2011 Resolutions

I've learned a lot this past year but I can do better. So here are my 2011 New Year's Resolutions, in no particular order:

• No more apologies for my choices and my life!!! I'm done trying to justify my hair color or explain why I have the goals I do. I will not apologize for who I am- not to family, friends, or strangers.
• I need to let down my guard more often and allow people to really get to know me. I tend to put up walls to stop myself from getting hurt, but more often than not I hurt myself by doing that. I'm grown-up and strong enough to handle the occasional bruises and cannot afford to continue to miss out on opportunities and relationships.
• Count my blessings daily.
• Call my family more often...all of them.
• Say what I mean instead of sugarcoating or holding back.
• Increase my fluency in both Spanish and Arabic.
• Do a good deed everyday.
• Deepen my personal scripture study and prayer.
• Let loose more often and not feel guilty for it. I need to allow myself to have adventures and create a few of my own.
• Be healthier. It's not about losing weight or not having chocolate- It's about finding a better balance for myself.
• Replace my intense study of chick flicks with more dating!
• And...spread the non-profit to more states and areas.
  

2010 Reflections

It's New Years Eve. The last day of 2010- a year of tremendous growth, a year full of challenges, heartache, tears, but also filled with laughter, surprises, joy and moments of peace. I'm sitting in my little house alone eating popcorn and drinking Sparkling Cider, listening to some of my favorite music and I'm going to watch some of my signature chick flicks shortly and write a love letter. This day has traditionally been one reserved for reflection and new resolutions, celebrating the good of the year and toasting the resolve to change the mistakes of the past year. It was this night my senior year that graduating finally became real (and scary). I've spent this night with my family and with friends, but this is my first one all by myself. And I'm okay with it. With all that's happened to me this year, everything I've done and learned- some reflection time is appropriate.
So here are some of my reflections:

• I've learned that I handle physical pain better than emotional pain.
• I've learned that I can push through the pain to be stronger than I ever thought possible.
• I learned that it is okay to do things just for me- just because I like it or I need some "me" time.
• I've been blessed my two of the best jobs ever this year- being an RA and a nanny to Jackson. Both have blessed my life immeasurably.
• I'm comfortable on first dates because I know who I am and I love that!
• I've learned how to deal with solitude and to treasure silence.
• I've learned that communication is vital to any relationship.
• I admit it- I'm addicted to chocolate and sushi (not together though). But admitting the problem is the first step, right?
• I've learned how to blog! But, more importantly, I've learned how to effectively use technology instead of tip-toeing around it.
• I am no longer bitter about so many of my friends getting engaged and married- I'm happy for them. I know that when it's right it will happen for me.
  
• My heart has slowly healed this year and looking back I'm grateful for the entire journey and the many lessons I've learned from it.
• And.... I never want to stop learning!

Tune in tomorrow for my 2011 Resolutions!

Books Books Books!

Call me an oddity among students, but I LOVE buying my new (and used) books for each semester. Except for the price, but this is not a rant about the budget of a college student.

I moseyed through each aisle reverently taking in all the textbooks, novels, and packets, gradually filling my basket with treasures. For my British Literature class: Emma by Jane Austen, Adam Bede by George Eliot, and The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. 2. Three beautiful books full of exquisite writing, some tears and heartache, some laughs and even more smiles. Stories of small farm towns and bustling cities, carpenters and scientists. Women and men, poems, short stories, and novels. I'm already excited for this class.

For my Statistics 121 class: The Basic Principles of Statistics, the Stats Portal CD, and the Lecture Notes all bound for me already. I'm a little nervous about this class since I haven't had math in several years. I'm okay at math- I mean, I went all the way through Calculus. But I enjoy a challenge and I'm going to work my tail off in the class.

For my New Testament class: A working blank copy of the Bible, a student packet and this beautiful book called The Four Gospels: Verse by Verse. I already know that I don't want to sell back that last book. Throughout my BYU career I've tried to have a religion class every semester and I'm finally getting to the New Testament. Plus I have Dr. Ogden!!! I have a love for the New Testament already and can't wait to gain new insights.

For my Biology of Plants: a solitary textbook titled "Biology of Plants" with a Van Gogh painting called "Peach Blossoms in the Crau" gracing the covers. I fell in love with this book right away with its slightly worn pages and scientific diagrams as well as it's obvious deference to nature and the beauty of plants. If this person were a book, he would be a gardener with acres of land filled w ith orchards and gardens with dozens of varieties of plants and even with some plants of his own creation. We are going to be friends- I can tell.

For my Insight Magazine staff class there are no books besides the magazine issues we critique and edit. I'm continuing on the staff from last semester and just adore this class. Sister Earl is one of my all tim favorite professors (I had her for Greats Works of Literature of WWI my freshmen year)! Plus the staff is amazing, the writing is varied and fascinating, and the creative design new and challenging. This semester we will be working hard to get the magazine to print and putting it on the web for the first time ever!

For my Islam in Contemporary Society class: No textbooks have been listed yet, but I already have my Qur'an from last year. While I'm no longer minoring in Middle Eastern Studies, I am fascinated by the Islamic religion, the Muslim culture, and their role in the world today. As a child of the 9/11 generation, 9/11 being what Kennedy's assasination was to my grandparents, I learned that the world is so much more than my American and Mormon beliefs. Rather the world is fun of distinct viewpoints and diverse cultures and I cannot call myself educated, not to mention considerate, if I do not learn about the 6 billion others I share this planet with.

That seems enough, right? Well, I was browsing the discontinued textbook shelves in hopes of finding more fascinating treasures. And I selected three books/packets that I will study independently this semester/rest of my life. They are: Human Physiology Powerpoints ( a class packet that will help to prepare me when I take that class shortly.), The Student Atlas of World Politics which I got for $2 ( a must have reference book with maps of everything from GDP to literacy rates and dependence on trade!), and finally, drum roll please, Art History in two volumes covering art from the 14th century to the 21st century. My good friend Kelly is an expert at Art and Art History and has interested me enough that I want to broaden my horizons and learn to appreciate and objectively look at art work.

Plus this semester, since learning more about OpenCourseWare and all the schools that offer classes online I am going to look up other university's versions of the classes I'm taking. Does MIT offer a Stats class that could help me? Does John Hopkins have their Biology of Plants class online? Will I find a podcast about Islam in contemporary society from Berkley? I will keep exploring how I can supplement my education...

While I read my glorious new pile of books!

Apology

I feel as though I owe a certain amount of apology and explanation to my readers and classmates for my lack of posts since Thanksgiving. It's not that I haven't been studying and learning and working on the final project (which I will talk about soon), but the translation between the work and the blogging didn't happen. I have half a dozen drafts waiting for me to find my brain and push through six more days. But since my last post, my sister got put in the hospital, I spent some time in the ER, my Dad has to have surgery, one of my friends has had 3 "emergencies", I've thrown 2 bridal showers, and had almost every teacher proceed to tell me that their final/project is the most important and if I mess up in any way I'm endangering my eternal salvation.

You laugh, but I'm only half joking about the last part.

So for those who were wondering- here you go. For those you didn't care in the first place, proceed to next post.

Web 2.0- A Whole New World

Every single day new tools are being developed and added to existing ones. I'm not sure I can quite keep up yet.

Here is a presentation I found on prezi that elaborates a bit and focuses on the tool of Prezi.

web 2.0 on Prezi

Professor Burton also had a good explanation in class about 2.0 in a prezi, that I will attach when I am able to find it. But for now, web 2.0 means to mean that we have moved beyond consuming everything that is placed before us. Now we want to create. Create blogs and profiles and videos to share with the world. And along with these creations come the desire to connect with other people- to see everything they are creating too.

Blog Nominations

Throughout the course of this semester, I've been following the blogs of my Digital Civilization classmates. And I think I've gotten closer to these classmates than any other class before- because we've opened up in our blogs beyond our assignments and gone through this whole experience together. So I just wanted to highlight some of my favorite posts/ blogs. And hopefully you, my dear reader, will explore them for yourselves.


Historical Context: My first pick is Dalton's blog, From Woodchips. Dalton does a great job diving into history and finding the unique and interesting thins. For instance, check out this post on McCarthyism. And this one on Darwin. Yeah, it's a lot of fun.






Computing Context: My pick for this one is also one of my favorite blogs, Maggie's!!! Maggie is an older student here on campus- an Army wife, married for 28 years to her best friend and the mother of 3 grown children. She is truly an inspiration. I've loved watching her excitement in discovering new tools and then sharing them with others. Check out this post to see what I mean!






Self-directed learning: My classmate, Ariel, has been a great example on examining her modes of learning as well as correcting her mistakes. It's shown throughout her entire blog, but especially in her reflective posts 1 and 2. Way to go Ariel!

Hindsight- 20/20 Foresight ?

September 1, 1939- If you'd asked an American high school student what was going on, they would have probably responded that it was an average day for them. But today a high school student can tell you that this day was the day Germany invaded Poland, thus starting World War Two.

And October 1. 1949? The day Mao declared the formal establishment of the People's Republic of China . It may not have seemed significant then, but now we look back and see how it changed everything.

It's the same thing with technology. When the first cell phone came out in 1973, it was laughed at. Who would want to carry about that thing, when there are payphones and work phones and even your home phone. Today we are glued to our cell phone, many have discontinued their home phones, and think it is the greatest thing since the tractor. We look back now and say "Duh! How could you not see that the cell phone would be life-changing?!" But they didn't know.

Just like we don't know today how this digital revolution is going to end. Is the digital language going to replace the formal written language? Are some tools going to die out? Could Facebook possibly stop being popular at some point? What tools are going to replace the old ones?

What of all of it is going to matter twenty years from now?

I don't know the answer to that yet, but I know that there is a Digital Revolution and Reformation sweeping the world. The likes of which we have never seen before. I'm still trying to figure out what changes that will bring to me.

The Click Heard Around the World

We all have our favorite gadgets and inventions- like sliced bread (which isn't as good as homemade, but to each his own), the toaster (I'm not sure why I'm on a bread train of thought), the iPod, cell phone, laptop, etc, etc. I think you get the point.

Many technological advances have catapulted our world into a digital era full of immediate communication. We got tired of waiting for a reply by handwritten mail (which, if you didn't know, is the coolest thing still) or, heaven forbid, we needed to walk across town to ask someone a question. The radio, television, the telephone, and the computer are all ways we've created to obtain information quickly and effectively. But there was one that seemed to start it all.

The telegraph.

Invented by Samuel Morse (yes, that Morse) in the 1830's, it predates the telephone, radio, and many other early technologies. Not to be confused with Guglielmo Marconi's invention of the radio telegraph system. Here's a prezi with more details about the development of the telegraph.

Samuel Morse on Prezi

To me, the telegraph represents the desire we had to start connecting to each other. It started the ball rolling, or the clicking started.

Glogging...?!

So I've just gotten semi-adjusted to blogging. Now there is glogging. That's right. Their slogan? "Why blog when you can glog?" Glogger: Poster Yourself.

Basically, glogging is creating "posters" with images, sounds, text, and videos to express yourself. A more visual way to blog I guess. It's kinda fun. Here's one I created.



Here's a screencast walking you through some of the designing features.

http://www.screencast.com/t/DmhV8YlOvf

Reflections (Take Two)

Coupled with the two midterms of the Digital Civ class, we are asked to post a reflective blog post as a self-evaluation of how we are doing in the course. My last reflective post has a great list of things I had learned up to that point and many of the points are still true, even more so as I've expanded further.

I need to take into consideration several things as I reflect including the historical content of the class, the computing concepts, the digital literacy labs, and self-directed learning through consuming, creating, and connecting. The course learning outcomes are decribed here on canvas. I am going to separate the material by strengths and weaknesses with links to examples from my blog.

Strengths:

• Since I love history, that section of the class has been fun and relatively easy for me. I have worked to expand my knowledge from what previous knowledge I had of these historical events and people by researching ideas or aspects of the time that I knew little about or what would hace normally ignored. For example 1 2 3
• I feel that I am continuing to make quality connections between the histoy and digital concepts as well as outside of class. Examples 1 2 3
• I am doing well with keeping my posts short, but also more of a synthesis than a re-stating. Examples 1 2
• Sifting through piles of information has become second nature to me and I find myself comfortable finding the relevant and interesting ideas and information.
• I am so excited to share the new tools and resources that I am finding that I told my hairdresser the other day, my employer, someone I met on the bus, and the kid who sat at my table in the library to name a few. It's so cool I can't keep it to myself!
• Probably the one thing I am most excited about as far as my blog goes is that I've found a good balance that is "me" with my blog. I can post about the Digital Civ class history and computer concepts, but I can also post samples of my writing, express frustration, talk about other classes, play my music, and share fun news. I feel more comfortable and less stiff with the format now.

Weaknesses:

• I need to improve the amount of media that I am including in my blog and make sure that most posts have a link for more information.
• I need to increase my efforts in the area of computer and digital concepts. While I am learning at an unprecedented rate in those areas, my posting on those has been dreadfully lacking.
• In some areas I still need to go deeper and wider on a subject to really find something that engages me completely. I need to look for other ways in the class to challenge myself.

Overall, I feel excited and challenged by this class, always wanting to learn more and often running out of time to do so. I have found many tools and resources that I plan on using after this class and semster and which have changed the way I research and study. I find myself continually evaluating my learning algorithisms and making adjustment. Now I just need to push harder, climb higher, and discover more!

Free Education...just a glimpse

So I've mentioned before that I write for the Insight Magazine for the BYU Honors Program. This year I've been working on several articles including one one free education. I couldn't resist sharing a small bit of the research I've done for the article with you all. Hope you enjoy it.

193 Opencourseware Consortium Members including John Hopkins, MIT, Notre Dame, University of California-Irvine and universities all around the world with material available in 10 languages.

44 Webcast classes available online for free with more being added every semester at Webcast Berkley.

16 full languages courses and Quick Phrases and Words in 36 other languages at BBC Languages.

iTunes-U has over 350,000 free lectures, texts, and videos from universities available.

I've been a bit hard on digital technology in the past, but free education goes a long way to smooth over differences I have with the internet.

Man in Space

I have long been fascinated by the space race and rockets. Apollo 13 and October Sky always pull me in. So just for fun, Disney had a little show about Man in Space. I was able to find it on Teacher Tube and YouTube, but the latter are easier to post. Here are the first two and you can go search out the rest.






Enjoy!

Google In General

Can I just say that I love Google? That might come back to bite me when a new and un-thought of system as of yet develops and flips Google, but I think that is a bit in the future still. So I will enjoy Google for now.

Beyond the general search ability, email, and image searching, I have discovered a multitude of tools that I actually use consistently, for my daily life and other classes. Plus a couple that are just fun and kooky. Yes, kooky.

Google Documents: I started using Google Docs for my magazine class to save articles so I could edit and work on them on any computer, anywhere. Then, in my church ward, my bishopric uses Google Docs to put our Sunday program together, so the music can be put in by the music committee, the talks by the conducting person, and any announcements from various organizations and committees in the ward. Beyond just word-type documents, you can also do spreadsheets and to-do lists, powerpoints and budgets. Never. Ending. Possibilities.

Google Reader- At first this was just another way for me to keep track of classmates blogs, but then I discovered the other little secrets of Reader. Such as Notes, where you can place notes (similar to Evernote, but attached to everything else on Google!) and the Explore section. That section suggests items and sources you might like based on what else you have in your reader feed. It's almost like Google knows what I need. I'm trying not to get too emotionally attached.

Google Calendar- Though I lack the time to sit down and really put down everything in this tool, it's extremely useful to help coordinate schedules with family members, classmates, fellow employees, etc. Plus it will message you if you have a certain event or deadline coming up. Personal assistant? Yes, thank you.

I'm sure many of you are already on to more complex things, but for me it's the simple, but widely applicable tools that keep me coming back. I've explored and used several other Google tools including Sketchup in my book review project. Sites is another Google feature that I've found recently through class project formulation. I've been using GoogleTranslate for quite some time actually as I've worked on learning multiple languages. Also, Google Health is a feature that keeps your medical records online so you can readily access test results, medication, etc for yourself or someone you are caring for. Quite helpful.

Peer Blog Evaluation

In this post I will be reviewing Parker Woody's blog in three parts.

1. Historical Concepts

• As I examined Parker's blog, I saw immediately that he has posted on all the class topics, specifically referencing or referring to the ideas suggested in the assignment. So he is definitely doing the reading. (Examples 1 2) Slam dunk Parker.
• I've looked at his Diigo bookmarks which suggest that he is looking at other sources, but I feel he could be doing more research on specific ideas outside of the specified class ones.
  
• At the same time, several of the review of historical topics read like summaries or recaps of the reading. It's hard to tell whether he is just reguritating or simply trying to make sense of the load of material. Examples 1 2 But I understand how hard that is and I think he's working hard to incorporate more outside sources.
  

2. Computing Concepts

• He has incorporated computing concepts several times. Examples 1 2
• However, I think he needs to spend more time on explaining and working through the process of certain computing concepts. Perhaps making more connections between the historical content and the computing concepts.
  

3. Digital Literacy

• I was impressed with the variety of tools and feature Parker incorporating into his blog such as TeacherTube videos, Vimeo videos, prezi and slideshare presentations, and others.
• Yet, I feel like he's getting the habit of writing content, inserting video, quoting the class readings and finished. While this format it good, I'd like to see him play around with other formats.
  
• As mentioned above, he struggles to explain a digital tool completely. Example 1

Just a couple overall impressions: The blog posts are little long typically and I tend to stop reading. Also, the blog feels a little stiff. It is limited to exactly the class material and nothing else. While this may be that he doesn't prefer the blogging format or is a more private person, I would like to see more personality and reality to his blog. But that could just be me.
Good job Parker!

Iconic Propaganda

Though I am saddened that in my Digital Civ class we have glossed over World War II (my specialty), I am sure that I will revisit the topic in the future, especially with my new book.

As we have started to read and discuss the Atomic Age, I've been drawn to the media and images associated with this age. At this time, images become iconic, sending messages separate from the words.

What do you think of when you see these images?

So many images today are associated in our minds with other ideologies and feelings. The Statue of Liberty, a national flag, Marilyn Monroe, protestors, Jane Goodall, Eiffel Tower, and many other images. Are they important because we say they are, or are they important regardless of our personal opinions?

Game Theory

Earlier this week in class we discussed Game Theory. At first it appears difficult to describe game theory without just showing an example. But a good description is "Game theory is the branch of decision theory concerned with interdependent decisions...game theory deals with any problem in which each player's strategy depends on what the other players do."

This strategy is often called the Prisoner's dilemma because it is a strategy used to encourage criminals to confess. But it has far-reaching applications with human behavior.

- Game Theory assumes that people act rationally.

- It assumes that people employ a dominant strategy- a strategy that works in your personal best interest.

- It requires that one player determine their strategy based on what choice they think the other player will make.

Some situations it can be used in:

• Friends choosing where to go to dinner
• Parents disciplining children
• Diplomats negotiating a treaty
• Competing businesses
• Gamblers in a card game
• Even in dating: If the guy is deciding between whether to ask a girl out or not, and her choices are to say yes or no, if this scenario is mapped out it suggests that girls will tend to accept a date verses rejection.

Yet the problem I see with game theory is that it does not allow for emotional choices or cultural values. If within a certain society loyalty is valued above freedom, then both prisoners will tend to stay silent instead of confessing. Can game theory overcome this error in the process, or does a different theory new to be employed for more emotional situations?

I"M PUBLISHED!!

It's official. I am now an official author that you can buy work from, at least online to start with. You might be thinking- what about these past few months that I've been writing this blog? It kinda counts too. Every post I write and post sends a little bit more of me into the digital community.

But this is a bit bigger. Barnes and Noble.

The past few months I've also been in negotiation for a book contract with another publisher, so I had to get permission to publish with Barnes and Noble. You can now start downloading my poems and short stories onto your Nook or computer!!!!!! Some of the titles are Stars, Just A Moment, Just Me, Stronger Than..., One Day, and What IF?

All of it was made possible by my new favorite digital tool, Pubit, from Barnes and Noble. I will post more on this soon. But go check out my work. Plus I get to add more all the time.

Digital Economics (Kinda)

I've touched on economics once before, with Adam Smith and the invisible hand/market economy discussion. But, as with most things, more thoughts and discussions have been added to economic theory since then. To be honest, I had a different post already written on the development of economic theory, but during class I got several ideas that I wanted to run with instead. If you'd like a good history of the progression of economic model check out Rhett's post on economics.

This is an economic systems model- used merely to point out the connectedness discussed shortly.

It was fascinating to me today as I sat in class within the swirl of discussion on game theory, economics and the changing economies in relation to technology. As I've felt many times before in my Digital Civilization class, everything is connected. Suddenly I was scribbling furiously in my notebook (the paper kind, not the electronic one) about the similarities between economies and the digital culture/networks. And here are some observations I made...

- Current networks and websites can act as an economic system in the fact of the trading/buying/selling of information. That, as a whole, benefits anyone who wants such information.

- These systems can get replaced or modified as they fail to keep up with development. Facebook is, in an sense, a better Myspace. And Google in it's present state has largely eclipsed Yahoo and many other email networks due to the number of features it offers and problems it solves.

-In the credit card discussion in class (specifically the disassociation of signing your name an paying for something), it reminded me that there is a disconnect in this generation between the publicity of information, including personal info, and the consequences and dangers of having that information public.

- It has been a trend in history that economic systems go through booms and busts, even periods of rapid growth, recessions and depressions. So will the digital model or system experience that? Right now it is expanding at an unprecedented rate, but can this digital progression hit a depression? What would cause that?

I love seeing all these connections! Many more post will follow in the next couple day because my head and notes are full of things I need to post : )

Healthy Fear of Technology

I grew up reading and watching science fiction, in which space travel and extraordinary feats are common occurences. But it was all just make believe. Yet, as our technology develops exponentially, those ideas are in the realms of reality. My computer could take over right now and start writing this blog post or alter what I've written so it appears differently to various readers. And it could fool me. Because I am only marginally computer savvy.

Pay no attention to the woman behind the screen. She is irrelevant.

So how can this be prevented?
It can't be. Muhaha.

Be smarter than your computer. And your phone. And all your other gadgets. Learn how they work- the details- and be up on the new developments.

What a silly idea. Go back to your youtube videos and Facebook stalking.

Teacher and/or Friend

Dear reader (and me)-
Can I express the consternation over a certain area of annoyance and frustration in my life? I guess this is my blog so I'll write almost whatever I choose, but still. Any comfort and or advice would be helpful.
I'm frustrated with teachers trying to educate without caring to know what is going on in my life. Without knowing to some extent the needs and struggles of the very students they teach it is hard to connect and build relationships. And without some level of a relationship, students don't want to learn or even will resist what is being taught. Some students will strive to learn no matter what because something in them loves to learn despite faulty relationships with professors. But many will withdraw from the professor, stop commenting in class, but still doing readings and assignments. I recognize that it is difficult for a professor, especially one on our extensive campus, to meet and understand each of their students. However, it has been even more difficult for me to find a professor who is actually caring what I'm saying as an individual, both in class and when I visit their office. I am just one more student in one of their classes, one more appointment they need to deal with- maybe smart, sassy, annoying, argumentative, or challenging.
At what point should I sit down, look them in the eyes, and tell them what is really going on in my life? That life is chewing me up right now and I'm fighting with everything I have to keep going. I've found some professors helpful when I approach them with a particular problem, but others I avoid approaching in those circumstances because of our relationship. I have a certain professor this semester for a class I really like. She is very welcoming of us to her office hours and encourages us to email with questions and for feedback about our papers. Yet, in class she will cut me off, tell me I'm wrong, ignore me completely or just my comment, and singles me out for mistakes. There is no way I want to go to her office to discuss my paper, much less my family and personal problems. Yet if she knew what I was dealing with, would she be nicer?
Another example. I needed to meet with one of my major advisers to get a signature on some paperwork. They rescheduled with me FIVE times. I finally waited outside the office first thing in the morning to catch this counselor. I know that was probably annoying for them, but so is being rescheduled five times!!!
It is unreasonable to want a professor or counselor to actually care about who I am, in a holistic way? Is it feasible for a professor to want to talk to me and become a friend? I certainly hope so.

Sincerely, Frustrated Student

And how do you feel about that?

Well, isn't that the question you think of when you hear the word "psychology"? I certainly do. Not that I don't value psychology and what it can add to our understand of both ourselves and each other. Plus, it's come a long way from Freud and Jung. It would be impossible for me, in a succinct manner, to cover all of psychological developments in the 20th century. So I won't. Instead I'm interested in just one idea that caught my attention while reading some excerpts of Freud.

Freud claims that "the development of the individual seems to us to be a product of the interaction between two urges, the urge towards happiness, which we usually call "egoistic," and the urge towards union with others in the community, which we call "altruistic." This idea sparked a debate in the realm of psychology about whether there is true altruism or not and about which "urge" will win out in the end. This website, Authentic Happiness, explores the idea quite well. Most agree that egotism does win out, 11 times out of 10. What a sad view of human nature.

In my religion, we see people in a opposite light- divine from within, taught selfishness by the world. We believe that we are working towards building a Zion community, one in which we all work and serve together. We work towards this ideal in our families, our neighborhoods, and our wards and stakes (church congregational divisions). Key words- work toward. This is a goal in progression- we know that no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, is a little selfish sometimes, and gets frustrated when life is hard. But instead of trying alone to reach "happiness", if we work together as a community we can find a more supportive and lasting happiness. Even small acts of kindness will improve your day and someone else, such as write a thank you note or donate books to the library. For more ideas check out HelpOthers.

Now, for your entertainment, and since I was just talking about West Side Story, some psychology in a musical. Juvenile delinquency in the 1960's : )

West Side Story...

"I bought my first musical when I was ten- West Side Story. It’s my go-to movie when I’m sick, sad, lonely, or even angry. I’ve watched it so many times that I can tell you minute details and funny facts about the movie and the actors. For instance, Schrank and Krupke work out of the 21st precinct in New York City and the Jets won their turf from a gang called the Emeralds. Many of the actors in the movie also performed in the Broadway version, but usually in different roles. Anita in the movie played Maria in the London production. I could keep going. For some reason, I keep coming back to it. Especially the end, when Maria is yelling at the boys about killing each other with hate and pointing the gun at them. Then, she is cradling Tony and whispers “Te adoro Anton”. She’s wearing a red dress and stays still kneeling on the pavement when they carry him away. Baby John comes up and puts her scarf over her hair (which always felt a little awkward). Finally, she gets up and walks out of the playground with an impeccable poker face. And the credits roll. That final image of her face and walking away in that red dress haunts me. What happened to her? How did she wake up the next morning? And the next? Could she go to the funeral? Did she cry in front of others or did she detach for awhile? In my mind I’ve played out her life a thousand and four times. First, the sluggish first days, weeks, and months when she’s numb and sad and a little angry. The days she wakes up and can’t pull herself out of bed, but turns over and cries into the shirt he left in her room. The days she goes to Doc’s store and can’t remember what she was going to buy because Tony is all around her. Does she forgive Anita or does she pull away from her friends while they are trying to reach out? Because they didn’t understand in the first place. No one did. I wonder if she stays in New York or moves to escape the surroundings of that night. Does she become bitter or forgiving? I wonder if she falls in love again. Yeah, mostly I wonder the last one. After all, she was only fifteen or sixteen, and many argue that you don’t even know what love is at that age, much less understand it. Others claim that time heals all wounds- that in time she would open up and love again. Personally, I don't think she ever stops loving Tony so she can't love someone else the same way. You know, it’s so much harder than Romeo and Juliet. Both of them die in the end anyway. No loose ends, no couples torn apart. Dying for someone or because of them is certainly a momentous decision. But living on without them and living for them, is a lifetime of meaningful choices alone."

It was a good writing day, so I wanted to share some more : )

Very Real...

Another excerpt from my writings....

I believe in miracles. Both the large news-catching ones and the simple daily ones. He is my miracle, every part of him saves me… I also believe that prayers are heard and answered. I pray for him every night, for him to be safe and happy, for him to be learning and preparing, and often for him to come soon. But, whether you agree or not, I do indeed have common sense. I don’t expect to wake up one morning and see a handsome man holding roses, knocking on my door ready to sweep me away. I’m not Giselle from Enchanted, though I wish I had her hair sometimes. I’m not Kat from Taming of the Shrew, though her wit is admirable. I’m not the damsel in distress or the corporate power woman. I don’t have that perfect sexy body that every romance novel heroine somehow possesses. My point is that, try as you might, I do not resemble another fictional character, princess, or heroine. Because I am a real person who doesn’t get a simplified description in chapter one. If you want simple, go back to Twilight. Girl falls for boy. Boy is a vampire who loves her yet wants to eat her. Some fighting in between but you always know the good vampires will win. Throw in some werewolves for entertainment (and for Taylor Lautner’s abs) and wah-la! Not that I haven’t read the series myself a time or ten. I am not a stationary character type; rather I am a living, breathing, progressing, very real woman. Someone who makes stupid mistakes and takes risks, someone who obsesses about certain things and lets other things go. Someone who likes scarves in the fall, but not in the winter. Someone who prefers pearls to diamonds and sunflowers to roses. Who likes cooking to Phil Collins music and dancing around the kitchen to “True Colors”. Someone quite similar, perhaps, to you.

The Lost Generation

Following the war, a change swept across America and altered every field of study and thought. World War One was a new kind of war for all those involved- one that brought unprecedented loss and destruction with new weaponry and tactics. The development of chemical weapons starting with mustard gas was horrific in it's effectiveness. Poetry exploded during the war as many struggled to grasp the enormity of loss; Wilfred Owen is one the well-known solider poets immortalized in his poem, Dulce et Decorum Est.

With the end of the war in 1918, there lingered a bad taste in everyone's mouth (and not just because of the mustard gas) from the devastation. Furthermore, the influenza of 1918 was sweeping across the world and would eventually kill over 100 million people. From these bleak times, modernism emerged as an ideology and method of attempting to deal with the loss of traditions and values as well as the death and maiming of many. Specifically in literature, this is called the Lost Generation.

The Lost Generation typically refers to post-WWI American writers that moved to Paris to write and wander aimlessly in a place considered morally ambiguous from the start. Some of the best known Lost writers include Ernest Hemingway (blah), F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and John Dos Passos. Stein is considered the one who coined the phrase "lost generation", but Hemingway is the epitome of the group. He threw out florid Victorian prose and instead turned to straight journalistic writing. His novel, The Sun Also Rises, is a trademark of the era in it's treatment of the war and soliders. Many of the works of the time exlpored exile, loneliness, spiritual alienation, and indulgence. With Fitzgerald's, The Great Gatsby, the sad loneliness is masked by an illusion of carefree living.

It was one of those times- the times you have to admit you're scared and hurt and angry, and then work through it. When the world tells us that happiness and positivism is the only acceptable public emotion, they are in effect cutting off our ability to cope with the hard losses and frustrating times. So, bravo to the Lost Generation for exploring exactly what scared them and working through it- many times through writing. May we all be as brave.

King Henry: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

In my Shakespeare class, we have moved onto Henry V, one of the numerous history plays. The history plays explore the themes of nationhood, political morality and kingship extensively and Henry V focuses on the dichotomy of King Henry's public and private self.

Public Henry is patriotic, noble, honorable, uses mercy for political manipulation, and does not show weakness or mistakes. However, this is more of the stereotypical persona a king of the time period was expected to put on. In his famous St. Crispin's Day speech, he give a Braveheart-esque rallying speech to his men about the honor of fighting for England. I guess we should say that Mel Gibson was imitating Henry's speech instead. Henry's public persona is definite and allows no room for human error.
Yet, it is undeniable that Henry is just a man- full of weaknesses and faults just like any other. In fact, his private self is becoming absorbed by his public persona to the point that he is trapped as the kind. He can rarely express anything less than strength and power to those around him. But as the readers looking in, we can see the struggles he goes through as a man and as a king, with old friends, accepting responsibility, and finding love.

We see this today in our leaders- their public persona and campaigns versus their personal lives and values. Better yet, we find this within ourselves- hopefully not to the extent of Jekyll and Hyde, but definitely many ideas of good and evil, decorum and barbarity, and expectations against capabilities war within us. Personally, I struggle with a public perception of who I am and what I do by those I know which often limits my ability to show weakness and flaws publicly. I've discovered that a boundary between public and private portrayals is sometimes necessary while I retain an honesty of character. I cannot be careless with whom I reveal parts or the whole of myself to, but I also refuse to allow myself to become trapped in a public persona.

Anger Issues and Helpful Thoughts

Thank you Digital Civ professors- this is a much needed break from the stress and bustle of my hectic college schedule. So I'll just share some downs and up of today (since they came in that order).

First of all, I need to explain that I have a temper. If you are surprised by this sentence, you have probably only met me in the last five years or so since I've mostly learned to control it. But it's there. Not necessarily explosive or loud, but quiet and dangerous. Several of the events in my life, speaking particularly of this past month, have provoked quite a lot of anger in myself. However, due to the situation and circumstance my anger cannot be expressed towards the culprits. So it is leaking out, without my consent, into random aspects of my life. For instance- I will be sitting in a class (never DigiCiv because it's too amazing) and find myself with an opposing or alternate opinion than my professor. And suddenly I'm angry. Not just passionate-into-a-debate-angry. So angry I'm trembling and I get this poker face (hint: which means don't touch me) and I will admit that I start thinking death threats towards the professor or the speaking classmate at the moment. It's bad. So if you see me concentrating intensely and breathing slowly and deeply- don't touch. I'm trying to be rational and I know that my professors don't hate me and aren't trying to make me look stupid or trying to overload me with assignments. I know these things. But my temper can't seem to catch up with my brain.

***

My day got better. You see, I go to work after class. Is it odd that my day gets better when I go to work? I have the BEST job ever, well second to being a mother, but still.
I am a nanny to the cutest sweetest five-month old baby ever!

So, after a few attempts to get him down for his nap, I had some time for homework and reading while he slept. I picked up a book by Sheri Dew called "No Doubt About It" and therein found exactly what I needed to hear today. Here are just a few quotes that quenched my anger and brought much need wisdom back into my heart.

"Am I the woman I think I am, the woman I want to be? More importantly, am I the woman the Savior needs me to be?

"Life is filled with moments of joy, but life is also hard. It is an unmistakable privilege to be here in mortality, but the burden we carry is weighty, relentless, and laden with importance. So I pose two questions: What have we come here to do? And how will we do it?"

Finally she discusses light and darkness: the light of Christ will always be stronger than the darkness, stronger than any loneliness, pain, hurt, or anger as well as stronger than temptations and enticements. I can't find the quote verbatim, but the concept hit home.

They are things in life I simply do not understand. But the things that I do know are strong enough to keep me moving onward. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that his Atonement is personal and allows me to work to return to my Father in Heaven. I know that I am a daughter of God, who is of infinite value to her Father, who has been given a specific mission here on Earth and in the eternities. I know the means of communicating with my Father in Heaven and how to recieve direction and guidance from the Lord. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. These things I do know so I will leave the rest in the Lord's hands.

Thank you Sheri Dew and my wonderful job.

Leading Up to Mormonism...

Asuncion, Paraguay Temple

First of all, can I just say that some days don't turn out as you plan. Some days it all rolls downhill and others have unappreciated surprises, while still others surprise you will blessings when you felt unseen. Can I hear it for those kind of days (and weeks and months and lifetimes like that)?

Anyway....moving on to the topic at hand. The evolution of new religions in the 1800's, particularly focusing on that of Mormonism. I am Mormon- if you did not know that up til now. And I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with all my heart. But the purpose today is to step back a little a view objectively how the movements in the time before lends itself to the creation of a new religion and how the Church today has embraced the digital revolution. To make it easier, I've made some lists (muhaha)

Helpful Ideas/Movements Leading to Mormonism

• The Printing Press- the evolution of the printing press that enabled the Protestant reformation of the 16th century formed the foundation upon a new book of scripture could be produced and distributed without the consent of "popular" religions.
• Renaissance Humanist- At least in their respect for the art of rhetoric and language, so came a respect found in the Mormon religion and culture for the language of the scriptures and the rhetoric of a modern prophet.
• Martin Luther- His precedence for breaking away from respected authority to follow personal beliefs and ideals opened the entire religious sphere to interpretation and questioning that Joseph Smith saw in 1820.
• Milton/Censorship- Milton argued against the censorship of any knowledge, and Mormon culture perpetuates that idea through preaching to all cultures and peoples- that everyone deserves the chance to have this knowledge.
• Enlightenment/Scientific Method: Joseph Smith had a question about the truth of various churches so he followed a familiar logical path through studying, pondering, questioning, asking ministers/preachers, and finally turning to prayer.
• Personal Verification- This ideas was first presented by Descartes when talking about method and basing observations and discoveries on personal understanding. So the LDS culture encourages investigators, converts, and member to seek to verification from the Spirit on questions or concerns.
• American Revolution/Democracy- The establishment of a nation with explicit religious tolerance set a unique stage for the development of new ideas and splitting of previous institutions without government persecution. Though it did not always hold true (mobs and the exile of Mormons from Missouri), the religious freedom was able to prevail in America.
• Wealth of Nations- Adam Smith's ideas of economics feed directly into the pioneer work ethic and determined creation of industry wherever the Saints traveled. They created cities and communities full of competition and division of labor for efficiency.
• Romanticism- Several ideas of this movement fed into the Mormon ideologies such as the importance of nature as a place to find God and oneself, the concept of emotion over reason at certain times, and the importance of relationships and communities.

Ways the LDS Church has embraced the digital era:

• Creation of websites such as the official church website, the new website, mormon.org website and many other off-shoots of these.
• The use of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir around the world, in person and online, to spread the gospel message.
• Mormon Messages- Short commercials and videos have been circulating for the past couple years to promote the values embraced by our religion.
• Stakes and wards across the world now have websites and information online.
• Temple and meetinghouse locator online.
• General Conference- Held twice a year it is broadcast around the world and made available in over one hundred languages.
• Missionaries online now can chat with investigators, email, and even skype!

The digital era has opened up the avenues the Church can use to expand and reach more audiences and will continue to do so.

I Am Honors...

Here is the example of what I'm looking for as far as Honors spotlights.

“My name is Kristi. For the past two years I have been swimming at least five miles a day in preparation to swim the English Channel. I love hip-hop and ballroom dancing, particularly with the Latin beats. I enjoy reading and writing flash fiction and I love to study the 1930’s and 40’s. I’m a student, a teacher, a writer, a dancer, a swimmer, and I am Honors.”

Even shorter is great too- “My name is Kristi. I enjoy studying World War 2, hip-hop dancing, and long distance swimming. And I am Honors.”

Tell me who you are and why you are amazing.

Also, tell me (separately) what the Honors Program means to you. Whether you are officially declared or just investigating the program, tell me why you choose Honors.

Some people will be chose to do short videos for the online version of Insight, so give me everything you got!

Why I Love Science!!!!!

I'm a science major- a hard science major (only slight offense intended). I love spending time in chemistry labs talking about rates of reaction and organic chemistry. I love talking about everything from the smallest electron orbital to the human body and to huge geological features. I love celebrating the life and creation of my Heavenly Father as I study the world around me!

In fact, my science classes here on BYU's campus have been some of my most spiritually inspiring courses. Dr. Bell (now the Dean of Undergraduate Education) taught my PDBio 120 class back in the day. He would stand on the desk when he got excited and gave us candy when we talked about high-energy electrons. And he gave an unforgettable lecture, one that to this day I refer back to. It was one of our last days of class and the topic was Evolution. We discussed the Church's stand of the subject and it's implications for us as Latter-day Saint scientists. In the last ten minutes of class, he bore his testimony in such a way that left an impression on my spirit. He testified that the more he studied science, the more he was able to find Heavenly Father .

Now onto the more specfic topic for class, evolution and moore's law. This semester I am taking a Genetics class and delving more into that field. Even the development of theory within this field is astounding. Hippocrates believed that we had mini body parts (gemmules) floating around inside us and that sex involved the transfer of said parts to make a whole person. Aristotle and the Greeks used to believe in "pre-formation", or the idea that we carried little tiny pre formed people around in us that slowly grew to the size of a baby until they were born. And these ideas stuck around for awhile actually. Darwin himself believed in gemmules, though he couldn't find a mechanism.

That is what is so fantastic about science- it changes with exploration and discovery. We can understand it one way, only to learn later that something else is more true. What do you love about science?

Isaiah and Lake Nasser

I'm in a class, "Writings of Isaiah" taught by Victor Ludlow. Yeah, the Victor Ludlow. I'm almost afraid to comment in this class because I'm so in awe. Well, this last week we were talking about Isaiah chapters 19-20, which talks about Egypt-both about their past and the future. In chapter 19:5-10, it explains that life along the Nile will change drastically. Things will dry up, fishermen will not be able to find fish, and many other things. Professor Ludlow explained how this could possibly happen.

In the 1970's, the Aswan Dam (see picture) was constructed on the Nile, thereby creating Lake Nasser. Original configurations about the dam and the water suggested that the dam could last over 200 years before it could no longer hold the water. More recently, as scientists have studied the input of Lake Nasser and the Aswan Dam, it is determined that the dam will only hold for 80-100 years. If you are wondering why, it is because the sediment dissolved in and carried by the Nile River gradually builds up, slowly filling the bottom with new layers. As this increases, the Dam will no longer be able to hold all the water and will burst. And as it does that it will devastate the land. I mean, 90% of the entire population of Egypt lives within sight of the Nile. Some solutions are being discussed, such as piping some of the water over into the Sahara or building another dam. But nothing has been decided and done.

Amazing what you can learn in your religion class. Unfortunately, I'm also in a Geology class this semester (the bane of my semester). Shouldn't I have learned this is Geology instead?

Roots of Innovation

In the 1830's, an intelligent and courageous man named Charles Babbage invented the designs for what he called the "Difference Engine", or a really really big calculator by today's standards.

And then there was Joseph-Marie Jacquard's automated loom using punch cards.

Ray Kroc that turned a food stand into the largest restaurant chain in the world, MacDonald.

A computer geek that revolutionized the face of computers today. Steve Jobs.



Extraordinary things happen everyday. In science, in literature, in nature, in technology, and through people. It's even more common than you might think. But my question is why. Why do people create and innovate? What pushes us to change and adapt?

Is it the world around us that dictates the need for change? There was no one demanding a calculator in 1832, but Babbage designed one. Is it the need humans have to create and serve? Maybe. Is it a cultural value? Do some places encourage invention and experimentation more than others? It is easy to look around at the world and say, "yep, things sure have changed in the past hundred years." The real question is why.

Mr. Bowditch and Sketchup

So for my mini-book club I read Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. Though considered a children's book, it masterfully turns a mathematical genius into an understandable guy. And it gave wonderful insight on the history and emotions of the time period. After some discussion in my group about what book to choose, we were deciding between books on the Great Works list, a book that we wanted to learn from and then be able to share, and one that wouldn't overwhelm us in the week allotted to read it. Hence our choice, thanks to Maggie's suggestions. You can check out my group's presentations if you'd like more in-depth on the novel with Kevin's Prezi, Maggie's book review, Brian's post, and Megan's posts.

In deciding what to do for this project, I wanted to try something challenging and something I'd never attempted before. Hence I stumbled upon Google SketchUp, the ultimate (at least for me) 3D modeling program. On the Google homepage, click on more then go to even more. You will find SketchUp under a list of tools/programs. Then you can download a free version and watch numerous tutorial videos on all the finer points. The basic premise of the program is to draw shapes and then pull them up into 3D. Originally designed for interior designers, architects, and engineers, it is fairly simple to use. You can create basic sketches of buildings and to get the "general idea" of something. Or you can make elaborate crazy designs. Click here to check out their amazing gallery. I set out to build a ship, not by divine command, but by my our initiative. I was able to find a preexisting model and work off of that. The only problem now is that as I try to upload the image of what I did, other formats are not meant for 3D or the .skp format. So I used previous tools such as screencast to capture an image of what I did.


Ta-da! Not the best image quality compared to the amazing 3D work within the program. Additionally I uses many of the descriptions from the book to try and make it accurate.
Go try it!

American Ideals vs. Perceptions

The mid 19th century found the fledgling American nation searching for an identity. Instead of being English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Irish, etc, the idea began to emerge that the people of the American continent were a completely new thing altogether. But what? Many suggested the beloved values of their mother countries, only for many philosophers to disregard the very thought. No way were we going to be a "hack" (to use our new lingo)- a clever imitation of something already done. No. We were the pioneers, the independents, the free-thinkers, the rebellious, and the mavericks. Tocqueville and many others set out to define the "American"- some through values and others through events/actions.

So what did they think was American?
- "Conquest"
- Discovery
- Individual development
- Freedom from government and social constraints
- Democracy
- Right to Rise
- Freedom of Speech and Religion
- Courage
- *Progress

Of their entire list, the word "progress" stood out to me. Though many things, ok- everything, has changed since the mid 19th century, change is constant. And I feel that America is a part of that. Now, I understand that we are not the center of most inventions or even all the best ideas. But there is a huge part of our culture that leads right into change; we strive for the next, better thing, the chance to revolutionize a field or market. As I was researching the American frontier and Manifest Destiny, I found it interesting to see how the perception of Americans abroad has also changed. In the beginning, many saw America as the upstart newbies. Who knows if they will last, but they have some great ideas and inexhaustable enthusiasm! Unfortunately, the majority opinion abroad today is very negative. I looked through European blogs and discussion boards and was saddened by the opinions and stereotypes that so many people have of America.

Here are just a few (the more articulate intelligent ones beyond hollywood and cheeseburgers).

* That the US is a nation in the process of killing itself through food.
* That many Americans are controlled entirely by greed and the need for personal materalistic gain.
* That most Americans are only concerned about economy, completely ignoring nature, and not caring about how many species they eradicate.
* That they've got the whole gun and weapons debate completely wrong.
* That the American election campaigns are nothing but one big idol-worshipping and mud wrestling PR show, instead of debates about actual politics.
* That religion plays way too big a role in administrative decisions and affects the American laws way too much.
* That the American economic philosophies are too one sided to cope with the current problems (more or less refusing to adopt a contractionary monetary policy in order to reduce inflation)

I am an American. Proud to be one. However, I admit that we have our faults and failings. America has an ego and a control issue; it is more than just our government too. The American people as individuals are developing those bad habits and traits. Can we save ourselves? What do we need to do to correct our behavior and the world's perception of us?

What does it truly mean to be American?

How To Walk On Water

I recently discovered a wonderful site/blog called Stepcase Lifehack. It is a blog about a little bit of everything from food to productivity and communication and religion. A recent post by one of the editors prompted serious reflection on my part. Here it is:

"If you’re familiar with the stories of Christendom, you probably know the one about St. Peter walking on water. As a kid I heard the story many times and always with the same lesson: Peter was a failure because he grew afraid of the wind and waves.

I knew I’d be very uncomfortable about walking on a constantly heaving wet floor, let alone actual water. But that never came up. None of the pastors I heard recount the story ever praised Peter for having the nerve to get out of the boat to start with. They just warbled on and on about how everybody needed to be less like Peter and have more faith.

Therein lies the reason for the dredging of my childhood and slapping a gasping memory on a page before you.

Peter continues to be degraded for failing to take more than a few steps across a churning sea but I’ve yet to hear somebody mock the dudes who stayed in the boat. Many of the good folks around would have you believe that life is all either hot or cold. Success or failure. Laudable bravery or deplorable cowardice.

Good for them.

Let’s take a break from that mindset and think about the times you’ve gotten out of a boat in your life. Don’t focus on how you didn’t make it more than a few steps away from the boat before you needed to be rescued. Don’t focus on your failure to walk across the ocean. Think instead of all the steps you DID take. Think about how you believed in something enough to do what others said you couldn’t.

You got out of the boat. That’s amazing. You can do it again, too. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Show kindness without an end game — Few are capable of such a thing. When presented with an opportunity to be kind, take it if you’ve got the resources. You’re out of the boat.
2. Complete a cost-free step to achieving a dream — Too often we let money get in the way of progress. Pick a task or group of tasks you need to make a dream happen and complete them. You’re out of the boat.
3. Take a worldwide problem and solve it for somebody in your neighborhood — Changing the world is an impossible task but you can make a difference on your doorstep. In changing the world of another, you’ve changed the world for us all. That’s definitely a getting-out-of-the-boat sort of approach.

What do you think? Should we continue celebrating failure like the gurus tell us to or should we focus on those first successful steps and figure out how to repeat them, learn from them, and add to them?"

Wow! How many times have I been frustrated with Peter without recognizing all the faith and trust he was enacting? Haven't I, while trying to walk on water, been intimidated by the trials and waves that threatened to drown me? Haven't we all?

Mona Lisa Smile and Romanticism

In my Digital Civilization class we have moved onto the Romanticist movement. A movement focused on the experience of nature, on emotion over reason, imagination, art as a divine outlet, rejection of form, importance of self, and the sympathy for the common man. Whew, now that the bulky definition is out of the way, what is it really? Romanticism was that generation's way of interpreting and understanding the world around them as they built off the Enlightenment.

As we discussed Romanticism and hackers today in class, I was reminded of the movie, Mona Lisa Smile. It is the story of an art teacher, Katherine Watson, who goes to teach at a conservative girls college in the 1950's. It is years after the Romantic movement, but you can still see the ideology. The following video has three clips from the movie, all of which are wonderful. The third one (starts at 5:14), however, is the one that I thought of in class today. Ms. Watson is discussing Van Gogh and paint-by-numbers.



Near the end of the movie, she walks into her office only to find a paint-by-numbers painting by each of her students. This is their way of saying that they are unique individuals though they choose to live within the lines. They are "hacking" Van Gogh", but discovering themselves.

Do we not do this today? Take what came before and interpret it based on our bias and understanding? Then we take that interpretation and try to create something new.

Mini Book Club

For a Digital Civilization assignment, we are supposed to highlight five books that relate to the history or context of our class and then read one in small groups. So here are my top five picks (I tried not to pick ones I've already read.)

The Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione 1528
A book that, through fictional conversations, sets forth
the expected behavior of courtier and ladies of the time period.

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
A collection of short stories that depict and satirize
the English society at the time.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert 1856
The story of an adulterous woman seeking to escape the
drudgery of her middle-class life. The book is a landmark in
the realist ideology.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy 1873
A Russian woman leaves her husband for her lover and thereby
challenges the conventions of her society. It offers an inside
view on the Russian state of affairs of the time.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville 1851
A seemingly simple tale on the surface is really an exploration of complex
themes of social class and status, good and evil, and religion.
It also is a symbol of the American Romanticism movement.