Random quotes somewhat related to this class

"Where's your will to be weird?"- Jim Morrison

"Each generation wants new symbols, new people, new names. They want to divorce themselves from their predecessors." Jim Morrison

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”Jack Kerouac

“Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together; sophistication demands that they submit to sex immediately without proper preliminary talk. Not courting talk- real straight talk about souls, for life is holy and every moment is precious.” Jack Kerouac

"When wondering what my English teacher was thinking when he makes us turn in and make so many damn steps when assigning us projects. I envision him jumping up and down behind his desk as the due dates get closer, eagerly awaiting to find out what cleaver little stories we have come up with. After read them his hopes dashed by our lack of creativity and he fails us all!"-Random Facebook Friend

MLK letter

It seems to me that MLK was addressing the general public while calling out those he addressed the letter to. Almost like he was saying this is my case, this is what we have tried, this is what we want, but wanted the public to know it was now in the hands of the priests and reverend to solve. In naming those who could change the state of affairs at the time directly he was leaving them no choice but to do something. In stating his case he was gaining appeal from those who may read it and side with him. Forcing the hand of those who placed him in jail in the first place to stand up for their way of thinking and prove he is guilty. Those in question along with all of Birmingham itself would also then have to admit their part in the unjust behavior he was seeking to change.

Final thoughts

What all this talk about technology has done for me, is opened my eyes. Iphones, Google and distractions were common place for me. I didn't notice the extent in which information technology had a grip on me. The other night I noticed that I was multi-tasking to the extremes. It was a math book, calculator, math website, canasta website, ipod, text messaging, and an English essay. At the point that I started to laugh when my English essay about technology and it's distractions was "distracting " me from my card game. I wouldn't have noticed this type of behavior if we hadn't been talking about it recently. I think technology is awesome, will always be that way.I  also still think that it will lead us down a path that we will not be able to return from, but at least I am enjoying the ride.

Distracted by technology...?

http://blog.trutv.com/dumb_as_a_blog/2011/05/using-two-cell-phones-while-driving-a-bus-is-dumb.html?link=dumbrss

I thought that I would share this news story to show you what kind of headlines are distracting me from what I am supposed to be doing...

Technology

I try not to sugar coat the love/hate relationship that I have with technology.  I remember my teen life without technology very fondly. I know what I am missing every time I log on to my computer or my son with his xbox. I remember being able to mountain climb in Colorado or travel to concerts without someone blowing up my phone. I was literally free without contact, now I have become a text pro. Yet I still get mad at my daughter and frequently take away her iphone for pulling it out at the dinner table or at a football game. I am a walking contradiction, and I love it. I am who I am right? I am still in touch with reality though I know that when I want to I can shut off every electronic item in my house and annoy the kids with an outdoor star presentation. I still approach each and every new gadget that comes out with awe and excited jumps. I don't know I think that knowing both sides and still taking that step you are making an educated choice.  You can't really turn around and blame the crack for the addict. It makes no sense. Technology didn't entrap you? If we used it for what it's meant for,  to be an small accessory to our education, we probably wouldn't be complaining so much. I remember when cell phones were "for emergencies only", now it's hands free and cars out of control. Win some lose some. There is no perfection to any aspect of life, you are bound to make someone mad. We can't live without it, I can't live without it. I am going into a field of medicine that requires it to keep you and I healthy in our day to day lives. The invention of Penicillin! If we had to take the passion we have behind blaming the crack and blamed ourselves. The blame game would end quickly. And happily?

facebook, google, and wikipedia......responsibilty ??? cheating???

 I think that these advances in technology have not only made some students lazy but given them misinformation which they use to complete assignments. In the process of making schools meet the technological advancements the school becomes wi-fi capable...leaving the student sitting in their seats using phones and computers to "play" on face book, and other websites instead of actually listening to the lecture.  Then when the assignment comes due they go for the quick fix which are sites like Wikipedia, which are filled with cites from other students who make up the information, and the work shows it. In the good old days if you had to spend hours in a library looking for the book you needed you were dedicated to your assignment, obviously if you're in the library. It wasn't as easy as it is now to buy a report, or look up a you tube video on a math formula.  There is no sense of pride or responsibility in work these days in school anymore. Take responsibility for your actions, put down the face book and actually learn something. That's what you are paying for? Would you expect the same type of attitude and service from your waitress? No, right? So why should your instructors except the same type of crappy devotion from their students. Its not the teachers fault if the student is on face book and not listening....There are 30 other students who will listen to a math slope formula. Maybe one of them will learn the same old tired lesson the teacher has been preaching for years, because it works.  I know that statement doesn't represent all the students but a great majority.
 I, personally  fully admit use of Face book, mostly to keep in touch with my family like once a week unless otherwise drawn to it by an email. To me I feel that I am sharing my little family and exchanging pictures with all my brothers and sisters like you do at Christmas or other family holidays..not in class. When it becomes a habit  where a math class is the side note to your phone or your status, it's prison. It destroys the school system...what is the point of coming to a class if you are not going to actually put your whole into it....I don't get it.
       As far as Google,  I can not group this one with the other two..because this is the only one that actually is doing what it was intended for...looking up stuff on the internet. Linking you to other stuff....I don't know enough about it I guess to make an argument either way...but I have my KWL paper...so I will get back to that one.
 Wikipedia.. it was a cool idea...a nice little web bound set of  encyclopedias  online...wow...save some space on a book shelf. When you start to allow just anyone in it with a magic eraser, it's a damn rumor mill. It is no longer the truth, its a bunch of made up junk. If people would not go and put stuff on there for fun and jokes, I am sure it would be a much more useful tool. Would you rely on a television show to be your English teacher??? From what I hear Glee apparently is rather educational. The main point on this is if you allow everyone to be a chef then the soup is going to be over done.  If you use such rumor mill to complete your tasks then well take credit for the F you get on your assignment...don't yell at the teacher because you reversed the formula. Was it really her fault?????? She gave you the formula... it's YOUR job to get the answer. If you don't understand that..there are at least three math centers on campus for tutoring. Join one.
Ok I am about done with that preach session....and wraps up my college experience for this week. Tune in again next week for more.....observations from the old lady who was raised right.

perfect example of how technology rallies the troops through word of mouth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahAz4c2H3Sw                                  



it's so cool watching how the news travels like the wave at a baseball game.All together chanting in celebration and pride. ....the only clueless ones were the ones who actually had something else to do...some form of fitness in the low-jacked world.  examples are everywhere.

Bloggers vs Journalist

I think that the big difference between writing for a blog and writing for a paper..is feeling and perspective. In a blog you have the chance to put your own spin on what you see and hear. I can spit out anything here to help you to read your way into my mind. The more descriptive the paragraph the more apart of the story my reader becomes. It doesn't matter if the story is entirely based in reality or truth for that matter, it's all about how I see the world.
In a newspaper, its nothing but the facts. A newspaper allows for very little personal expression as the owners of the  paper don't want to have any bias. In this type of story it is more important for the population to make it's own mind of the story...the paper just gives them the evidence to work with.