In the most recent (and should be noted as the first) Socratic Seminar, I was too focused in the conversation to write, or too distracted I should say. So instead I'll relay what I remember:
In the seminar we spoke about the justification of changing someones opinion, this got off track of the original work to an extent, but none the less it was a scholarly experience as the speaking body was split into a mutual agreement. We figured that under dire conditions it was expected, while if they were about to make a faux pas, it was recommended as to spare the receiving party from embarrassment.
Further topics were in interpreting the ease or even the possibility of changing ones opinion. As an opener a topic was thrown out it was suggested one cannot truly change their opinion, because even if it seems like they do, there is always a shadow of a doubt in regards to the new idea that keeps the old ideas alive. (what i like to think as "told you so" moments).
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Vocabulary #1
Adumbrate: Indicate, or outline faintly.
I had difficulty understanding his light adumbration.
Apotheosis: The glorification of a subject to a divine level. (think poisonwood)
His vigorous apotheosis on the greatest flavor of ice cream was quite unnecessary.
Ascetic: Practicing strict self denial as a measure of discipline.
Her ascetic tendency to refuse sweets was admirable considering her sweet tooth.
Bauble: A sort of trinket or material object of little emotional value (trifle).
Bits and baubles were used to beguile the belligerent boy into a calm demeanor.
Beguile: To deceive someone in an enchanting, or charming manner.
See the sentence above.
Burgeon: To grow or increase quickly (has a connotation to plants).
The eager little seedling kept a burgeoning pace of growth.
Complement: Something that agrees with something of like aspects.
That color really complements your eyes.
Contumacious: Stubbornly resilient to authority.
the rebels were contumacious in the face of the jury.
Curmudgeon: Bad tempered or agitated (that old curmudgeon).
The crotchety old curmudgeon yelled at the loud kids.
Didactic: Designed to relay information or to teach.
The didactic nature of books led them to be a primary tool for knowledge.
Disingenuous: Not serious. Sarcastic usually in the way of mocking ignorance. (like me)
The guide's disingenuous response to the foreigners questions contributed to the lack of a tip.
Exculpate: To declare someone of a fault or malicious error.
The attournies exculpation of the defendant shocked the jury into a favorable vote.
Faux Pas: Socially awkward, usually in a sense of customs being violated (ugly American).
The bikini clad woman didnt realize her faux pas as she strolled the Arabic beaches.
Fulminate: Showing explosive protest or response. (the act of symptoms showing up suddenly)
The man walked into the feminist meeting brandishing a sexist comment and hoping for afulminative responce
Fustian: High flown or broad type of speech-writing. (gibberish)
The politicians fustian speech was a red herring to the fact of his own ignorance.
Hauteur: Supreme arrogance or pretentiousness. (pride and prejudice)
Joining a conversation with burning hauteur will not win you any friends.
Inhibit: To stop or slow progress. (inhibition of creativity)
The denaturing of the nerve endings inhibetid the biomechanical relay time.
Jeremiad: A story or novel pertaining to the downfall of societal standards.
One could say 1984 was a glum jeremiad with a dash of George Orwell.
Opportunist: A being who who springs at chances as they occur.
Opportunistic animals have the tendancy to eat what they can when they can.
Unconscionable: Not just or reasonable. Excessive in lawman terms.
The act of replacing the water with vinnegar wa unconsionaable and cruel to the young lady.
I had difficulty understanding his light adumbration.
Apotheosis: The glorification of a subject to a divine level. (think poisonwood)
His vigorous apotheosis on the greatest flavor of ice cream was quite unnecessary.
Ascetic: Practicing strict self denial as a measure of discipline.
Her ascetic tendency to refuse sweets was admirable considering her sweet tooth.
Bauble: A sort of trinket or material object of little emotional value (trifle).
Bits and baubles were used to beguile the belligerent boy into a calm demeanor.
Beguile: To deceive someone in an enchanting, or charming manner.
See the sentence above.
Burgeon: To grow or increase quickly (has a connotation to plants).
The eager little seedling kept a burgeoning pace of growth.
Complement: Something that agrees with something of like aspects.
That color really complements your eyes.
Contumacious: Stubbornly resilient to authority.
the rebels were contumacious in the face of the jury.
Curmudgeon: Bad tempered or agitated (that old curmudgeon).
The crotchety old curmudgeon yelled at the loud kids.
Didactic: Designed to relay information or to teach.
The didactic nature of books led them to be a primary tool for knowledge.
Disingenuous: Not serious. Sarcastic usually in the way of mocking ignorance. (like me)
The guide's disingenuous response to the foreigners questions contributed to the lack of a tip.
Exculpate: To declare someone of a fault or malicious error.
The attournies exculpation of the defendant shocked the jury into a favorable vote.
Faux Pas: Socially awkward, usually in a sense of customs being violated (ugly American).
The bikini clad woman didnt realize her faux pas as she strolled the Arabic beaches.
Fulminate: Showing explosive protest or response. (the act of symptoms showing up suddenly)
The man walked into the feminist meeting brandishing a sexist comment and hoping for afulminative responce
Fustian: High flown or broad type of speech-writing. (gibberish)
The politicians fustian speech was a red herring to the fact of his own ignorance.
Hauteur: Supreme arrogance or pretentiousness. (pride and prejudice)
Joining a conversation with burning hauteur will not win you any friends.
Inhibit: To stop or slow progress. (inhibition of creativity)
The denaturing of the nerve endings inhibetid the biomechanical relay time.
Jeremiad: A story or novel pertaining to the downfall of societal standards.
One could say 1984 was a glum jeremiad with a dash of George Orwell.
Opportunist: A being who who springs at chances as they occur.
Opportunistic animals have the tendancy to eat what they can when they can.
Unconscionable: Not just or reasonable. Excessive in lawman terms.
The act of replacing the water with vinnegar wa unconsionaable and cruel to the young lady.
Reflections On Week One
1.) I think I will have trouble with my schedule, on weekends I am often out of town or away from internet access, however it wont affect my work pace as long as i can find some way of working on it. I am without a smart phone, which is a disadvantage, but I can cope. But other than that I think I am in the clear regarding time constraints.
2.) One of the funnest learning experiences I have had must have been the cheesy project Mr. Greeley had us do in the tenth grade. It was a wild mess, but I seemed to take away just as much information as in a classroom setting. I always knew what was going on, it seemed like the students had it under control, but it made me realize I wasn't cut for the boring lecture scene. I needed a more hands on experience.
3.) I am excited to finally figure out how to successfully print long documents. This and the overall cooperation in the class is what I'm looking forward too. When it comes to practicality, I wish to figure out how to better connect myself to others through media.
2.) One of the funnest learning experiences I have had must have been the cheesy project Mr. Greeley had us do in the tenth grade. It was a wild mess, but I seemed to take away just as much information as in a classroom setting. I always knew what was going on, it seemed like the students had it under control, but it made me realize I wasn't cut for the boring lecture scene. I needed a more hands on experience.
3.) I am excited to finally figure out how to successfully print long documents. This and the overall cooperation in the class is what I'm looking forward too. When it comes to practicality, I wish to figure out how to better connect myself to others through media.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
the odd combination
When connections are prominent, one can safely say Montaigne skirts the borders. Montaigne's works are loosely connected and more of a stream of individual thoughts than a well planned string of connected ideas. Unlike the Essays, Pride and Prejudice has the reasonable thought process we as people are not intimidated by. While Montaigne does paint a literal picture of what is going on in his head, it is hardly an organized set of events like the story told by Austen.
The Essays are a formidable read due to their volatile and unpredictable nature. While it does a good job in providing the views of Montaigne, it's unfortunate to say that's all it does. It seems that Montaigne is half way there in covering Mr. Wallace's quote; He has the large concept, and the small sketches, but what escapes his pieces, in my opinion, is the tie off. He goes about on his own happy thought pattern, but its just that; his thought pattern. To him it would connect but to others, it would be more difficult. This is the opposite in the case of Pride and Prejudice.
In Pride and Prejudice, the progression of ideas were more linked to a big picture. However it is needless to say there are less big ideas than there are in the Essays. Through the story we see Elizabeth's thought process advancing, while in the Essays Montaigne's attention can be described as... Deficit almost.
In truth, what these two stories have nothing in common except the fact that they're so different and were created in somewhat similar eras. One is a steam of consciousness set of works while the other focuses on individuals and can hardly be argued as existential. (you might have trouble stating Montaigne's work i as well, but it is more likely).
The Essays are a formidable read due to their volatile and unpredictable nature. While it does a good job in providing the views of Montaigne, it's unfortunate to say that's all it does. It seems that Montaigne is half way there in covering Mr. Wallace's quote; He has the large concept, and the small sketches, but what escapes his pieces, in my opinion, is the tie off. He goes about on his own happy thought pattern, but its just that; his thought pattern. To him it would connect but to others, it would be more difficult. This is the opposite in the case of Pride and Prejudice.
In Pride and Prejudice, the progression of ideas were more linked to a big picture. However it is needless to say there are less big ideas than there are in the Essays. Through the story we see Elizabeth's thought process advancing, while in the Essays Montaigne's attention can be described as... Deficit almost.
In truth, what these two stories have nothing in common except the fact that they're so different and were created in somewhat similar eras. One is a steam of consciousness set of works while the other focuses on individuals and can hardly be argued as existential. (you might have trouble stating Montaigne's work i as well, but it is more likely).
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Poetry #1
The Laughing Heart, a poem by Charles Bukowski, was used in the Levi's Commercial with a great aura of irony. As a commercial intended to influence your life it uses a poem that tries to persuade you against going in the mold or so to speak. As I read into Mr. Bukowski I found this broke his character mold quite dramatically through a stream of internet links which eventually led me to a Wikipedia article describing his brisk and rowdy (ish) nature.
Essay #1 (ish)
While the literal aspects of exile embraced in the plot of The Poisonwood Bible are most prominent in regards to potent, and enriching experiences, I find my mind wanders to the social exile faced by Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy was a man born in the upper hierarchy of the Victorian era, and as such was expected to stay away from all "lesser aspects" of society. So it stands to reason when Mr. Darcy found reasonable comfort and shelter among the lesser castes and their family (Elizabeth and company), only to be stripped of this companionship put him through a social exile of sorts, which I believe made him admire Elizabeth's character even more.
This social exile experienced by Darcy led to a greater sense of free thought and independence than if he was to stay under the umbrage of Caroline and her pretentious behavior. In this sense an act of social exile changed the mindset of a young adult more than the death of a child shocked a father. Which was pathetic. And partially why the Poisonwood Bible is garbage. Disregard the past two sentences.
This social exile experienced by Darcy led to a greater sense of free thought and independence than if he was to stay under the umbrage of Caroline and her pretentious behavior. In this sense an act of social exile changed the mindset of a young adult more than the death of a child shocked a father. Which was pathetic. And partially why the Poisonwood Bible is garbage. Disregard the past two sentences.
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