So I recently completed Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut. At the time, I failed to realize that Timequake was one of the last books he completed. In the book, time repeats it self and all humans are forced to relive the last 10 years of their life. Though seemingly harmless, this caused worldwide confusion as the rerun ended. It focuses on Kurt Vonnegut's relationship with his fictitious alter-ego, Kilgore Trout. Trout releases several science fiction stories he writes to a security guard through a trashcan way- the-hell-and-gone up on West 155th Street in Manhattan. The end of the story is the death of Trout at Xanadu, as apposed to his several other deaths in Vonnegut's books.
This story is quite odd. It's full of little nuggets of humor, with a senseless story line. I think that Vonnegut's humor-science fiction-non fiction-fiction frankenstein's monster esk genre, keeps me intrigued. I would read a two page chapter about his family, and have to ask my self if that was actually his family, or just fiction of his writings. This made Wikipedia my source which ended up spoiling some excellent moments that were cooking for 60 pages. I am excited to begin reading Breakfast of Champions which is a earlier Vonnegut book, about Kilgore Trout. I will compare the two books in a blogpost later.
I do however have some questions about the book. If during the Timequake, people basically watched their lives, why didn't they remember when they last had control. Also, If the universe just decided to stop growing, why did it go back and start over for ten years and then continue growing again. Though it shouldn't matter because the storyline doesn't matter in anyway. It could be about a piece of toast named Kurt Vonnegut who is friends with the hermit Kilgore Trout. Story doesn't matter so what does? The real or fictitious side stories. They make it different from the other sci-fi type stories I've read.
This was a great comedic story, and I will understand more and more as I read the previous books.
Thanks For Reading
-
d
r
a
t
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Vern Is USELESS to the group
In the movie Stand By Me directed by Rob Reiner, A group of young boys go on an adventure to find the body of a dead kid their age. In the movie, though the characters are a group, the characters always divide themselves similarly.
So whenever something in the story causes the characters to split up or take watch, or even the way they act. The groups are always Gordie and Chris together and Teddy and Vern together. By the end of the movie, Teddy and Vern don't matter, the story becomes fixated on Gordie and Chris. Gordie has obvious family issues that Chris helps him feel better about. Chris has the entire town believing that he will become of nothing because of his father and family. Gordie tries to get Chris to feel better about himself, but is never as successful as Chris is to Gordie. Teddy doesn't really see his purpose in life and tries to kill himself in several parts of the movie. Teddy ends up in jail as an adult, and doesn't contribute much to the story. Vern is kind of dumb and does almost nothing important the entire movie. He does give the group the idea to find the body and tags with Teddy when the group splits.
The bullies in the movie add a sort of tension to the movie. The characters are scared of the bullies, the bullies also want the body and are going by car. Though the bullies have as much development as Vern, you can tell that if it wasn't for Eyeball, the rest of them probably would have jobs and not be terrorizing 12 year-olds. It is a little strange that this is the first encounter between the two gangs, because if Gordie has always been friends with them and the bullies live in town, you would think that they would've clashed before. I think this is because before Gordie's older brother could protect him or the group of bullies has recently formed. Either way the movie is excellent and has a wonderful storyline.
Thanks For Reading!
-drat
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Liar Lawrence
Book: Romeo and Juliet
Focus: Whom do you find to be the most interesting character in Romeo and Juliet?
I found the most interesting character to be Friar Lawrence. He can be argued to be the reason this play takes a dangerous turn. He marries Romeo and Juliet even though he doesn't think they will last as a couple. He does this only because he thinks it will bring the two families together even though it ends up causing the death of two young boys, the banishment of Romeo and the attempted marriage of Juliet and Paris. And this is only what we're up to.
Friar Lawrence beat-out Mercutio for most interesting character by a small amount. Though both of them are outside of the families and move the story along, Friar Lawrence lasts longer (literally) and effects the characters more. I also can talk about Friar Lawrence as we get deeper into the book.
As a Friar, you are a "man of god" and preach Catholicist teachings and live humbly. None of these give them the ability to perform social experiments that can have dangerous repercussions. (vocab word!) And yet Friar Lawrence does this, which makes him so interesting. His ethical code is so strange because it differs greatly from Juliet's jump into everything and Romeo's romantic look at everything. Friar Lawrence seeks to put the public first, even if that means yessing some kids to their eventual death.
Thanks For Reading!
-drat
Post Script:
What was your most interesting character?
Focus: Whom do you find to be the most interesting character in Romeo and Juliet?
I found the most interesting character to be Friar Lawrence. He can be argued to be the reason this play takes a dangerous turn. He marries Romeo and Juliet even though he doesn't think they will last as a couple. He does this only because he thinks it will bring the two families together even though it ends up causing the death of two young boys, the banishment of Romeo and the attempted marriage of Juliet and Paris. And this is only what we're up to.
Friar Lawrence beat-out Mercutio for most interesting character by a small amount. Though both of them are outside of the families and move the story along, Friar Lawrence lasts longer (literally) and effects the characters more. I also can talk about Friar Lawrence as we get deeper into the book.
As a Friar, you are a "man of god" and preach Catholicist teachings and live humbly. None of these give them the ability to perform social experiments that can have dangerous repercussions. (vocab word!) And yet Friar Lawrence does this, which makes him so interesting. His ethical code is so strange because it differs greatly from Juliet's jump into everything and Romeo's romantic look at everything. Friar Lawrence seeks to put the public first, even if that means yessing some kids to their eventual death.
Thanks For Reading!
-drat
Post Script:
What was your most interesting character?
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Non-Fic Blog Post #2 ( I believe )
NY Times Upfront: CYBERWAR, page 14. by Patrica Smith {--Link--}
This article was about how hacking and computer technology has been used as warfare. On August 15th, an Iranian computer virus destroyed 30,000 computers in Saudi Arabia. The computers belonged to one of the largest current oil companies. The virus, "erased 75 percent of the data on Aramco's corporate computers." But this isn't just a threat to Saudi Arabia, the Defense Secretary believes a "cyber pearl harbor" could be coming, and this time we want to be ready. Obama has increased work on computer attacks on Iranian nuclear factories. Simulations have been done, cyber attacks can and will be a threat to the US until we protect ourselves.
Patricia didn't really speak in a commanding tone. She listed off facts and comments about what is happening around the world, and used quotes accordingly. It ends with her leading the reader to believing that cyber war will not eventually beat out actual war and a quote. I think she wanted the readers to be a little on edge, but not to think that other countries are going to have entire cities in their hands. She definitely wanted to get across that this is a big issue, but she didn't plan to frighten readers. Another quote from the article: "You don't have to be sophisticated to do a lot of damage," was spoken by Richard Clark a former counter terrorism official, really means that with all of our technology, you don't have to do much to prove a point.
This text reminded me of a new video game being released called "Watch Dogs." In this game you control a character that lives in Chicago. Chicago is run by a computer system called CtOS. In the game you hack the CtOS to learn about your surroundings and control the city on demand. From changing traffic lights, to stopping trains, the entire city is under your control. It also includes the ability to hack bank accounts and steal info about people, just by looking at your cell phone. After reading this article I found this game come quite close to home. If cyber warfare can be a real problem in the future, why showcase something dangerous in an interactive way? It really does bug me. Its as bad as when they make movies where the world is ending. It seems a bit like pushing your luck.
Thanks For Reading!
-drat
Post Script:
Do you find this game off in any way? Write your thoughts.
This article was about how hacking and computer technology has been used as warfare. On August 15th, an Iranian computer virus destroyed 30,000 computers in Saudi Arabia. The computers belonged to one of the largest current oil companies. The virus, "erased 75 percent of the data on Aramco's corporate computers." But this isn't just a threat to Saudi Arabia, the Defense Secretary believes a "cyber pearl harbor" could be coming, and this time we want to be ready. Obama has increased work on computer attacks on Iranian nuclear factories. Simulations have been done, cyber attacks can and will be a threat to the US until we protect ourselves.
Patricia didn't really speak in a commanding tone. She listed off facts and comments about what is happening around the world, and used quotes accordingly. It ends with her leading the reader to believing that cyber war will not eventually beat out actual war and a quote. I think she wanted the readers to be a little on edge, but not to think that other countries are going to have entire cities in their hands. She definitely wanted to get across that this is a big issue, but she didn't plan to frighten readers. Another quote from the article: "You don't have to be sophisticated to do a lot of damage," was spoken by Richard Clark a former counter terrorism official, really means that with all of our technology, you don't have to do much to prove a point.
This text reminded me of a new video game being released called "Watch Dogs." In this game you control a character that lives in Chicago. Chicago is run by a computer system called CtOS. In the game you hack the CtOS to learn about your surroundings and control the city on demand. From changing traffic lights, to stopping trains, the entire city is under your control. It also includes the ability to hack bank accounts and steal info about people, just by looking at your cell phone. After reading this article I found this game come quite close to home. If cyber warfare can be a real problem in the future, why showcase something dangerous in an interactive way? It really does bug me. Its as bad as when they make movies where the world is ending. It seems a bit like pushing your luck.
Thanks For Reading!
-drat
Post Script:
Do you find this game off in any way? Write your thoughts.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Blog Post #?
Book: The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie by Alan Bradley
Wikilink <---
This book is about an eleven year-old chemist named Flavia de Luce, who discovers a dying man in her cucumber patch and a dead bird on her estate. The story takes place in England in the 1950s. Using wit and a high chemical knowledge she follows clues about her house to find the hotel room of the dead man. Flavia overhears a conversation between her war-vet dad and a suspicious man, that she assumes to be the dead man she found in her cucumber patch.
Flavia is a very interesting character. She takes on the entire world as an eleven-year-old girl. I can't tell if this unstoppable drive comes from her growing up very wealthy, or if it's just her personal character trait. Adults treat Flavia strangely. They sort of don't realize that she's serious and just play her. I specifically noticed this when she was talking to a police officer. He spoke to her semi-jokingly like she was an adult, but Flavia didn't realize that, which kind of added to her young ego. In all I don't think that the adults around her are helping and I believe that her ego will hurt her at some point throughout the book.
Thanks For Reading!
-drat
Wikilink <---
This book is about an eleven year-old chemist named Flavia de Luce, who discovers a dying man in her cucumber patch and a dead bird on her estate. The story takes place in England in the 1950s. Using wit and a high chemical knowledge she follows clues about her house to find the hotel room of the dead man. Flavia overhears a conversation between her war-vet dad and a suspicious man, that she assumes to be the dead man she found in her cucumber patch.
Flavia is a very interesting character. She takes on the entire world as an eleven-year-old girl. I can't tell if this unstoppable drive comes from her growing up very wealthy, or if it's just her personal character trait. Adults treat Flavia strangely. They sort of don't realize that she's serious and just play her. I specifically noticed this when she was talking to a police officer. He spoke to her semi-jokingly like she was an adult, but Flavia didn't realize that, which kind of added to her young ego. In all I don't think that the adults around her are helping and I believe that her ego will hurt her at some point throughout the book.
Thanks For Reading!
-drat
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Woo Music!
Song: The Part Where He Kills You, Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory <--- LINK
Alright, this was me going overkill (pun intended) and choosing a song with no lyrics. So anyway the first 40 seconds are just creepy ominous background sounds. You can hear three overlapping patterns, it kind of makes me think of water dripping in a cave. After the strange prelude it begins with the sounds of an alarm, rhythmically matched to an orchestra. It all sounds very electronic, and after about a minute in, we get this weird drum-like solo, and then the rhythm returns but faster. It makes me think of when a cartoon character is running away from some bad guy, and hides, only to see what it was running away from. If you don't understand here's a clip.
Then about a minute later at 2:14, there's this weird bump sound, that sort of sounds like someone jumping away from their pursuer link here. Then after 2:51, one of the coexisting patterns ends for a few seconds. By the end of the song it's just this flattened, muted version of the alarm we heard earlier. Sorry if this creeped you out, but I like this song because I have no idea what it's about, write what you think in the comments below.
Thanks for reading! (and hopefully listening)
-drat
Alright, this was me going overkill (pun intended) and choosing a song with no lyrics. So anyway the first 40 seconds are just creepy ominous background sounds. You can hear three overlapping patterns, it kind of makes me think of water dripping in a cave. After the strange prelude it begins with the sounds of an alarm, rhythmically matched to an orchestra. It all sounds very electronic, and after about a minute in, we get this weird drum-like solo, and then the rhythm returns but faster. It makes me think of when a cartoon character is running away from some bad guy, and hides, only to see what it was running away from. If you don't understand here's a clip.
Then about a minute later at 2:14, there's this weird bump sound, that sort of sounds like someone jumping away from their pursuer link here. Then after 2:51, one of the coexisting patterns ends for a few seconds. By the end of the song it's just this flattened, muted version of the alarm we heard earlier. Sorry if this creeped you out, but I like this song because I have no idea what it's about, write what you think in the comments below.
Thanks for reading! (and hopefully listening)
-drat
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Who Will Save You Now? Blogpost # I Don't Remember
Book: The World Made By Hand by: James Howard Kunstler (wiki) <---
The World Made By Hand, by James Howard Kunstler is a dystopian novel about the end of the world, and how it affects a small town. In Union Grove, NY, we take on the character of Robert Earle, a refugee of the end of the world. Most electricity is out, and all government has retired. Our story starts when he and his friend, Loren (the reverend of their church) stumble upon newcomers to their small suburban town. Brother Jobe (nils<) of The New Faith Church had just bought the old abandoned high school in their town, for his church to live and worship in. Only a few days later, a young boy is shot within Robert's vicinity. This raises up questions if their still is any laws, and if the shooter can be prosecuted. This also drives Brother Jobe to start introducing himself, and his church to the townspeople.
So far, this book has been startlingly realistic. Though power occasionally flicks on, their world is dark except for those with the power to build generators. Luckily, Union Grove stayed to together, which kept them alive. I really understand these people, (after reading enough of these books) they are stuck in a tough situation, and need to find a way out. The main character talks about people making drugs and alcohol as a "public service." That reminded me of the child soldier unit, in which the soldiers used drugs to leave the horrible place they were in. However, what really spooked me was how the general store owner acted when the boy was killed:
"-nothing I can do will bring this young man back to life. This will all come out in the wash, I promise you. ... I'm personally sorry this has happened, and I wish you luck in dealing with it."
This boy died, because a man shot his dog thinking it had rabies, and he yelled at the man. The shop owner thinks this will come out in the wash. I personally think that that is in humane. Why persecute a killer when normal life might serve him justice. This kind of think may be what comes out of catastrophic events, but it still should not be stood for.
Thanks For Reading! (it took me exactly 29:30 to write this)
-drat
Post Script: Do you believe what the shop keeper said was reasonable?
The World Made By Hand, by James Howard Kunstler is a dystopian novel about the end of the world, and how it affects a small town. In Union Grove, NY, we take on the character of Robert Earle, a refugee of the end of the world. Most electricity is out, and all government has retired. Our story starts when he and his friend, Loren (the reverend of their church) stumble upon newcomers to their small suburban town. Brother Jobe (nils<) of The New Faith Church had just bought the old abandoned high school in their town, for his church to live and worship in. Only a few days later, a young boy is shot within Robert's vicinity. This raises up questions if their still is any laws, and if the shooter can be prosecuted. This also drives Brother Jobe to start introducing himself, and his church to the townspeople.
So far, this book has been startlingly realistic. Though power occasionally flicks on, their world is dark except for those with the power to build generators. Luckily, Union Grove stayed to together, which kept them alive. I really understand these people, (after reading enough of these books) they are stuck in a tough situation, and need to find a way out. The main character talks about people making drugs and alcohol as a "public service." That reminded me of the child soldier unit, in which the soldiers used drugs to leave the horrible place they were in. However, what really spooked me was how the general store owner acted when the boy was killed:
"-nothing I can do will bring this young man back to life. This will all come out in the wash, I promise you. ... I'm personally sorry this has happened, and I wish you luck in dealing with it."
This boy died, because a man shot his dog thinking it had rabies, and he yelled at the man. The shop owner thinks this will come out in the wash. I personally think that that is in humane. Why persecute a killer when normal life might serve him justice. This kind of think may be what comes out of catastrophic events, but it still should not be stood for.
Thanks For Reading! (it took me exactly 29:30 to write this)
-drat
Post Script: Do you believe what the shop keeper said was reasonable?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Non Fic Post #1
Are You Being Tracked (upfront magazine, Sep 3rd 2012 link <--)
This Article was about how law enforcement uses Global Positioning Systems in cell phones to solve crimes. The question brought up in this article, is if using this information is an invasion of privacy, a "violation of fourth amendment rights." (paraphrase) Though "phone tracking is a valuable weapon in emergencies like child abductions and suicide calls," many people have sued police for using cellular information without a warrant or probable cause. Though many of those people have won their cases, the people really getting a pay day, are the phone companies.
The author wants you to think about everything you do with your own life, and how much of the time you have your cell phone. The author wants you to know that the police have automatic clearance to peek in at your life. The author wants you to feel a little worried, however safer, so if you're in a dangerous situation, cell phone technology could be your savior. Most importantly, the author wants you to know exactly how much information is out there, and he does that quite blankly, leaving you with how useful it is: "Without it, she never would have been found," said Lt. Heitkemper of Adam's County Sheriff's office in West Union, Ohio, while speaking about the attempted kidnapping of a girl, where GPS technology allowed the police to cutoff the vehicle of the kidnapper. He also tells you the other side, the fourth amendment disputes, who's profiting from it, letting you choose your own side.
It was quite relieving for me, and let me know that if my family or friends were missing, cell phone data could help us find them. It also gave me a better view of what had happens when every person has a tracking chip in their pocket, crimes get solved. It gave me more faith in modern society. I personally think its a good idea for everyone to be tracked and logged. However if this information isn't kept out of the wrong hands, cops may find themselves being tracked and cataloged by criminals. So I would be interested if this information is at high enough clearance, that anyone can't hack into it.
Thanks for reading! (sorry if this one was repetitive)
-drat
This Article was about how law enforcement uses Global Positioning Systems in cell phones to solve crimes. The question brought up in this article, is if using this information is an invasion of privacy, a "violation of fourth amendment rights." (paraphrase) Though "phone tracking is a valuable weapon in emergencies like child abductions and suicide calls," many people have sued police for using cellular information without a warrant or probable cause. Though many of those people have won their cases, the people really getting a pay day, are the phone companies.
The author wants you to think about everything you do with your own life, and how much of the time you have your cell phone. The author wants you to know that the police have automatic clearance to peek in at your life. The author wants you to feel a little worried, however safer, so if you're in a dangerous situation, cell phone technology could be your savior. Most importantly, the author wants you to know exactly how much information is out there, and he does that quite blankly, leaving you with how useful it is: "Without it, she never would have been found," said Lt. Heitkemper of Adam's County Sheriff's office in West Union, Ohio, while speaking about the attempted kidnapping of a girl, where GPS technology allowed the police to cutoff the vehicle of the kidnapper. He also tells you the other side, the fourth amendment disputes, who's profiting from it, letting you choose your own side.
It was quite relieving for me, and let me know that if my family or friends were missing, cell phone data could help us find them. It also gave me a better view of what had happens when every person has a tracking chip in their pocket, crimes get solved. It gave me more faith in modern society. I personally think its a good idea for everyone to be tracked and logged. However if this information isn't kept out of the wrong hands, cops may find themselves being tracked and cataloged by criminals. So I would be interested if this information is at high enough clearance, that anyone can't hack into it.
Thanks for reading! (sorry if this one was repetitive)
-drat
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)