Trees

Describing tress can be very simple if you go about it the right way. Robert Hass's poem, "The Problem Describing Trees"  was so confusing. I was not a fan of this poem. It starts out like a normal poem, but when he says "No" more than once, it is like the end of the poem is rejected the beginning. Making it confusing to the reader. Im sure he had his own reasons for doing so, personally....I don't get it.

Bolter Bothers Me!!

Bolter is so caught up in the fact that technology has taken such a drastic turn in society. He thinks that there is no future for printed text. Printed text will always find its way in the world. It will always be necessary and convenient in some way. It may not be so religious to have books printed on paper, but printed text will find its own way to be important and of such value. Technology may be blooming to be a sense of life, but no matter who you are, printed text will be a reminder of where we came from and will be valued for all eternity. Like i have said in previous posts, technology is just a simpler and easier way for people to get things done. It shows how lazy of a society we have become. Bolter is thinking from a writers point of view, so he seems somewhat let down towards how far we have come from the printing press, and printed text being so valued in the past, to technology overtaking such a value as printed text. It will always find its way in society no matter how far technology grows, text on paper will make its way. Bolter is too negative and pessimistic for me. I can understand where he's coming from, I just feel he can go a different way about it.

"Like, You Know"

In both visuals, Taylor Mali presents a perfect presentation about how society has changed it's lingual characteristics. In the textual based video, the words give a different meaning. When reading words the brain processes those words into their exact meanings or what you think they mean. His presentation in person is much more interesting. Body language is a major part in understanding people. It helps us to know how they are feelings without them even saying anything. So in his other visual presentation, in person, his body language helps exaggerate his point to the audience, giving them a sense of how he is feelings about the subject. It is that, in which helps the audience read his expressions, and understand his actual point, instead of just "listening" or "reading" what he is saying. Visual's always give viewers an amazing site into the meanings, rather then a still, uniformed piece of text. I think Taylor Mali, makes great points, and i recommend everyone to view his other videos on youtube.

"Like, You Know"

In both visuals, Taylor Mali presents a perfect presentation about how society has changed it's lingual characteristics. In the textual based video, the words give a different meaning. When reading words the brain processes those words into their exact meanings or what you think they mean. His presentation in person is much more interesting. Body language is a major part in understanding people. It helps us to know how they are feelings without them even saying anything. So in his other visual presentation, in person, his body language helps exaggerate his point to the audience, giving them a sense of how he is feelings about the subject. It is that, in which helps the audience read his expressions, and understand his actual point, instead of just "listening" or "reading" what he is saying. Visual's always give viewers an amazing site into the meanings, rather then a still, uniformed piece of text. I think Taylor Mali, makes great points, and i recommend everyone to view his other videos on youtube.

Reflection - "LIFE"

When it comes to visual performances, a structured presentation usually helps viewers understand what is being presented. In most films, the storyline is usually ordered. When it is not ordered, most can agree that they become confusing for people. When it comes to short films, such as visual arguments with images, I feel it can go both ways. Sometime structure makes the point to obvious, and at other times, unstructured can make it more interesting and somewhat challenging. Everyone loves a challenge. People do not realize how the brain works. When certain areas are not used as frequently as they should, they slow down and become weak. Giving people an opportunity to think and challenge their brains is a good thing. As Gunther Kress states, “Whatever is represented in image has to bow, equally, to the logic of space, and to the simultaneity of elements in special arrangements.” I feel as though that when visuals are too obvious they become boring. I’d rather be surprised. I chose to not structure and organize my argument. I feel there are so many ways to look at the word “Life” that structure would just convince viewers to see it how I do, rather than think for themselves with their own opinion. 

Sample U-Part 5

"Visual presentations need to be ordered in a more careful manner than textual presentations. Images need to be shown in a sensible way, with sensible of time between each one to allow the viewer to establish meaning." Visual's do not ALWAYS have to be structured. With visuals you can always get the point across in some way, but in the end it is up to the audience/viewer to understand it and get the overall point. There are some major motion pictures out there that are not in order, and to me that makes them more interesting, and causes the audience to think. They think about what is being presented and what they have to work with to thin about a clear understanding of the presentation. Visuals can go both ways. If you want to get the point across in a simple and easy manner, then structure is what you need. If you want to gain your audiences attention and thinking process, then maybe structure is something you want to ignore. When it comes to textual presentations, order is a must. Not only is it confusing to read a text not in order, but you lose that focus of the reader. Try presenting a visual presentation without structure and order and see if you can get the same point across. You'd be surprised how similar the results will be if you have the right audience.

Video (Chel White): how do I relate?

The heart beating- I like the heart. It symbolizes that the writer is alive. Trying to write with a beating heart. Pumping very fast. Sometimes when I write or do something I like to do I can feel my heart beating through my chest, it makes me feel like I am somewhat real.

The words flashing as the mouth talks- is a distraction. I wanted to read what the words said but the mouth overtook the words, making it as thought speaking takes over the meaning of what your trying to say. Like the words don’t matter as much, and it is about listening.

The knives stabbing the heart- show anger. Makes you feel and think of that pain. Like the heart beating is not important anymore. The pictures describe what he is saying and what he means in a way. Giving you examples, making you see what you are hearing in a different light/image/way. Disturbing, clichéd, aggressive. The heart beating makes you think of life, and the knives coming straight after spiraling towards it shows destruction of that life that was originally there.

Shows how hard writing actually can be for some people. It can drive them crazy if they can’t get what they want. Or cant get the words out on paper. It is a very extreme way to get a point across about the writing process.

Billy Collins is calmer about it.

Poem: Billy Collins

A sentence starts out like a blank stare into the distance,

A sunset overlooking an ocean like the world never ends,

Confused, and unsure what to think,

Deep connections emerge into deep thought,

What feels right and what feels wrong,

A person debating what is life really about,

Is it that blank stare or is it something more?

A change? A desire? Something we feel is necessary.

Is it who we really are, or who we want us to be,

All alone, looking at this incredible view,

Wishing, thinking, feeling, wondering, wanting,

Then a little girl walks passed, playing with the sand like a lost puppy. Finding an interest in something as little as a grain of salt.

Freewrite

Do you think its odd or peculiar that the telephone as cell phone (so names for its design as a purveyor of  “phon” –sound) has been adapted to purvey text as image? Why do you imagine this change has occurred?

     I think that technology in this day and age is always looking for bigger and better, or you could say smaller and better. Always trying to make things easier for people. We have become such a lazy society that people feel it is easier to type on a phone and make it short and sweet rather than sit with a phone to their ear speaking out loud taking up time. If you text you have a lot more time to answer then if it was a face to face conversation or on the phone. In my case I like texting better, it’s easier for me, and I actually answer a lot quicker. The only problem is, is that people have problems interpreting what people are saying and how they are saying it, for example if you were having a fight. Although I feel cell phones is an addicting technology, which can be considered dangerous when using it the wrong way at the wrong times.