Metacognition: A tribute to Aristotle

For this project, I decided to organize files on my laptop. This is already something I do semi-regularly, or when I do not have enough memory left. Not having enough RAM capacity always makes me feel anxious and as if there is a weight on my shoulders. I also feel regret, for not organizing files while saving them, but instead just sending them into the vast unknown. However, as I get into the groove of organizing, deleting, and moving files, this weight diminishes, and I start to feel productive. After the work is complete, I am just glad that the task is over and I don't have to go on worrying about it any more or have it hanging over my head. 

My mind feels less cluttered and open. I feel as if I can think more clearly as well.

After the project, I know that I need to organize my files better at regular intervals, instead of just letting it all accumulate until the breaking point. Organization is key: if your life is organized, then your mind will follow.

Carry It Forward: Descartes in Sophie's World

Descartes had many valid points and of course some not so valid, as does every philosopher. First of all, Descartes and Socrates were both convinced that certain knowledge can only be acquired through reason. I agree with both of them since through reason, you can decide what is right, wrong, truth, or opinion. Again like Socrates, Descartes would not accept that he knew nothing. He claimed that we can only accept anything as being true if we can clearly and distinctly perceive it. This makes sense since this laptop I am using exists; I can see it, feel it, and obviously use it. Descartes started off by doubting everything, so that he can work his theories out from scratch, from a completely blank slate. Therefore, the fact that he doubted everything was the only thing he was certain of. This is where his theory gets complex, and lost me. However, I was brought back in by the expression, "I think therefore I am." This is something you and I have heard numerous times, I'm sure.

Descartes's next point I'd like to bring up is that there exists a perfect entity. He claimed that there would not be a perfect entity if it didn't exist and we would not possess the idea of a perfect entity if it didn't exist. God is very present in this theory, since God is that perfect entity, since no human being is perfect. By this, Descartes must believe that God exists, which I do not agree with however.

Philosophy is very complicated and each person has a right to their own opinions, some people are just more inclined to share them.

An Inconvenient Truth: Men As "Breadwinners"

This theory has been around for all of time, beginning with the story of Adam and Eve; Eve was created with Adam's rib, therefore he is more powerful. 

The issue of sexism rubs me the wrong way, and it should have that effect on everyone. Being told that men are superior since childhood pollutes the mind and therefore, children grow up believing that it is true. Little girls are supposed to wear frilly clothes and do "girly" things like arts and crafts, take ballet, and be soft-spoken. They see their mothers, most of the time, stay at home and tend to household chores while their fathers work to support them.

Even on television, this the common view: a mother stays home with the children while daddy goes out and makes a living. Women and girls alike are taught that they need to play Susie homemaker, so to speak. Shouldn't everyone be allowed to go out and make a living for themselves?

This is getting to be more common in modern day, however. Young females are going to college and working before settling down and starting a family. Even when they do, most are still working, sending kids to daycare centers and daytime babysitters. 

Growing up with a single mother who always had to work to support us, I can see how doing so makes for a strong, independent woman. I can't help but appreciate and look up to her.

Best of Today: Class discussion on Wednesday 11/3/10

The best and only thing we did in class Wednesday was discuss Sophie's World and why Gaarder juxtaposes two stories, much like Marianne Wiggins did in The Shadow Catcher.

I had a difficult time understanding this book and its purpose, but I started to realize how important philosophy can be during the discusison in class. Philosophers ask the questions that i am too afraid to ask myself, and even though they may not know an answer, it is better to at least have tried to arrive at one. 

I am a philosopher in the sense that I know that I do not know everything, and therefore do not brag about being all-knowing. Socrates felt the same, and he was in turn the wisest man in Athens. Sophie also realizes this about herself, which makes me relate to her character. 

The discussions in class, but specifically this one from Wednesday, make me think about many things. If someone brings up a really good point, I can't help but think "Wow." Certain comments also stick with me, and can carry over into different classes or discussions I have outside of school.

iMedia: George Carlin's Modern Man

George Carlin's comedy, not just this one video, can teach us many things. His cynical attitude shows what is wrong with society and he tells it like it is and is never afraid to hold back. His genuine honesty has gained him a very loyal following, even after his death a little over two years ago.

I first was introduced to Carlin's comedy around the time of his death, strangely enough, by an old friend. At the time, I didn't understand how important this man was to popular culture and how many comedians he has inspired. However, as I got older, I understood the magic of his words and how true he is as a person and comedian; how he can take a serious issue and make a joke about it without being over-the-top.

Carlin can be seen as quite controversial, with monologues such as "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television." For the time of 1972, he was very inappropriate. He knocked down barriers and was something no one at the time was familiar with.There are no words that I can say to do this man justice, except to say that he has inspired me and my personality today. He is a realist, which taught me to be the same. The world is not perfect, and he knew it.

In this specific video, Carlin states what a "modern man" is. How superficial "he" is and how this type of person is not real at all. He examined and critiqued what is wrong with this modern culture and used his wonderful wit to exploit it. For this and many other things do I admire him.

Best of Week: Born Into Brothels

I thought that the best thing we observed in class the week of 10/18 was the documentary Born into Brothels. What I liked most about this film, although not the only thing, was how happy these children were just to be learning photography. Avijit was already very artistic and when introduced to this new art form, he immediately enjoyed it. Every single child has something different to offer through their photo skills as well. Some take photos of their families, some of the streets of which they belong to. Each time one of them smiles, it makes me smile. This documentary has so far taught me that you need to pursue your dreams, because you never know where they will take you. These children have taken advantage of the opportunities that photography gives them, because otherwise they are not given much. Not one of the children let themselves be affected too much by their surroundings, either. They try to stay positive and enjoy their lives while they are young and before they are forced to grow up and become adults, whatever their responsibilities will entail. This documentary leaves me with a sense of hope after each day of viewing. It has also peaked my interest in Indian culture, whether that was the purpose or not. I could only hope to achieve something of this magnitude with my life and I extremely admire Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski for all their time and effort put into teaching these kids that there are ways to escape the pain of living in a impoverished brothel. 

Metacognition: QE Essay

I have written about my experience while writing essays in a previous post, but as this essay progressed, the style of my thought processes changed. 

While discussing this essay in class before the entire process began, I had an idea about what question I wanted to write about: What role does education play in creativity? I even thought of an example while still in class that I could use to open up the paper with. However, after receiving Section 1 with a grade on it, I read the other questions that night. I realized I could use the same example, but choose a question that would be easier to use the class material as support.

When the time came to write Section 2, I had not prepared anything the night or nights previous, which left me in a bit of a rush. I had to think fast and about what made sense or what did not. In times like these, there is no space to be creative or add extra insignificant details, which is actually quite nice. It eliminates unnecessary thoughts/words. Before starting Section 3, though, I did make corrections on Section 2 because God knows I needed to. 

And now it is time for Section 3: the final section of the QE Essay. Even though we were given class time for this, I could not make myself focus. Therefore, this was left for the night before the whole essay was due. Bad idea, yes, but I find that I work well under pressure. Much as I am now: rushing to get this blog post done before the school day is over so I do not have to worry about it anymore. 

What I learned through-out this QE Essay process was that it is easier to write an essay or any piece of writing in parts; it takes the dread and pressure out of the equation, at least somewhat. There were still deadlines and guidelines to follow, but you can focus more on a single section instead of the whole.

Blogging Around

The first blog that I read was Angelo's. His essential focus was that inspiration is needed to write essays and other pieces of writing. It is difficult to become inspired, but your environment can in turn help to focus your mind and give inspiration while writing. "I agree with you that inspiration is hard to come by at first, but when you find it, essays and other pieces just come together naturally. The part about your loud siblings was comical, as well as the part about you staying focused on an essay in the midst of a fire. I enjoyed your acronym for inspiration, even though it didn't make too much sense. But inspiration doesn't make sense, either, does it?"

The second blog I chose to comment on was Katie T's. Her writing style reminded me very much of my own, and it was if I had wrote her Metacognition post myself. Her focus was on blog posts, and how writing them takes time and may not be a simple task.  She starts out by reading other blogs, which I have done as well, to start on her creative thinking process and get her mind going. "I enjoyed this post very much, I must say. Your style of writing reminds me very much of my own, in certain ways. The part about soaking up each others creativity is very true; we, as students, draw creativity and ideas from peers and other elements around us. Although you still have to find a way to differentiate your thought processes from what you may see in the end, reading other classmates' posts is very helpful. Blogs don't have to be something to dread, because like you said, they aren't so bad after all."

Metacognition: QE Essay and Blog Posts

The process I go through when writing essays, and this year even blog posts, is very similar; perhaps the exact same. Both start with me brainstorming ideas while listening to music that makes me think, become inspired, and focus on the task at hand. This is usually effective, but sometimes I just sit and stare at the computer screen, waiting for an idea to be formed. Music with lyrics usually causes this, which is why I tend to draw inspiration from music sans words. 

As the writing gets going and I find an issue to address or whatever the case may be, numerous changes are made. Delete this sentence, add a certain word here, make corrections there, this sentence makes little sense-discard it. I am indecisive by nature, so writing an essay or blog post can take a couple hours or more. However, I tend to save essays and blog posts to the last minute, since I am forced to perform and get the job done quickly. Before the task is done, though, I proof read. I never used to do this, since I once hated reading my own writing. I have realized that proofreading is necessary. You can find mistakes that you never even know you made, or add any final thoughts before hitting 'Print'. 

My thinking is usually very sporadic and all over the place. When I can focus on one thing, I can get it done. It still surprises me that I am capable of accomplishing something when really putting my mind to it. Of course, there are times when I wish i could just drown out the rest of the world and not let the environment influence my thinking negatively. Certain things distract me, which can be for the better. Often though, that is not the case.

Best of Week 9/13-9/17: Creativity

I feel that the idea of the week was creativity. The lessons we have learned from the article 'Sea of Information' can be used for college essays, something everyone will be doing this year. Also, what we have learned can be carried with us throughout our lives. For example, in 'Sea of Information', we learned to follow where the spark of interest leads us and to find our own ways to be creative. We learned as well how to look past the mystery of what it means to be creative. It should not be something to be scared or afraid of.

Different people have different ways of expressing themselves. For Andrea Barrett, she found inspiration through research and in turn, research got her back into writing. What works for one person might not work for you. Perhaps going outside and learning some new can work, or reading a book by your favorite author, or even watching your favorite television show/movie. Creativity is not black and white. There are many different shades and colors.

Connection: Pass the Plate, Mr. Feynman

Alan Alda went on a journey to find Feynman. Who was Feynman and how could Alda think, act, and do, as Feynman did? Would Alda be able to portray the real Feynman in QED or would he be light-years off, only scratching the surface of someone so complex? Actors go through this process of trying to be another person, to take on the life of a character unlike themselves. Doing so requires a complete change in thinking and doing. The actor must become that character. For example, Heath Ledger as The Joker in Batman: The Dark Knight became an entirely different person who, according to Heath himself, "...couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going," nydailynews.com reported in the article "Jack Nicholson warned Heath Ledger on 'joker' role." With that being said, there are negative and positive aspects to either admiring a person and even wanting to be them. As stated, the negative is that one actually becomes too out of touch and far from their real self that it is impossible to go back. This was ultimately the fate of Heath Ledger. As a result of constantly thinking about the joker and staying up late at night possessed by the thought of this character, Ledger was prescribed numerous pills which could have been a cause of his death. However, there are also positive aspects. Alda, for example, researched Feynman but just couldn't put every single personality of the science genius into one character on stage. This is not a bad thing, even though it may seem that way. Alda knows all the different personalities of Feynman, but just cannot portray Feynman. This is not failure, it is considered to be admiration and honorable.

This subject relates to me, and high school students alike, since we are taught all our lives that we can have a role model but that we should always be ourselves and not lose sight of who we are. Everyone has potential to be a great human being and contribute to the world just by being who they are.

Carry It Forward: IDEO Nightline Creativity Documentary

While watching this documentary/ special about creativity in the workplace, I could only think how I would love to work in such an environment. The employees in the office are able to create their ideal workplace. There is even an airplane wing on the ceiling and bikes hanging from strings. This type of environment enables employees to open their minds and work towards their full creative potential. The best part is, most of the employees are not from art schools, but Harvard, Stanford, and other universities. This made me realize that I could still be creative at a school that is not specifically designed for the arts and still work in a career such as this and do something I would enjoy.

The rules that the boss has in place for employees are to not criticize others' ideas and to work off of one another's creativity. Even though "adults" have to step in to redirect the creative flow from time to time, the discussions continue in a new and more focused direction. This is needed, however, because too much creativity can be a bad thing and the original plan can be taken into many different directions. 

Therefore, if I ever do work in a place like this (which I hope I do), I will not forget what was learned by these employees and the type of atmosphere they create for themselves to foster productivity and creativity. They are just being themselves and doing what they love, which I can only envy at this point in time.