I guess I learned that taking crazy-looking animals - or any animals at all, for that matter - is not a good idea. Though I kinda figured this already.
I don't think I really learned much from this class that I didn't already know to begin with. Which I guess is good, if it means anything in regards to my wisdom (humble, am I right?). I liked looking at the project turn-ins, and I appreciated the discussion, but I didn't learn anything particularly profound from class this week, which I think is okay, seeing how not much happened this week compared to the others recently.
I guess what I took away was that - sometimes - life just isn't always profound. Nothing wrong with that, I suppose.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
What is Fear?
Fear is a thing of the mind. Fear my also be of the heart. Fear is a mental construction of some occurrence or symbol that has significance as a warning of some sort. At least, that's the basics of it, scientifically speaking. It's a complicated subject which I'm not fit to fully describe, but what it does to us is a little more graspable. It makes us quiver, makes us sweat. It makes us stand still and choke our own voices, or causes us to react violently, and loudly. Fear is always lurking, like a predator. Even in your sleep, it hunts. Are we ever safe?
Believe it or not, fear is actually a good thing. Though it preys on us, it never deals a killing blow. It keeps us on our toes, however, cautious, and hopefully, ready, for whatever dangers may truly exist from without. Fear exists, I believe, to keep all animals safe from their dangers. It is a warning, and without these essential warnings, we would have no reason to preserve ourselves and wouldn't be here today. But fear must be controlled. It does restrain us, but it limits us to what we are already familiar with, which culls personal advancement and advancement of the species. Fear and cowardice are two different things.
I have created two drawings using the purple crayon, and I will be presenting them is class this Monday. I will explain what I feel about these two questions in person on that day.
Adios.
Believe it or not, fear is actually a good thing. Though it preys on us, it never deals a killing blow. It keeps us on our toes, however, cautious, and hopefully, ready, for whatever dangers may truly exist from without. Fear exists, I believe, to keep all animals safe from their dangers. It is a warning, and without these essential warnings, we would have no reason to preserve ourselves and wouldn't be here today. But fear must be controlled. It does restrain us, but it limits us to what we are already familiar with, which culls personal advancement and advancement of the species. Fear and cowardice are two different things.
I have created two drawings using the purple crayon, and I will be presenting them is class this Monday. I will explain what I feel about these two questions in person on that day.
Adios.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Take Away 9
Watching Burning Man's version of Dr. Seuss' famous Oh, The Places You'll Go reminded me of how active I need to be in achieving my goals, even if my goals seem initially small.
I've been thinking about writing, sketching and inking a webcomic for a while now, and I just came up with a great idea for a story; I'm thinking it's about time I got off my ass and created this thing by now. It'll be a lot of work, but I won't get anything done if I don't try at all.
Maybe something will come from all of this.
I've been thinking about writing, sketching and inking a webcomic for a while now, and I just came up with a great idea for a story; I'm thinking it's about time I got off my ass and created this thing by now. It'll be a lot of work, but I won't get anything done if I don't try at all.
Maybe something will come from all of this.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Who am I? Why am I here?
Who am I?
An sketch artist with love for classic animation, drafting and storytelling techniques, who also has a passion for zoology and the other sciences, as well as a strong curiosity in religious folklore and mythology. Often when I have time I'll sit and read a textbook or a webpage regarding a certain topic, or I'll sit down and sketch concept art for stories that I'm currently constructing. I'm fiercely talkative about these subjects, and will speak with others about them for hours.
I have a strong personal affinity for children and older folks, never quite being in my element around strangers of my peer group. Perhaps it's because of my homeschooling and babysitting background, never having much experience with kids my age when I was younger. I'm frequently paranoid about people thinking of me in a negative or venomous manner (admittedly imagined slights), and most of those people are young adults.
I believe in altruism and good-will, but I also believe in following after your own goals, so long as you don't beat or rob somebody to further them.
Why am I here?
If I'm to ask myself why I'm at... IUPUI, I'd have to say "because I want a career in storytelling of some kind". Short and sweet, but perhaps the questions is of the more metaphysical kind.
I'm not at liberty to say why I'm on this planet at the time I arrived, and I honestly think (by my standards at least) that it's perhaps a little presumptuous to make a specific declaration. Unless you are a God-gifted prophet with a seer's gaze a mile-a-ways, I don't think anybody can say what purpose they have to exist.
The long-term plans of human-kind are known for going a little awry, but we make do with the hand we're dealt. Maybe I won't get quite the career I want. Maybe I could be drafted into the military, or maybe I could become a father in the near future. Maybe I could become involved in something very large, or very small. The point is, I don't know what will happen.
All I do is try my best to steer myself in a vague direction and hope for the best.
An sketch artist with love for classic animation, drafting and storytelling techniques, who also has a passion for zoology and the other sciences, as well as a strong curiosity in religious folklore and mythology. Often when I have time I'll sit and read a textbook or a webpage regarding a certain topic, or I'll sit down and sketch concept art for stories that I'm currently constructing. I'm fiercely talkative about these subjects, and will speak with others about them for hours.
I have a strong personal affinity for children and older folks, never quite being in my element around strangers of my peer group. Perhaps it's because of my homeschooling and babysitting background, never having much experience with kids my age when I was younger. I'm frequently paranoid about people thinking of me in a negative or venomous manner (admittedly imagined slights), and most of those people are young adults.
I believe in altruism and good-will, but I also believe in following after your own goals, so long as you don't beat or rob somebody to further them.
Why am I here?
If I'm to ask myself why I'm at... IUPUI, I'd have to say "because I want a career in storytelling of some kind". Short and sweet, but perhaps the questions is of the more metaphysical kind.
I'm not at liberty to say why I'm on this planet at the time I arrived, and I honestly think (by my standards at least) that it's perhaps a little presumptuous to make a specific declaration. Unless you are a God-gifted prophet with a seer's gaze a mile-a-ways, I don't think anybody can say what purpose they have to exist.
The long-term plans of human-kind are known for going a little awry, but we make do with the hand we're dealt. Maybe I won't get quite the career I want. Maybe I could be drafted into the military, or maybe I could become a father in the near future. Maybe I could become involved in something very large, or very small. The point is, I don't know what will happen.
All I do is try my best to steer myself in a vague direction and hope for the best.
Monday, March 10, 2014
CTA 8: Trash Land
Films like this are among those impactful pieces of artwork and media that constantly help me remember that America's luxuries are just that: a gift of fortune, not man's right. Some people have to eke out a living from the things that we throw away as useless. What does that say about more privileged people? The things I see my friends and family complain about at times makes me think of how spoiled many Americans are.
However, there's never a good reason to doubt your worth as a person based on your blessings. Were one of you or I to be born in the world of a much less fortunate individual - and vice versa - we would find a way to survive, and the other person would find a reason to be dissatisfied with his or her life in one way or another; that's how it is. Humans can find a way to survive should we need to, and we can also find a way to complain should we feel like it.
The important thing to remember is that, for those of us who are gifted with such a powerful opportunity to have this head-start in life as fortunate young people, we must be thankful for our auspicious upbringings and take advantage of the time we have to craft ourselves into who we want to be. Be sympathetic for those who don't have much, and stay away from over-indulgence for the sake of giving back to the community, if only a little bit.
Every man desires a life of opportunity. Your measure of worth is based upon what you do with yours.
However, there's never a good reason to doubt your worth as a person based on your blessings. Were one of you or I to be born in the world of a much less fortunate individual - and vice versa - we would find a way to survive, and the other person would find a reason to be dissatisfied with his or her life in one way or another; that's how it is. Humans can find a way to survive should we need to, and we can also find a way to complain should we feel like it.
The important thing to remember is that, for those of us who are gifted with such a powerful opportunity to have this head-start in life as fortunate young people, we must be thankful for our auspicious upbringings and take advantage of the time we have to craft ourselves into who we want to be. Be sympathetic for those who don't have much, and stay away from over-indulgence for the sake of giving back to the community, if only a little bit.
Every man desires a life of opportunity. Your measure of worth is based upon what you do with yours.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Against Ignorance and Aging
I was surprised how many people took interest in signing my altared box, along with the styles in which they included a piece of their character in their signature; even if some of the students didn't take the box seriously, I have a memento to look back on regarding the time I will have spent at Seeing Sideways. I also learned a lot of interesting things from the 71 year old inventor; I might have to do some research further into his history.
Monday, March 3, 2014
The Altar Book
How will you change this book?
I have drawn an illustration within my "book" that, admittedly, will make more sense when explained in class, but it stands for my hatred of ignorance, stupidity and blind... hatred. Especially on the internet, where such things are in abundance, which is why I have used an online game package to represent my resentment for the world of anonymous online hatred and idiocy.
How will this book change you?
It will hopefully allow me to take a look into the views of others regarding this peeve of mine. I won't come into class looking like a grump though; I do plan on being affable and the project is a positively-themed one. I'm not really sure how the book will change me, though. I guess I'll have to present it in class to fully find out.
The Book itself
This book is a symbol that represents my desire to attack hatred and stupidity regarding anonymous internet users, as explained above.
The box is a World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King box that has been cut open in the back. I have illustrated a picture of two swords striking down an evil sword (sounds strange, doesn't it?). I'll show and explain the project in class, but I currently cannot post an image to my blog, and I don't really want to post an image yet until the class takes the opportunity to write their names down in the book! Think of it as a declaration against the evils of blind internet hatred (and blind hatred in general, really) with the signatures of supporters coating the inside of the box. When I look back at my box, I'll see all these signatures and think of my classmates, intelligent and true (hopefully! :P )
The students are also not required to sign the box, of course.
I have drawn an illustration within my "book" that, admittedly, will make more sense when explained in class, but it stands for my hatred of ignorance, stupidity and blind... hatred. Especially on the internet, where such things are in abundance, which is why I have used an online game package to represent my resentment for the world of anonymous online hatred and idiocy.
How will this book change you?
It will hopefully allow me to take a look into the views of others regarding this peeve of mine. I won't come into class looking like a grump though; I do plan on being affable and the project is a positively-themed one. I'm not really sure how the book will change me, though. I guess I'll have to present it in class to fully find out.
The Book itself
This book is a symbol that represents my desire to attack hatred and stupidity regarding anonymous internet users, as explained above.
The box is a World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King box that has been cut open in the back. I have illustrated a picture of two swords striking down an evil sword (sounds strange, doesn't it?). I'll show and explain the project in class, but I currently cannot post an image to my blog, and I don't really want to post an image yet until the class takes the opportunity to write their names down in the book! Think of it as a declaration against the evils of blind internet hatred (and blind hatred in general, really) with the signatures of supporters coating the inside of the box. When I look back at my box, I'll see all these signatures and think of my classmates, intelligent and true (hopefully! :P )
The students are also not required to sign the box, of course.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
"Altared" Idea Browsing
How similar were other students' ideas to each other?
There were so many ideas in each blog that I didn't know how to comprehend them all, but on occasion I did see an idea mirror another.
How similar were other students' ideas to your own?
The (few) ideas that I posted in my blog didn't seem terribly unusual or unique compared to the other students, but I think everybody's lists stood out in their own ways. I must admit that some of them were quite thought provoking...
What stood out to you?
I don't feel comfortable directly referencing specific ideas, but one involving tape and public anxiety caught my attention. I thought it was a rather interesting entry, and I wish I'd thought of it, even if it wouldn't have worked for my book (my book isn't actually a book, so much as it is a package).
What is the purpose of looking at each others' posts?
It's good to look through the eyes of different minds for ideas; it gives you a glimpse into how some people might take the same project and go about it differently, even during the conceptual development stage. Unfortunately, my ideas only spanned about 15 lines, but I have my own way of going about things creatively, and I had a difficult time trying to come up with even the most trivial applications for my project. You might imagine my surprise when I see everybody else's fantastic ideas, ideas I would have never thought of on my own! I'm also curious if anybody found my ideas particularly interesting.
There were so many ideas in each blog that I didn't know how to comprehend them all, but on occasion I did see an idea mirror another.
How similar were other students' ideas to your own?
The (few) ideas that I posted in my blog didn't seem terribly unusual or unique compared to the other students, but I think everybody's lists stood out in their own ways. I must admit that some of them were quite thought provoking...
What stood out to you?
I don't feel comfortable directly referencing specific ideas, but one involving tape and public anxiety caught my attention. I thought it was a rather interesting entry, and I wish I'd thought of it, even if it wouldn't have worked for my book (my book isn't actually a book, so much as it is a package).
What is the purpose of looking at each others' posts?
It's good to look through the eyes of different minds for ideas; it gives you a glimpse into how some people might take the same project and go about it differently, even during the conceptual development stage. Unfortunately, my ideas only spanned about 15 lines, but I have my own way of going about things creatively, and I had a difficult time trying to come up with even the most trivial applications for my project. You might imagine my surprise when I see everybody else's fantastic ideas, ideas I would have never thought of on my own! I'm also curious if anybody found my ideas particularly interesting.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Transformation
What is your opinion of combining technology and the human body as she did in the video?
I think it's cool! In all honesty though, I don't believe that there's anything wrong or right about human augmentation to begin with. I think that human augmentation brings to mind some interesting opportunities, but technology is malleable and lacks connection to any moral standing; technology is neither inherently good or bad, rather the outcome of using technology is decided by the user's intentions. I believe technology can do just about anything given enough time and energy. I just question what the best course of action is.
What is your opinion of combining a media arts and science project with your own body?
I'd probably like to be a cyborg, but it depends on what about me changes. The good things about me should not be changed much, or should be changed for the better, and even flaws should be considered: does this flaw help make me who I am? Human beings are often defined by their flaws; it's what makes us the characters that we are.
Of course, things are subject to experimentation. If I was given the opportunity to change my sex, race, physical build, or become a robot for a week, I'd probably accept, since I've always been one to try new things. However, I can't say that I'd gleefully jump at the chance for a permanent change. I'm most comfortable with who I am currently, and I know how my current body acts; I'm familiar with it. My body is very much a personal part of who I am.
I think it's cool! In all honesty though, I don't believe that there's anything wrong or right about human augmentation to begin with. I think that human augmentation brings to mind some interesting opportunities, but technology is malleable and lacks connection to any moral standing; technology is neither inherently good or bad, rather the outcome of using technology is decided by the user's intentions. I believe technology can do just about anything given enough time and energy. I just question what the best course of action is.
What is your opinion of combining a media arts and science project with your own body?
I'd probably like to be a cyborg, but it depends on what about me changes. The good things about me should not be changed much, or should be changed for the better, and even flaws should be considered: does this flaw help make me who I am? Human beings are often defined by their flaws; it's what makes us the characters that we are.
Of course, things are subject to experimentation. If I was given the opportunity to change my sex, race, physical build, or become a robot for a week, I'd probably accept, since I've always been one to try new things. However, I can't say that I'd gleefully jump at the chance for a permanent change. I'm most comfortable with who I am currently, and I know how my current body acts; I'm familiar with it. My body is very much a personal part of who I am.
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