tony's blog

Assignment MT 6.2

2006-04-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

The human mind is an incredibly complicated thing. No single metaphor will fullfill its every possible discription. Two common metaphors are that the mind is a printing press and a computer. Certain things are hidden and also highlighted by these. The printing press metaphor hightlights our a strong memory and do not erase things well, large amounts of information, and that we are impressionable. Humans usually have a good memory, even if we try to forget something it is hard for us to do fully. We can try to forget something but it always has the ability to come up again. Just like with a printing press, you can never get rid of the impressions in the page. We can also store large amounts of information like a book from the printing press can. And the most important thing is that we are impressionable. We are impressed by the things that happen around us everyday, these things make us who we are just like a printing press creates a book. Something that is hidden in this metaphor is the use of images. Printing presses generally on print words and the human mind most often deals with images, sounds, or smells rather than words. I think that this is one thing that the mind is a computer metaphor does better than the printing press. A computer has the abilty to do all that a printing press can and store images. Like the printing press the computer can store lots of information, have a good memory that is hard to erase, and can be programmed just like the impressions of a printing press. However this metaphor still lacks the smell and sound senses of the human mind.

Assignment MT 6.3

2006-04-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

The metaphors that we find in the quotes from "Current Ideas about How the Mind Works," are about how our minds function. The first one is that our brain is a washing machine. It goes on to say that "Serotonin is the water that flows in at certain times and is flushed out." This qoute continues to say that as long as enough water flows in and out the machine works fine, but depression in our mind is like not getting enough water into the machine. Another metaphor is that depression is an out of tune radio. "You just simply have to adjust the dials. When you learn to bring about this mental tuning, the music will come through clearly again and your depression will lift." In that line there is another metaphor besides the radio, "your depression will lift." They use the word lift as if depression is a weight holding down on you. These are just a few of the metaphors used in these quotes.
These metaphor do have consequences. The mind is a very complex thing and many people do not understand how it works. By using these metaphors people may believe that depression is a very simple issue and easy to solve. This may not be a good thing because people could possible ignore someones depression assuming that it will just go away. If people do this they may not get the treatment they need to come out of their depression. I can not say wether these are good metaphors for depression, because I do not know much about it, but I think that we need to be careful when describing things such as this. People must know the seriousness behind these issues, if they are taken too lightly they may go unattended to.

Assignment MT 4.2

2006-04-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

The difference between thinking about a person's unusual behavior as a disease and a spiritual problem is all in what you want to believe. If you want to believe that a person is behaving differently because of a spiritual problem you will, if you want to believe that a person is behaving differently because of a disease you will. It may not even be what you want to believe it may be what your forced to believe. People of the 1500's did not have the knowledge of such things that we do now, so they, in fear of the unknown, believed that it was the devil. I call it fear because we all fear the unknown, its human nature, and christians want people to fear the devil so they blame these types of events on the devil. Veiwing the strange actions as a possession of the devil can cause consequences for the sick. If the person is acting differently and someone simply prays for them and expects results, the person will not get the treatment they need and often will not be healed. However, veiwing the stange behavior as an illness may not be good either. If the person really is possesed by the devil, and we try to treat him or her medically, the also will go untreated. The human mind is a complicated thing, I do not believe we will ever fully understand diseases such as this. We will never know the truth of the causes of the treatments of these events. What will change is how we react to them by how we veiw them. If we veiw it as possession, we place blame on the person possessed. If we veiw it as illness we feel sympathy for the person ill.

Assignment MT3.3

2006-04-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

Metaphors can have the ability to affect the way that we think, but I do not think that they affect us as much as it may seem. They do alter the way that we speak and the words that we use, but I feel that they do not change the meaning of what we say. If you take a metaphor literally, as the person says it then it is not a metaphor. When someone says a metaphor you generally know what they mean by it and are able to understand what they mean by it. Just tonight i heard someone say "Thats how I roll." This person did not mean that they roll like a wheel or a ball, they meant "that is the way I am." I knew what they meant, by using the word roll it did not change what i thought about the sentence.

Assingment MT1.2

2006-04-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

The metaphor of anger as dynamite, I feel is a pretty strong metaphor. Dynamite catches the intensity of the emotion or anger. It explains the loss of control that anger can give some people. It is hard to control an explosion so therefore its hard to control anger. I think using dynamite to explain anger is pretty good metaphor. In Blake’s “A Poison Tree” Blake offers another metaphor for anger, a tree of poison. Blake’s metaphor lacks the intensity of anger that dynamite has, but it has other points that it highlights. His metaphor shows the sense of revenge that often comes with anger. His anger comes with wanting to avenge the foe’s actions upon him. He shows how over time anger can grow, how if not dealt with it can grow dangerous, such as his foe dying from eating an apple from the tree. If this metaphor was widely used which it could be we would say things such as
“I grew angry with him.”
“Anger grew inside me like a tree.”
“The anger grew widely in my head.”

Assignment MTintro.2

2006-04-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

The most common definition of the word technology is the application of science, especially to industrial or commercial objectives. If Goody was to redefine the word technology to include writing it would be similar to this, the application of a tool to complete an objective. I do not agree with Goody that writing is a technology, it is a tool but not technological. Technologies are developed using a science, a science that can be tested and proven, words can not be tested and proven. You can not prove that any word means what the dictionary says it means, you just take the dictionary’s word on it. If it were a science you could prove that that word means what the dictionary says it means. Since writing is not a science it is not a technology.

Assignment 4/3

2006-04-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Advertising today is all about sex. They suggest that everyone’s image must be sexually attractive with a perfect figure and style. The image that I chose is out of Sports Illustrated the magazine for American Express credit card. The add is of a man holding a child. The man is wearing nothing but a swim suit and is what society views as attractive, having large muscles and perfect face. The man is at the beach sitting on the tale of his car, the scene is attractive in itself. Everyone enjoys a day at the beach; therefore the advertising people give you the image that their product will give the consumer the situation or image that they want.
These images obviously affect people’s image of them selves. People are surrounded by these images everyday all day. Advertising is all around us everywhere we look, they of course only have what society calls attractive people in them. Because of this people strive to be like the people on the adds and even go to the point of altering their bodies with plastic surgery. The idea of plastic surgery alone proves that people are affected by these images. These images show what society accepts, without these images people would not know how to alter their body with plastic surgery, we would not know what is attractive.

Assignment TL1.2

2006-03-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

The monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, comes to find out that he is different from everyone else. He realizes he is different after encounters with people and also reading the articles he found. He senses something is wrong with him after his interactions with people but does not realize what it is until he reads the writings. The monster knows he is different but does not know why or how much until he confronts Victor. The monster is able to sense his difference by his interaction with people but is not able to comprehend this difference. Once the monster comprehends this, then he begins to seek revenge on his creator.
I believe that reading and watching movies can make people feel excluded. Movies and books often contain much exaggerated people and situations. The audience can sometimes begin to have a want for the adventures that happen in the movie or book, which is unrealistic, in their own lives. This in turn can make the audience feel left out or different when events much more uninteresting happen in their own lives rather than the drama filled events of a movie or book. The audience could feel less important or less “cool” if their lives do not resemble the characters from the movies or books.

Assignment NT 5.5

2006-02-21T18:13:00.000-08:00

The out of character narratives I wrote we pretty similar. The one I wrote to my mother was more formal and told more of the story, but the one I wrote to my friend was more informal and summarized the story more. I'm not sure why the one to my friend was shorter but i believe it would be like this in real life. I think it is probally because I know that my mom is used to talking to me everyday where my friend can expect to be out of contact for a few days at a time. Because of this my letter to my mother was more of letting her know exactly how things are going, and too my friend just to keep in touch. The expeirence didn't really change between the two letters at all, other than one being shorter than the other. The person I was in each letter was very similar both people I wrote too knew me very well and knew what to expect from me. I did not really change any discriptions of my actions in either letter.

Assignment NT4.2

2006-02-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

The Wizard of Oz is a story about a girl who over comes her problems with the help of some friends she meets along her journey. Dorothy finds herself in a far off land after a storm. Along the way of trying to find her way home she meets three “men” who assist her in her journey and eventually get her home. This story can be related to any biography where the person overcomes problems. You could even take it a step further and say that all narratives take the shape of Wizard of Oz. All narratives have a main character with some struggles that they must over come and often have friends along the way that help them.
The switching of black and white to color during the movie can be used as a metaphor of switching from living your own life, which at times seems black and white or boring to us, to watching movies or TV. When this happens she begins her travels to the land of Oz. This could be seen as us watching TV and turning the TV off could be seen as her coming back to Kansas. People watch TV to get a sense of drama and chaos much greater than what they experience in their own lives. These are the things that Dorothy experiences along her trip to the land of Oz. People also use TV or movies to escape from reality and Dorothy is obviously escaping reality while she is “over the rainbow.”
The Wizard of Oz is saying that in order to be a good viewer of TV or movies we must become very involved in our shows. We must think that we are experiencing the same thing that the characters are in order to be a good viewer. It is also saying that we must be able to escape from the unreality of TV and go back to our reality of life.

Assignment NT2.2

2006-02-07T13:44:00.000-08:00

What can we tolerate in a robot? Robots are expected to perform certain tasks that a human cannot perform or simply do something better than a human. Robots are designed with a specific purpose in mind for them. I feel that we can only tolerate what is expected of a robot. Robots are for work purposes. We expect them to do the commands we tell them to do. If a robot can begin to think on its own, beyond its intended function, then we can not tolerate them any more.
Humans need to feel superior to all things on earth. We are very threatened by robots. In order for us to remain superior, robots will only perform certain functions. Once robots begin thinking and acting on their own then we become threatened. The robots that will be able to do this will far more superior than humans. Robots are already replacing humans in the work place. As of now robots are only doing tasks programmed by humans. If robots begin thinking for them selves they will have the ability to take over any job on earth. Once robots begin taking our jobs and responsibilities many humans will have no purpose. Therefore we are very threatened by robots.
If humans and robots begin working together, I feel it will be easier for humans to except them if they look like machines. When robots begin looking like humans people will begin to feel inferior to them, because robots will be able to perform much better than humans and look the same. Humans will need that difference in appearance to remind themselves they are still superior than robots. If humans still feel they are superior to robots, it will be easier for us to work with them. Once they look like us we feel inferior and will begin to refuse to work with them.

Assignment NT2.1

2006-02-07T12:26:00.000-08:00

The creation and our reaction to robots can tell us several things about what it means to be human. The creation of robots, such as R. Daneel, shows that we worship ourselves. R. Daneel was created as a mirror image of his creator. In other words he looked just like the man who designed him. “The human form is the most successful generalized form in all nature. We are not a specialized animal… If you want a design capable of doing a great many widely various things, all fairly well, you could do no better than to imitate the human form.” (172) By creating robots like humans it shows that we believe, we are the most efficient things on earth. We celebrate our greatness with the creation of robots in our form.
For humans to communicate we need emotions and regard for others emotions. Robots will never have the ability to have true emotions. They will always be cold and harsh, speaking only the truth. As humans we have the ability to hide the truth to protect others or ourselves. Humans interact with one another knowing what is appropriate to say to one another and when. Robots do not have the ability to determine how words will affect another person. Emotions are incredibly abstract, and even the simplest of them will not be able to be processed by robots.
As for working beside robots such as R. Daneel, I believe that it is highly possible for all humans to be required to work with robots. Robots have the ability to do work much more efficient than humans can. They can work longer hours, with no pay, and require no accommodations. I feel that depending on your job it would be very easy to work beside a robot. The robot will easily be able to complete any physical task you give it. However if your job is associated with human emotions then it is impossible for a robot to do that work. Any work that interacts with the sensitive human emotions, a robot could not handle.

Assignment 2

2006-01-26T11:36:00.000-08:00

Tony Schmidt
CLS F103
1/27/06

Assignment 2

In Frankenstein, the monster is rejected by all people. While hiding from humans, he observes a family. By observing them, he learns the language and also how to read and write. By learning these technologies, it only deepens his loneliness. With the learning of how humans communicate he learns that he is alone. Before he knew the language, he was still alone but did not realize what it meant. By learning that humans can communicate he learns that he is a reject. The monster was blind to this before he could speak.
These technologies made the monster even lonelier. He now realized what Victor had done to him. He could see that he was abandoned by his creator, and that it was his creator’s responsibility to teach him these things that he learns. In realizing this, he becomes angry with Victor. He now knows that it is Victor’s fault that he is rejected by society. He is able to see this by watching the cottagers and understanding society. By then examining his own situation he sees that he is deformed and alone. The monster asks “Was I then a monster, a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled, and whom all men disowned?”
Had the monster never learned these technologies he would have never realized he was alone or rejected. By realizing this it makes him angry and therefore more violent. Had the monster never learned to communicate he would have never become violent. He had no reason to be violent before, but now he can see what Victor has done to him. This is why he becomes violent.

Assignment NT1.3

2006-01-19T12:33:00.000-08:00

Tony Schmidt
New Technologies, New Worlds
1/20/06

Assignment NT1.3

Walton’s motive in finding the Northwest Passage is a parallel to Frankenstein’s story of creating life. Both Walton’s and Victor’s ambitions are “food for discovery and wonder,” this is how Victor describes his obsession with science. Both men were searching for answers in order to make them selves rich and famous. Victor sees this and asks Walton “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness?” Victor knows that Walton is heading down a similar path that he did and begins to warn him about the dangers of knowledge.
Walton explains his motives in his first letter to Margaret. Walton believes that he is about to discover something truly remarkable. He says “…as the phenomena of the heavenly bodies undoubtedly are in those undiscovered solitudes. What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?” He believes that what he is about to discover will forever change the world and make him rich and famous beyond his beliefs. Walton wants to be known around the world and he believes that this journey will do it for him. Walton intends to “accomplish some great purpose,” with this journey.
Victor’s motives, which are visible in chapter four, are very much the same as Walton’s. Victor wanted to be famous and powerful for what he had discovered. He say’s “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.” All Victor is concerned with while creating this creature is the power and fame it will bring to him. Much the same as what Walton wants for discovering the Northwest Passage.
I believe the author is trying to warn us about motives that only enhance the lives of the ones behind those motives. She is saying that discoveries where the intentions of the discoverer are only good for themselves, the outcomes can be costly. This is apparent when Victor is warning Walton of “how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge.” This is Shelley’s way of warning us of how knowledge can be dangerous.
As far as similar motives driving our technology magnates today, I strongly agree. I believe that almost all inventors or explorers are out mostly to better their own lives. If Bill Gates simply wanted to create better software and computers he would not be the billionaire that he is. I do not think there is anything wrong with what he has done. He created something, had opportunity to take advantage of what he had done, and did it. Some people may start out looking for a way to help other people but people are greedy and will do anything to get what they want. Look at Martha Stewart. She had a good business, was seen as a good person, but when I came to losing money she bailed on all her values.

Assingment 1

2006-01-12T10:37:00.000-08:00

Scientists need to be limited on what they can and can not do. There are certain things that are fine to explore, create, and destroy; but there needs to be a limit. For instance scientists should be allowed to create or destroy human life. I believe that when they begin doing this they begin playing God, when they begin playing God they have become too powerful. If man becomes to powerful, God will allow man to be destroyed. Cloning people is going way too far. That is playing God and devastating what God has intended Earth to be.
Now there are certain things that I believe scientist have the right to explore. Genetic engineering from humans from birth is going too far. People were only intended to have certain strengths and abilities. However, if scientist discovers ways to extend already existing life, protect it from illness, or heal it; as long as they are able to do it without altering our DNA code then that is fine. I believe that God gave us the ability to save, heal, and protect ourselves, but he does not want us recreating ourselves. There are many areas of grey in this argument but I believe anything that does not create or destroy life and does not alter a person’s identity should be allowed for study.
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark”, is about a man who plays God by making his wife ‘perfect.’ I believe that this story shows that Hawthorne believes that scientist should be limited. The scientist in the story successfully makes his wife perfect, but then she dies almost instantly. Hawthorne believes that people were not intended to be perfect and scientists are trying to make people perfect. Hawthorne is saying that science needs to be limited on what it can do. Hawthorne thinks that perfection can not be achieved and if it was God would not let it survive. The woman in the story dies immediately after she is perfected, this is showing that Hawthorne believes perfection is not intended to be reached and can not be reached. If it could be reached the woman would have survived and lived for eternity.
Mary Shelley the author of Frankenstein has similar views as Hawthorne. The book is about a scientist who is able to create life and then everything goes terribly wrong for him and the life. The scientist creates a life and is essentially playing God. The life that the scientist creates is eventually killed. Shelley is saying that man can not create life and it should be left to God. Her views appear to be about the same as Hawthorne’s on what scientist should and should not do.
I believe both stories were warning us about the future. Both saw where science was heading and were attempting to warn us through there stories. They are trying to tell us not to mess with God’s work. To let God let life live as he intended it.