My better instinct tells me that I should spread out my blog subjects so that I can get all eight of the required posts done faster, but I really need to get this out. I'm really enjoying Multimedia media/writing or whatever you want to call it, but some of the texts we cover definitely require some ranting. First off, I want to briefly cover something that I read by Bolter on the remediation of text through the use of graphical presentation. I could not agree more with him! In contrasting the visual presentation of information and media in the 'late age of print' with that of historically textual presentation I agree that there has been a heavy handed remediation toward graphical representation. I've noticed that a lot of industries seem to have shifted from the textual and (I believe) therefore intellectual engagement of the consumer or reader to a sort of seductive allure with graphical allusion which engages the reader in some kind of an associative nostalgia.
I'm going to have to take a break before I get on the next subject of this post, Donna Haraway's "Cyborg Manifesto" which by the way gave me nightmares.
After thinking it over for a few days (I'm slow like that lol) I can honestly say that Haraway has some valid points in her essay. However, I still haven’t got a clue as to what she was talking about through most of what I read, and I know it's not just in my head when I say that I definitely picked up on some hostility toward the masculine gender. That aside, I can definitely see why she believes that we are all cyborgs. While writing my memoir it became apparent to me that things like my cell phone and online profiles are an extension of myself.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Multimedia Writing Post 1
The rapidly evolving venues of communication and literary publication cannot be said to spring at the modern reader, no, in fact they seem to creep into our daily lives quietly and subtly. After reading the first chapter of Bolter's "Writing Space" it dawned on me that over the past few years, namely since starting my college career, I had thoughtlessly adopted a multifarious collection of writing formats into my every day life. It really didn't take a lot of consideration to substantiate for myself that Bolter's theory of the future of writing is less science fiction and more pragmatist than I might have thought.
Although communicating through multimedia (email, text, IM, social networks, etc) is second nature to me now, in retrospect, I can see that it wasn't always so. It's not necessarily my own new individual writing space which first came to mind when I realized just how involved I am in this, the "late age of print". It was the voice of the reputable writer, the voice for which I frequently spend hours browsing on the Internet. The world of journalism and communication has taken to the digital age swiftly and effectively. It occurred to me that I spend little time watching the news on TV or even reading it in a newspaper. I now turn to the Internet to get my news. Whether on the computer or on my mobile Internet I constantly check on the latest news feeds. With continued discussion and reading of Bolter, I realized the truth of one of his declarations; that media birthed in the "age of print" is purely static.
It's true that technology does not directly influence or mold our society; our society reacts and redefines cultural and communicative standards and boundaries based on its use and reaction of technology.
In reflection, utilize hypermedia because it offers me options. In reading a newspaper or even watching television, I'm hindered by the static pages and programming. With hypermedia I can define and alter the way in which I receive my information. I choose how the news speaks to me as a reader and a viewer. In a sense, I become the author because I dictate the writing space for myself.
Although communicating through multimedia (email, text, IM, social networks, etc) is second nature to me now, in retrospect, I can see that it wasn't always so. It's not necessarily my own new individual writing space which first came to mind when I realized just how involved I am in this, the "late age of print". It was the voice of the reputable writer, the voice for which I frequently spend hours browsing on the Internet. The world of journalism and communication has taken to the digital age swiftly and effectively. It occurred to me that I spend little time watching the news on TV or even reading it in a newspaper. I now turn to the Internet to get my news. Whether on the computer or on my mobile Internet I constantly check on the latest news feeds. With continued discussion and reading of Bolter, I realized the truth of one of his declarations; that media birthed in the "age of print" is purely static.
It's true that technology does not directly influence or mold our society; our society reacts and redefines cultural and communicative standards and boundaries based on its use and reaction of technology.
In reflection, utilize hypermedia because it offers me options. In reading a newspaper or even watching television, I'm hindered by the static pages and programming. With hypermedia I can define and alter the way in which I receive my information. I choose how the news speaks to me as a reader and a viewer. In a sense, I become the author because I dictate the writing space for myself.
Friday, January 16, 2009
I know it doesnt make any sense, but I had a thought on Texas
Too often are the treasures of the present taken for granted until the heavy hand of time mercilessly sweeps them away. We wake up startled, as if from a comfortable sleep and feebly wish that we could have those precious years once more, and how we would savor every moment!
Hopefully these treasures are well known in their communities. Kind and unassuming, they are the last of the ‘old guard’; and although there are some who would seek to take their place, there are none who could replace the quiet greatness of our old school Texans. For when the last of those gentlemen and ladies pass out of this world there is sure to be a lonely void where they once stood.
Idleness is not in the nature of these fine members of our society. Since childhood these men and women have risen early, tended to the needs of others and worked faithfully at duties that most of us shirk. There is nothing weak or faint-hearted about these Texans, nor is it all grit and grind which makes them pillars of our state, but it’s a subtle mixture of God fearing gentility, hard working heartiness, which is much lacking in the newer generations. They are the sons and daughters of our grand state, born of the resilient pioneers of Old Texas, who settled here and worked with might and mane to forge homes and communities in the unforgiving wilderness.
Each generation of Texans has done pretty well for itself. Hard work and a fierce pride in state are still the hallmarks of a true Texan, but the wisdom of our forebears ought not to be forgotten. Seek out those local treasures, for they are not yet too rare to find easily. Take time to listen to the kind lady who everyone in town knows only as Momma, or the quiet gentleman respectfully known as Pop. They may be aged, but in their eyes you can still find the spark of the country belle and fun loving soldier.
It’s difficult to imagine the once strong and vitally energetic forced to only gaze sadly at the gardens they once tended themselves with much vigor and pleasure, or whittle at wooden trinkets where they once built homes. Truth be told, they still have much to offer us. We need only to listen and the treasures unfold before us. After all, that is the real inheritance of Texans.
Hopefully these treasures are well known in their communities. Kind and unassuming, they are the last of the ‘old guard’; and although there are some who would seek to take their place, there are none who could replace the quiet greatness of our old school Texans. For when the last of those gentlemen and ladies pass out of this world there is sure to be a lonely void where they once stood.
Idleness is not in the nature of these fine members of our society. Since childhood these men and women have risen early, tended to the needs of others and worked faithfully at duties that most of us shirk. There is nothing weak or faint-hearted about these Texans, nor is it all grit and grind which makes them pillars of our state, but it’s a subtle mixture of God fearing gentility, hard working heartiness, which is much lacking in the newer generations. They are the sons and daughters of our grand state, born of the resilient pioneers of Old Texas, who settled here and worked with might and mane to forge homes and communities in the unforgiving wilderness.
Each generation of Texans has done pretty well for itself. Hard work and a fierce pride in state are still the hallmarks of a true Texan, but the wisdom of our forebears ought not to be forgotten. Seek out those local treasures, for they are not yet too rare to find easily. Take time to listen to the kind lady who everyone in town knows only as Momma, or the quiet gentleman respectfully known as Pop. They may be aged, but in their eyes you can still find the spark of the country belle and fun loving soldier.
It’s difficult to imagine the once strong and vitally energetic forced to only gaze sadly at the gardens they once tended themselves with much vigor and pleasure, or whittle at wooden trinkets where they once built homes. Truth be told, they still have much to offer us. We need only to listen and the treasures unfold before us. After all, that is the real inheritance of Texans.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I have to say, college is like punishment for adults.
So, I was going to Lamar Orange this past semester to finish up my core classes so that I could avoid the slow, thoughtful torture of taking college algebra and whatever extra math is required for English majors, and everything seemed like it was going to work out pretty well. But nooooo, that hurricane had to sweep down here and turn the world upside down so that my last week at Lamar Orange intersected, mingled, danced, tortured, murdered my first week at Lamar University.
For three weeks I made preparations for the coming semester so as to avoid unnecessary damage, and I'm glad I did. Although it really feels like everything was totally random and unforeseen I think it could have been a lot worse.Do you ever get the feeling that the forces of good and evil are collaborating to undermine your dearest ambitions? I swear God and the Devil are chilling together laughing hysterically!
It seems like no sooner do I get things in line with work and school than something maternal rears it awful head rains lemons all over my parade. Well the truth of the matter is, I really enjoy complaining and I have no idea why, but complaining to blank cyberspace is a lot more satisfying than complaining to an understanding and thoughtful friend. I guess its because I don't have to be reflective and admit that I sound retarded. What do ya know, blogging is fun.
So, I was going to Lamar Orange this past semester to finish up my core classes so that I could avoid the slow, thoughtful torture of taking college algebra and whatever extra math is required for English majors, and everything seemed like it was going to work out pretty well. But nooooo, that hurricane had to sweep down here and turn the world upside down so that my last week at Lamar Orange intersected, mingled, danced, tortured, murdered my first week at Lamar University.
For three weeks I made preparations for the coming semester so as to avoid unnecessary damage, and I'm glad I did. Although it really feels like everything was totally random and unforeseen I think it could have been a lot worse.Do you ever get the feeling that the forces of good and evil are collaborating to undermine your dearest ambitions? I swear God and the Devil are chilling together laughing hysterically!
It seems like no sooner do I get things in line with work and school than something maternal rears it awful head rains lemons all over my parade. Well the truth of the matter is, I really enjoy complaining and I have no idea why, but complaining to blank cyberspace is a lot more satisfying than complaining to an understanding and thoughtful friend. I guess its because I don't have to be reflective and admit that I sound retarded. What do ya know, blogging is fun.
