Although my time may be up in this course, I just happened to stumble across a great video that I believe best summarizes the course. I hope it helps Dr.Preston and his students. Enjoy.  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kHpXle4NqWI

Essay

The Meaning of Art

What is Art? Art is creating something from nothing. It's a universal theme that can be understood from any age. It brings us closer with others. Every artistic piece tells a story, whether its lyrically or visually. It's building something to your preference that you'll be proud of. Some may criticize, while others admire. It's finding beauty among things we take for granted. Art is a story that has been passed down from generation to generation since the beginning of time. Art is; creativity, beauty, and inspiration.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z56sWuB2k7g

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yB1FixLlSMQ

Fine Work...

While I was in Vegas this past weekend, these three paintings were the few that really caught my eye. From a distance, I thought they were pictures but the closer I approached, I then realized they were paintings. Something about these paintings really spoke out and at that moment I enjoyed them even more due to knowing the artist did a great job on capturing an audience and telling a story.

Not just a Hobby

Art isn't always putting pen to paper or paint to canvas...

Art by Peers

Art by live Artist, in person

Art pieces by Famous Artist

I took these pictures live and it's another story up in person.

Personal Paintings

This first painting is my anti-bullying poster I created in my art class with Dr.Del Rio. I came up with the idea after staring at a dead tree with a single bird. I searched a picture and this is what I found. It was a black and white picture so I put a lot of thought into the color. Everything among the painting strongly represents something. It represents a society, the dead tree, in which at least one person is being bullied, the red bird. The background color, which is blue, represents a dark world. Each bird in the painting is a different type of bird, representing the differences of race and cultures. Last, the moon represents the light among the one being bullied. In other words, it's the bullying we see everyday but decide to not do anything about it. 

Personal Drawings

Personal taken pictures

Due to my masterpiece being on visual pieces I had my presentation on prezi. However, since I did it on my phone it didn't necessarily go to plan. I did not want to post each photo on my blog, yet that's what it came to.

Have you ever watched something that gets your adrenaline pumping? And at that moment you begin to fell the blood rush from your chest.  Oh, how it feels so good!

After watching the interview of Aldous Huxley, there was one thing that boldly stood out to me. That was the statement, "Overpopulation reduces freedom." You may ask why it stood out to me. The reason why it did was because it helped me make a connection with how babies were made in Brave New World. It then made perfect sense, well in my eyes, why Huxley choose to have a society in which the population is controlled by producing babies in test tubes.

Generasity, humor, achievement, progress, love, family, memories and so on are all factors of a simple smile. A simple smile can say or express so much and change a person's view and personality. It's a contagious, a domestic humor. Yet not many of us smile as much as we should. Many tend to stress on little things that they do not have much time to enjoy whatever it is that they enjoy. Every once in a while you'll hear someone complain about something, it's most likely that they are one of those people who do not take time off to relax and have a good time. Don't get me wrong, working hard truly is great but what's the point if you do not take the time off. Isn't that the point of working hard in the first place. To get ahead of others and taking a break while they try to catch up. Think of it as finishing your homework a week early. While everyone is working, you get to do whatever it is that you want. The moral is, don't spend your whole time working hard without benefits like spoiling yourself because in the end you'll just become the average person complaining about how life is harsh and never offered you opportunities. The opportunities are right in front of you, take them.

Brave New World Ch.7

I didn't get to finish chapter 7 due to the absence of classes and make up work I've been in need to make up due to this new 'sample' test. However, I do believe I got far enough in order to understand the chapter and understand what is going on by indirect characterization along with other literary elements. Bernard and Lenina stubble upon an Indian after their guide takes off. And as we all know, Indians are very traditional. It's a strange siting to Lenina because she's never seen a physical form of old age. While on the other hand, Bernard is very amused. Lenina does not understand their practices and is freaked out, she wants to go but Benard is fascinated. She questions why they are how they are and Bernard responds with the fact that they're not interested with 'modernization' of society and tend to keep up with their traditions.

It was really convenient that we began to talk about changes among our masterpieces today in class because I had thought of it last night and today in the morning. I already had something in mind and throughout the morning my brain began to put pieces together and it felt great. The reason why, was because I did not feel lost on what to do and I had an idea for where I was going. As I sat in class I began to have ideas on examples for my masterpiece. When we began to talk about masterpieces, the room felt open and I knew Dr.Preston was going to begin to call out people. I was scared, but not for myself. I was scared for David because I know the struggle he faces being called out and I had a feeling he was going to be called out. He and I know that there are a few people who have and idea but are lost and I sure knew David was going tense up and freeze if he was called on, as did he. Sure enough he was called and as I sat there listening and watching him, it came to mind that he too could be a source for my masterpiece and it also came to mind that it can help him on his problem being called upon and also get him started with his masterpiece. After class, on our daily walk to the quad, David and I discussed thoughts and ideas and I mentioned my idea on my new masterpiece topic and how it can help him as well. He agreed and believed that it was a good idea and a good way to help him out. Long story short, I've changed my topic on my masterpiece.

Brave New World Ch.6 questions

• Being alone is a bad thing because it allows a person to be on their own with nothing but their thoughts which tends to lead to unhappiness: such as grief, anger, or sorry and so on.
• The ocean and moon are natural objects that Bernard finds peace with. He tends to talk about them so much that they make Lenina uncomfortable because she does not see how something so natural can make someone inspired and at peace.
• Bernard and Lenina's date ends by them taking a bit of soma and sleeping together.
• The director notices a change and difference among Bernard. He mentions he's going to keep a close eye on him and to stop questioning-thinking about the society.
• His story shows and means the significance of the mistakes he's made and the fact that he isn't proud of some.
• Helmholtz is offended by Bernard. Meaning he's angered about his attitude and feelings.
• we learn from Warden that you cannot escape the reservation, you're brought into it, born, and live there for the rest of one's life.
• Malpais is a town where Bernard and Lenina stay.

Modernist Author Project Pt I #2

 A quote stated by Joseph Conrad that I believe 'Clearly' states his philosophy on life is, "Perhaps life is just that... a dream and a fear."

     What I believe he meant by the quote was life is a fantasy. Many of us tend to have these dreams of life and plan things and believe it's going to go exactly to plan. We'll try to find a way to escape reality and enter a state of peace. However, we're always going to face an obstacle along the way and it may take us off the path we may be pursuing. In other words, not everything is going to go to plan and we may never achieve some goals. There will be ups and down along the way, that's the way life works. I also believe what he meant by Dream was, we're left in this world isolated with are thoughts and beliefs all on our very own, until shared.

Other quotes by Mr.Conrad that may support my view towards his philosophy of life are:
• "Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it."
• "The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human relentlessness."
• "A man that is born falls into a dream like a man who falls into the sea. If he tries to climb out into the air as inexperienced people endeavor to do, he drowns."
• "Each blade of grass has its spot on Earth whence it draws its life, its strength; and so is man rooted to the land from which he draws his faith together with his life."

Modernist Author Project Pt. l #1

A. "I am well educated...

     I am hardworking...

     I am a businessman...

     I am a navigater...

     I am a man of many cultures...

     I am a man of languages...

     I am a man of pain...

     I am a writer...

     I am an inspiration..

     I am... Joseph Conrad."

B. Joseph Conrad practically grew up on his own working. His parents passed when he was young, approximately when he was six. His mother passed first and his father followed a few years later. A young orphan Joseph, moved with his uncle but later moved out as a teenager. Joseph was quick to look for work. He worked and traveled on French and British ships. He eventually worked his way up to navigate-pilot his own ships. When he wasn't out in sea, he looked for businesses where he could make money. He loved money. At this point in his life, his uncle also passed and all the members of his family whom he loved were gone. Joseph spent most of his time writing, whether it was on shore or off shore. It is said he was even writing when his wife was giving birth. He was friends with other famous writers and much of his literary works inspired other well known writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Virginia Woolf, Thomas Mann, T.S. Eliot, etc.

C. As talked about, Joseph Conrad's parents died at an early stage of his life. I believe this help spark a sense of writing style among him. His father, Apollo, was also a writer and I believe a young Joseph Conrad kept a few journals as sentimental value. Eventually when he grew old, he read his father's journals and understood what he was trying to state. Joseph also spent a great period of his life working and traveling on ships. I believe his experience and time among the crewmen also influenced his writing style. Joseph also spent six years of his life trying to have sex with a women he was close with. He eventually gave up and soon met his wife. She, however, was about 12 years of age apart from him and she was not well educated as he was. Also, as said, Joseph was good friends with authors like Henry James and Stephen Crane.  Finally, I also believe the passing of his uncle, a father figure, had a great impact on his writing style. I believe all these events in Conrad's life a great influence on his writing style.

D. Quotes by Joseph Conrad:

• "I don't like work--no man does--but I like what is in the work--the chance to find yourself. Your own reality--for yourself not for others--what no other man can ever know. They can only see the mere show, and never can tell what it really means"

• "we live as we dream--alone."

• "We live in the flicker -- may it last as long as the old earth keeps rolling! But darkness was here yesterday."

• "the mind of man is capable of anything--because everything is in it, all the past as well as the future"

• "I believe that not a thousand miles from these shores

certain public prints have betrayed in gothic letters their
satisfaction--to speak plainly--by rather ill-natured comments."
• "I have never ordered a man to do any work I was not prepared to do myself."

• "nothing I desire less than to appear as a portenous bore before so many readers"

(There are a few quotes that I did not read from text but found online that caught my interest)

Brave New World: Ch. 3 questions

1. How do the children play together? What is childhood like?

• The children happen to play along nude. They are "taught" at a young age the way to mature as they grow, when in fact they are being forced to do so along with mostly everything else.

2. How is our world depicted? How do we get from here to there?

• As I see it, today we tend to build and create new objects in order to "fix" things that need to be fixed. However, this tends to leave a pile up of thee old. Think of it as over printing a piece of paper, you only need a few but are left with a stack that you do not even know what to do with.

3. Why must games be so complexed in this society?

• The adults in the novel want to mature and teach the children new things, therefore approach the topics with complex games.

4. Why are strong emotions dangerous? Family relationships? Romance? Religion? Art? Cultural?

• If shown, one is viewed as abnormal and may be treated as if you were psychotic.

5. How is sexuality used in this novel? Do you see any problems with it?

• Sexuality seems to be a way of life in the world they live in. It seems to be a huge factor towards life. I do not see anything wrong with sexuality because it's normal thing throughout life. However, in the novel, they seem to be much more open causing us to see it as strange and weird.

6. What does mustapha mond do? What is his relationship towards history?

• Mustapha Mond is a history teacher. Once the children grow older, they tend to seek him out in order to learn how the world was in the past.

7. Is there anything unusual about Lenina Crowne? Bernard Marx? What? Why?

• The rules of their society, or world, do not seem to be followed by the two. At times they can be rebellious. They express themselves freely, unlike the other people in the world who just do as they are told.

8. How does Huxley use the cinematic technique towards the end of the chapter?

• Huxley tends to use the cinematic technique, for the reader to realize some main stories from the past certain characters. They're important because they help describe a character and we can also see the main obstacles they've faced in the world they live in. This being said, it also helps unveil more about the world they live in, in order for the reader to understand it clearly.

9. What is soma? What are its uses?

• Soma is a substance used to relieve the stress from being unhappy.

10. How do people age in this society?

• The people age by knowing physiological knowledge and becoming wiser. They do not age physically.

"Modern"

In our current society, we live in a world where people are open and free to express themselves. However when someone tends to do so, there are a few who are always judgmental and/or sentimental leading to disrespectful comments. Most things we see or hear today like profanity, half-naked women/men,etc, do not bother us as much because it's seen or heard daily. Where five or even fifty years ago, all these things we're seen as offensive and disrespectful but we've grown into a society where none of it matters and everyone expresses themselves how they wish to.

As I continued to read chapter 1 of Brave New World, I kept on wondering how they can compare the creation of man; to photographs, speak of it as a grocery, and kept stored reproduction cells contained as if they were canned foods. The more I read, the more I wondered if today's techniques were similar as described in the book. How can the characters and the people of today view this topic such as in the novel?

Translation of French epigraph from Brave New World

Utopias seem to be much more achievable than we formerly believed them to be. Now we find ourselves presented with another alarming question: how do we prevent utopias from coming into existence? …Utopias are possible. Life tends towards the formation of utopias. Perhaps a new century will begin, a century in which intellectuals and the privileged will dream of ways to eliminate utopias and return to a non-utopic society less “perfect” and more free.”

Last week I ask Dr. Preston if I could post a link to my blog with an example of a 'specific statistics' towards police brutality.... He said "not at the moment." However I believe it is a great source as an example, so I'm going to post it anyway. As I revisited the site today, I couldn't help but think "Are there any fallacies I can find on this page?" Can you spot any fallacies?

http://m.mic.com/articles/104910/in-one-state-the-police-are-the-deadliest-force-around

Notes + website/examples (HW)

Ad hominem fallacy - responding to an argument attacking a person's character rather than the content of their argument

Circular reasoning - someone argues the point they're trying to make by supporting it with other reasons that are supported by their original point

Ad nauseum - making the argument by repetition; saying the same thing over and over again

Appeal to tradition - "we do this because that's hoe we've always done it"

Appeal to ignorance - arguing that something is true  just because it hasn't been proven false 

Appeal to numbers - citing statistics to prove an argument 

Appeal to popularity - "all the cool kids are doing it"

Cum hoc ergo propter hoc - "with this because of this" just because two things happen together doesn't mean they're related or one causes the other

Post hoc ergo propter hoc - just because something happens after something else doesnt mean the first thing causes the second 

Slippery slope - taking one step and sliding the rest of the way. Either giving away the whole argument based on one point or applying the same standard to everyone without reasoning "if you do it for you I'll have to do it for everyone else" assuming that if you hive one person/point away

Naturalist fallacy -  using nature as a reason to go from fact to value

Nonsequiter - when something does not follow from something else

Begging the question - supporting an argument with the argument itself

Red herring - mystical creature made up to represent a metaphor/ a distraction used to drag you away

Straw man fallacy - putting words into someones mouth (and that someone may or may not exist) for the purpose of exaggerating or distorting the opposing viewpoint

To quoque (you too) - "if you did something, I'll do it too, therefore we're even"

This website/blog helped me uderstand these fallacies easier than just reading them to myself, hopefully they help you as well.

http://www.copypress.com/blog/youre-using-fallacies-and-you-dont-even-know-it/

Common arguments

Post hoc ergo propter hoc (after this, therefore because of this)

Argumentum ad hominem (argument directed at the person)

Argumentum ad logicam (argument to logic)

Circulus in demonstrando (circular argument)

Argumentum ad verecundiam (argument or appeal to authority

Argument

Should we have the right for open campus lunch?

Notes 3/4

It may not be much, but these are the notes I took today.....

·Argument is a search for truth 

·Oxymoron- two words that oppose each other

·What makes persuasive conversation so effective?

·Motivation is the idea to explain how we act

·A motive is what prompts the person to act in a certain way or at least develop an inclination for specific behavior.

·"Everyone has something different, that's what makes the world go round"

·Extrinsic- forced motivation from the outside 

·Intrinsic- motivation within oneself 

·an argument is supposed to be a logical procses

·Objective- facts/evidence

·Subjective- personal 

·adversarial- an opponent 

Being completely honest, I'm disappointed in my "What Jiro means to me" essay. I tried hard to write something elaborate but it still came out short. I'm not even sure if it should be considered an 'essay'. It looks more like two or three paragraphs bunched into one. However, I'm proud of the thoughts and ideas I made within it. This was my complete honesty towards my so called essay.  I chose to write this post in order to point out that I gave it an effort.

Watching Jiro's story was very inspirational. He didn't just do something he loved, he also succeeded in it. He set high standards on himself because when you do something that you love you will always find small flaws to improve and perfectionize, and that is why people, like Jiro, are successful. It's the little things that set us apart from one and another. You must find those flaws and noticed them. Once you find yourself being strict towards the things you do, you will then realize you're doing something you love and enjoy. If so, do not quit, you're on the right path.

For the past week, in Dr. Del Rio's, we've been working on an anti bullying poster, I've put alot of thought into it and I'm proud of how my poster is coming out. However, when I look around I see that people do not take their project, class or even Dr. Del Rio serious. It's sad to see a person with no respect whatsoever towards something or someone and it truly hurts. How are these kids being raised? Do they know right from wrong? Could it be because they're spoiled? Why is there a variety of disrespectful kids today?

I was in SLO a couple weeks ago, before I finished reading The Catcher In The Rye, and I stumbled upon a homeless man begging for change, as usual. However, this man stood out to me.  He was a big and his hygiene was not great but this wasn't what stood out, it was his attitude. I was going to give him at least a dollar or so just to help out but when I began to approach near him he told another person walking by, "Come on, would you help a fat and ugly man like me out." Right that moment I did not have any respect towards this man, I didn't respect the fact of how he saw himself and that he didn't do anything to change it. He was one of those people who puts themselves down and believed everything negative without trying to change the outcome. It began to remind me of Holden, and I questioned "Will Holden end up like this man towards the end of the novel?"

I finished The Catcher In The Rye last night but didn't get a chance to write my post, it was late and I was tired. To be honest, I didn't really like the book. I found myself constantly dazing off and when I would focus and returned to the book I just kept on hearing and seeing the same things (I had to put the audio on in order to stay on task). I kept on asking myself what was the big question in this book. To me. it was mostly about a young man and his thoughts and relationships towards people around him. It wasn't until the last few chapters that we learn the meaning of the title,  "The Catcher In The Rye." Anyway, the moral of this post was to say I will be posting the chapters throughout the week.

The Catcher In The Rye, Ch. 7

After entering Akley's room, Holden and Akley argue whether Holden is going to sleep in Akley's dorm. Once Akley falls asleep, Holden is left lying on Ely's bed, Akley's roomate, along with his thoughts. He begins to think about visiting New York and staying there for a while. He thinks about his parents receiving the letter letting them know he has been kicked out of the school. He finally decides to go to New York, he packs his things and on his way out he yells, "Sleep tight, ya morons! "

The Catcher In The Rye, Ch. 6

In chapter 6, Stradlater comes home late from a date. His date happens to be a young lady whom Holden admires, likes. Holden is upset due to Stradlater being the guy he is, a "handsome" guy who seems to get sexual pleasure easily. They break into an argument where Holden then gets a fist-full to the face. He ends up on the floor with a bloody nose. Holden is far beyond upset, that he leaves to Akley's dorm without saying a word to Stradlater.

Please excuse the miscommunication of lettering, auto-correct seems to have a mind of its own....

The Catcher In The Rye Ch 5

In Chapter 5 of The Catcher In Yvette Rye,  we learn more aboug Holden's relationships towards himself and others. We learn or discover he's closer to Akley than we had expected. We're introduce to a few new characters like a close friend and a younger brother.  Sadly, his younger brother by two years dies on July 18, 1946, after battling leukemia. Holden describes him as an intelligent red haired boy who received positive feedback by everyone he came across with. The other character whom we're introduced with is Mal Brossard, a wrestler, who seems to be close with Holden and somewhat Akley.

The Catcher In The Rye, Chapter 3

In chapter 3 of The Catcher In The Rye, we learn more about the setting and the character. He lives in a dorm with another roommate, who seems to be close to him. There's another young man, Ackley, who lives across from Holden who seems to constantly barge into his room. They too, seem to have a close relationship due to Holden addressing Ackley in ways others would not. Ackley is very clear on the fact that he does not like Holden's roommate, Stradlater.

All That David Copperfield Kind Of Crap

In the first 2 chapters of The Catcher and the Rye, the author exposes the exposition by introducing us, the readers, to the main character. Holden Caulfield is a troubled, isolated, and defiant young man who has been kicked out of private school. Before entering break on his last day of school, he get a note from his history teacher to meet him for a discussion. His teacher, Mr.Spencer, wonders why he's throwing a privilege away as if it meant nothing to him. He see's something good within Holden, but Holden being the troubled teenager he is, he is familiar with the pep talk and does not want to hear it. He's annoyed but does not want to be rude so he stays around and acts as if he is paying attention but he is not doing so. He's actually thinking in his mind why Mr.Spencer is bothering to help and change his view towards his attitude, others, and himself.

The impact of Art

• Art is more than creativity. It's a passion many artist use to escape reality and enter a new world. Some artist create masterpieces for money, others for the joy of it, and many more to inspire and capture a moment in history. The things a person can create with just a few tools like a pencil and paper or even a machine and cloth is amazing. It's a breath taking view.
• I became interested in this topic because I really enjoy art. When I draw or paint in art class, or even at home, I lose track of time and spend hours trying to perfect my work. I care about it so much because there are many artist who tell many inspiring stories with simple symbols and colors. For example, there are a few artists who create paintings and sculptures on their experiences of living in concentration camps during WWII.
• Hopefully, learning this topic will open minds of those who rarely value art and find a meaning while realizing the different types of impacts it has on person.
• Understanding art is like reading a book. You must put yourself in the artist shoes and try to understand what they are trying to express. You must know the symbolism being used and understand what it means, like the meanings of different colors and the way they are used or the way the artist places certain objects. You have to be able to look at a piece of work in many different perspectives.
• In order learn about the impact art has on people's lifes, I will be researching stories about pieces of art work that have inspired and touched the lifes of people throughout the world.
• Resources I would need, would be different types of artists to interview on why they do what they do and the effects they get when they get complements on their work. I would also interview those who admire and value artistic work. The types of artist I would interview would range from well known painters and sculptures to everyday people who live just like any other one of us. From painters living luxury lifestyles to spray-painters living in downtown LA creating murals.
• I would most likely keep on using a course blog to tell my stories. However if I had a large group of interested individuals, I would most likely to be using a social media like Twitter or Instagram that way they could have the option to follow a page that focuses on one topic. I would post pictures of art works or anything having to relate with art created by artist all around the world and also post stories of inspiring stories having to do with art, like the current events going on in Paris. I would talk about the effects and give my thoughts on the topic. I would encourage everyone to also comment their thoughts as long as it's in a respectful manner.

MUSIC AS LITERATURE

Music is far beyond literature, at least in my eyes and possibly in the eyes of others. Its a stress reliever to some and a passion to others. Without a doubt it's a universal theme. It's a tradition that has been passed down for centuries. Each genre of music represents different types of cultures and groups. Music often shows an artist's feelings towards a certain subject. They express as much as any other writer, ranging from poets to novelist. A simple rhythmic beat easily sets a tone and mood. We can tell from the start whether the artist if feeling hurt or joyful. Once we start listening to the lyrics, we can connect all the pieces together and indicate what the artist has been through. A song, opera, or even a novel are not different from each other besides the way the tone and mood is presented by the writer. They all tell a story of some kind.