For Monday, 3/2
Please read Chapter 7 and complete a journal posting (multiple paragraphs on your ideas, questions, and musings).
You must check out other students' blogs! They're fantastic! Both Beersheba and Malcom have posted youTube videos, which were very interesting. Now I would like each of you to do this. Find a video clip that in some way relates to our class and then briefly explain why it's worth watching. You can make the video a "Page Element" or you can insert within a post. Either way is fine.
Each of you should then respond to one journal posting and one video. Please post these by 8pm on Sunday so that everyone has a chance to respond. Have fun!!!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
DADES: Chapter 6
Here we here more about John Isidore, the chickenhead. I'm curious about how his story will intersect with the Rick Deckard/Rachel Rosen plot. After all, Rachel is mentioned when Pris Stratton gives Rachel as her first name. Strange stuff!
What do you think Dick thought about television and celebrity culture (which is of course MUCH more pronounced today than in 1968). Keep an eye on Buster Friendly. Is he friendly?
Consider Pris Stratton's manner: no shirt, no knowledge of Buster Friendly or kipple, no empathy box. She's an odd one. Why did she call herself Rachel Rosen at first? What does she think of J.R. Isidore. One of you said that even though she can be mean ("more of your chickenhead imagination") she seemed to warm up to Isidore as there conversation continues. At the very least, she seems less fearful that she does when she first opens the door.
And how about the "kipple." Isidore defines it for us as "useless objects, like junk mail or match folders after you use the last match or gum wrappers....When nobody's around, kipple reproduces itself." Also, "There's the First Law of Kipple...Kipple drives out nonkipple." Remember that earlier, in Chapter 2, the narrator tells us that everything falls into "entropic ruin. Eventually everything within the building would merge, would be faceless and identical, mere pudding-like kipple piled to the ceiling of each apartment." Would this include humans?
What do you think Dick thought about television and celebrity culture (which is of course MUCH more pronounced today than in 1968). Keep an eye on Buster Friendly. Is he friendly?
Consider Pris Stratton's manner: no shirt, no knowledge of Buster Friendly or kipple, no empathy box. She's an odd one. Why did she call herself Rachel Rosen at first? What does she think of J.R. Isidore. One of you said that even though she can be mean ("more of your chickenhead imagination") she seemed to warm up to Isidore as there conversation continues. At the very least, she seems less fearful that she does when she first opens the door.
And how about the "kipple." Isidore defines it for us as "useless objects, like junk mail or match folders after you use the last match or gum wrappers....When nobody's around, kipple reproduces itself." Also, "There's the First Law of Kipple...Kipple drives out nonkipple." Remember that earlier, in Chapter 2, the narrator tells us that everything falls into "entropic ruin. Eventually everything within the building would merge, would be faceless and identical, mere pudding-like kipple piled to the ceiling of each apartment." Would this include humans?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
DADES: Chapter 5
For Tuesday, 2/26
Questions to consider for your blog:
1. What can be concluded from the questions that Rick Deckard asked Rachael Rosen? What is significant about her responses?
2. Do humans simulate responses? Discuss how and why? What does this say about human nature?
3. Check out the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website. What do you think about their position with regard to animals? Do you believe in animal testing for medical purposes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a vegetarian?
4. What do you make of Eldon Rosen’s statement “We produced what the colonist wanted…We followed the time-honored principle underlying every commercial venture”?
5. If only a bone-marrow test can distinguish an android from a human, can there be much l difference between the two?
6. What qualities distinguish human beings from animals and/or machines? What aspects of humanity have artificial substitutes and why? How did the ideas of Copernicus and Darwin shape and revise our understanding of humanities place in the world? Will technology force a reassessment of how we see ourselves?
Questions to consider for your blog:
1. What can be concluded from the questions that Rick Deckard asked Rachael Rosen? What is significant about her responses?
2. Do humans simulate responses? Discuss how and why? What does this say about human nature?
3. Check out the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website. What do you think about their position with regard to animals? Do you believe in animal testing for medical purposes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a vegetarian?
4. What do you make of Eldon Rosen’s statement “We produced what the colonist wanted…We followed the time-honored principle underlying every commercial venture”?
5. If only a bone-marrow test can distinguish an android from a human, can there be much l difference between the two?
6. What qualities distinguish human beings from animals and/or machines? What aspects of humanity have artificial substitutes and why? How did the ideas of Copernicus and Darwin shape and revise our understanding of humanities place in the world? Will technology force a reassessment of how we see ourselves?
DADES: Chapter 4
For Monday, 2/25
Write five open-ended questions you have about the novel so far. Then, try to answer (or discuss) five questions written by your peers on their blogs.
Other thoughts on DADES:
Machines are used to regulate, heal, and test human beings! Isn't this ironic?
Penfield Mood Organ
Empathy Box
Voigt-Kampff Test
Who was Sisyphus and how might he relate to Mercerism? What might Dick be suggesting about human nature in his use of this allusion?
Empathy means one's ability to recognize, perceive and feel directly the emotion of another; Empathy comes from the Greek work pathos or "to suffer."
Other questions to consider:
1. How many androids have illegally returned to earth? Why would they return?
2. Who is Max Polokov?
3. What is a “flattening of affect” and who displays this?
4. Who is Rachael Rosen?
5. What is the “tyranny of the object”?
6. Rick compares the electric sheep to the android: “Like the androids, it (the electric sheep) had no ability to appreciate the existence of another. He had never thought of this before, the similarity between an electric animal and an andy.” Why is this significant?
7. What do you make of this statement: “the manufacture of androids, in fact, has become so linked to the colonization effort that if one dropped into ruin, so would the other in time.” What might this tell us about today’s economy?
Write five open-ended questions you have about the novel so far. Then, try to answer (or discuss) five questions written by your peers on their blogs.
Other thoughts on DADES:
Machines are used to regulate, heal, and test human beings! Isn't this ironic?
Penfield Mood Organ
Empathy Box
Voigt-Kampff Test
Who was Sisyphus and how might he relate to Mercerism? What might Dick be suggesting about human nature in his use of this allusion?
Empathy means one's ability to recognize, perceive and feel directly the emotion of another; Empathy comes from the Greek work pathos or "to suffer."
Other questions to consider:
1. How many androids have illegally returned to earth? Why would they return?
2. Who is Max Polokov?
3. What is a “flattening of affect” and who displays this?
4. Who is Rachael Rosen?
5. What is the “tyranny of the object”?
6. Rick compares the electric sheep to the android: “Like the androids, it (the electric sheep) had no ability to appreciate the existence of another. He had never thought of this before, the similarity between an electric animal and an andy.” Why is this significant?
7. What do you make of this statement: “the manufacture of androids, in fact, has become so linked to the colonization effort that if one dropped into ruin, so would the other in time.” What might this tell us about today’s economy?
Survey Results: Technology and You
Here are the survey results that 8 of you completed:
1. Technological advances make life better for everyone.
Agree 50%
Disagree 50%
2. It would be great to have my own personal robot to take care of my needs.
Agree 62.5%
Disagree 37.5%
3. It is dangerous to place too much faith in technology.
Agree 87.5%
Disagree 12.5%
4. Having the latest technology is important to success.
Agree 62.5%Disagree 37.5%
5. The conveniences of modern technology outweigh the disadvantages.
Agree 25%
Disagree 75%
6. Online networks (like MySpace) help develop and maintain friendships with other people.
Agree 75%
Disagree 25%
7. If people let machines do too much for them, eventually people will no longer be able to do things for themselves.
Agree 100%
Disagree 0%
8. It is possible for a human to love a
machine.
Agree 62.5%
Disagree 37.5 %
9. Eventually, artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence.
Agree 71.4%
Disagree 28.6%
10. Eventually, humans and machines will merge, creating a new species.
Agree 62.5%
Disagree 37.5%
1. Technological advances make life better for everyone.
Agree 50%
Disagree 50%
2. It would be great to have my own personal robot to take care of my needs.
Agree 62.5%
Disagree 37.5%
3. It is dangerous to place too much faith in technology.
Agree 87.5%
Disagree 12.5%
4. Having the latest technology is important to success.
Agree 62.5%Disagree 37.5%
5. The conveniences of modern technology outweigh the disadvantages.
Agree 25%
Disagree 75%
6. Online networks (like MySpace) help develop and maintain friendships with other people.
Agree 75%
Disagree 25%
7. If people let machines do too much for them, eventually people will no longer be able to do things for themselves.
Agree 100%
Disagree 0%
8. It is possible for a human to love a
machine.
Agree 62.5%
Disagree 37.5 %
9. Eventually, artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence.
Agree 71.4%
Disagree 28.6%
10. Eventually, humans and machines will merge, creating a new species.
Agree 62.5%
Disagree 37.5%
Friday, February 22, 2008
DADES: Chapter 2-3
Some questions to consider as you read:
1. "No one today remembered why the war had come about or who, if anyone, had won." What novel does this remind you of? What recent current event does this remind you of? What comment might Dick be making about human memory?
2. Why might it be significant or symbolic that the "dust" first killed the owls? What other natural crisis has occurred?
3. What current government entity is at work in the future? What do you foresee aas the future role of this international body?
4. What was the "ultimate incentive of emigration"? Would this be an incentive today?
5. What does "halcyon days" mean, and what is the appeal of the TV advertisement for a "custom-tailored humanoid robot"? What civil rights issue is Dick interested in, both on the future Earth and on colonized planets? Is this a realistic concern in the future? How was slavery in America often justified? Where else do you see societies dehumanizing people in order to control them?
6. Who is John Isidore? Why is he considered a "special"? What's another name for a special? What does he do for a living? What do his surroundings look like? Why does silence have such an impact on Isidore? How would you describe "kipple"? What is entropy?
7. The Latin expression, "Mors certa, vita incerta" means "Death is certain, life uncertain." How might this idea be functioning in the novel?
8. When John Isidore fuses with Mercer he tells a story involving animals. What other religious/mythic stories are you reminded of here?
9. What is an "ersatz substitute"? Where do we see similar concepts in other novels? What does it mean for something to be "real"?
10. What has happened to Dave Holden?
11. What is the concern about the new "extra clever" andys with the Nexus 6 brain units? Who manufactures them?
12. What is the Voigt-Kampff Empathy Test? What Institute manufactures this? Why is the name significant? Why is the use of the test ironic? What do you make of the idea that the "servant had in some cases become more adroit than its master." What early science fiction novel does this remind you of?
13. What can chickenheads do that andys can't? Why might this be significant? Are humans the only beings that can experience empathy?
14. What is ironic about the statement "You shall kill only the killers"?
1. "No one today remembered why the war had come about or who, if anyone, had won." What novel does this remind you of? What recent current event does this remind you of? What comment might Dick be making about human memory?
2. Why might it be significant or symbolic that the "dust" first killed the owls? What other natural crisis has occurred?
3. What current government entity is at work in the future? What do you foresee aas the future role of this international body?
4. What was the "ultimate incentive of emigration"? Would this be an incentive today?
5. What does "halcyon days" mean, and what is the appeal of the TV advertisement for a "custom-tailored humanoid robot"? What civil rights issue is Dick interested in, both on the future Earth and on colonized planets? Is this a realistic concern in the future? How was slavery in America often justified? Where else do you see societies dehumanizing people in order to control them?
6. Who is John Isidore? Why is he considered a "special"? What's another name for a special? What does he do for a living? What do his surroundings look like? Why does silence have such an impact on Isidore? How would you describe "kipple"? What is entropy?
7. The Latin expression, "Mors certa, vita incerta" means "Death is certain, life uncertain." How might this idea be functioning in the novel?
8. When John Isidore fuses with Mercer he tells a story involving animals. What other religious/mythic stories are you reminded of here?
9. What is an "ersatz substitute"? Where do we see similar concepts in other novels? What does it mean for something to be "real"?
10. What has happened to Dave Holden?
11. What is the concern about the new "extra clever" andys with the Nexus 6 brain units? Who manufactures them?
12. What is the Voigt-Kampff Empathy Test? What Institute manufactures this? Why is the name significant? Why is the use of the test ironic? What do you make of the idea that the "servant had in some cases become more adroit than its master." What early science fiction novel does this remind you of?
13. What can chickenheads do that andys can't? Why might this be significant? Are humans the only beings that can experience empathy?
14. What is ironic about the statement "You shall kill only the killers"?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
DADES: Chapter 1
If you're just joining the blog, please read the earlier posting explaining how to read critically and write a response. Here are questions you might consider pondering in your posting for Chapter 1:
1. What might be the significance of the epigraph?
2. What is the Penfield mood organ? Consider techniques we use in the 21st century to alter our mood.
3. Describe the characters of Rick Deckard and his wife, Iran. Describe their relationship. What do you predict will become of them?
4. What is the setting? Is the setting believable? Why or why not?
5. Why do people wear lead codpieces?
7. What has happened that has lead to the present state (half empty apartment buildings, mass emigration from Earth, fallout/dust)?
8. What is a "regular"? What is a "special"? What do you make of a society that makes such distinctions?
9. Why do you think animals are so important in this future society?
10. What do you think Mercerism might be?
11. What does it mean to be human? List as many qualities as you can think of that distinguish us from animals and/or machines.
1. What might be the significance of the epigraph?
2. What is the Penfield mood organ? Consider techniques we use in the 21st century to alter our mood.
3. Describe the characters of Rick Deckard and his wife, Iran. Describe their relationship. What do you predict will become of them?
4. What is the setting? Is the setting believable? Why or why not?
5. Why do people wear lead codpieces?
7. What has happened that has lead to the present state (half empty apartment buildings, mass emigration from Earth, fallout/dust)?
8. What is a "regular"? What is a "special"? What do you make of a society that makes such distinctions?
9. Why do you think animals are so important in this future society?
10. What do you think Mercerism might be?
11. What does it mean to be human? List as many qualities as you can think of that distinguish us from animals and/or machines.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Blogging with Androids
This semester you will be creating your own blog to use as a writing journal as we read our first novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick. Your class assignment (for 2/13) is to create your own blog by going to Blogger. The best way to learn your way around the blog is just to PLAY. You can customize the look of your blog with a variety of templates, pictures, lists, links, etc. Make these personal and you will enjoy this exercise more.
This novel (DADES for short) offers a confusing, even disorienting narrative, so if you're having trouble making sense of the text, you're not alone. The purpose of the blog will be to interact with the text. Like a detective, you will try to uncover possible meanings through the reading/ writing/thinking process. Please annotate your text as a regular practice. This means taking notes as you read. Since I'm giving you class texts, consider using post-its as you're reading to write down anything that grabs your attention. As you read, jot down questions, connections, definitions, and patterns. Consider the plot, setting, and characters. Developing the habit of close reading will make reading more enjoyable!
So, for each chapter, please write a minimum of three well-developed paragraphs. The range of interpretive options might include:
1) questioning text to clarify or probe
2) reflecting on possible meanings
3) making connections to other texts, to self, and to world
4) discussing literary techniques and their effects
There are no right answers, but your ideas should be grounded in the text itself. If you have trouble getting started, consider selecting three passages that you think are significant and explaining why. Be specific.
We will all link to each other's blogs so we can share our ideas. Please be mindful that this is an online classroom and language should be adjusted accordingly. Also, because we are writing for a wide audience, check your writing carefully for clarity and mechanical errors before you post. In addition, before you publish read your writing aloud. Please do not use the language of text messaging.
For homework, 2/15
Please complete the "Survey: Technology and You" on the right hand side of the screen. The anonymous results will be sent to me, and we'll discuss. Be honest! You must answer "I agree" or "I disagree" to each statement.
Have fun!
This novel (DADES for short) offers a confusing, even disorienting narrative, so if you're having trouble making sense of the text, you're not alone. The purpose of the blog will be to interact with the text. Like a detective, you will try to uncover possible meanings through the reading/ writing/thinking process. Please annotate your text as a regular practice. This means taking notes as you read. Since I'm giving you class texts, consider using post-its as you're reading to write down anything that grabs your attention. As you read, jot down questions, connections, definitions, and patterns. Consider the plot, setting, and characters. Developing the habit of close reading will make reading more enjoyable!
So, for each chapter, please write a minimum of three well-developed paragraphs. The range of interpretive options might include:
1) questioning text to clarify or probe
2) reflecting on possible meanings
3) making connections to other texts, to self, and to world
4) discussing literary techniques and their effects
There are no right answers, but your ideas should be grounded in the text itself. If you have trouble getting started, consider selecting three passages that you think are significant and explaining why. Be specific.
We will all link to each other's blogs so we can share our ideas. Please be mindful that this is an online classroom and language should be adjusted accordingly. Also, because we are writing for a wide audience, check your writing carefully for clarity and mechanical errors before you post. In addition, before you publish read your writing aloud. Please do not use the language of text messaging.
For homework, 2/15
Please complete the "Survey: Technology and You" on the right hand side of the screen. The anonymous results will be sent to me, and we'll discuss. Be honest! You must answer "I agree" or "I disagree" to each statement.
Have fun!
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