily containable when they are small such as when a child has a temper tantrum. On the other hand, when fires and explosions get too big, they are harder to control and can get out of hand such as a drunken fraternity guy.
In the poem, “A Poison Tree,” the author William Blake offers another metaphor for anger. He describes anger as the complete opposite as dynamite and fire. Dynamite and fire are quick, sudden, and intense, but his metaphor is more passive. He shows that anger is like a plant that grows slowly in “both day and night.” It grows and grows until it flowers or it “bores an apple bright.” Blake demonstrates that anger grows and builds up within an individual when it is held in. Instead of the plant growing and building up its’ anger with water, it is “watered in fears, night & morning with my tears.” He highlights that anger is not as brutish and sudden as described by dynamite, but it is more cautious and meticulously planned.

Anger = Plant
1. I absorbed the anger like the roots of a plant.
2. My face blossomed to bright red like an apple.
3. My growing anger flourished after he made that comment.
4. His anger photosynthesized out of control.
5. He makes my chloroplasts turn bright green.

Assignment MTintro.2

According to Dictionary.com, there are three definitions for the word, technology:

tech·nol·o·gy (tk-nl-j)
n. pl. tech·nol·o·gies
1 a . The application of science, especially to industrial or commercial objectives.
b. The scientific method and material used to achieve a commercial or industrial objective.
2 Electronic or digital products and systems considered as a group: a store specializing in office technology.
3 Anthropology. The body of knowledge available to a society that is of use in fashioning implements, practicing manual arts and skills, and extracting or collecting materials.

In this definition there is nothing that refers to the development of communication, which includes language and writing. The definitions only refer to scientific advances in commercial and industrial use or electronic products. Before taking this class, when I thought of the word technology, I would not think of anything written, but I looked at technology as “new computers,” “concept cars,” and “the latest ipod.” After taking this class and reading Goody’s excerpt from The Power of Written Tradition, I think the definition of technology should be expanded. It should be changed to accommodate the basics of anything that furthers the advancements of the human race; which includes the development of communication. Goody raises a great argument that without the written language, there could not be the development of new inventions and the latest electronics and gadgets. He argues, “Before you can put the Larousse [French dictionary] on a CD-ROM you have to organize the material in writing, then type or scan it into the computer, and finally read it.” Without writing, the technologies that most people think of today (computers, artificial intelligence, robots, etc) would not exist. The development of written commutation is the first step in designing and fabricating some of the most advanced technologies that are available today. For example, aerospace engineers would not have been able to design and develop the space shuttle without the technology of writing. How would they be able to express their ideas to fabricators and mechanics that physically build the shuttle without writing blueprints or manuals? Even in personal cicumstanes, I would not be able to use this computer that I am typing this paper on as effectively if I didn’t know any forms of reading and writing. I think people today rely heavily on the written language (instruction manuals as an example) to actually use physical technology such as the computer I am using right now. Without writing our society would be lost and unable to communicate as effectively as we do in the today’s modern world. Goody also contends that in the post-Bronze Age societies from 3000 B.C.E., there was a huge gap in the sophistication and technology of people between literates and illiterates. He states, It is reflected in the split between high and low culture as well as in a variety of dimensions of differentiation, or stratification, of styles of life, and has been fundamental to history of “advanced” societies. Even looking at the historical aspect of writing one can see that without writing, societies would be culturally and technologically inept. Writing and other forms of communication should be expanded into the definition of technology. Just because it is not a physical form of technology, it does not mean that it doesn’t continue to change and evolve just as all other technologies do.

Assignment NT TI4.2

1. Tag Body Spray: This image is actually from a television commercial where an ordinary, Average Joe looking guy sprays on this body spray and walks into a grocery store. Instantly, every women lunges herself at him and fights over him as if he was the last man on the face of the earth. This ad makes the consumer expect that by spraying on this product, women will instantly be gravitated towards them acting like an aphrodisiac. I think this product and it’s advertising gives men more confidence in their social and love lives, but the ad’s claim’s portrayals are too high of expectations and are too unreasonable. This ad is very humorous but, it kind of gives men a sense of false hope.



2. Sixt Car Rental: This advertisement is actually a picture taken at the airport in Hamburg, Germany. The Sixt Car Rental Company placed this eye-catching ad of a Mercedes-Benz hung upside down with glue. The caption’s rough translation below the car means “Attention! Do it only with a top quality glue (which is not included in our extremely low renting prices).” It conveys and makes people believe that you can rent a top quality car for a very inexpensive rate. It is a creative ad that gives people a feeling of confidence when renting with this company because just like the “glue” used in the ad, their service is top quality without putting a dent in your wallet. I believe this ad does a great job in giving people good expectations of this company and does make reasonable claims because they did exploit women, fame, fortune or any sex appeal, which the majority of ads are like nowadays. The only falsity in this ad is the claim that they actually used glue to adhere the car to the wall.



3. Hydroxycut: This ad is for the weight loss diet pill, Hyrdoxycut. On the left it shows a man that is out of shape with a beer belly and on the right, it shows him 8 weeks later with a woman. His hair is styled differently; he has a tan and a six pack. Also he is smiling as opposed to the picture of himself on the left. This gives men a false sense of hope because it claims that just by taking this pill, you can get in shape, become very attractive and get any women you would like. The man is also wearing a dress shirt and tie on the right and this can represent that with this miracle drug that he has also become financially successful as well. I think that this kind of advertising is a big issue in society today. It makes people believe that they can just take this “magic” pill and all of their wishes and desire will come true, just giving them a great false sense of hope.



4. Bacardi Rum: When I think of a stereo-typical beer or liquor ad, this is what I think of; a man having the best time of his life and there always has to be attractive, half naked women. These types of ads are most cliché and overdone ways to sell a product. There always has to be a catchy slogan, like on this one, which states, “Zoning inspector by day, Bacardi by night.” I think these advertisements and the claims they portray and totally unreasonable. It gives consumers the false sense that consuming alcohol is “sexy” and “glamorous.” I believe advertisements such as these heavily affect America’s young adults ( college students especially) in their choice of binge drinking habits.



5. Toyota Prius: This advertisement is about Toyota’s hybrid vehicle, the Prius. It portrays the car on a racetrack weaving through road cones. Instead of the road cones being traditional orange, they are made of plants. The caption states, “Introducing high performance technology that’s also good for the environment.” This advertisement demonstrates to future car purchases that you can buy a car that has great gas mileage, is good for the environment, but breaks the stereotype of hybrid cars lacking performance. It reassures the consumer that nothing is sacrificed when buying a Prius. American society is infamous for driving large gas guzzling automobiles that just increase pollution. Toyota does a great job with the image and caption getting the point across that you can have a sporty car with great performance, but you can also save the environment as well.

Extra Assignment: Cinderella

1. Similes are used to describe what the dove dropped when Cinderella wised for something. Although the Dove would fulfill all of her wishes, it would deliver them by “defecating” on her the items she desired. When Cinderella asked to go to the ball, the bird defecated a dress and Sexton quoted it was a “rather large package for a simple bird.” Although the bird gave her what she wanted, the mental image of the dove delivering the goods is very unpleasant. Imagine a tiny bird “passing” a dress through its bowels…it is a very disturbing scatological image.

2. All fairytales end in the manner and even though everything seems “happily ever after,” in my mind, this is not a good mental image. I think a lot of people in life wish for this state of perfect, “cookie cutter” relationships. I believe if people were to achieve this fairytale image, they would not be human and lack the feelings and emotions that make us who we are. Like Sexton states, we would live like “two dolls in a museum case.” It is human nature to express anger, sadness, and other emotions even though they are undesirable as opposed to happiness and joy. This may sound funny, but I would honestly feel I was missing something in my life, if I was happy all the time without any worry, and everything was perfect. If we were to live the rest of our lives with “darling smiles pasted on for eternity,” I would not consider that human.

3. I think women and men today do indeed “slice off parts of their bodies to fit Cinderella’s shoe.” Recently, cosmetic surgery, diets, and fashion have been taking over people’s lives and becoming their obsession. I think media including advertisements, television shows, movies, and the actors/actresses that play these roles have a heavy influence on society. Many people try to emulate what they see and try to look and dress like their favorite star; what they think “Cinderella” would be like. As an example, Cindy Jackson holds the record for the most plastic surgery procedures. For the last 15 years, she has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to transform herself into a real life Barbie Doll, a “modern Cinderella.” She is not alone and this trend seems to be catching on. I think people try to emulate their favorite stars and what they see on television in hopes that if they look or act a certain way, then they will be able to find their “happily ever after,” as what they see in various forms of media.

4. Jhally believes that consumers purchase things to make themselves feel happy even though they do not need a certain product. Jhally feels that people fulfill their desires through purchasing items and people think that by buying goods, they will find the answer or the key to become happy.

5. The commodity-image system is the way advertisers market their company’s product to be as appealing as possible. It makes consumers buy their products and makes them desire it. In most cases, consumers believe that they will be able to emulate what they see and fulfill their dreams and imaginations if they were to buy a certain product. As an example many beer advertisements exploit women and use sex to sell their product. I think that many men subconsciously link drinking beer with “picking up women.” IN short Jally describes the commodity-image system as something that, “constantly propels us toward things as means to satisfaction. In the sense that every ad says it is better to buy than not to buy, we can best regard advertising as a propaganda system for commodities

Assignment TI1.2

The Monster in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein bared an apparent physical stigma ever since his creator brought him to life. Even from the beginnings of his life, The Monster was excluded from society. His maker, Victor Frankenstein was horrified from his physical appearance when The Monster first awoke. Everywhere he went and interacted with people, he began to realize he had an overbearing stigma. In Goffman’s Stigma, he states, “Society established the means of categorizing persons and the complement of attribute felt to be ordinary and natural for members of each of these categories (2).” Due to the Monster’s ugly physical appearance, the people he came into contact with automatically categorized him as a violent and scary individual; a monster. Goffman goes on to write, “When a stranger comes into our presence, then, first appearances are likely to enable us to anticipate his category and attributes (2)” The Monster was not given a chance by society due to his frightening attributes. Goffman argues that first impressions are automatically made by someone’s outward appearance and since the Monster’s was unfavorable to the rest of society, people would not give him a chance and either run away in shock, or act violent towards him. These reactions by the populace towards The Monster’s looks made him realize that he was different from everyone else. His interactions with people indeed made The Monster realize his stigma.
Not only did The Monster learn from human interaction that he was different from everyone else, he also learned through readings of the human world. Since society would not give The Monster a chance due to his physical handicap, he was forced to learn about being human through novels. Through his readings and observations of the Delacey Family, The Monster was able to read, write, speak, and act just like a human. He began to feel that he was human, but his physical characteristics, his “stigma” held him back. Erving Goffman states, “The stigmatized individual tends to hold the same beliefs about identity that we do…his deepest feelings about what he is may be his sense of being a “normal person,” a human being like anyone else...(7).” Through these novels, The Monster learned what it is like to be “normal.” He realizes that “he does indeed fall short of what he really ought to be (7)…” and “his own attributes as being a defiling thing to possess, and one he can readily see himself as not possessing (7).” Interactions with society only made The Monster aware of his certain Stigma. He knew something was wrong with him but he was not exactly sure. Using technology such as readings and observing the Delacey Family, The Monster was able to pinpoint and realize why society ostracized and rejected him. These technologies made him know what it is like to be a normal human being, but on the other hand The Monster realized he could never feel like a typical person due to his physical stigma.
I think that movies and other readings such as magazines due indeed make people feel excluded. As an example, in fashion magazines the majority of the people featured in it are attractive and in shape. I believe this makes the reader feel that they must not be “skinny” or “attractive” enough. I think these types of media have caused many people in society to take extreme measures such as plastic surgery and excessive exercising. Recently, plastic surgery has been a booming industry and the majority of the demographic that go under the knife have gotten younger. MTV has even come out with a show titled, “I Want a Famous Face,” where young adults and even teenagers undergo surgery spending 1000’s of dollars to make themselves look more like their favorite celebrity. Movies and other forms of technology do indeed make people feel excluded. Many have taken extreme measures to remedy this problem of exclusion that is caused by what they see in different forms of media.
When reading the expert from Great Expectations, I discovered Pipp finds consciousness of himself as a “self,” when the escaped prisoner in by the grave where his mother and father lay confronts him. Before this incident, Pipp seemed very quite and reserved. I could see him keeping to himself as described in the first paragraph when he was sitting at his parent’s grave weeping alone. I believe this all changed when the escaped prisoner jumped out, grabbed him, and threatened to kill him unless he brought him a file and some food. Pipp stated, “My first most vivid and broad impression of the identity of things, seems to me to have been gained on a memorable raw afternoon towards evening (1).” Pipp acted out of his ordinary self and fulfilled the prisoner’s wishes even though he was scared and felt guilty for stealing food from his sister’s pantry. This memory in his life, I feel was almost like a right of passage for Pipp. I think he gained courage and confidence by helping out the escaped prisoner. He really broke out of his shell and changed his identity of being a reserved and quite person to a bolder and stronger individual.
I found that Pipp’s situation was the complete opposite of the Monster’s in the novel Frankenstein. It seemed the Monster was only happy when he was in solitude observing the Delacey family and reading books that he found. The monster found observing human life very intriguing. When he discovered who or what he really was and gained consciousness of himself, the Monster changed from a timid, observant creature, to something filled with hatred and anger. Although the monster was kind at heart, his discoveries lead him to the destruction of everyone around him. Pipp, on the other hand was sad and scared when he was alone. The encounter with the escaped man changed all of this and Pipp found that he was courageous and bold. He gained confidence through this experience of finding his real self.

Assignment NT5.5 Part IV

Whether it is in form of a letter, storyboard, or website; the basic story that one is trying to tell stays the same, but there are still some changes one must make to the story because each “technology” being used to tell the story has it’s limits. When using a letter to tell the story, the storyteller is bound by the limits of only using words and if he or she chooses to storyboard their tale, the storyteller can only use pictures and short sentences and phrases. On the other hand, a website combines both mediums of letter writing and pictures to tell the story.
I found it more comfortable to be more descriptive in writing out the story than trying to storyboard it. I think it is easier to portray emotion and what people are thinking through writing than trying to draw it out. Maybe it is due to my artistic handicap of only being able to draw stick figures with basic expressions on their faces of being happy or sad. On the other hand, when writing out the story, I could write specifically how they were feeling and could portray their emotions accurately. I found storyboarding kind of frustrating because due to my artistic limits. I felt that the viewer or audience had to make up in their own minds what kinds of thought and emotions I was exactly trying to portray, as opposed to writing where you can be more straightforward. As an example, one can easily draw a stick figure with a frown on it to portray that the character is sad, but how sad is the character? What kind of “sad” is the character feeling? When writing the story in letterform, it took less work to describe what kind of “sad” and other emotions the character was going through. I found that storyboarding is a more “general” way to tell a story and writing allows the storyteller to give more description and detail.
I found that using a website to tell a story combines the best of both worlds of storyboarding and letter writing. On a website, the storyteller can use both descriptive letters and pictures to accompany the writing. Using a website not only gives the audience a written description but also a visual portrayal of what the author is trying to get across. Also by using a website, not only can the storyteller use pictures and writings, but he or she can also insert video clips, sounds, and music to heighten the senses of the viewer and give more of a profound impact on what exactly the author is trying to depict.
When exercising these different technologies of storyboarding, letter writing, and website designing for this assignment, I found that the basics of the story does not change across each medium, but the way it is described changes profoundly. I found the use of storyboarding very limiting and lacked detail than writing a letter. I thought the best way to tell a story more accurately and the way the storyteller wants it is by using a website. Using a website combines all of these technologies into one bundled form of media, allowing the author to be more creative and descriptive.
I think I am a form of fictional character in my writings because I can control what I do, how people perceive me, and many other factors that I cannot control in the real world. I can be anything and do anything in my writings, storyboards and websites and there are no limits. For an extreme example, author James Frey who wrote his best selling memoir, A Million Little Pieces, fabricated most of his so called adventurous life. He created a character that was supposed to be himself but embellished on it greatly to make himself appealing to his audience. Frey demonstrates that the author can embellish himself (not as extreme as Frey’s case) to make the story more interesting to the reader or viewer, thus creating a somewhat fictional character.
In my story, in all its forms I am a type of fictional character. In my letters to my mother and friend, I am a fictional character because the letters were loosely based on a true occurrence and names of people, and locations were changed. I created a fictional world in these letters in which I could tell my story of a true occurrence but not give away real names and locations. In the storyboard, the fact that I was fabricated into a “stick figure” that spoke using bubble letters portrayed me being a fictional character. In the letters I was transformed into a fictional character because not all the accounts were accurate and real in the story and in the storyboards, I was physically transformed into a fictional character and represented in stick figure form. The character that I created was a representation of my real self, but still was a fabrication of my mind.
I think everyone writes the character, but the degrees of impact are varying. Obviously, the writer has the biggest impact on the character because he/she is the creator. The author decides who the character is, what he/she looks like and what his/her personality is like. The author also determines the actions and the fate of his/her creation. The audience has an impact on the character because depending on who the audience is; the character can be interpreted differently between each audience. This in turn has an affect on the “writing” of the character. As an example, I could describe myself in the story as a strong, charismatic, and intelligent man. The audience could interpret this character that I portray as the complete opposite. They could view me as an arrogant and “cocky” guy with a big ego. The storyteller writes the character, but all of the information about the character is up for interpretation by the audience.
The medium in which the character is produced and the narrative structure also affects the way the character is written. The medium can affect the way the audience interprets the character. As mentioned in the paragraphs above, depending on the medium one chooses, as an example a storyboard, one may get a completely different interpretation of the character because of the lack of description a storyboard has when compared to a letter or a website. The narrative structure can also have a profound effect on the way the character is written. The letter for the assignment was written in first person and the storyboard was written as a third person account. The character created in the letter could have a completely different personality than the character in the storyboard because another author interpreting the first person account of the story drew the storyboard. All of these factors, the storyteller, audience, narrative structure, and the medium affect the way the character is written. The character is originally written by the author, but the interpretation by the audience, the narrative structure and the medium it is placed in can manipulate the “writing” of the character and changes between each eye of the beholder.

Assignment NT 5.5

Dear Mom,

I am sorry I could not come home for grandma’s birthday two weeks ago. I feel really bad that I missed it, but I had four midterms to study for that week. I sent her a card and some flowers with an apology. I might drive up this weekend and take her out to lunch. This week though has been really relaxed after my exams. We won our hockey game and I think we might make it to the playoffs this season. To celebrate our hockey victory and exams, my friends and I went up town to our friend, Katie’s apartment to catch up on old times. To remind you of whom she is, she is the girl that you met wearing the shoes that you thought were a little tacky, the last time you visited for parents weekend. (Don’t worry I didn’t tell her about the shoes) Well, the funniest thing happened when we were there.
Some of Katie’s friends from Ohio State were visiting. One of the girls was dating a Miami football player. After a couple of celebration drinks, I decided it was good idea to tell Katie’s friends that I too was a football player for Miami. I told them I was the third string backup kicker. I even demonstrated for them how I kicked and got into character. Katie and all of my friends new I was joking and played along. They were a little surprised by this because; you know that I am not the type to do this. This is where my little prank backfired. One of the girls was so impressed with my “athleticism,” that she kept asking me questions and finally towards the end of the night, she asked me out to dinner the next day and if she could come to the next football game. I think my face turned bright red and I decided it was time to tell her and all her friends the truth. We all had a good laugh. I know that it is bad to play pranks, but it was a good way to end such a stressful week.
Other than that, everything is going well, and yes mom I have been taking all my vitamins and getting a lot of sleep. I look forward to a good home cooked meal this weekend. I have been calling dad every other day and Susan and Angela* too. I heard Angela might get a promotion and gets to go on a two-week vacation to Mexico. Maybe I can fly out a visit her ;). I hope you have been not worry about me as much and playing a lot of golf.

Love,
Your son John

*Angela and Susan are my sisters

Yo Ryan (good friend),

The funniest thing happened to me this weekend. You know that cool girl Katie, which lived in our dorm freshman year? She invited Kyle, Mike and I over to her apartment uptown, above Starbucks for a few drinks to celebrate getting done with exams and that sweet win over Delta Lamda. I think we are a shoe-in for the playoffs by the way. Her friends from OSU were over and were hanging out with us. One of the girls actually is dating Matthews, on the football team, that dood who scored the game winning touchdown that last game against BG. That was pretty sweet. But anyways the weirdest thing happened to me tonight.
I told her friends jokingly that I was the third string kicker for the team, but they really did believe me. Katie looked at me laughing and shaking her head and Mike had to leave the room because he was cracking up and couldn’t stop laughing. I told them my name was Adam Vinatieri, you know the name of the New England Patriot’s kicker, but none of them caught on. We were all trying to hold back our laughs when I starting demonstrating how I kicked the ball and how I could kick a fifty yarder with both hands tied behind my back and blind folded. Mike, Katie, and Kyle were all shocked that I was acting like this because you how I never like to be the center of attention. Most of her friends started to catch on that I was joking, but this one girl had no idea I was just kidding. Towards the end of the night, she asked me for my cell phone number, my screen name, and asked if I was on Facebook! Then she said she was in town until the day after and asked if she wanted to go to dinner! I had no idea what to say and I didn’t know my joke would lead to this. I felt really bad and I had to tell her. I could tell she got really embarrassed, but we all just laughed about it in the end. What a good night.
Well, see you tomorrow bright and early at 8 a.m. in Shriver’s class. I really hope he curves that test we took. Everyone came out of there with disgruntled looks on their faces and I swear I even saw someone crying after. I’m really nervous even thinking about it.

-John

Note: This is loosely based on a true story, and the names and locations have been changed.

Autobiography
1. Born in Chicago at Swedish Covenant Hospital on September 11, 1984
2. Grew up in Glencoe, IL, a small suburb just north Chicago.
3. Grew up with two older sisters Angela, 27 and Susan, 22
4. From preschool through high school, grew up with the same people and friends.
5. Started playing golf at five years old
6. Picked up lacrosse in 8th grade
7. Got involved with many student organizations, social service, and clubs such as Student Senate, Snowboarding club, and film club.
8. Applied to about 20 different colleges before I graduated high school with no set idea of what I wanted to do with my life.
9. Got my first job over the summer before college as a marketer for Costco
10. Graduated from New Trier Township High school in 2003
11. Finally released out of my town “bubble”
12. Decided to attend Miami University with 35 other New Trier Graduates as an economics major
13. Changed my major to Finance
14. Met a lot of interesting people and made some good friends at Miami
15. Had some of the most happy, stressful, fun, sad, and life changing experiences at Miami.
16. Took one of the hardest econ, business law, and finance exams first semester junior year
17. (Insert autobiographical letters)
18. Currently looking for an internship and trying to decide what I want to do exactly with my life. I am thinking about doing a lot of traveling over the summer if I do not get an internship.

When comparing the out of character letter I wrote to my mother and the letter written to a close friend, I found that I was a little bit more formal with my mom. The words were more casual with my friend and I used more “slang” such as the word “dood.” I found that even though both letters were personal, the letter with my close friend was more descriptive and had more of a humorous tone. I think I was more descriptive with my friend because he knows all the people and places personally that I described in the story, and could relate to it more than my mom that lives 300 miles away. I guess it is because I can be more…what is the word I am looking for?…”goofy” with my close friends because even though I am close with my mom, it would be kind of awkward for me to talk about situations such as these in the manner I do with my friends. When comparing, my letters did not changed dramatically in the core or basics of the story, but the tone and word choices I used did change drastically.
I think a published account should be different or similar to a personal letter depending on it’s intended purpose. If the published account is used as an example in the court of law, such as a police report used as evidence, I think the account should be less formal and invoke less emotion. It should be factual and straight to the point. If the account is used in a magazine or a similar source of media, I believe that it can be as casual as the writer wants it and can have a certain tone to express specific emotions that the writer wants the reader to feel, like in a letter. The “me” changes in each letter, but not dramatically. In both letters the audience affected the tone and the casualness of the letter, but I think who I really am and how people portray me does not change.

Assignment NT 4.2

Narrative Outline
1. Dorothy lives a happy life with her dog Toto in rural Kansas
2. She runs away when her neighbor threatens to take away her dog
3. A magical tornado transports her to the land of Oz
4. She is praised by the munchkins and the good witch of the north for “killing” the wicked witch of the east
5. The good witch of the north places the wicked witch of the east’s slippers on her
6. The good witch of the north tells Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road to go to the emerald city in which she can find the Wizard of Oz to help her and Toto go back to Kansas
7. On her journey she makes friends with a lion that lacks courage, a scarecrow that lacks a brain, and the tin man that lacks a heart
8. The four of them and Toto have their encounters with strange people on the way and the wicked witch of the west
9. They finally reach the Emerald City and the Wizard tells them to recover the wicked witch of the west’s broom stick (I think)
10. Dorothy, the lion, the tin man, the scarecrow, and Toto go to the witch’s castle and destroys the witch by spilling water on her.
11. They go back to the emerald city and Toto pulls a curtain, where the “wizard” is hiding.
12. They find out that there is no wizard after all but just a man.
13. The man tells the scarecrow, the tin man, and the lion that they already have a brain, heart, and courage respectively.
14. The man gets in a hot air balloon and tells Dorothy that he can take her back, but he cuts the rope too early and floats off
15. The good witch of the north comes back and tells Dorothy to click her heals and say, “there’s no place like home.”
16. Dorothy wakes up in her bed and “realizes” it was all a dream.

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most classic tales of a character in trouble trying to overcome a problem. I think many people can relate to this story directly or even in small subtle ways because this story is very dynamic. I believe this tale can be used as the foundation or “blue print” for many people’s biographies, which involve overcoming a problem or dilemma.
If you generalize The Wizard of Oz story to it’s simplest form, you basically have the main character or heroin, Dorothy facing some kind of trouble; her problem being that her neighbor detests her dog and wants to take it away. Dorothy then goes on a journey that involves overcoming several obstacles in order to complete her journey. All these experiences throughout her quest helps her more and more to find the solution to her problem. All these hurdles that she passes on her journey gives her tools and life experiences to help achieve her goal. Everyone that comes across a problem in their lives generally use their prior experiences (“past journeys”) or must go on a “journey” no matter if it is physical or mental to overcome a problem. On this journey they must gather life experiences that helps them grow, develop, and mature. These experiences they pick up aids them in ultimately solving their predicament. To give a general example, let’s say a man finds out he has cancer. His journey involves going to the hospital, consulting with doctors, finding out his options, doing research on cancer, and then ultimately being treated and overcoming his problem. The man with cancer’s journey was not as “magical” as Dorothy’s but like Dorothy he was faced with a problem that led him on a quest to find the answer. I believe the story of The Wizard of Oz can be related to people’s own biographies and stories, if you break this tale’s outline down to the simplest form.
When you watch a movie, or turn on the television, the viewer is transported to a place where anything is possible and reality is stretched beyond the limits of the real world and only bounded by the capacity of our imaginations. Watching a film or television is indeed like going to the Land of Oz. It is here where one can express their creativity and is not limited by the boundaries and laws of the real world. Like in the Land of Oz, anything can happen in movies and T.V. You can encounter new beings, creatures, machines, new worlds and other things that are beyond reality. I think that the Wizard of Oz is trying to tell us that watching television and movies encourages us to be creative and think outside of the box. It heartens us to believe that we are not bound by the laws of the real world and anything and everything is possible. It is inspirations like these that brought man to where it is today. I mean just in the last century alone man has achieved what used to be unfathomable, such as landing on the moon or putting the world at everyone’s fingertips with the Internet.
The Wizard of Oz is telling us to be good viewers by not just watching a form of media for entertainment purposes, but to dig deeper and find meaning in what one is watching. They are trying to tell us to be open to new ideas and notions. Watching a new movie or a television show is a new experience just like how being transported to a The Land of Oz was a new experience for Dorothy. Dorothy learned a lot in the colorful world of Oz. She broke out of the “bubble” of monochromatic, boring and sheltered Kansas and learned new views and perspectives on life. Like Dorothy, to be a “good” viewer, one should watch a movie or television with an open mind because it can bring a lot of insight to your life.

Assignment NT 2.2

I believe that in today’s modern world, we are feeling the same intimidating notions of robots and A.I. as the characters and people in Asimov’s Caves of Steel. People in the novel feel threatened by robots, because they can perform duties, tasks and jobs, as easily or even better than humans. They do not need sleep, wages, and can work endlessly. Enderby, the commissioner mentions to Bailey that, “there are R’s that can do your work and mine (10).” As in the novel, our world has undergone a great transformation with the technology boom. The development of computers and other technologies has lead to a world that is completely becoming automized.
Industrial robots can manufacture entire cars with little help from humans and soon a bank teller’s job will be replaced fulltime by the common ATM. At home, robots are quickly making an entrance. There are robot vacuums that sweep automatically and one can even buy a pet robot dog from Sony. Even in agriculture, there are tractors that can drive and harvest crops automatically with the aid of onboard computers and GPS. I personally think all this technology is exciting, yet it is very intimidating. It is interesting to see how far humans can go with A.I. and fabricating a machine that carry out thoughts and maybe even emotions. On the other hand, it is daunting to think that robots and other machines are going to replace a good number of jobs performed by humans. Imaging going to work and finding out that you have been fired and replaced by a machine. As fast as technology is moving today, I do believe this threat will become a reality, not only in manufacturing and other jobs that are physically intensive, but with jobs that require the most expertise and precision as well such as surgeons performing open heart surgery. Each year robots become smarter and more efficient, thus increasing the threat of replacing numerous human jobs. I believe robots can be tolerated to a certain extent. I think robots that are created for leisure and entertainment such as Sony’s robot dog, the Aibo are more accepted by a typical human being than a robot that poses a threat and is competition for their jobs. These robots to a certain degree challenge the purpose of human existence.
“Do you suppose,” went on Baley, relentlessly, that they could make a robot that would fool you into thinking it was a human?”
The roboticist tittered. “Oh my dear Mr. Baley. I doubt that. Really. There’s more to a robot that just his appear—“
Dr Gerrigel froze in the middle of the word. Slowly, he turned to R. Daneel, and his pink face went very pale…(173)

I feel the more human characteristics no matter if it is an animal or machine portrays, the more people respond to them as if they were human. In Asimov’s novel from the quote above, Dr. Gerrigel was a robot specialist that was an expert in humanoids. Even Gerrigel could not tell that R. Daneel was a humanoid until Baley hinted him on. Gerrigel responded and interacted with R. Daneel just as if he was a human before he found out he was a robot. As for our closest animal relative, chimps, gorrilaz and other primates, we do tend to anthropomorphize with them a lot more than other animals. Primates and humans cannot directly communicate through language, but can share emotions and thoughts through different body gestures and facial expressions. One could not simply do this with a turtle or a shark as an example because they lack any type of human form and have no means to communicate with each other efficiently. So if robots had more of a human form and characteristics that are close to human (arms, eyes, mouth), I do think that people would anthropomorphize with them more as shown with Dr. Gerrigel. I think it is hard for people to attribute human characteristics and qualities to a robot that was just a plain box with wheels and beeps (except for R2-D2 maybe…) As an example, Sony has created a robot called the “Qrio.” It is about the height of a 3 year old child, can articulate and walk/run very close to like a human. It has one of the most sophisticated AI’s and can be considered the world’s first fully functional “humanoid.” It can distinguish different people with facial and voice recognition. Soon it will be able to carry out a conversation on the same level as a 3-4 year old human. At Sony’s website (http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/QRIO/videoclip/), there is a video clip of this robot interacting with a group of kids. These kids do not seem intimated by “Qrio,” but see him as a “friend” because Qrio has a voice of a child and uses hand gestures and other motions to interact. I do not think these kids would interact the same way with a robot that lacked these human qualities. I think the more human qualities and form a robot emulates, the more they would be anthropomorphized and accepted just like the interactions between a human and a primate.

Assignment NT 2.1

When writing this paper, I was looking online and my dictionary to lookup what the definition of a human is. I found that there are numerous different answers to this question. Some being very vague, like from dictionary.com; “A person, having or showing those positive aspects of nature and character regarded as distinguishing humans from other animal.” So what exactly is a human? Does a human have to be born naturally from a women’s womb, or can it be artificially created such as the monster in Frankenstein? If it thinks, acts, and looks like a human isn’t it human? This novel draws a great parallel to what is happening in today’s modern world. Each year, new technological creations and the development of robots are quickly taking over numerous amounts of human tasks and jobs such as the ATM or automotive manufacturing robots. Enderby, the commissioner states, “R. Sammy is just the beginning. He runs errands. Other patrol the expressway…There are R’s that can do your work and mine (10).” Like Asimov’s novel, The Caves of Steel, robots are quickly consuming our world. So what extent can we learn what it means to be human by examining our creation of and reaction to robots? I think the quote by Dr. Gerrigel gives the best answer, “…the human form is the most successful generalized form in all nature (172).” We as humans are built to be multifaceted. We are decent at performing numerous tasks, but not great at one specific thing. Therefore we use technology and build machines, electronics, and robots, to make our lives easier. As an example, in automobile manufacturing, a person can do a great job welding a door onto a car, but all his welds may not be perfect and he can only work for so long. A robot on the other hand will make each weld perfect and precise to our standards and can work infinitely. I believe by looking at our creations of robots, we can conclude humans are not perfect beings and are just a generalized form of nature and are aware that we have certain limitations in what we can do, therefore we must invent and create things to break these boundaries in our limits.
I think, even though “Tank” communicates more like a human than his counterparts, and he is programmed to be more emotional, I feel he still lacks real human emotions. His emotions are just a fabrication of his programmers. Human emotions are hard to explain and different for everyone. Tank’s emotions are just a set of programs that tells him to react in a certain way. I believe he is still a machine and does not really feel what he tells you he is feeling. When he tells you he is sad, does he feel the same way a human does? We can learn from Tank that real human communication is not just an exchange of verbal words, but it is an exchange of emotions and this is something that he lacks in what is needed for real human communication.
There are many creative ways to communicate emotions and feelings virtually online through e-mail and instant messenger. I find that using emotive pictures such as “:)” or “:(” are very helpful. It doesn’t necessarily get all your emotions across but it does give the person you are communicating with a better perception of how you are feeling. Other ways to express how one is feeling include using ALL CAPS, to express that you are excited or angry or quotations such as *Sigh* or *Tear*, which are self explanatory. I believe we, as humans cannot communicate without idication of emotion or intention. Emotion is one of the very things that make us what we are. Without these feelings, it would be like talking to a brick wall. Even online, humans attempt to express their feelings by using little symbols. We would not be human without the expression of emotions while communicating.
I could see myself working with R. Daneel Olivaw to a certain degree. Although he has no emotions, he does everything else a human can perform and even tasks that are extraordinary. I think he is more reliable and trustworthy than having another human as a partner. You do not have to worry about him getting tired or even frustrated. One can look at Olivaw as a person with just a very “dry” personality.

Assignment NT 1.2

The Monster in Shelly’s Frankenstein is exiled everywhere he goes, so he finds refuge hidden away on the Delacey’s property. Here, for months he observes this family closely hidden away in a cottage observing their actions, feelings, and daily life. He even learns to read and write through the observations of Felix teaching Safie using the novel Ruins of Empires. One night in the woods when foraging for food and firewood, The monster comes across a pack, which includes two novels; Paradise Lost and Sorrows of Werter. With this collection of “media,” the monster begins to observe and actually feel what it is like to be “human.”
I believe, even though the monster rapidly learns all of the traits of being human, both internal and external, he psychologically becomes more distant and hateful towards humans. The monster becomes more aware that although he thinks, feels, and acts like a person, due to his disfigured physical appearance he is restrained and frustrated and he feels that no one individual on earth will accept him into society. He states, “I had admired the perfect forms of my cottagers – their grace, beauty, and delicate complexions; but how terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool (94)!” Frankenstein’s monster fancied the physical appearance of people, but saw that when he looked at his own reflection, he himself was disgusted. I think the monster feels that even if he cannot accept the way that he looks, then what human will. He then goes on to state, “I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification (94).” These observations on the Delacey Family only dejected the Monster’s thought of him being “human.”
The book, Ruins of Empires from which Felix teaches to Safie also reinforce The Monster’s growing separation towards being human. He learns that in this novel a man must have power and money to be respected and accepted in society. He quotes,
A man might be respected with only one these advantages, but without either he was considered, except in very rare instances, as a vagabond and a slave, doomed to waste his powers for the profits of the chosen few! And what was I? Of my creation and creator I was absolutely ignorant, but I knew that I possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property. I was besides, endued with a figure of hideously deformed and loathsome; I was not even of the same nature as man (100-101)

The Monster becomes more discouraged because he has no items of worth, friends or land. With this knowledge, the monster feels that he is not even on the same level as “man” and that he is a “Monster, a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled and whom all men disowned (101).” This knowledge made him feel anger and pain. The monster states, “I couldn’t even “describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me (101).” The monster does not like this feeling of misery and even ponders suicide.
While reading the two novels, Frankenstein’s monster finds in the woods, he comes across examples of “Adam” from the Bible, in Paradise Lost. He finds that his past is very similar to that of the creation of Adam, but in many ways very opposite as well. He states,
Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence, but his state was far different from min in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the special care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire knowledge from beings of a superior nature, but I was wretched, helpless, and alone (110).

The monster became frustrated with this story because Adam like himself was created from nothing but he lived a happy and prosperous life guided by his creator, unlike the monster. On the other hand the monster, was just abandoned and left in the “gutter” with no guidance and care. He becomes very jealous and envious of Adam, by stating, “I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me (110).” Even with all his excitement of obtaining novels to read, the Monster becomes discouraged and negatively reinforces his quest of understanding and ultimately being accepted by society as a person.
The many months The Monster spent in the shed, reading books, and observing the family only left him feeling ostracized by humans and frustrated with his own existence. He felt more alone, physically ugly, and sad. The human “technologies” acquired by the monster left him with no hope. He states, “Increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was (111).” I believe all of the information and observations gathered by the monster no only makes him frustrated and angry toward humans thus fueling his violence. I think he believes he has no future with humans so no matter how many good things he does or how nice he is, nothing will come of it, thus giving more of an aggressive nature.

Assignment NT 1.3

Walton and Victor Frankenstein both share very similar motives behind their pursuits. Both men unarguably want fame, richness, and power, but more importantly their passion to attain these goals goes beyond just money and celebrity; more importantly, to fulfill an empty void in their lives. Walton hopes to discover the Northwest Passage through the artic and the North Pole. This passage, he claims will revolutionize transportation and trade between countries. Victor’s pursuit, entails creating a being that shares human like qualities, from the different parts of the already diseased. He hopes by bringing this creature to life, he could use this science to “renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption (39).” Although their endeavors and interests share almost no likeness, their motivation and ambition to accomplish their goals are very akin. There entire lives are consumed in their quest; Victor engulfing himself in science and Walton in discovery. Walton expresses his passion in accomplishing his goal in his letter to his sister, Mrs. Saville. He writes,

“I feel my hear glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven, for nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose…My life might have been passed in ease and luxury, but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path (2-3).”

Walton’s motives in discovering the Northwest Passage goes beyond being rich and famous, but to fill a void in his life. He claims his pursuit calms his mind and gives him a feeling of the highest degree of satisfaction, making him feel that he is in “heaven.” He also states that he much rather choose glory no matter what it takes, even if it meant giving up a comfortable and luxurious life. Victor sees this analogous passion for fulfillment in Walton’s eyes and exclaims, “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness?” In the chapter four, Victor really begins to share his real intentions. He states,

“Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs (38-39).”

When reading Victor’s statements, it almost seems he wants to play “God,” by bringing to life a new creature from death. He expects this creature to exalt him as it’s creator and devote his newly born life to him. He even goes on to say that he deserves the utmost gratitude over any other man. Not only does Victor want fame and wealth, but he wants to fill this empty void in his life. It seams he wants to be praised and respected, maybe trying to raise himself to the same level as “God” (This statement is kind of extreme and completely from the left). Victor is so obsessed in attaining this goal, he even replies, “I seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit (39).” Both men share the same driving force in attaining their goals. It seems inevitable that Victor and Walton will stop at nothing and do what ever it takes fill their empty “abyss”.
I think that author, Mary Shelley is trying to warn us that motives that go beyond what a normal human would usually try to attain is very dangerous. Thinking out of the box and attaining new knowledge that is beyond the average being only leads to despair. Hawthorne demonstrates this in one of the letters that Walton wrote to his sister. In this letter he describes Victor’s appearance after Walton told him about his pursuit. Walton describes him by writing; “he appeared to despise himself for being the slave of passion and quelling the dark tyranny of despair (13).” I believe that Victor looked and felt this way after Walton told him about his passion in attempting to discover the Northwest Passage, because it reminded of himself when he attempted to create a being from dead remains. I think that Victor sees a young version of himself that is highly motivated and overzealous and knows that Walton will only fail utterly in his attempts to pursue something that is extraordinary like he did. Victor even states, “You have hope, and the world before you, and have no cause for despair. But I- I have lost everything and cannot begin life anew (13).”
As for today’s technological magnates, such as Bill Gates, I believe the same ambitions and motives that drove Victor and Walton to attain their goals are very similar to his own. Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and the world’s leader in software development and innovations. He did not just do this overnight, but to become what he is right now took sacrifice, and motivation that goes beyond the average human being. He even dropped out of college to pursue his career and his passion. Like Victor and Walton, his whole life was engulfed around this one goal. The only difference between Bill Gates and the two characters in the novel is that Bill Gates became and stayed successful as opposed to Victor, where he cannot even “begin life anew (13).”

Assignment 1

I feel that scientists and doctors have some kind of limit in what they are allowed to do in the field of playing “God.” Yes, their research is beneficial for the advancement of the human race, but also there are several moral dilemmas and ethical issues they must face when dealing with research and experiments in genetic engineering, more specifically human cloning. In the future, this research may one day find the “panacea” to all life’s diseases, disabilities, and disorders. On the other hand, they must set the limits in their experimenting to fall into the boundaries of what is morally and ethically right and what is wrong. For example, a scientist can’t just go clone a human without questioning their integrity, dealing with public scrutiny or running into some legal issues. I believe that scientist’s research should be limited only to a certain degree and must fall within the boundaries of human morality.

I think Hawthorne and Shelly do believe that scientists should not be able to play God. In the story, “The Birthmark”, by Hawthorne and in the novel Frankenstein, by Shelly, the main characters in both tales experienced a tragic ending. Aylmer, the scientists in “The Birthmark” sacrificed his own wife that he loved so dearly in order to get rid of a “cosmetic” blemish his wife, Georgiana had on her face. In Shelly’s novel, the scientists created a being named “Frankenstein” that somewhat reassembled a human, but was hated by the entire village, ultimately leading to a tragic ending. In both stories, the main characters had scientific breakthroughs that could in the future be potentially used to better human life and existence, but in the end the two scientists had to give something or someone up they cared about and loved including their closest kin.

I believe the texts warn us about crossing the boundaries of what one can do and if they should do it. As for an example, the cat had the ability to speak the language of the Zebras, but one must ask, if the cat should have gone around using his special ability. The two scientists in the two other stories both had great skills and abilities, but again, should they have used their talent in this manor? I think the texts show us that some people have abilities to play God such as cloning a human being, or creating a time machine (random examples), but they must be cautious and think twice at what may be the consequence and outcome if they do indeed follow through with what they are doing.

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