Taking this course as an online class has really helped me to take control of the class. It has allowed me full control of how and when I studied and got online. I enjoyed the freedom and added responsibility of this online course.
The blogs we posted throughout the course were helpful as well, not only by allowing me to share my work with others and get valuble feedback, but by allowing me to read what others have done as well.
There was a few things that were challeing for me, mostly the "word art" of activity 2. I had really no idea all that you can do with words and placement with microsoft word. I must have edited 15 different songs and quotes before I was finally happy with what I completed.
The visual advocacy project was my favorite. I really learned a lot about advocating something that I necessarily did not agree with one hundred percent. I learned to argue that point while keeping my personal beliefs out of it.
I valued the feedback I recieved from Prof. Yerks and appreciated that nothing was held back. I feel that her comments were what was most valuble in this course!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Question 1
1. Why do you think Coupland's characters speak in computer jargon, and use technical expressions to describe their lives and environment? How does this compare to your experiences of the workplace and home? What effect does this way of speaking have on others?
When a person makes their career count for so much in their life it is difficult not to “take it home.” The characters in Coupland’s “Microserfs” make this fact evident. To the characters in this novel, computers and technology are all they know. It is not only their job, but their way of life. I think they do this because it is what makes sense to them. It adds a sense of familiarity to their day to day and it helps them to put their lives in a perspective that they can easily identify with. I myself can relate to this as I often catch myself using terms and phrases that really only apply in my work place. I would say it is for the same reasons. So much of our time is spent at work that it becomes ingrained in you and really becomes a part of who you are. This type of speaking can definitely leave people out. It makes it difficult for others to join a conversation and can really close circles to meeting new people, which in Microserfs, the characters rarely did.
Question 2
1. Karla says, "computers will continue to be developed . . . an 'entity is going to be created that has its own intelligence." What is Karla saying about artificial intelligence (AI)? What are your perspectives on AI?
I think Karla is simply stating that computers and technology are becoming so far advanced that the only place they have left to go is to become a sort of species of their own. Those computers are only what the people who build them put into them. She is meaning that artificial intelligence exists through the creators. Computer programmers and “coders” are essentially creating that intelligence. She even goes so far as to categorizing Mac as female and PC as male. She states “Windows is non-intuitive…counter-intuitive sometimes…WOMEN crave efficiency, elegance…” (Microserfs 120). Karla has an unusual, extremely analytical way of thinking. She also goes on to say “we cannot de-invent computers” (Coupland 35). Computers are what we made them, they will get as advanced as we will allow them to be.
Question 3
1. Daniel Underwood has been described as an "anti-hero" who is a "dull nobody." In what ways is this statement true? Why has Coupland used this form of an anti-hero?
Dan does not really do anything to qualify himself a hero. He rescues no one. He’s not much of a leader. He leads a rather unexciting life and he really does not seem to have any inclination to spice it up. He seems fairly happy with his meager existence, but you can sense that he wants more. I think Coupland chose to portray Dan in this light to illustrate that you don’t have to be a hero to desire more in life. The author wanted to show the growth than Dan goes through and that you can come from tragedy, (referring to his brother Jed) be “geeky” and still come out ahead. The turning point for Dan was when he confronted his father about his relationship with Michael. “Michael’s not Jed, Dad. He just isn’t. And neither am I. And I just can’t keep trying to keep up with him. Because no matter how hard I run. I’m never going to catch up.”(Microserfs 221) It was nice to see him grow as a person throughout this book, to finally open up about his brother and allow him-self to be vulnerable, not just the geek.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. MIcroserfs. New York, NY: Reagan books, 2005.
1. Why do you think Coupland's characters speak in computer jargon, and use technical expressions to describe their lives and environment? How does this compare to your experiences of the workplace and home? What effect does this way of speaking have on others?
When a person makes their career count for so much in their life it is difficult not to “take it home.” The characters in Coupland’s “Microserfs” make this fact evident. To the characters in this novel, computers and technology are all they know. It is not only their job, but their way of life. I think they do this because it is what makes sense to them. It adds a sense of familiarity to their day to day and it helps them to put their lives in a perspective that they can easily identify with. I myself can relate to this as I often catch myself using terms and phrases that really only apply in my work place. I would say it is for the same reasons. So much of our time is spent at work that it becomes ingrained in you and really becomes a part of who you are. This type of speaking can definitely leave people out. It makes it difficult for others to join a conversation and can really close circles to meeting new people, which in Microserfs, the characters rarely did.
Question 2
1. Karla says, "computers will continue to be developed . . . an 'entity is going to be created that has its own intelligence." What is Karla saying about artificial intelligence (AI)? What are your perspectives on AI?
I think Karla is simply stating that computers and technology are becoming so far advanced that the only place they have left to go is to become a sort of species of their own. Those computers are only what the people who build them put into them. She is meaning that artificial intelligence exists through the creators. Computer programmers and “coders” are essentially creating that intelligence. She even goes so far as to categorizing Mac as female and PC as male. She states “Windows is non-intuitive…counter-intuitive sometimes…WOMEN crave efficiency, elegance…” (Microserfs 120). Karla has an unusual, extremely analytical way of thinking. She also goes on to say “we cannot de-invent computers” (Coupland 35). Computers are what we made them, they will get as advanced as we will allow them to be.
Question 3
1. Daniel Underwood has been described as an "anti-hero" who is a "dull nobody." In what ways is this statement true? Why has Coupland used this form of an anti-hero?
Dan does not really do anything to qualify himself a hero. He rescues no one. He’s not much of a leader. He leads a rather unexciting life and he really does not seem to have any inclination to spice it up. He seems fairly happy with his meager existence, but you can sense that he wants more. I think Coupland chose to portray Dan in this light to illustrate that you don’t have to be a hero to desire more in life. The author wanted to show the growth than Dan goes through and that you can come from tragedy, (referring to his brother Jed) be “geeky” and still come out ahead. The turning point for Dan was when he confronted his father about his relationship with Michael. “Michael’s not Jed, Dad. He just isn’t. And neither am I. And I just can’t keep trying to keep up with him. Because no matter how hard I run. I’m never going to catch up.”(Microserfs 221) It was nice to see him grow as a person throughout this book, to finally open up about his brother and allow him-self to be vulnerable, not just the geek.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. MIcroserfs. New York, NY: Reagan books, 2005.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Word Art
I chose this quote by Dr. Seuss because I feel he is wise beyond many of us. His quirkiness and originality is relayed in his works and all his personal quotes. Most of us became familiar with his work as children, and I even now pass his work on to my child.
With this particular quote I feel he is attempting to wake up the imagination. Imagination is something Seuss is very well known for. That life without fantasy and creative thoughts would be rather boring. The human mind is an amazing machine and when used to its full potential the possibilities are limitless.
When editing the quote I wanted to make it as “Seussian” as possible. I chose bold colors with wispy fonts to try and mimic some of the styles of his writing. I alternated words between these few colors to simulate the innovative rhyming style he is so well known for. I also altered between sizes to enhance the importance of the words “fantasy” and “reality.” Those two words I feel are what the whole quote is centered around. The font for fantasy was kept very whimsical while for reality the font was meant to be more grounded. I feel these changes enhance his message without losing his simplistic manner.
With this particular quote I feel he is attempting to wake up the imagination. Imagination is something Seuss is very well known for. That life without fantasy and creative thoughts would be rather boring. The human mind is an amazing machine and when used to its full potential the possibilities are limitless.
When editing the quote I wanted to make it as “Seussian” as possible. I chose bold colors with wispy fonts to try and mimic some of the styles of his writing. I alternated words between these few colors to simulate the innovative rhyming style he is so well known for. I also altered between sizes to enhance the importance of the words “fantasy” and “reality.” Those two words I feel are what the whole quote is centered around. The font for fantasy was kept very whimsical while for reality the font was meant to be more grounded. I feel these changes enhance his message without losing his simplistic manner.
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