Everywhere I look, language is there. I see it on bumper stickers, stickers put on car windows, billboards, song lyrics, shirts, advertisements, etc... We have become a culture of subconscious readers. We cannot even zone out in front of the television without having to read something that flashes across the screen.
Movie and television writers have even taken to providing clues to the endings of their shows by embedding the clues on t-shirts, ticket stubs, newspapers. We have become a multi-genre society that takes in as many forms of language, genres of writing, as possible in a moments time.
A movie that I watched this weekend, Evan Almighty, gave information in the form of the alarm clock, the wood delivery bill, the license plates, the realty sign, television, birth announcement and I am sure that I have missed a few more.
We are surrounded by language. As you go about life this week, pay attention to the language, information, forms of information that you are exposed to. What are all of the ways that you are exposed to language and when do you know that you are exposed to it? Do you know or is it so ingrained into your daily lives that you do it without thought? What are some of the examples of language you encounter on a daily basis?
About Me
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Language
I have always respected those who can speak with language rich in a vocabulary that is large and deep. Those individuals dazzle the listener and reader with rhythmic language that dances on the tongue. There have been several occasions where that same vocabulary is used to posture kindness while dripping in cruelty and mockery.
We have addressed the idea of sarcasm. This is different. This is about using intelligence to speak down to others. It is a conscious knowing of a higher ability and using that ability to push another down. A fragrance of cruelty stinks up the place when that type of advantage is taken. A strong vocabulary is necessary, especially in any professional environment; however, when that vocabulary is used to bully, degrade or trick others it is neglect.
Think about the way language is used in all of the places you travel: home, school, sports, friends etc. How does your language change depending on your audience? How does the language your hear influence how you perceive others and how does your language allow others to perceive you?
We have addressed the idea of sarcasm. This is different. This is about using intelligence to speak down to others. It is a conscious knowing of a higher ability and using that ability to push another down. A fragrance of cruelty stinks up the place when that type of advantage is taken. A strong vocabulary is necessary, especially in any professional environment; however, when that vocabulary is used to bully, degrade or trick others it is neglect.
Think about the way language is used in all of the places you travel: home, school, sports, friends etc. How does your language change depending on your audience? How does the language your hear influence how you perceive others and how does your language allow others to perceive you?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Justice
Justice is suppose to be blind. A statue is erected in front of many court houses with a woman holding a scale that is balanced and her eyes are blind folded. Often times I wonder if there are small pin holes in the blind fold and the scale is tipped in favor of, sometimes, the wrong side.
Examples of justice being doled out are found in all facets of daily life. We see examples where kids argue and one seeks justice for being wrongly accused. We see vigilante justice being executed in movies, books, and sometimes the stranger than fiction world we call life.
Think about books that you have read, songs you have heard, or moments when you have witnessed justice being ladled out onto the one who deserves it, the innocent or the unsuspecting. What does this look like? Is there such a thing as justice? Is she blind?
Please tread carefully and remember to respect each other and the individual opinions shared.
Examples of justice being doled out are found in all facets of daily life. We see examples where kids argue and one seeks justice for being wrongly accused. We see vigilante justice being executed in movies, books, and sometimes the stranger than fiction world we call life.
Think about books that you have read, songs you have heard, or moments when you have witnessed justice being ladled out onto the one who deserves it, the innocent or the unsuspecting. What does this look like? Is there such a thing as justice? Is she blind?
Please tread carefully and remember to respect each other and the individual opinions shared.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Power
This response is due by Friday at 7:00 P.m.
I once heard someone say that, "Power is given." The only way an individual or group of individuals acquire power is because they are given power by others, through fear, ignorance, beauty, respect and many more.
Some would argue that when a fight occurs, it is the biggest person who wins because they are the most powerful physically. Others might say that it could be the smaller person because their intellect is so powerful that they can find a way to remedy the situation without fighting or have skills that have nothing to do with size, but speed. It is through the fear of losing the power, that meanness, abuse and the like are born. But power exists beyond the physical. Sometimes manipulation occurs that has nothing to do with brute strength but mental power. We see another type of power when Didion described her use of power when at six years old she realized being a WASP provided her with more than just a title, but entitlement.
I have always wondered about power--How it is balanced, distributed, fostered. How does one know if they have power? At what point in life do we stop seeking power and recognize we only have power over ourselves? Are there different degrees of power?
Think of a time when you have witnessed an abuse of power or a power play? Describe the scene and tell what was the result of the abuse or power play. How did the person/animal acquire their supposed power and how did this power change them?
I once heard someone say that, "Power is given." The only way an individual or group of individuals acquire power is because they are given power by others, through fear, ignorance, beauty, respect and many more.
Some would argue that when a fight occurs, it is the biggest person who wins because they are the most powerful physically. Others might say that it could be the smaller person because their intellect is so powerful that they can find a way to remedy the situation without fighting or have skills that have nothing to do with size, but speed. It is through the fear of losing the power, that meanness, abuse and the like are born. But power exists beyond the physical. Sometimes manipulation occurs that has nothing to do with brute strength but mental power. We see another type of power when Didion described her use of power when at six years old she realized being a WASP provided her with more than just a title, but entitlement.
I have always wondered about power--How it is balanced, distributed, fostered. How does one know if they have power? At what point in life do we stop seeking power and recognize we only have power over ourselves? Are there different degrees of power?
Think of a time when you have witnessed an abuse of power or a power play? Describe the scene and tell what was the result of the abuse or power play. How did the person/animal acquire their supposed power and how did this power change them?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)