The Battle Wages On

So the printed book and its vast army of loyal followers come to a stalemate with the digital print.
" So what makes you think you're so better?" asked Commander Manuscript.
" Because I'm more advanced," retorted Commander Nook.
Both parties had come to a halt. The printed army could not get past the complicated construction on new age technology. They had no weapons to penetrate the highly built wall of computer screens and digital font. Yet the digital army could not obliterate the strong legions of followers, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thomas Jefferson, that still held tight to the old ways. Neither could gain or lose ground.

So will the war never end? Or was there never really a war to begin with?

" I propose a remediation of sorts," said Commander Nook pompously.
" I don't think that's a great idea," responded Commander Manuscript. " You already change the way we look and feel. And you make us seem difficult to use."
" Nonsense!" laughed Commander Nook. " We have merely revolutionized the meaning of text! We help people look at things in a different light. Plus, they're too lazy to want to flip the pages of the dictionary. Bahahaha!"

Suddenly a flash a lightening streaks across the deep blue sky. A figure materializes between the front lines. " Halt!"the voice shouts. " I am the great J. David Bolter and I say halt!"

The two armies grow silent. The figure continues to loom over them. " Now listen, you may not agree with what I say, heck I don't even agree with what I say, but I've been inspired by the mighty Dr. Lay to disagree with my own statements, or at least voice different opinions about them. This bickering feud between you has got to stop. Can't you work together in the same world? Yes, people are going to like Commander Nook better. Yes, people are going to like Commander Manuscript better. But the message should still be the same. Readers of all kinds should be able to get the same information. What should be the difference? One mode is not better than the other- they are the same. Although I'd much prefer the feel of the book than that of a kindle, yet nevertheless neither form should become outdated. Technology took time to develop- older generations didn't have what we have today. Yet now that we have technology, we can't let books fade out of existence. Digital print is not ruining the past. it is merely providing another way for people who are lazy or hate reading to search for things required of them to read. They don't want to flip through a book because they hate books. Likewise, a person may not know how to use technology. You can never go wrong with a paperback. Now stop this squabbling and learn to deal with each other. Can't we all just get along?"

The mysterious figure leers at each party. No one moves. No one looks interested to move. Is the stalemate continuing? If so, for how long? Will one army finally diminish or will one grow? Or are both sides just too stubborn or slow to adapt to their environment? Stay tuned and find out what happens next in the future...

Writing in the Dark

Great. The power is "out". I can't see anything, yet Somehow I still have the capability to write. I wonder how many erros will occur...

It seems strange sitting here writing my thoughts. i feel like I've been transported back to 1729 where writing by candlelight was most common. But i do not have a candlelight. I am literally writing in the dark.

So where should I begin my tale? The tale of communication that is. There are so many different ways to communicate, it's astounding. We have sign language, morse code, gestures, etc.  We can communicate without actually having to speak words. I guess that's where I can begin to answer the question : "What are some of the earliest encounters you remeber with language, written or verbal? Why do you think you remember them?' Well, here's the thing. Not to get to personal, but i'll let you in on a little secret: for the first six years of my life, I couldn't hear. In fact, i nearly became deaf. So I don't remember much on how I communicated. I know it wasn't with words much. it was gestures mostly. Or I would just scream  my head off, you know the average thing a kid likes to do. Most of the time it isn't easy for me to say something, so i would be unable to express it or just signal with my body. These days i like to write things down because it is so much more fluid for m,e to get messages across. I mean, its not harde to forgwet about a time where you couldn't heaar or say much in the early years. I remember communication being difficult and the way I had tro express it because it is still difficult for me today. But hey, we all struggle with something and do the best we can do. So i don't know if i answered the questioned properly, but this is sometthing I'm not afraid to share because we havwe to communicate everyday. it is a part of our lives and sometimes it can be overlooked because sometimes we think everyone communicates in the same way.

I hope i didn't drag you on a long, boring story. I told you I had a tale. i just hope there aren't too many mistakes in this. I can't look nback once this done. But hey, i can't write anything that comes to mind- it is a free write after all.

There once was an elf named Gilda. She lived the forest by herslf. One day... oh wait, I don't think that's the kind of tale you want to hear. I'll save it for next time then.

Fare thee well, neighbor!

How to Describe a Boy and a Girl

Tell me, what are the first words that come to mind when you think of a boy or a girl? You would think it would be something ambiguous or pleasant such as sir, madam, lady, angel, gentleman, cookie, and mister. But instead, more derogatory words such as womanizer, slut, whore, douchbag, skank, asshole, and bitch are seemingly deemed more proper. Then there are the slang words, such as bro, brah, suga', and hussy. I'm just curious, is this how we really view people today or is it that we are more cynical and optimistic about characteristicas of people that they deserve such lovely terms. As much as I find this hilarious, and the fact if you put a bunch of young adults together to make a list this is what you mostly get, there is something striking about it. the days have since pass where a man would be called a gentleman and a lady a madam or miss. Is it that people don't act in the way a gentleman should act anymore or that we have just lost all respect, dignity, and faith in people's humane characteristics. The ugly words, whore, bitch, and asshole, are given to people we find distasteful or hold in disgust. What is it about our attitudes to create such a "trashy" atmosphere. is it too outdated to use such pleasantries as sir or angel? Or have we forgotten that people can be endearing and sweet and kind that we can term them with lady or miss.

I find it kind of ironic that the first thought that comes to mind in this circumstance are potentially hateful and seething words. It's ironic how free association works out. Have our inner workings of our mind become so dirty and filthy as to lose sight of the wonderful things people can be? I'm just curious as to why the custom as become to describe someone as "horny', "trashy", " slutty", etc instead of " homely", "angelic", or " cutiepie". What has become disdainful about it? Or at least that is what it seems. So maybe we should all play a game. I'll ask, you give me the first thing that flows into your head. If I say describe to me Presidents , what would your first response be? ( I can tell you what i would say, but that would ruin the fun).

Ink Shed, Shed Ink

First of all, even the most organized of all people can be disorganized, or just plain lose stuff. Twice now, as I'm sitting here upon my blog ready to type, I cannot find the simple assignment I had just done in class. I'm supposed to record a quote from Shelly Jackson's "Stitch Bitch" that I did not understand. But before I can write down my classmates opinions, I cannot find the paper in my binder. So I thought I would be idle and just write about how I lost it when suddenly the paper makes itself visible to my eyes. Dang it. I guess all it took was for me to flip my backpack inside and out, search my car, and shift through past weeks work a dozen times. Nothing screams success but a long, tedious, potentially frustrating search.

"Bad writing is all flesh and dirty flesh at that.."

CM1: "Writing as she relates it has a life of its own. It is an organism consisting of living parts. Bad writing is sullied, sickly flesh."

CM2: " She compares writing to body parts throughout this section. Flesh is on the outside of a person. You must dissect someone to know the most about them. But bad writing is like flesh because it just scratches the surface and does not get deep into observations."

CM3: " Bad writing could act as flesh because it is covering all of the important stuff. Flesh doesn't allow you to see what's under it, sort of how bad writing can prevent you from understanding the meaning of something."

Ah, now I understand the meaning of the quote. Thanks to the power of ink shedding( as well as shedding some ink from using our pens so much), the value of other classmates thoughts has shed some light( i wonder how many times I could use 'shed' in a sentence). Out of curiosity, I wonder if there are times when no one understands the quote and just puts down random thoughts that do not help the initial questioner find a solution. So much for ink shedding in that scenario then.

Arguing Against An Arguable Argument

I've always wondered how people could argue for the sake of arguing. There is always that one person that has something to say about everything, even if there is not much to say about it. They like to debate. They like the challenge, even it others don't see the challenge presented or just find the person annoying. Right now, I'm going to try to be like that person. I'm going to step into their shoes and argue about something that seems so insignificant to many, but to others it is the most important thing at hand.

How can I argue about someone else's argument? In that lies the fun and excitement. What is it about sample R's argument on the four letter word project that I can argue about? Is it just merely disagreeing with one statement that can propel me into a paragraph's worth debacle disregarding that one sentence? Yes, yes it is. The simplicity of one statement can open the doors to endless counterarguments.

Sample R states how an image does not have to be in order to be able to understand the message or theme. But if the images are particularly descriptive, such as a transformation from failure to success, then doesn't that require an order? If the topic being stated about being fake just shows random pictures of different modes of faking, then can you discern the message of how the way people are fakes is advancing from mere fake identities to plastic surgery? What if there's a hidden message? What if the word can be interpreted in more than one way? The presentation involving images of twins and homosexuals conveyed love to most people but it was really same. Does the sequential flow of image matter? In some cases, yes. It depends on what is being said. Visualization and words can be used equally. Some words don't just have one image that can be associated with it. Many words can be used to symbolize many different things? How do we decipher such words and images? Sometimes organizing them into a single, coherent theme. But hey, what do I know, I'm arguing for the sake of arguing, whether I have a purpose or not.

This is War!

Today, I came across a Barnes and Nobles bookstore, which whenever I pass a surge of enthusiastic energy creeps through me and I cannot resist the desire that it creates. I browse through the sections passionately; my hands pressing lithely through the fresh pages. I enjoy the feel of holding a book. I enjoy the turning of its pages. As I walk out of the store with a new book in tow, my heart glows with the flow of  love that a mother may have for her child. This book I now possess. This book is possessed with new words and ideas that I cannot wait to unfold. A journey awaits me within the confines of the pages. I hold on tight to the book as if it were the bible. An actual book to me is worth more than gold.

But today, it seems like technology is dictating the presence of books. No longer to people wish to read text in a book. Now there is technology to take care of it for us. Out of pure laziness do we wish to rely upon the internet or a kindle to provide for our hobby. Instant access is what we all want. The printed word universe is slowly fading because people do not wish to take time to search for a book or go out of their way to find one they like. Technology can choose for them. To me, there is no thrill to reading through the internet. An all out battle has begun between the printed books and the technological ones. Since technology is constantly advancing and people are constantly in desire to get things as quick as possible, the printed books are losing ground. According to Writing Space, " it now seems possible that many texts may never be printed, but simply  distributed in digital form." There will no longer be a point in publishing text in a tangible form- an individual can read anything they want from the internet. Technology has in its arsenal video representations, book voiceover recordings, and easy-free access. Most articles can be read for free or paid for online. There is no need to walk out the door to the nearest news stand for a magazine or newspaper. Technology can kill business. What does printed text have in its arsenal? Not much to cause a dent against technology, which has consumed people's interest. So who will win this war? Only time will tell.

I should add that everyone falls victim to internet use. Why go to the library when it might not have what you want? Basically, there should be a balance between having printed text and internet text.

Like..You Know... That Time When... You Know

When watching Taylor Mali's video word poem, I couldn't help but laugh at some of his lines. He mocks the current everyday conversation where people are constantly using "like" and "you know" in a way that isn't clear to everyone. People sometimes get caught in the notion that others know what they are going to say or know what they're saying so the person does not need to detail much. The mockery is displayed in a spoken representation and a textual representation. The textual manifestation isn't as useful to understanding the poem without the spoken piece. Alone, the text does not convey the tone the writer is trying to create, which can alter the meaning significantly. Reading the text word for word, the reader may read the words in a different voice than what the writer initially intended. For me, I don't think the visual was necessary, but it was creative and perhaps it would catch attention better than just having the poem spoken charismatically. But there still needs to be a voice behind it so there isn't any misinterpretations. Misinterpretations can really be a downer.

The Human Patchwork

So I was reading this article by Shelley Jackson and I got to thinking about the words she used in " Body Not Whole". Apparently, the physical and mental states of the body are separate and work in an intangible/tangible system. We cannot feel or see how our brain generating the thoughts produced but we know and see that the brain processes thoughts the the work we show or the actions we take. Our mind provides and generates the thoughts, but our body holds everything together. We can draw diagrams and analyze cells with microscopes, which puts our mind at work, but our body cannot physically identify the sensation of a red blood cell.

Next I make a stop at "No-Place" where I think Shelley implies is the centerfold for creativity. Normally, we wouldn't be able to write about a talking alligator wearing a blue swimsuit in an article dictating the natural habitat of the Florida alligator. In an unrealistic setting, such as a novel, we can get away with writing ideas that come from nowhere. You can't pinpoint a thought and ask where it came from. It just did. There are numerous possibilities stemming from a place without confines. So the place becomes a "no-place" because there is no right lace for the ideas. It is like being able to run wild in the Safari desert without thinking where you have to go. Thoughts can be free-flowing from anywhere.

Here's a Word Cloud for You... Tell me What it Means

word cloud

Rejection of the Image

I guess in some poetry imagery as an argument is an impossible task to complete. In Rodney Jones "Hubris at Zunzal" there comes a point where the writer gives up on the description of an image and just writes the subject plain and simple. Although the exact point is not as lucid as other poems, the point of rejection is still there. "No image like the image of language" could be the line, for instance. Because following that, the author uses phrases like " Then a shout from the beach" and "then the act of reaching down". These phrases exert the idea that there is no way to put an image to what he wants to say. He can't describe what a voice looks like or how to compare the act of reaching down. He can tell it just how it is, plain and simple, without a hidden meaning. What else can come from " then the act of reaching down"? The meaning behind certain subjects cannot be told, or so the writer here displays. There may be difficulty in describing an argument, but I believe it can be done. Sometimes , though, it is best to just write things in a way not so complex. The best way to write is to just write, letting the flow decide if the words to form an image will or will not come.

From tablet to telegram to telephone to cell phone

We have come a long way since the time of the caveman. No longer do we transcend messages by voice or paper. Now we have a modem that can transcend messages through air and space. it wasn't that long ago when society was given its first cabled telephone. But we have advanced at a much quicker pace then what society can handle. One generation grew up without knowing the computer and the next one knows it like they know the back of their hand. You are supposed to learn from your elders but in the case of technology our elders are learning from us. I for one am not surprised by this change. I grew up knowing technology and watching it grew so I am accustomed to it and being more versatile to adapt to the changes. These changes are beckoned from the need to find efficiency. Back in the old days, the average college student would have to write a twenty page paper by hand, making the work so much harder. Now we can do things in the snap of a finger... well, almost.