A Hero...And Then Some

I'm so sorry I am getting to this late, guys.

You would not BELIEVE the issues I've had this week.

Anyway, let's talk about heroism.

What is heroism? Everyone has a different definition of the term "hero". Most people in society would define a "hero" as someone like Superman, or the Flash, or any sort of person with super abnormal abilities that betters society against an antagonist of some sort. Right?

But to Bernstein, "heroism" is something completely different.

In his essay, "The Philosophical Foundations of Heroism", Dr. Bernstein reveals 4 components that make a good hero. He believes that a hero must have moral greatness, a definition of itself. The hero must be a moral person and that the hero believes in holding high moral standards. He also believes that the hero should have some ability or prowess that makes him unique. When it comes to action, Bernstein thinks the hero should be able to act in face of opposition. And lastly, he should triumph not only in the physical, but the spiritual form as well.

I would agree with Bernsteins terms. I think a hero is not just a person with a costume and a cape, but a hero could be a pedestrian, a common person that seemed to be passing by. A hero is someone with good intentions that tries to make society better. Even if the actions affect the hero himself. While people with super abilities and awesome theme songs are generally good for a cinematic audience, why can't we consider the actual definition of a hero? A fireman for instance, fights fires to protect citizens from harm. This fireman has high moral standards, that it would be wrong to let the fire consume that poor woman's house. He has abilities that let him control the fire, the knowledge to pick up his hose. He puts out the flames, even when he can feel the heat himself. This is a true hero.

I guess it would be kind of cool to have a cape though...

Peek-A-Boo World

In the 1800s, Americans weren't concerned about cellular devices, computers, ipads and arbitrary, everyday problems that arise with our technology. In that time, they were developing ways to get word out faster then a carriage ride. The train, the fastest form of travel at the time, still only carried people and things at a slow steady rate that could still take days to get halfway across the country. The concern inspired the invention of the telegraph. This new form of communication enabled news - irrelevant and relevant - to be transferred across the nation at a faster rate then the train.

This began our technological revolution that would last for over 200 years, and still be occurring today.

The issue at hand is that before the invention of the telegraph, people were able to control what was in the news, or what they heard of news. The only things that were headlined in the "daily" news were important information. But, with the invention of the telegraph, much news was now considered irrelevant. They were random facts that came through and were more for entertainment. The telegraph, though now more speedy than trains, was ineffective in that it only gave short messages that the receiver would have to decypher. To further this, the invention of "photography" came about. But photography lacked any understanding and any words. It could not capture the essence of objects and the symbols for it, but it could capture a visual of a word. Combining this with the telegraph provided for the epistemology of media.

No matter how slow the process of the telegraph was back in the 1800s, technology was able to advance to what we now have today. We can get headline stories or everyday misdemeanors in the palm of our hands in like, seconds. Technology gives us a whole new world, one that opens us up to other countries and other people. Though we still lack the epistemology of media and the effectiveness of weeding out irrelevant information, technology has saved in one way or another, despite Postman's thoughts on it.

Again with the Metaphors?!

Have you ever considered the world around you? How almost everything you see can be turned into a  symbol? Some symbols found in our everyday lives are almost anywhere. Take a hospital sign. This, though not a metaphorical symbol, is a symbol telling you about the location of hospital. Symbols like these give direction, get the attention of its audience, and serve to inform.

Though these kinds of symbols are important, the symbols we, as a society, need to understand are metaphorical symbols. Almost everything about our society can be turned into a metaphor. One common symbol is the American flag, symbolizing our freedom.  As pointed out in Neil Postman's book Amusing Ourselves to Death, even major cities can be a metaphor for our society as a whole.

I find myself agreeing with Mr. Postman about metaphors and how "conversation" is a metaphor for every technological way of communicating with one another or modes of communication. The way to communicate new products, or new ideas is to express through the best way possible. As Americans, we watch tons of commercials depicting good looking people advertising products. Would that product still sell the same if someone like myself(average-looking, non-actor) was trying to sell you the same product? Everything from our Presidents down to the lowest forms of advertising are all based on the metaphor of the person or the metaphor of communication.

Symbols have always been around us, and always will be. Our society should not take these symbols for granted, as symbols can change through time.


And to be funny,

Ha Ha Ha Ha,

Alyx

Another One Bites the Dust

"Welcome to Facebook!" taunts the social network's home page. By typing your email and your password, you are entering into a world of connectivity and opinions. On this website, you are vulnerable to the happiness and upsets of your family and peers. What started as a technological forum for communication, now stands as the worlds largest platform for egocentrism and contention of people's happiness and sufferings.

I think that Gulati is completely correct. Users on Facebook have become so addicted to this form of social media that being on it actually threatens our happiness. You see people posting pictures and status' that almost seem competitive, like showing the world that one person is better than another. It may not seem that way to most people, but from an outsiders point of view, its a never ending competitive cycle.  I believe it when Gulati says that there are some forms of jealousy or anxiety when it comes to using Facebook. I saw the proof of it last night.

One friend on my list, without naming names, posted a status update. Some friend of his commented on it and flat-out told him the most negative things that I'm sure would destroy my self esteem if it was inflicted on me. Not only did the aforementioned friend get a comment, they got a war. So many hate comments were on that one status update that I couldn't BELIEVE what was happening.

Facebook not only causes a competitive nature in its users, but it encourages them. Facebook allows each person to log on to multiple devices. Phone, computer, iPad, Kindle, iPod, you name it, you can probably get on to Facebook with it, that's for sure. Its ridiculous how many college students I see actually looking at Facebook on their laptops and then checking it on their phones. We've all been guilty of that, forgetting that you've already looked at the computer monitor, why not update on your phone as well?

The point is that Facebook is the leading event for multiple causations. It leads to a loss of  face-to-face interaction, creates a competitive nature in its users, allows for access on multiple devices that spark the intense addiction, and others.

If everyone limited their amount of time spent on Facebook, they could have more hours in a day to relate with actual people and not the profiles they see on a computer screen.

No wonder people think there are not enough hours in a day...

Gettin' "Digital" With It?

Is technology something we choose to have in our societies or is the development of technology inevitable? This is the main topic of Bonnie Nardi and Vicki O'Day's "Framing Conversations in Technology". Our society today uses technology for information, contact, and entertainment. Do we assess the functions of our technology and how much we depend upon it? Or do we simply use it because we have to? The answers seem endless and there will always be controversy on the topic of technology.

Teenagers today would not complain for the advancement of technology. As with the new iPhones and Macbooks taking over college classrooms all across the world, technology has seemed to be a staple in our economy. Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites serve as effective means of communication. Through the use of phones, laptops, desktops and other technological devices, teenagers can connect with each other faster. What people - teenagers and adults - need to understand about technology is the implications that come with having technology.

For one, I do not believe that having the latest technological advancements is a bad thing. As Nardi and O'Day describes a person like me, I am a "technophile". Other "dystopians" though, as they describe those who oppose technology in our communities, believe that technology is like a haunt on our society and that it negatively effects us.  I believe that because of the developments we are able to better our understanding of humans, as people, and not as the objects that Nardi and O'Day describe. The use of medical scanners helps us determine disorders and diseases that without it we may have not have recognized. People are able to see unborn children and look up information that another person halfway across the world wrote. Information is spread like wildfire.

Overrall, the issue of whether technology is an inevitable part of life, or whether we have the choice to have technology continues to be a controversial topic. The Internet has proven to be a useful tool. Technology has improved our society, regardless of the "dystopians" opinions. I have to agree with Nardi and O'Day.

I mean, how else would you all be reading this right now?

One Small Step for Man, One Long Blog Post for Mankind

College is like a compacted urban city bustling with students hoping to achieve their dreams of becoming successful. As a freshman, a student is exposed to new situations and new enviroments that are beneficial to their personal knowledge and experience. A student is expected to create long-lasting friendships and make memories that would last a lifetime. For the most part, college achieves most of these aspects.

In my view, college is more like a jungle with thousands of different species of animals all competing for resources in the same setting. In the wild, animals are expected to find their own source of food, shelter, and provide for their protection against animals. In the academia setting, it's survival of the fittest. I am in a competition with others and myself to achieve my goal of graduating and eventually obtaining my Ph.D in Archaeology. The only way to accomplish this goal is to fight the thousands of animals that are all gathered in this enviroment called college.

Its the first week back and already I'm overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to do for my classes. I know, I know, "Alyx, come on, you're only in introductory courses, it's not supposed to be that challenging." Well, for me, it is. I've always had a difficult time learning and grasping concepts. But I've been successful since starting college. It's the second semester of my freshman year and I'm already looking forward years down the road. The only problem is where I'm going to go with after my undergraduate degree, I still have a bit of thinking to do. For now I have to fight this jungle, taking things one step at a time.

Now, the real quetion, what is the purpose and aim of my blog? As a wannabe archaeologist, lately my thoughts have been forming around questions about everything. Which, I've been told, is the basic proponents of studying archaeology. Originally, this was a 'required' activity of my English class, but when I think about it, this blog may help me understand some things and give me an opportunity to voice my own opinion. The purpose and aim of my blog is to expand my writing and put my thoughts and opinions out for the rest of the world to see.

Furthermore, let the 'scientific' study of my blog begin!


Alyx

P.S. I love moose. I think they're adorable.