For my third New Millennium Studies assignment, I decided to write a short story based off the stem cell research articles and told by the point of view of a patient of stem cell treatment and her family.
The short story I wrote, which takes place in the near future, focuses on a sixteen year old, female protagonist who agrees to undergo the stem cell research of Parthgenisis (which includes creating an embryo in a woman’s womb and transferring that human embryo’s stem cells to the patient in question) in order to cure her lifelong handicap that prevents her from walking. As the family prepares for the first stage of the treatment, the news of the girl’s treatment in disclosed to the public. For months, encounters with the press, mobs, skeptics of the treatment, devout Catholics and animal rights lovers (who have problems with the mortality aspect of the treatment), cause the family to have second thoughts. In the end, the girl decides to go through with the treatment because the hope that the treatment will cure her is too good to pass up on despite the grief her family has received and despite the controversial, morality debate that surrounds her treatment. In the end, the Parthgenisis heals her of her handicap and she begins to learn to walk.
I chose this medium and this particular storyline because I found myself inspired by the quote of hope and possibility that the mother of the girl with type 1 diabetes stated in the video we watched in class when she was asked if she about her opinion about the treatment and the controversy surrounded it. As a person who could possibly benefit from stem cell research someday, I wanted to explain why someone would peruse stem cell research from my point of view as an American teenager with a disability. Thus, I decided that a story would be the best way to expand on thus this theme by creating characters who need to decide if they want to take a leap of faith and trust the treatment or not.
The guiding question that this short story addresses is that one’s ethnical code can only be created based off of the childhood lessons of following one’s heart rather then peer pressure. This story addresses this guiding question at the end when the girl’s family allows her to decides to go through with the Parthgenisis even though there is no proof that the treatment will work because there is the posbility of hope that the treatment will act in the daughter’s best interest and cure her of her handicap. And because the daughter is willing to undergo a controversial process because she believes it will make her normal, rather then being pressured by anyone else’s point of view. This is also the main idea that I was trying to get across to my audience.
I wanted my audience to moved by this work and consider the dark theme that the main character would be comfortable with a “a baby or monkey dying” during the process of her treatment just so she could have the experiences that her handicap denies her. I want them to be able to reflect on this theme in the story and see that there is a gray line regarding the mortality of Parthgenisis and decide their own opinions about stem cell research after reading this point of view.
The main source that I used to guide this paper was the NOVA: Alternative to Cloning website in order to gather information about the Parthgenisis process. However, I also used the Peter Singer article Equality for Animals in order to gain the point of view of Vegetarians and those who belie that animal testing is wrong.
I think the strength of this story is the character development and the information used about stem cell research to further the plot. However, I think the weakness of this project was my spelling, grammar and typos that occur throughout this story.
I think that this project differs from most of the other projects that have worked on for New Millennium Studies and other classes is because that this project explores a much more personal issue for me because the inspiration behind the main character’s thoughts on her handicap are my own thoughts regarding my disability. I think that this project counters my tattoo project for New Millennium studies because while I argued in that project, that feelings of peer pressure from friends, religious groups, work reasons influence one’s decisions, the short story presents a contrast with the female protagonist making her decisions to further her identity because it will benefit her.
I enjoyed writing this story, and I hope it will impact my audience’s point of view about stem cell research.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
My Artist Statement for Project 3- I'm sorry I forgot to post it sooner.
For my third New Millennium Studies assignment, I decided to write a short story based off the stem cell research articles and told by the point of view of a patient of stem cell treatment and her family.
The short story I wrote, which takes place in the near future, focuses on a sixteen year old, female protagonist who agrees to undergo the stem cell research of Parthgenisis (which includes creating an embryo in a woman’s womb and transferring that human embryo’s stem cells to the patient in question) in order to cure her lifelong handicap that prevents her from walking. As the family prepares for the first stage of the treatment, the news of the girl’s treatment in disclosed to the public. For months, encounters with the press, mobs, skeptics of the treatment, devout Catholics and animal rights lovers (who have problems with the mortality aspect of the treatment), cause the family to have second thoughts. In the end, the girl decides to go through with the treatment because the hope that the treatment will cure her is too good to pass up on despite the grief her family has received and despite the controversial, morality debate that surrounds her treatment. In the end, the Parthgenisis heals her of her handicap and she begins to learn to walk.
I chose this medium and this particular storyline because I found myself inspired by the quote of hope and possibility that the mother of the girl with type 1 diabetes stated in the video we watched in class when she was asked if she about her opinion about the treatment and the controversy surrounded it. As a person who could possibly benefit from stem cell research someday, I wanted to explain why someone would peruse stem cell research from my point of view as an American teenager with a disability. Thus, I decided that a story would be the best way to expand on thus this theme by creating characters who need to decide if they want to take a leap of faith and trust the treatment or not.
The guiding question that this short story addresses is that one’s ethnical code can only be created based off of the childhood lessons of following one’s heart rather then peer pressure. This story addresses this guiding question at the end when the girl’s family allows her to decides to go through with the Parthgenisis even though there is no proof that the treatment will work because there is the posbility of hope that the treatment will act in the daughter’s best interest and cure her of her handicap. And because the daughter is willing to undergo a controversial process because she believes it will make her normal, rather then being pressured by anyone else’s point of view. This is also the main idea that I was trying to get across to my audience.
I wanted my audience to moved by this work and consider the dark theme that the main character would be comfortable with a “a baby or monkey dying” during the process of her treatment just so she could have the experiences that her handicap denies her. I want them to be able to reflect on this theme in the story and see that there is a gray line regarding the mortality of Parthgenisis and decide their own opinions about stem cell research after reading this point of view.
The main source that I used to guide this paper was the NOVA: Alternative to Cloning website in order to gather information about the Parthgenisis process. However, I also used the Peter Singer article Equality for Animals in order to gain the point of view of Vegetarians and those who belie that animal testing is wrong.
I think the strength of this story is the character development and the information used about stem cell research to further the plot. However, I think the weakness of this project was my spelling, grammar and typos that occur throughout this story.
I think that this project differs from most of the other projects that have worked on for New Millennium Studies and other classes is because that this project explores a much more personal issue for me because the inspiration behind the main character’s thoughts on her handicap are my own thoughts regarding my disability. I think that this project counters my tattoo project for New Millennium studies because while I argued in that project, that feelings of peer pressure from friends, religious groups, work reasons influence one’s decisions, the short story presents a contrast with the female protagonist making her decisions to further her identity because it will benefit her.
I enjoyed writing this story, and I hope it will impact my audience’s point of view about stem cell research.
The short story I wrote, which takes place in the near future, focuses on a sixteen year old, female protagonist who agrees to undergo the stem cell research of Parthgenisis (which includes creating an embryo in a woman’s womb and transferring that human embryo’s stem cells to the patient in question) in order to cure her lifelong handicap that prevents her from walking. As the family prepares for the first stage of the treatment, the news of the girl’s treatment in disclosed to the public. For months, encounters with the press, mobs, skeptics of the treatment, devout Catholics and animal rights lovers (who have problems with the mortality aspect of the treatment), cause the family to have second thoughts. In the end, the girl decides to go through with the treatment because the hope that the treatment will cure her is too good to pass up on despite the grief her family has received and despite the controversial, morality debate that surrounds her treatment. In the end, the Parthgenisis heals her of her handicap and she begins to learn to walk.
I chose this medium and this particular storyline because I found myself inspired by the quote of hope and possibility that the mother of the girl with type 1 diabetes stated in the video we watched in class when she was asked if she about her opinion about the treatment and the controversy surrounded it. As a person who could possibly benefit from stem cell research someday, I wanted to explain why someone would peruse stem cell research from my point of view as an American teenager with a disability. Thus, I decided that a story would be the best way to expand on thus this theme by creating characters who need to decide if they want to take a leap of faith and trust the treatment or not.
The guiding question that this short story addresses is that one’s ethnical code can only be created based off of the childhood lessons of following one’s heart rather then peer pressure. This story addresses this guiding question at the end when the girl’s family allows her to decides to go through with the Parthgenisis even though there is no proof that the treatment will work because there is the posbility of hope that the treatment will act in the daughter’s best interest and cure her of her handicap. And because the daughter is willing to undergo a controversial process because she believes it will make her normal, rather then being pressured by anyone else’s point of view. This is also the main idea that I was trying to get across to my audience.
I wanted my audience to moved by this work and consider the dark theme that the main character would be comfortable with a “a baby or monkey dying” during the process of her treatment just so she could have the experiences that her handicap denies her. I want them to be able to reflect on this theme in the story and see that there is a gray line regarding the mortality of Parthgenisis and decide their own opinions about stem cell research after reading this point of view.
The main source that I used to guide this paper was the NOVA: Alternative to Cloning website in order to gather information about the Parthgenisis process. However, I also used the Peter Singer article Equality for Animals in order to gain the point of view of Vegetarians and those who belie that animal testing is wrong.
I think the strength of this story is the character development and the information used about stem cell research to further the plot. However, I think the weakness of this project was my spelling, grammar and typos that occur throughout this story.
I think that this project differs from most of the other projects that have worked on for New Millennium Studies and other classes is because that this project explores a much more personal issue for me because the inspiration behind the main character’s thoughts on her handicap are my own thoughts regarding my disability. I think that this project counters my tattoo project for New Millennium studies because while I argued in that project, that feelings of peer pressure from friends, religious groups, work reasons influence one’s decisions, the short story presents a contrast with the female protagonist making her decisions to further her identity because it will benefit her.
I enjoyed writing this story, and I hope it will impact my audience’s point of view about stem cell research.
My Artist Statement for Project 3- I'm sorry I forgot to post it sooner.
For my third New Millennium Studies assignment, I decided to write a short story based off the stem cell research articles and told by the point of view of a patient of stem cell treatment and her family.
The short story I wrote, which takes place in the near future, focuses on a sixteen year old, female protagonist who agrees to undergo the stem cell research of Parthgenisis (which includes creating an embryo in a woman’s womb and transferring that human embryo’s stem cells to the patient in question) in order to cure her lifelong handicap that prevents her from walking. As the family prepares for the first stage of the treatment, the news of the girl’s treatment in disclosed to the public. For months, encounters with the press, mobs, skeptics of the treatment, devout Catholics and animal rights lovers (who have problems with the mortality aspect of the treatment), cause the family to have second thoughts. In the end, the girl decides to go through with the treatment because the hope that the treatment will cure her is too good to pass up on despite the grief her family has received and despite the controversial, morality debate that surrounds her treatment. In the end, the Parthgenisis heals her of her handicap and she begins to learn to walk.
I chose this medium and this particular storyline because I found myself inspired by the quote of hope and possibility that the mother of the girl with type 1 diabetes stated in the video we watched in class when she was asked if she about her opinion about the treatment and the controversy surrounded it. As a person who could possibly benefit from stem cell research someday, I wanted to explain why someone would peruse stem cell research from my point of view as an American teenager with a disability. Thus, I decided that a story would be the best way to expand on thus this theme by creating characters who need to decide if they want to take a leap of faith and trust the treatment or not.
The guiding question that this short story addresses is that one’s ethnical code can only be created based off of the childhood lessons of following one’s heart rather then peer pressure. This story addresses this guiding question at the end when the girl’s family allows her to decides to go through with the Parthgenisis even though there is no proof that the treatment will work because there is the posbility of hope that the treatment will act in the daughter’s best interest and cure her of her handicap. And because the daughter is willing to undergo a controversial process because she believes it will make her normal, rather then being pressured by anyone else’s point of view. This is also the main idea that I was trying to get across to my audience.
I wanted my audience to moved by this work and consider the dark theme that the main character would be comfortable with a “a baby or monkey dying” during the process of her treatment just so she could have the experiences that her handicap denies her. I want them to be able to reflect on this theme in the story and see that there is a gray line regarding the mortality of Parthgenisis and decide their own opinions about stem cell research after reading this point of view.
The main source that I used to guide this paper was the NOVA: Alternative to Cloning website in order to gather information about the Parthgenisis process. However, I also used the Peter Singer article Equality for Animals in order to gain the point of view of Vegetarians and those who belie that animal testing is wrong.
I think the strength of this story is the character development and the information used about stem cell research to further the plot. However, I think the weakness of this project was my spelling, grammar and typos that occur throughout this story.
I think that this project differs from most of the other projects that have worked on for New Millennium Studies and other classes is because that this project explores a much more personal issue for me because the inspiration behind the main character’s thoughts on her handicap are my own thoughts regarding my disability. I think that this project counters my tattoo project for New Millennium studies because while I argued in that project, that feelings of peer pressure from friends, religious groups, work reasons influence one’s decisions, the short story presents a contrast with the female protagonist making her decisions to further her identity because it will benefit her.
I enjoyed writing this story, and I hope it will impact my audience’s point of view about stem cell research.
The short story I wrote, which takes place in the near future, focuses on a sixteen year old, female protagonist who agrees to undergo the stem cell research of Parthgenisis (which includes creating an embryo in a woman’s womb and transferring that human embryo’s stem cells to the patient in question) in order to cure her lifelong handicap that prevents her from walking. As the family prepares for the first stage of the treatment, the news of the girl’s treatment in disclosed to the public. For months, encounters with the press, mobs, skeptics of the treatment, devout Catholics and animal rights lovers (who have problems with the mortality aspect of the treatment), cause the family to have second thoughts. In the end, the girl decides to go through with the treatment because the hope that the treatment will cure her is too good to pass up on despite the grief her family has received and despite the controversial, morality debate that surrounds her treatment. In the end, the Parthgenisis heals her of her handicap and she begins to learn to walk.
I chose this medium and this particular storyline because I found myself inspired by the quote of hope and possibility that the mother of the girl with type 1 diabetes stated in the video we watched in class when she was asked if she about her opinion about the treatment and the controversy surrounded it. As a person who could possibly benefit from stem cell research someday, I wanted to explain why someone would peruse stem cell research from my point of view as an American teenager with a disability. Thus, I decided that a story would be the best way to expand on thus this theme by creating characters who need to decide if they want to take a leap of faith and trust the treatment or not.
The guiding question that this short story addresses is that one’s ethnical code can only be created based off of the childhood lessons of following one’s heart rather then peer pressure. This story addresses this guiding question at the end when the girl’s family allows her to decides to go through with the Parthgenisis even though there is no proof that the treatment will work because there is the posbility of hope that the treatment will act in the daughter’s best interest and cure her of her handicap. And because the daughter is willing to undergo a controversial process because she believes it will make her normal, rather then being pressured by anyone else’s point of view. This is also the main idea that I was trying to get across to my audience.
I wanted my audience to moved by this work and consider the dark theme that the main character would be comfortable with a “a baby or monkey dying” during the process of her treatment just so she could have the experiences that her handicap denies her. I want them to be able to reflect on this theme in the story and see that there is a gray line regarding the mortality of Parthgenisis and decide their own opinions about stem cell research after reading this point of view.
The main source that I used to guide this paper was the NOVA: Alternative to Cloning website in order to gather information about the Parthgenisis process. However, I also used the Peter Singer article Equality for Animals in order to gain the point of view of Vegetarians and those who belie that animal testing is wrong.
I think the strength of this story is the character development and the information used about stem cell research to further the plot. However, I think the weakness of this project was my spelling, grammar and typos that occur throughout this story.
I think that this project differs from most of the other projects that have worked on for New Millennium Studies and other classes is because that this project explores a much more personal issue for me because the inspiration behind the main character’s thoughts on her handicap are my own thoughts regarding my disability. I think that this project counters my tattoo project for New Millennium studies because while I argued in that project, that feelings of peer pressure from friends, religious groups, work reasons influence one’s decisions, the short story presents a contrast with the female protagonist making her decisions to further her identity because it will benefit her.
I enjoyed writing this story, and I hope it will impact my audience’s point of view about stem cell research.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Frankenstein, Blog 2
Shannon Ryan
May 2, 2009
New Millennium Studies
Frankenstein,Vol. 2 Essay
After reading the second volume of Frankenstein, I have concluded that the monster was not born a cold blooded murderer, but rather became one because he wasn’t accepted by his creator, nor by the rest of society because of his deformed appearance.
In basic sociology, there is an argument of whether one’s human nature is apart of their persona since their birth, or nurtured due to their experiences around them. I have personally always been in favor of the nurtured argument.
Thus, I believe that the monster was like all human beings, born to an innocent nature. As we learn later in the volume, he is capable of goodness when he saves a little girl from drowning.
However, because his creator and the rest of society scorned him judged him, and isolated him because of his looks, he believed that he was incapable of being
accepted. Frankenstein runs from him at his birth because of the horror of his looks. As do Felix, Agatha and Safie, three humans he observes during his stay at their estate when he reveals his presence to him. Finally, the monster is shot by the little girl’s guardian and wrongfully accused of attacking her when he rescues her. “This was the reward of my benevolence,” he reflects on page 95, “I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense, I now withered under the pain of a wound.” In fact it is this very moment when he vows, to take his anger and revenge for his mistreatment out on all humans, including Victor Frankenstein, his creator.
Before and after his vow in volume two, the monster shows his sensibility by mourning that his looks make him incapable of fitting in. “Like Adam,” he reflects on page 87, “I was created united by no link to any other being in existence. But many times, I considered Satin as a better emblem of my condition. For often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.”
If Dr. Victor Frankenstein had been more accepting towards the appearance of his creation and taught the monster to love himself for his heart, and treated him like a companion, then the monster would have chosen not to become a vengeful killer, but a good person. Expanding the nurture argument more, if the girl’s father hadn’t jumped to conclusions and had thanked the creation instead of shooting him, the creature would have found a reason to be proud of himself. Finally, if William, Safie, Agatha and Felix had taken time to get to know him before assuming that he was an ogre or a monster, he would have become a better man.
In conclusion, I don’t think that the monster would have became a killer had he not been judged for his appearance and nurtured by experiences of kindness, rather then cruelty.
May 2, 2009
New Millennium Studies
Frankenstein,Vol. 2 Essay
After reading the second volume of Frankenstein, I have concluded that the monster was not born a cold blooded murderer, but rather became one because he wasn’t accepted by his creator, nor by the rest of society because of his deformed appearance.
In basic sociology, there is an argument of whether one’s human nature is apart of their persona since their birth, or nurtured due to their experiences around them. I have personally always been in favor of the nurtured argument.
Thus, I believe that the monster was like all human beings, born to an innocent nature. As we learn later in the volume, he is capable of goodness when he saves a little girl from drowning.
However, because his creator and the rest of society scorned him judged him, and isolated him because of his looks, he believed that he was incapable of being
accepted. Frankenstein runs from him at his birth because of the horror of his looks. As do Felix, Agatha and Safie, three humans he observes during his stay at their estate when he reveals his presence to him. Finally, the monster is shot by the little girl’s guardian and wrongfully accused of attacking her when he rescues her. “This was the reward of my benevolence,” he reflects on page 95, “I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense, I now withered under the pain of a wound.” In fact it is this very moment when he vows, to take his anger and revenge for his mistreatment out on all humans, including Victor Frankenstein, his creator.
Before and after his vow in volume two, the monster shows his sensibility by mourning that his looks make him incapable of fitting in. “Like Adam,” he reflects on page 87, “I was created united by no link to any other being in existence. But many times, I considered Satin as a better emblem of my condition. For often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.”
If Dr. Victor Frankenstein had been more accepting towards the appearance of his creation and taught the monster to love himself for his heart, and treated him like a companion, then the monster would have chosen not to become a vengeful killer, but a good person. Expanding the nurture argument more, if the girl’s father hadn’t jumped to conclusions and had thanked the creation instead of shooting him, the creature would have found a reason to be proud of himself. Finally, if William, Safie, Agatha and Felix had taken time to get to know him before assuming that he was an ogre or a monster, he would have become a better man.
In conclusion, I don’t think that the monster would have became a killer had he not been judged for his appearance and nurtured by experiences of kindness, rather then cruelty.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Frankenstein, Blog 1
Shannon Ryan
April 27, 2009
Frankenstein Blog 1
New Millennium Studies
To Rhonda,
Today In class we had to read fifty-three pages of Frankenstein. In those fifty-three pages, much of the plot’s undertone focused on the theme of companionship.
Throughout the first fifty-three chapters, the author explores many relationships between the characters. Walden writes letters to his sister Margret to pass the time in order to provide himself with company while he is alone on his journey. Elizabeth and Victor play together as children, and continue to keep correspondence as they are adults in order to appease the wish of Victor’s mother that they someday marry. The Frankenstein family is close and spends a lot of quality time together that they are upset when they are apart from each other. Examples of this include their confusion of why Victor has kept himself away from home for three years, they are devastated when Caroline, the mother risks her own life to sit at Elizabeth’s sickbed, when the youngest son William is murdered and the accuser is Justine, a friend of Elizabeth’s because it breaks their “complete” family unit.
These examples further the theme in the novel about companionship. They seem to sum up a message about companionship. This message is that we need to keep or create someone in their life who they can confide in and by doing so, will be reminded who they are.
One quote from the book that supports this theme is the quote from Walden to his sister Margret on page 10: “I have no friend Margret, when I am glowing with enthusiasm of success, there will be no one to participate my joy; if I am assailed by success, no one will endeavor to sustain me in dejection. I shall commit to my thoughts to paper, its true; but that would be a poor medium for communication and feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me; whose eyes would reply to mine. You may deem me romantic, my sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend.”
With love,
~Shannon
April 27, 2009
Frankenstein Blog 1
New Millennium Studies
To Rhonda,
Today In class we had to read fifty-three pages of Frankenstein. In those fifty-three pages, much of the plot’s undertone focused on the theme of companionship.
Throughout the first fifty-three chapters, the author explores many relationships between the characters. Walden writes letters to his sister Margret to pass the time in order to provide himself with company while he is alone on his journey. Elizabeth and Victor play together as children, and continue to keep correspondence as they are adults in order to appease the wish of Victor’s mother that they someday marry. The Frankenstein family is close and spends a lot of quality time together that they are upset when they are apart from each other. Examples of this include their confusion of why Victor has kept himself away from home for three years, they are devastated when Caroline, the mother risks her own life to sit at Elizabeth’s sickbed, when the youngest son William is murdered and the accuser is Justine, a friend of Elizabeth’s because it breaks their “complete” family unit.
These examples further the theme in the novel about companionship. They seem to sum up a message about companionship. This message is that we need to keep or create someone in their life who they can confide in and by doing so, will be reminded who they are.
One quote from the book that supports this theme is the quote from Walden to his sister Margret on page 10: “I have no friend Margret, when I am glowing with enthusiasm of success, there will be no one to participate my joy; if I am assailed by success, no one will endeavor to sustain me in dejection. I shall commit to my thoughts to paper, its true; but that would be a poor medium for communication and feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me; whose eyes would reply to mine. You may deem me romantic, my sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend.”
With love,
~Shannon
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
April 14th homework
Shannon Ryan
April 14, 2009
The piece that I have chosen from Shaun Slifer’s website is a piece entitled “We,” which is based on the childhood tin can experiment to communicate with a tin can and a string like some sort of phone. I think what draws me to this sculpture is that it reminds me of the games I used to play with my friends as a child. I think because I have used the method of communication in the past, I am fascinated by the model that Slifer has built. A question that I would like Slifer is class is what was the personal reason behind this piece? I would also like to ask Shaun Slifer what did you want your audience to consider while studying this work of art?
April 14, 2009
The piece that I have chosen from Shaun Slifer’s website is a piece entitled “We,” which is based on the childhood tin can experiment to communicate with a tin can and a string like some sort of phone. I think what draws me to this sculpture is that it reminds me of the games I used to play with my friends as a child. I think because I have used the method of communication in the past, I am fascinated by the model that Slifer has built. A question that I would like Slifer is class is what was the personal reason behind this piece? I would also like to ask Shaun Slifer what did you want your audience to consider while studying this work of art?
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Project 3 Proposal
Shannon Ryan
April 11, 2009
New Millennium Studies
Project #3 Proposal
For my third New Millennium Studies Project, I have decided to create a fictional, short story based off the information in the stem cell research articles (pbs.org, wgbh, nova and science now) for the Ethical Perspective Assignment.
The guiding questions that I would like my project to focus is how can an ethnical code be formed to honor the beliefs and values of the past, but still support the changing values and scientific methods of the future at the same time, even if these advancements go against the ways of the past or our religious beliefs.
The story will most likely be similar to the story of the girl with diabetes in the documentary we watched in class. The plot will focus on a young child with a serious disability or disease who is going to receive stem cell research. As the family prepares for the process, the family reflects on their hope that it will work and the negative criticism they have received from their neighbors about the process because of religious and vegetarianism beliefs. They wonders if stem cell research is the right thing to do. In the end, they decide that stem cell research is the right thing to do, because their hope that it will work is more important to them then the ways of the past or the values of others.
I will fill the story with scientific information from the articles to characterize the neighbors and their reasons against stem cell research (religious beliefs and vegetarians) as well as those characters who believe that stem cell research is the right course for the child because of the hope that it could make a difference in the child’s condition.
The undertone of this story will be to teach my audience that only they can create their ethnical code by deciding what matters to them most, what they have been taught by mentors, parents and experiences, as well as how their ethnical code guides their decisions.
April 11, 2009
New Millennium Studies
Project #3 Proposal
For my third New Millennium Studies Project, I have decided to create a fictional, short story based off the information in the stem cell research articles (pbs.org, wgbh, nova and science now) for the Ethical Perspective Assignment.
The guiding questions that I would like my project to focus is how can an ethnical code be formed to honor the beliefs and values of the past, but still support the changing values and scientific methods of the future at the same time, even if these advancements go against the ways of the past or our religious beliefs.
The story will most likely be similar to the story of the girl with diabetes in the documentary we watched in class. The plot will focus on a young child with a serious disability or disease who is going to receive stem cell research. As the family prepares for the process, the family reflects on their hope that it will work and the negative criticism they have received from their neighbors about the process because of religious and vegetarianism beliefs. They wonders if stem cell research is the right thing to do. In the end, they decide that stem cell research is the right thing to do, because their hope that it will work is more important to them then the ways of the past or the values of others.
I will fill the story with scientific information from the articles to characterize the neighbors and their reasons against stem cell research (religious beliefs and vegetarians) as well as those characters who believe that stem cell research is the right course for the child because of the hope that it could make a difference in the child’s condition.
The undertone of this story will be to teach my audience that only they can create their ethnical code by deciding what matters to them most, what they have been taught by mentors, parents and experiences, as well as how their ethnical code guides their decisions.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Singer Article Questions
Shannon Ryan
April 3, 2009
New Millennium Studies
1.My ethical perspective is that mammals and vertebrates are similar to humans because of their genetic makeup and because they are not pests, thus they should be allowed to live freely, outside of human control. I regrettably say that I am a meat eater, and have no problem with these animals (pigs, chickens etc.) being killed (because I like the taste of steak, chicken, eggs etc. and would not be okay giving up those courses all together). I suppose that in some ways, that that would make me selfish. However, I don’t believe that these animals should be killed in their youth or immediately after they have their own children (I formed that opinion when I was five and saw the movie Babe, about a pig whose mother is slaughtered when he was no more then a few weeks old), but rather when their children are grown and capable of caring for themselves, or if they are seriously injured. It is also hard for me to say that we shouldn’t have animals in zoos or circuses because those are aspects of entertainment that I grew up with. Thus, I feel that zoos and circuses should keep animals that the save from injury and breed them rather then put animals into captivity by hunting and trapping them. I do think that animal testing is immoral. However, it is difficult for me to feel bad for pests like mosquitoes and because they have only infected irritation and pain on my skin, the exception being bees because I respect their use to mankind to make honey. I formed this perspective through my own experiences with insects, visits to the zoo and circus, Biology Class, seeing movies and reading articles for class about animal testing, breeding and animal slaughter as I’ve grown older.
2. I wouldn’t say that my ethical code is similar to Singer’s other then the fact that we both agree that animal testing is wrong.
However, my ethical code is different from Singer’s because while he seems to argue that we should do away with all captivity and animal slaughter for food, I believe that it should still be done, but in a way that is more just (injury and sickness rather then outright captivity and slaughter).
3. The following of Singer’s arguments are the most convincing in his article, regardless of my inclination to agree or disagree with his opinions. First, Singer’s argument that compares the testing done to a lab rat that could be done to a baby or mentally because all three can’t defend themselves from the impending danger. This argument is strong because by asking the audience to substitute a
animal or insect with a innocent, abused and helpless human (something that is considered immoral in today’s society), the author prompts guilt and interest from the audience, thus making the comparison plausible and powerful. Another of Singer’s most convincing arguments is when he talks about the monkey behavior experiment and that animals can feel pain because just like the comparison to a innocent and helpless child, it is plausible because the grotesqueness of it inflicts disgust in the audience enough that side with his thesis.
April 3, 2009
New Millennium Studies
1.My ethical perspective is that mammals and vertebrates are similar to humans because of their genetic makeup and because they are not pests, thus they should be allowed to live freely, outside of human control. I regrettably say that I am a meat eater, and have no problem with these animals (pigs, chickens etc.) being killed (because I like the taste of steak, chicken, eggs etc. and would not be okay giving up those courses all together). I suppose that in some ways, that that would make me selfish. However, I don’t believe that these animals should be killed in their youth or immediately after they have their own children (I formed that opinion when I was five and saw the movie Babe, about a pig whose mother is slaughtered when he was no more then a few weeks old), but rather when their children are grown and capable of caring for themselves, or if they are seriously injured. It is also hard for me to say that we shouldn’t have animals in zoos or circuses because those are aspects of entertainment that I grew up with. Thus, I feel that zoos and circuses should keep animals that the save from injury and breed them rather then put animals into captivity by hunting and trapping them. I do think that animal testing is immoral. However, it is difficult for me to feel bad for pests like mosquitoes and because they have only infected irritation and pain on my skin, the exception being bees because I respect their use to mankind to make honey. I formed this perspective through my own experiences with insects, visits to the zoo and circus, Biology Class, seeing movies and reading articles for class about animal testing, breeding and animal slaughter as I’ve grown older.
2. I wouldn’t say that my ethical code is similar to Singer’s other then the fact that we both agree that animal testing is wrong.
However, my ethical code is different from Singer’s because while he seems to argue that we should do away with all captivity and animal slaughter for food, I believe that it should still be done, but in a way that is more just (injury and sickness rather then outright captivity and slaughter).
3. The following of Singer’s arguments are the most convincing in his article, regardless of my inclination to agree or disagree with his opinions. First, Singer’s argument that compares the testing done to a lab rat that could be done to a baby or mentally because all three can’t defend themselves from the impending danger. This argument is strong because by asking the audience to substitute a
animal or insect with a innocent, abused and helpless human (something that is considered immoral in today’s society), the author prompts guilt and interest from the audience, thus making the comparison plausible and powerful. Another of Singer’s most convincing arguments is when he talks about the monkey behavior experiment and that animals can feel pain because just like the comparison to a innocent and helpless child, it is plausible because the grotesqueness of it inflicts disgust in the audience enough that side with his thesis.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Whale Rider Questions
Shannon Ryan
March 23, 2009
1) Name two situations where Koro ignored signs of Pai’s ability and aptitude to lead.
Two situations where Koro ignored signs of Pai’s ability and aptitude to lead are when he fails to show up to see her speech at her school, and when Pai beats Hemi in a taiasha match, showcasing the physical strength and speechmaking ability that the tribe would require from a leader.
2) Discuss the scene where Rawiri took up the taiaha again. How does this change carry on for Rawiri in the rest of the story?
Rawiri’s decision to take up the taiaha again changes his character for the duration of the story because he is able to reconnect with his childhood accomplishment and become a stronger adult as a result. This change in Rawiri’s character carries the rest of the story because he, and his romantic become supportive of Paikea’s desire to succeed her grandfather’s role by taking her to fetch the whale tooth from the sea’s depths and when they come to see her speech, and because the family becomes sympathetic of Koro’s treatment to Paikea regarding a female becoming his successor.
3) When the community walk away together, Paikea comes from behind them and walks alone back towards the big whale. What did that image make you think about Paikea?
The image of Paikea backing towards the big whale instead of following the rest of the tribe and ridding the whale into the ocean, made me think about Paikea’s “hinted destiny” as the female whale rider (symbolism that the old traditions are evolving to make room for new changes). However, this moment in the film also made mw think about Paikea’s need for Koro’s approval as well.
4) When Pai is in the hospital how do they know Koro has changed his attitude towards her?
When Pai is in the hospital, we and the characters know that Koro has changed his attitude about Pai from the moment Nanny Flowers gives him the whale tooth, he sees Pai riding the whale and watches her drown because he seems to be wallowing in grief, refuses to leave her bedside, mutters how he was wrong that Pai was the reason for the tribe’s misfortune, asks for penance for destroying the true leader of his people (receiving the whale tooth and watching Paikea has made him a true believer of her destiny as the leader of his people) and is overjoyed when she awakes.
5) What is the significance of the waka? Describe the waka scene that struck you most, and explain why.
The significance of the waka was that it was the tradition in which the tribe welcomed a new leader. The aspect of the waka scene that struck me the most was that Koro has his arm around Pai, his granddaughter and successor as he leads the men far from the shore by chanting the ritual songs because this moment symbolized Koro’s full acceptance of Paikea and by showing the old man and female child side by side, symbolized the relation of the old traditions and the changing, new future.
March 23, 2009
1) Name two situations where Koro ignored signs of Pai’s ability and aptitude to lead.
Two situations where Koro ignored signs of Pai’s ability and aptitude to lead are when he fails to show up to see her speech at her school, and when Pai beats Hemi in a taiasha match, showcasing the physical strength and speechmaking ability that the tribe would require from a leader.
2) Discuss the scene where Rawiri took up the taiaha again. How does this change carry on for Rawiri in the rest of the story?
Rawiri’s decision to take up the taiaha again changes his character for the duration of the story because he is able to reconnect with his childhood accomplishment and become a stronger adult as a result. This change in Rawiri’s character carries the rest of the story because he, and his romantic become supportive of Paikea’s desire to succeed her grandfather’s role by taking her to fetch the whale tooth from the sea’s depths and when they come to see her speech, and because the family becomes sympathetic of Koro’s treatment to Paikea regarding a female becoming his successor.
3) When the community walk away together, Paikea comes from behind them and walks alone back towards the big whale. What did that image make you think about Paikea?
The image of Paikea backing towards the big whale instead of following the rest of the tribe and ridding the whale into the ocean, made me think about Paikea’s “hinted destiny” as the female whale rider (symbolism that the old traditions are evolving to make room for new changes). However, this moment in the film also made mw think about Paikea’s need for Koro’s approval as well.
4) When Pai is in the hospital how do they know Koro has changed his attitude towards her?
When Pai is in the hospital, we and the characters know that Koro has changed his attitude about Pai from the moment Nanny Flowers gives him the whale tooth, he sees Pai riding the whale and watches her drown because he seems to be wallowing in grief, refuses to leave her bedside, mutters how he was wrong that Pai was the reason for the tribe’s misfortune, asks for penance for destroying the true leader of his people (receiving the whale tooth and watching Paikea has made him a true believer of her destiny as the leader of his people) and is overjoyed when she awakes.
5) What is the significance of the waka? Describe the waka scene that struck you most, and explain why.
The significance of the waka was that it was the tradition in which the tribe welcomed a new leader. The aspect of the waka scene that struck me the most was that Koro has his arm around Pai, his granddaughter and successor as he leads the men far from the shore by chanting the ritual songs because this moment symbolized Koro’s full acceptance of Paikea and by showing the old man and female child side by side, symbolized the relation of the old traditions and the changing, new future.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Gleaners and I Questions
Shannon Ryan
March 3, 2009
New Millennium Studies
Blog 8: Gleaners And I response
1. I think what surprised me most about the film is that the practice of gleaning has an extensive history for various purposes (to create win, pick corn, potatoes, collect seafood on beaches, clean up trash etc.). I was amused by the film’s detail of what happens afterwards to the gleaned products such as the thrown out dolls becoming a work of art, or the potatoes and grapes becoming edible food and wine. However, what I think surprised me most about the film was that gleaning is not encouraged or legalized in a lot of professions and areas of the world.
2. Varda compares this film to gleaning by pointing out that like the gleaners who spend hours in the fields, oceans and trash dumps searching for food and items that are edible, and usable to cook or create art with, she is gathering information and footage to sort out the best shots and segments that will serve the key argument (that gleaning is a job has and will always be and essential to man’s art and diet) of her film.
3. The images of gleaning by Millet and Van Gogh differ from the video images that Varda presents in her film because Millet and Van Goh can only capture a moment of the gleaning because their medium is a still image. Thus, Millet and Van Gough’s image shows three sturdy women in the fields in what appears to be an earlier era, picking corn with all their might. Varda has a disadvantage in contrast to Van Gough and Millet, because unlike them who can use bright pastels to create better lighting, Varda has to make due with the natural lighting she has. However, she has an advantage over Millet and Van Gough through the lens of her camera versus their still frame, because she can capture the entire gleaning process and the gleaner’s response, zoom in and out on certain aspects of gleaning, mention as much history as she wants to about gleaning and conduct interviews to enlighten her audience with as much information as possible.
March 3, 2009
New Millennium Studies
Blog 8: Gleaners And I response
1. I think what surprised me most about the film is that the practice of gleaning has an extensive history for various purposes (to create win, pick corn, potatoes, collect seafood on beaches, clean up trash etc.). I was amused by the film’s detail of what happens afterwards to the gleaned products such as the thrown out dolls becoming a work of art, or the potatoes and grapes becoming edible food and wine. However, what I think surprised me most about the film was that gleaning is not encouraged or legalized in a lot of professions and areas of the world.
2. Varda compares this film to gleaning by pointing out that like the gleaners who spend hours in the fields, oceans and trash dumps searching for food and items that are edible, and usable to cook or create art with, she is gathering information and footage to sort out the best shots and segments that will serve the key argument (that gleaning is a job has and will always be and essential to man’s art and diet) of her film.
3. The images of gleaning by Millet and Van Gogh differ from the video images that Varda presents in her film because Millet and Van Goh can only capture a moment of the gleaning because their medium is a still image. Thus, Millet and Van Gough’s image shows three sturdy women in the fields in what appears to be an earlier era, picking corn with all their might. Varda has a disadvantage in contrast to Van Gough and Millet, because unlike them who can use bright pastels to create better lighting, Varda has to make due with the natural lighting she has. However, she has an advantage over Millet and Van Gough through the lens of her camera versus their still frame, because she can capture the entire gleaning process and the gleaner’s response, zoom in and out on certain aspects of gleaning, mention as much history as she wants to about gleaning and conduct interviews to enlighten her audience with as much information as possible.
Artist Statement 2
For my second New Millennium Studies project, my group decided to create a flag and a film. We decided to make a flag because we figured that it would answer the guiding question of how Chinatown is perceived (in other words, the imagined fantasy) versus the reality of life in Chinatown. We chose to make a film to expand on this theme as well.
The trouble is that once we visited Chinatown, we realized that our objective would not be possible because all though life in Chinatown and some of the architecture (as you entered the residential parts) was no different then ours, most of the products that the stores sold primarily Chinese products. This presented a problem for our group, as it meant that we would’t be able to collect enough items for the reality side of our flag. Aidan, Claire and I debated this issue until we agreed to modify our thesis from reality vs. fantasy to a portrait of what Chinatown is.
For our found object, we cut out experts of a newspaper we found in Chinatown and taped it amongst our photos and some of the products (a dragon’s head, a lantern and a Hello Kitty key chain for an instance) that we purchased (although we knew it was not required for the assignment) to make the project look authentic.
Our project answers our guiding question of what Chinatown is by presenting products and pictures that relate to the culture of Chinatown. In some ways, we did achieve our original objective because our flag included several Americanized things found in Chinatown including the architecture of homes and the firehouse, a Burberry headband, a ring pop, the photo of the bank, and an I Love You, Man poster. While the Chinese culture is depicted through the photo of the archway, store windows, the newspaper cutouts, the lantern, the dragon’s head, the Hello Kitty key chain, the umbrellas and the shirt we included on it. The video meets the objective of our guiding question to a higher degree by showing life in Chinatown through the lens of a film camera.
In this piece, we were trying to show that an enclave like Chinatown is not so enclosed to the life of the majority’s ethnicity, and how the way of life is not so different from our own. Judging from the photos and objects we included in the flag and the moving shots that we placed in our video, I think we achieved this objective perfectly.
We want our audience to understand that this message, that an enclave like Chinatown can have aspects that are both American and of the culture of the primary ethnicity. We would hope that our audience would walk away with an understanding of why one should not stereotype the culture of a residential area or the people.
I think the strength of our project is that it presents a portrait of life in Chinatown by presenting both the American and Chinese aspects of the enclave. However, I think the weakness of our project is that we failed to address Chinatown’s extensive history or include people from the area in our project through interviews or photos because we felt awkward asking during the creation of our project.
Working with Claire and Aidan was a wonderful experience for me that I wouldn’t hesitate to repeat again. Although we were unable to visit the neighborhood together, we worked well together when we were working on the flag/video together. All there of us were open minded to each other’s ideas, which helped make the project’s progress flow more quickly. In addition, all three of us made an important contribution to the project. Aidan made the video, Claire stitched together our flag design, while I took photos, collected items and lead our correspondence and direction in and out of the classroom. In this way, no group member did less then the other.
This project relates to past projects I have completed because the art and foundation of the project was a collaborative group effort (much like the projects I once created in high school) and illustrated our main idea. However, our project differed from many projects I have done in the past because my group members and performed equal work and were cooperative of each other’s ideas.
I think our flag bares resemblance to those banners that are used in Chinese New Year parades because the sheet we used as our base has a similar shape the base of those banners. I also think that the design of our flag (pictures, the lantern, dragon etc.) is reminiscent of the extravagant Chinese wording and loose thread used on those banners.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Creative Group Brief
New Millennium Studies: Group Brief
1. What is your group’s medium for the community project?
We are going to make a flag and documentary film (about the progress of the project) on the neighborhood of Chinatown
2. What process will you undergo to make it?
The process we will undergo to create our group project include visiting the residential neighborhood of Chinatown to collect materials to build the flag, and to photograph/ film footage for the video. After this step is completed, we will then proceed to create the flag and edit the video into a final documentary.
3. What guiding questions will you answer and how will you answer them?
The guiding question that our flag and video will answer is to present comparison of the standard perception of life in Chinatown, and the reality of what Chinatown actually is.
We will answer this guiding question through the footage in the film, and by creating two sides for the flag (one to present the perception of Chinatown, and the other side of the flag to present the reality of what Chinatown actually is).
4. What is the message that you want to get across to your audience?
The message we want our audience to recognize in our project is that the standard perception we have of certain neighborhoods (especially exotic and eclectic ones like Chinatown) is not always accurate.
5. What artists and works of art have inspired the design of your project?
A strong assertion of popular Chinese artwork has inspired the
design of our flag and will be prominently depicted in the documentary.
6. What are the skills and beneficial contributions of your individual group members that benefit the project?
Alden contributes his creativity and skills as a film maker to the
group, which benefits the making of the documentary. Claire’s artistic skills benefit the making of the flag. Finally, Shannon contributes skills that benefit both the film and the flag and uses her organizational skills to help the group stay afloat with impending deadlines.
1. What is your group’s medium for the community project?
We are going to make a flag and documentary film (about the progress of the project) on the neighborhood of Chinatown
2. What process will you undergo to make it?
The process we will undergo to create our group project include visiting the residential neighborhood of Chinatown to collect materials to build the flag, and to photograph/ film footage for the video. After this step is completed, we will then proceed to create the flag and edit the video into a final documentary.
3. What guiding questions will you answer and how will you answer them?
The guiding question that our flag and video will answer is to present comparison of the standard perception of life in Chinatown, and the reality of what Chinatown actually is.
We will answer this guiding question through the footage in the film, and by creating two sides for the flag (one to present the perception of Chinatown, and the other side of the flag to present the reality of what Chinatown actually is).
4. What is the message that you want to get across to your audience?
The message we want our audience to recognize in our project is that the standard perception we have of certain neighborhoods (especially exotic and eclectic ones like Chinatown) is not always accurate.
5. What artists and works of art have inspired the design of your project?
A strong assertion of popular Chinese artwork has inspired the
design of our flag and will be prominently depicted in the documentary.
6. What are the skills and beneficial contributions of your individual group members that benefit the project?
Alden contributes his creativity and skills as a film maker to the
group, which benefits the making of the documentary. Claire’s artistic skills benefit the making of the flag. Finally, Shannon contributes skills that benefit both the film and the flag and uses her organizational skills to help the group stay afloat with impending deadlines.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Project 2, Individual Brief
For my group’s community project, we are going to make a flag and a documentary on the making of the flag, and about life in Chinatown.
The guiding questions for Unit 2 that I would like my group’s project to focus on are: what are the obligations of individuals to a collective, and other individuals within the groups? What are the obligations of a group to its members, and how do we find and maintain balance between our private selves?
Our solution to involve people from Chinatown into our project is by featuring and interviewing a few residents and workers in the documentary, or at least interviewing a few residents about the history and life of the neighborhood.
I think the skills I bring to our group are organization, creativity and a laid back, agreeable nature. I think my agreeable nature is beneficial to the group, because it allows decisions to be made easier. My skills as an organizer, allow me to take charge as a leader and make sure that our work is completed at a decent time prior to the due date, and allows our group to make and keep any meetings to work on the assignment outside of class. Finally, my creativity is beneficial to the group’s progress because I can help with coming up with the vision, and create the final project. Like Aidan, I am a film major, so I can help gather footage for the video through my own film camera when we visit the neighborhood. While I am not physically artistic like Claire is, I can cut, tape and glue objects together well to help create the flag. Thus, I think my creative skills will benefit the group’s progress by being a happy medium between the flag and the video.
I would like the audience to receive a better understanding of the culture and history of Chicago’s Chinatown. I would also like my group’s project to trigger the audience’s reflections on their identity and purpose in their society as well.
As for my goals and objectives, I would like to create a well-structured and visually appeasing project that answers the guiding questions of what are the obligations of individuals to a collective, and other individuals within the groups? What are the obligations of a group to its members, how do we find and maintain balance between our private selves, or to answer the guiding questions that my group will eventually select. I would also hope that my project triggers thoughts about identity and community for me and for my audience. Finally, I hope that by creating this project I will have an enjoyable experience with my fellow group members, and get a better understanding of what a community is, as well as what it means to play a role in my community.
I look forward to creating and presenting this project.
The guiding questions for Unit 2 that I would like my group’s project to focus on are: what are the obligations of individuals to a collective, and other individuals within the groups? What are the obligations of a group to its members, and how do we find and maintain balance between our private selves?
Our solution to involve people from Chinatown into our project is by featuring and interviewing a few residents and workers in the documentary, or at least interviewing a few residents about the history and life of the neighborhood.
I think the skills I bring to our group are organization, creativity and a laid back, agreeable nature. I think my agreeable nature is beneficial to the group, because it allows decisions to be made easier. My skills as an organizer, allow me to take charge as a leader and make sure that our work is completed at a decent time prior to the due date, and allows our group to make and keep any meetings to work on the assignment outside of class. Finally, my creativity is beneficial to the group’s progress because I can help with coming up with the vision, and create the final project. Like Aidan, I am a film major, so I can help gather footage for the video through my own film camera when we visit the neighborhood. While I am not physically artistic like Claire is, I can cut, tape and glue objects together well to help create the flag. Thus, I think my creative skills will benefit the group’s progress by being a happy medium between the flag and the video.
I would like the audience to receive a better understanding of the culture and history of Chicago’s Chinatown. I would also like my group’s project to trigger the audience’s reflections on their identity and purpose in their society as well.
As for my goals and objectives, I would like to create a well-structured and visually appeasing project that answers the guiding questions of what are the obligations of individuals to a collective, and other individuals within the groups? What are the obligations of a group to its members, how do we find and maintain balance between our private selves, or to answer the guiding questions that my group will eventually select. I would also hope that my project triggers thoughts about identity and community for me and for my audience. Finally, I hope that by creating this project I will have an enjoyable experience with my fellow group members, and get a better understanding of what a community is, as well as what it means to play a role in my community.
I look forward to creating and presenting this project.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Project 2 , Class Blog #7
I think the first thing I should say when I wrote this bog, I had emailed, but hadn’t received responses from my fellow group members yet. Therefore, I would like to point out that nothing written and explained below is defensive for my project. For sure, I will have the opportunity to converse with my group members and decide the definite medium and Chicago neighborhood by the next due date.
For my project I would like to use the Chicago Chinatown neighborhood for my project. My reasons for wanting to use this neighborhood for this project, is simple: Chinatowns were built as enclaves for the Chinese immigrants in Americans and tend to carry a certain spirit, products and style that you would not be able to find in other city neighborhoods. As a result, I think the Chinatown would be an ideal choice for this project.
Two things that I already know about the modern day Chinatown other then the neighborhood’s origins, is that it is a major tourist spot filled with authentic restaurants and stores that honor the culture’s heritage. Another thing that I already know about Chinatown is that its architecture is modeled after the one in China. I also know that the Chinese holidays (particularly Chinese New Year) are extravagant events.
I would like to learn more about the history the Chicago Chinatown. I would also like to learn more about the food and culture in this enclave. Finally, I would like to learn more about the celebration rituals of Chinese new year.
I would like to talk my group into talk my group into making a video, neighborhood visual recipe book for our project. I think there are a lot of things we can cover in Martha Stewart and the Cooking Chanel like segments about how to make a traditional Chinese dish, create origami, dress like a geisha amongst other things.
As I mentioned before, none of these ideas are definite. I look forward to conversing with my group and declaring our official project in the coming days.
For my project I would like to use the Chicago Chinatown neighborhood for my project. My reasons for wanting to use this neighborhood for this project, is simple: Chinatowns were built as enclaves for the Chinese immigrants in Americans and tend to carry a certain spirit, products and style that you would not be able to find in other city neighborhoods. As a result, I think the Chinatown would be an ideal choice for this project.
Two things that I already know about the modern day Chinatown other then the neighborhood’s origins, is that it is a major tourist spot filled with authentic restaurants and stores that honor the culture’s heritage. Another thing that I already know about Chinatown is that its architecture is modeled after the one in China. I also know that the Chinese holidays (particularly Chinese New Year) are extravagant events.
I would like to learn more about the history the Chicago Chinatown. I would also like to learn more about the food and culture in this enclave. Finally, I would like to learn more about the celebration rituals of Chinese new year.
I would like to talk my group into talk my group into making a video, neighborhood visual recipe book for our project. I think there are a lot of things we can cover in Martha Stewart and the Cooking Chanel like segments about how to make a traditional Chinese dish, create origami, dress like a geisha amongst other things.
As I mentioned before, none of these ideas are definite. I look forward to conversing with my group and declaring our official project in the coming days.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Strangers With A Camera Questions
Strangers With A Camera Questions
1. How did Hugh O'Connor's daughter find peace with her father's death? Would you have felt the same?
Hugh O’ Conner’s daughter was able to find peace with her father’s death by convincing herself that her father died for his art and message that poverty was a social issue that needed to be diminished.
I don’t think I would have felt the same if I was in her shoes. The reason why I don’t think I would be able to take her approach of accepting my father’s death, because I, unlike her do not forgive and forget too easily. I would have been consumed by anger directed at his murderers and at him for getting into a situation that lead to his death in the first place, rather then to find some, tragic beauty in the wake of his death.
2. Barret says that some filmmakers "wanted to show that contrast [between those who prospered from coal mining and those who didn't]to bring about social change. Others mined the images the way the companies had mined the coal? What does that say about the power of the visual image? What (if any) responsibility do filmmakers have toward their subjects?
Barret’s statement that “some filmmakers wanted to show that contrast, while others mined the images the way the companies had mined the coal," says that visual image can have a bias stance on the video or photography image to support the artist’s own personal argument rather then present the issue being explored in the image, in a way that supports neither or both sides of the argument.
The responsibility that film makers have towards their subjects is to ask for the person’s permission and to capture them on film that supports the film maker’s intent (even if that intent is slander), but doesn’t portray the subject in a way that could victimize the subject through embarrassment or criticism by their friends and neighbors for being too far fetched.
3. Colin Low, director of the Canadian Film Board, said the camera is invasive, exploitive and like a gun because it's threatening (42:23). What does he mean by that statement?
What are some specific steps you can take as a photographer/filmmaker when photographing a sensitive subject or social issue to make the camera less exploitive and invasive?
When Colin Low says that “the camera is invasive, exploitive and like a gun because it's threatening,” he means that the film maker wields a certain power when he uses the camera through the way he shoots and presents his subjects. He or she, can shoot the subject with a neutral, and non threatening outlook to the topic theme, a positive or negative outlook that can offend the viewers, create backlash and victimize the subjects for their poor portrayal in the movie or image.
The specific steps a photographer and film make can take to protect his or her subjects is to have the principal models sign wagers to document their permission to adhere to the director or principal photographer’s needs. The director or principal photographer can also place the model in a position (like sitting, engaged in play etc.) that can depict the controversy that he or she is trying to depict, without making accusations (the unfamished children eating food barbarically that Hugh O’Conner photographed for example), that won’t cause a full uproar from the subject’s community, friends, and neighbors. I’m sure that documenting the subject’s permission to release the images, as well as shooting the model or actor in a position that depicts the controversy, but appears to be realistic and setting would eliminate the dangers and the public uproar that Hugh O’Conner and his crew were unfortunate to experience in that Coal Mining town.
1. How did Hugh O'Connor's daughter find peace with her father's death? Would you have felt the same?
Hugh O’ Conner’s daughter was able to find peace with her father’s death by convincing herself that her father died for his art and message that poverty was a social issue that needed to be diminished.
I don’t think I would have felt the same if I was in her shoes. The reason why I don’t think I would be able to take her approach of accepting my father’s death, because I, unlike her do not forgive and forget too easily. I would have been consumed by anger directed at his murderers and at him for getting into a situation that lead to his death in the first place, rather then to find some, tragic beauty in the wake of his death.
2. Barret says that some filmmakers "wanted to show that contrast [between those who prospered from coal mining and those who didn't]to bring about social change. Others mined the images the way the companies had mined the coal? What does that say about the power of the visual image? What (if any) responsibility do filmmakers have toward their subjects?
Barret’s statement that “some filmmakers wanted to show that contrast, while others mined the images the way the companies had mined the coal," says that visual image can have a bias stance on the video or photography image to support the artist’s own personal argument rather then present the issue being explored in the image, in a way that supports neither or both sides of the argument.
The responsibility that film makers have towards their subjects is to ask for the person’s permission and to capture them on film that supports the film maker’s intent (even if that intent is slander), but doesn’t portray the subject in a way that could victimize the subject through embarrassment or criticism by their friends and neighbors for being too far fetched.
3. Colin Low, director of the Canadian Film Board, said the camera is invasive, exploitive and like a gun because it's threatening (42:23). What does he mean by that statement?
What are some specific steps you can take as a photographer/filmmaker when photographing a sensitive subject or social issue to make the camera less exploitive and invasive?
When Colin Low says that “the camera is invasive, exploitive and like a gun because it's threatening,” he means that the film maker wields a certain power when he uses the camera through the way he shoots and presents his subjects. He or she, can shoot the subject with a neutral, and non threatening outlook to the topic theme, a positive or negative outlook that can offend the viewers, create backlash and victimize the subjects for their poor portrayal in the movie or image.
The specific steps a photographer and film make can take to protect his or her subjects is to have the principal models sign wagers to document their permission to adhere to the director or principal photographer’s needs. The director or principal photographer can also place the model in a position (like sitting, engaged in play etc.) that can depict the controversy that he or she is trying to depict, without making accusations (the unfamished children eating food barbarically that Hugh O’Conner photographed for example), that won’t cause a full uproar from the subject’s community, friends, and neighbors. I’m sure that documenting the subject’s permission to release the images, as well as shooting the model or actor in a position that depicts the controversy, but appears to be realistic and setting would eliminate the dangers and the public uproar that Hugh O’Conner and his crew were unfortunate to experience in that Coal Mining town.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Project 1, Writer's Statement
Shannon Ryan'
February 21, 2009
New Millennium Studies, Section 10
Artist Statement
For my first New Millennium Studies Project, I decided to create a collage exploring the history of body piercing and the sociology of why people get piercing today.
I chose to make a poster board my artistic medium because I wanted to create a project that was thorough and to the point. In high school, many of my classmates used to design collages filled with cut out photos and textual quotes when they needed to present an extensive presentation that pieced together information that they did for a topic. Back then, I always thought that this approach was brilliant because depending on the student’s research or design, the project was very to the point because it highlighted all the important information. Thus, I decided that a collage was the best way to get my point across to my audience.
Another decision that I needed to consider was what to do for my topic. I knew that I wanted to focus my project around the second option, wearing your heart on your sleeve. I knew that I wanted to focus my topic around this concept because the idea that people show their emotions, feelings and opinions through the clothes and accessories they wear was an sociological concept I believed in my own understanding of human nature. However, I was unsure what I wanted my topic to be about. Should I make my subject about tattoos, piercings, the fascination with name brand stores or fashion trends in modern day society. Finally, I decided I wanted to focus my paper on the practice of body piercing and the reasons why people choose to get body piercings both today, and throughout history.
After choosing my topic, I set out to develop my topic and turned my attention to various websites and articles on the Internet in search of research. To be honest, I found myself slightly overwhelmed by the broad results of my research. After all there are at least a thousand psychological reasons why someone would decide to get a piercing in their ears, navel, above their eye lid, tongue and private parts. I considered my options and decided my topic would be best served by narrowing down the reasons in my topic. I chose to divide my project up between three historical reasons (a religious ritual, a status of wealth and in the days of piracy, pirates would get their ears pierced for work related purposes because they believed having their ears pierced would increase their eyesight). I also decided to choose four sociological reasons (to look tough, getting a piercing as a form of rebellion against authority particularly parent authority, to attract sexual appeal and peer pressures) to explain the popularity of this trend.
Furthermore, I decided to make the message of my piece that body piercing has never been done for the sake of “because I wanted one.” I decided to rely on my historical and sociological reasons to back up this point.
This meant, that I had to find photos that exemplified my reasoning. I began to check out all the various websites from Flicker to Yahoo, looking for images. Eventually, I convinced myself that the only way I could find images that suited my topic headings was to pretend that some of the female subjects did not have pierced ears. Thus, I found a picture of a father and daughter arguing to personify rebellion and a boy flirting with one girl and avoiding another on a couch to exemplify sexual appeal regardless of the subject’s pieced ears. To exemplify religion, I printed out photos of a religious symbol panorama, random tribunal ritual, a man wearing face paint and elaborate earrings. Around these images, I placed the photography evidence of the different kinds of piercings that supported each category further. I think that this success was solved, because of my final design of dividing up the photos and reasons into categories. I am very happy with the way this problem was solved.
Other effective things that I did in my project was placing textual content on the posterboard along with the images including my own reasons for getting my ears pierced, a cartoon spoof with two kids in a art museum commenting how Jesus is cool because the painting shows how he was pierced to the cross and several graphic images of piercings on a vagina and penis to get across to my audience how disgusting one can become when they take their freedom to pierce their body to far.
However, I think the my project’s most evident weakness was that in the end, the project appeared more like a informational poster board rather then a collage. This is because I eventually decided that I would rather that the final result was readable, rather then cover every space of white with an image the way a collage should be. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it is a weakness in a way because the final result wound up not being the project I set out to create.
If I had to choose an artist and an artwork that closely resembles my piece, I think that Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe pop art comes closest. The reason why I reference this piece as a inspiration for my project is because Andy Warhol divided Marlyn’s project by two different colors in each print. My project operates in a similar way, except that I have divided each image cluster of the collage up by argument.
I wanted my audience to feel disgusted and awkward by the graphic photos and to personally reflect on the dangers of this type of piercing can have on their body, and what motivation one could possible have to get trademark on a sensitive part of their body. Regarding the rest of the reasons and images that the collage depicted, I wanted my audience to reflect on the piercings they may have, and ponder if they made that choice because of the pressure of society, to increase their sexual appeal, as a form of rebellion, to look as if they can handle any obstacles that comes their way, for religious purposes, as a status of wealth or for work related purposes. I think that in the end, my project succeeded in stimulating these reflections in my audience.
The guiding questions from the unit that this project addresses how does body piercing stimulate or decrease our self perception. The answer, according to my project is that when we get a part of our body pierced, our self perception increases. The project shows this through the images of the people looking happy that they have a piercing on the poster board. How do another’s perceive another person because of body piercing? According to the images that I have placed around the board (particularly in the “because everyone else is doing it” category), they are culturally accepted or according to the “to look tough” category), they are respected because of their appearance. The poster board also addresses the guiding question of whether we are alienated or accepted by society through the reflections of the audience. In conclusion, depending on the individual if someone were to get a piercing in a visible location (such as their ears, eyebrow, navel, tongue and lip if the person is rock musician or part of a “Goth crowed”), the new addition that they have made to their
body is cool (the exception being a parent as seen in the rebellion argument). However, if one were to make an addition on a private area, they alienate themselves in intimate relationships because the health risks are dangerous and the look its self, is gross. Finally, the collage addresses that the type of labels that body piercing will generate are “cool,” “tough,” “hot,” “part of the crowed” and “beautiful” or “ugly, “disgusting” and “gross” depending on where the piercing is located.
Finally, I do not think that this project was more or less difficult in contrast to past poster boards that I have completed for various classes in the past. It was certainly easier in some ways then other collages I have created because the information was more accessible. It was more difficult on the other hand, because I found too much information and had to narrow down my arguments, not to mention the fact that finding photos online proved to be more difficult then it was in past history, science and other classes. In the end however, I think the quality of my worth ethnic on this project and past assignments in high school had the same result. It was a plausible result.
I enjoyed creating this project. I also, can not wait to create more artistic projects that echo society issues over the course of New Millennium Studies this semester.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Persepolis Response 2
During an interview with the United Press, Marjane Strapi said, “the only thing I hope, is that people will read my book and see that this abstract thing, this axis of evil is made up of individuals with hopes and lives.” In the interdiction of her book Persepolis, she writes that she wrote the graphic novel as a way to show that Iran is not the only country that has terrorism, fundamentalism, and fanaticism. In other words, she was aiming to challenge the modern perceptions that Iran is one of the most dangerous and morally corrupted countries in the Middle East.
I think Marjane Strapi challenges this myth beautifully in Persepolis. By establishing the story from her point of view, Marjane humanizes our superstitions about the people of Iran. The fact that she begins her story by showing Iran’s gradual change in lifestyle during the course of the new regime and spends a great deal of story time showing her nuclear family talking about and reacting in positive and negative ways to the changes and threat of war establishes a sense of humanity for these people. Also, her plot mechanism to show many of the characters openly disagreeing with the government and living in silence and fear with a sense of powerless to stop the nation’s violence after witnessing many people who they admire and love suffer for exercising the prohibited freedom of speech, reminds her worldwide audience that the physiology of the Iran people isn’t too different from their own. It winds up being a successful storytelling approach.
I think Persepolis confirms and dispels my opinions about Iran. It confirms my opinion that Iran is a warlike country with a religious influence. It confirms the legends that I have heard that the wars in the Middle East are fought against other countries and themselves for no other reason except that the government believes that it is the only method to satisfy squabbles. However, Marjane Strapi’s book also dispels many of my views about Iran as well by solely reminding me that not all people are in the Middle East are bad and even though I may not agree with many of the approaches in the Middle East, the people there also have a souls, families, jobs and everyday lives as well. Furthermore, Persepolis opened my eyes and allowed me to discover that many individuals in Iran don’t agree with their government either, but feel powerless and afraid to stop their government’s corruption.
Persepolis deepened my knowledge of Iran’s history. It also allowed me the opportunity to understand the psychology and sociology of the Iran society and why they would be submissive to such a controlling government (I now understand that it is because they are afraid). While the novel doesn’t do much to change my opinions of Iran’s government today, the book does allow me to sympathize for the people who unlike Marjane, are still living there today.
I think Marjane Strapi challenges this myth beautifully in Persepolis. By establishing the story from her point of view, Marjane humanizes our superstitions about the people of Iran. The fact that she begins her story by showing Iran’s gradual change in lifestyle during the course of the new regime and spends a great deal of story time showing her nuclear family talking about and reacting in positive and negative ways to the changes and threat of war establishes a sense of humanity for these people. Also, her plot mechanism to show many of the characters openly disagreeing with the government and living in silence and fear with a sense of powerless to stop the nation’s violence after witnessing many people who they admire and love suffer for exercising the prohibited freedom of speech, reminds her worldwide audience that the physiology of the Iran people isn’t too different from their own. It winds up being a successful storytelling approach.
I think Persepolis confirms and dispels my opinions about Iran. It confirms my opinion that Iran is a warlike country with a religious influence. It confirms the legends that I have heard that the wars in the Middle East are fought against other countries and themselves for no other reason except that the government believes that it is the only method to satisfy squabbles. However, Marjane Strapi’s book also dispels many of my views about Iran as well by solely reminding me that not all people are in the Middle East are bad and even though I may not agree with many of the approaches in the Middle East, the people there also have a souls, families, jobs and everyday lives as well. Furthermore, Persepolis opened my eyes and allowed me to discover that many individuals in Iran don’t agree with their government either, but feel powerless and afraid to stop their government’s corruption.
Persepolis deepened my knowledge of Iran’s history. It also allowed me the opportunity to understand the psychology and sociology of the Iran society and why they would be submissive to such a controlling government (I now understand that it is because they are afraid). While the novel doesn’t do much to change my opinions of Iran’s government today, the book does allow me to sympathize for the people who unlike Marjane, are still living there today.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Image to accompany project proposal
see the following site:
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/cartoon_satire/body_piercing.html
Project Proposal
For my first New Millennium Studies project, I plan to create a collogue of images that demonstrates how body piercing (ear, navel, tongue, nose etc.) depicts a person’s feelings and “heart on their sleeve.”
Through the pictures that I will present in my collogue, I will attempt to explore how the piercing trend was historically started to demonstrate wealth, beauty and power before younger generation began to use it as a way to rebel against feelings of oppression and authority. . I will further explain that although rebellion is the chief cause of piercing amongst the younger generation, many also decide to get a part of their body pierced to further their sex appeal to the opposite sex, because it makes them appear more “tough” or because of the pressure that everyone else is doing it.
The guiding questions about identity that my topic are how does body piercing stimulate or decrease our self perception? How do others view one because of body piercing? What assumptions does one make about another person because of body piercing and what labels does body piercing generate? The final question I will attempt to answer is how does piercing alienate or connect us to society.
The intention of my project in regards to my audience is to allow them to reflect on their own opinions of why so many members of society get body piercings, and what they think it adds to a person’s self image. I hope to accomplish this without infuriating the members of my audience who already have piercings.
Through the pictures that I will present in my collogue, I will attempt to explore how the piercing trend was historically started to demonstrate wealth, beauty and power before younger generation began to use it as a way to rebel against feelings of oppression and authority. . I will further explain that although rebellion is the chief cause of piercing amongst the younger generation, many also decide to get a part of their body pierced to further their sex appeal to the opposite sex, because it makes them appear more “tough” or because of the pressure that everyone else is doing it.
The guiding questions about identity that my topic are how does body piercing stimulate or decrease our self perception? How do others view one because of body piercing? What assumptions does one make about another person because of body piercing and what labels does body piercing generate? The final question I will attempt to answer is how does piercing alienate or connect us to society.
The intention of my project in regards to my audience is to allow them to reflect on their own opinions of why so many members of society get body piercings, and what they think it adds to a person’s self image. I hope to accomplish this without infuriating the members of my audience who already have piercings.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
3 Persepolis Questions
1. What is the religious symbolism of the veil and why did the new Iran government oppose so many products (example: tape cassettes, alcohol, perfume, sneakers, posters for example) and trends (allowing women's hair to show in the street,allowing the people to wear whatever clothes they wanted in the street, allowing men to shave their beards etc.) from Europe and West?
2. Why is it that Marjane's father discloses the truth about Mehri's social class to the neighbor
(also Mehri's boyfriend) and say that he was staying true to the Caste System,when for the majority of the book he appears to be for equal rights between the classes?
3. Why did the government bomb the home of the Baba-Leveys' just because their religion was Jewish?
Monday, February 2, 2009
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