supplemental reading

Class, hopefully you got to read the last post, and are able to read or at least consider the questions asked in response to our reading.

Here is an interesting website that goes along with our discussion of how the Internet is being used as a tool. The death of the newspaper, as we knew it in the 20th century, is something worth discussing -- and what effects it has (at a micro- and macro-level of American culture). I'd hoped to discuss this on Wednesday, but we shall on Friday!

Cancellation: Wed., 3/11

Dear Students,

I apologize for having to cancel class last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. We will be back on schedule for Friday.

I hope that the cancellation notice was put up on the right door, and mentions checking the blog. I'm afraid I told the office the wrong classroom number. I had no computer to check for the right room, so I hope that message arrived. 

Here is what I intended for us to discuss today:

Discussion Questions From Technopoly to Aid Final Projects: (Chapters 4-5)


1. Postman comments often on the growing gap technology has created between American culture and spirituality. He even implicates that American society has replaced the Church with the computer, and that both serve as similar functions in society (71). How is Postman paralleling the two, and to what extent do you agree or disagree with his views?


2. Postman’s meditation on technology in American culture echoes DeLillo’s commentary on “misinformation” in White Noise. Both ask readers to consider where information comes from, and what is it used for. What role(s) does information have in American society; where does information come from, how is it used; and what are possible effects this has on American culture?


3. What is wrong with “control institutions”? What purpose do they have, and what would happen without them (Ch. 5)?


4. According to Postman, America is a country full of experts, but that’s a bad thing. He believes America is full of people blind to disciplines outside their expertise (87). First, why does he believe this? Secondly, if his assumption (which can be seen as an oversimplification of a society) were true, how can we apply his theory to the role of the Internet in society?


5. By the end of Chapter 4, one might ask, “How much information do we need, what kind of information is important, and what do we do with it?” Postman has his ideas, but what are yours? What role does the Internet in giving that information, and how does society process that information? How should they? Again, what role does the Internet play in this flow of information?

What dangers brought up by Postman can we identify in the use of the Internet as a tool of gathering and processing data?

Also: for Friday, please skip ahead to Chapter 7: The Ideology of Machines: Computer Technologies. I'd like to revolve our conversation around this chapter and the above for Friday.

Sincerely,

Christopher

Religion in 21st Century America

The following article relates to our discussion of the US as a Technopoly.

What influences may lend to this "erosion of faith" in America? This is something to consider, and possibly worth investigating further in your own final projects.

Reading: 3/6

Start reading Neil Postman's Technopoly. We will begin discussing the first chapter on Friday, 3/6.

Consider the following:

1) Postman writes, "Our task is to understand what that design is -- that is to say, when we admit new technology to the culture, we must do so with our eyes wide open" (7). First, how does this relate to our discussions so far; what sentiments from past readings are echoed in this chapter?

Also, how can we apply our task to what we have left to do in our course? Which activity does this statement serve as a useful reminder?

2) Postman also states, "New technologies alter the structure of our interests . . ." (20). Let's work to define this statement more clearly within the class, assuming that the "our" is general society, or humanity. Define this statement as we may practically implement what Postman is saying. In other words, provide some real world examples to clarify what Postman is saying.

Final Project and Presentation: Week 10 and 11

You are to write a 5-page, double-spaced Social Commentary on "What if the Internet went away, never to return?" and then present this social commentary to the class in Week 10 or 11, based on a sign-up sheet. The presentation guidelines are further down the page.

This is to be a creative, analytical, controlled (read: focused) rant in which you address the specific technology (the Internet) as a cultural tool, and how its disappearance would affect society-at-large. But, rather than listing a handful of effects and leaving those effects at that, you are to thoroughly explore one use of the Internet and what would the effect(s) be on 21st century society if the Internet was no longer available for that use.

Take into account our readings this quarter, but rather than allow those author's points to control your response, only use 2-4 quotes from our readings as support. Your job is to outline and explain your ideas, but focus on the subject -- culture and the Internet. This means, no "I" in your essay. 

You may provide outside research, and will find it necessary to do so, for statistics and support. Never make generalizations without substantiating. In other words, don't root your argument in unexplained and unsupported opinion. 

To help get your minds focused but flowing with ideas, here are some questions that your audience, based on the prompt, may expect to be indirectly answered in your rant (Don't feel pressured to re-state or force answers to all of them. Simply, use these as inspirational guides):

1) What has the Internet replaced? 

2) What would societies go back to or have to create if the Internet no longer fulfilled a duty?

3) What kinds of strategies might a society have to implement? What and how do they adjust?

4) What might the social impact be if the Internet did not fulfill this use? Why? How did it fulfill this use, and what were its benefits? Don't generalize here, but provide specific, practical examples if you were to answer this one.

5) Who would benefit from Internet going away? Who is harmed? In what ways? 

6) What is found on the Internet? 

7) Who uses the Internet?'

8) How does the Internet represent various arguments made by the authors this semester? This is one that, when/if addressed, you'd need to offer individual comparisons rather than generalize all of them together in one pot.

9) How do we access the Internet? What other tools would be affected by the disappearance of the Internet?

10) How can the Internet be used as a tool for future societies? 

11) Is the Internet ultimately necessary for progress? 

12) What could be done to make sure Internet doesn't run away?

14) What are your first thoughts, when you hear "the Internet"?

14) What other questions should we consider? I will add other questions to this list as we think of them, if we need them.

Class Presentations:

In the final week of class, each of you will present your paper to the class. In doing so, you will provide the thesis for your rant. What use of the tool did you focus on, what did you have to say if the Internet could no longer be used to fulfill that societal use? 

You may present the paper as your creative piece, performing your rant. Or, you may provide a supplemental presentation that includes ...using the Internet and/or other visual aids to demonstrate the main argument of your paper. 

The most specific guideline I want to give is, consider human behavior and how we deal with the technology and how can you represent that to the class, visually. This may be through a collection of individual examples, or one well thought-out and performed example of "humans and their use of technology"

This presentation must be at least 10 minutes long, but no longer than 20 minutes. This presentation will factor in to your grade on the final.

Some examples of what you may do:

- Create a worksheet/activity for your course mates to do. Give them time to do the worksheet, and then go over the worksheet with them. But, show some ingenuity and rationale in having us do your activity! 

- Write and perform a brief play/poem/commercial that serves as a visual representation of your paper -- one that exemplifies society before, during, after the Internet...

- Create a collage of newspaper clippings that have to deal with the Internet and your own argument.

- Create a photo album/slide show of people using (or not using) the technology, and explain their behavior.

- ???

Wednesday's Quiz (100 pts): 3/4

Review Quiz (1oo pts)

On Wednesday, March 4th, you will take an in-class, short-essay quiz in which you will answer two of out three (2 of 3) of the following prompts. You may use the novel during the quiz, BUT you may not include any loose sheets of paper or notes. All of your notes must be directly written in the novel. I suggest using sticky tabs to mark important pages, or list page numbers on the inside of novel.

The successful essays should take a minimum of 45 minutes of class time to complete both essays. The essays will also need to included cited material, with page numbers, and a contextualization of textual evidence according to your main argument. 

You are to provide an argumentative thesis statement that answers the question set and gives your essay direction; do not simply re-state the questions, but use the prompts as starting points.

Here are your three choices (remember you must respond to two (2)):

1. How does misinformation control the Gladney family's lives? Identify specific instances in the novel in which misinformation is relevant, and discuss where it comes from and how that helps shape the family. Do the Gladney's symbolize a microcosm of the American family  and how "knowledge" is acquired? What possible commentary is DeLillo making through the idea of misinformation and "knowledge"?

2. Towards the end, Jack Gladney states to a doctor, "...Can't understand what people see in all this artificial stimulation. I get high just walking in the woods" (279). This statement can be considered an indictment of medicinal and recreational drugs, but it also alludes to the common activities pursued by all of the characters in living out their everyday lives, including Jack. 

Define "artificial stimulation" as you understand it used as a theme in the novel. Identify objects and activities that can be considered "artificial stimulation." By contrast, what is "natural," by the novel's standards? 

Which characters are taking part, what are they doing, and what are their possible motivations in their pursuit? For this one, it might help to pick 1 or 2 characters and discuss their transformation and pursuit throughout the entire novel. The statement also challenges us to consider, what is the purpose of life, according to Jack or other characters. 

3.  What role does routine play in the characters' lives? In society? Murray argues, "in theory," that humanity is made of killers and diers, and that those who plot out their lives (killers) are more in control (291-292). How are these themes represented throughout the entire novel? 

Compare and contrast routine and plotting; involve within your exploration how technology is used by the characters to enact either, or both. Primarily, what relationship do both routine and plotting have to life and death? Where in the conversation does religion or spirituality fit, as a cultural behavior? How does spirituality connect to either routine or plotting, from the novel?

TIPS: 

- Go back through the novel and find some supporting lines to use in your responses, rather than using just a couple of pages.

-Use brief summary, but make your point clearer and emphasized than summary. Use summary to support your argument, in other words.

-Take your time, organize your responses. 

A Thinker's Response #2: White Noise

Due: this Monday, March 2nd ( hard copy in class OR by e-mail by 8pm)

Prompt:

Much of the novel White Noise deals thematically with death and finality. 

In Part II we are introduced to a toxic agent, Nyodene D., which after exposure during the "event" stamps Gladney with certain death (as if it wasn't already). 

In Part III., Gladney becomes obsessed with Dylar, a mysterious pharmaceutical pill taken by Babette.

In a 1-2 page response, explore the effects these two technologies have had on Gladney and his family. Discuss what possible commentary DeLillo is making on technology in American culture by what is happening to Jack and/or his family.

Do not generalize or stick simply to summary of the chapters. I do not expect you to be able to discuss everything that is happening. Rather, focus your argument on one major point and develop that over the 1-2 pages, using textual evidence (cite page numbers).