Flow

On Feb 20th Lacy gave us a couple of quotes to read from the book Flow. It talked about exploring life on your own, finding a sense of achievement and enjoyment, for enjoyments sake and not to base it on others expectations or measures.

Trying to link this back into class, I feel like we were all born with this sense of thinking. The idea of adventure, of climbing the trees in the backyard or playing games like hide and seek. These ideals were then slowly and systematically replaced when we entered school. In search of results and empirical evidence, schools taught us how to think critically, to analyze, giving us information to critic rather then exploring it ourself.  We were given to tools to decipher the world around us but never the drive, the imagination or creativity. I mean when has school material genuinely been interesting?





Just  a little blurb fueled by Flow's quotes. What do you guys think?

Internationals

On Feb 11 Lacy gave us an excerpt that asked the question of whether or not foreign languages, languages outside of English should be allowed in an English class. Personally I don't believe they should. I agree that yes, having a view point that is unique and different can help stimulate creative writing, and that a different language may or can act as the tool to guide that unique view point, but English class is meant to teach English and the only way to get better is through practice. I whole heartedly believe that we should and need to study other cultures and exam other idea, beliefs and thoughts. That way we may be able to strengthen our own ideals, remain open to others and learn new things. Although when it comes to English, I prefer that we stay consistent and attempt to master one thing at a time.

What do you think?

Media, Music and Culture

So for the past week we've been talking about representation. The connection between media, schools, learning and language. Coming from a Filipino family, with both parents born in the Philippines, I was raised up listening to how different life in America is, and how blessed we are to live here.

So now i am shamelessly going to induce you guys to my favourite music group, Beast. They are a Korean group that does a variety of music, pop and hip-hop while mixed it in with stylized dancing. They among others of the K-pop genre, represent a broad and popular music movement in the Asian area. About two and a half minutes in you see some shots of a school, a medley of different colours and unique sets of clothes. K-pop has helped define and shape the culture within the youth and it can be seen and heavily represented in the videos and lyrics of the songs that they create.

So, although this is just kind of a little way for me to slip in my blurb and hopefully get you guys hooked onto K-pop music with me, it also shows how heavily and influential music and celebrities in general can have on our culture. Regardless if its in Asia, the Philippines or America. What kind of impact do you think our media has on us?


Another one of my favourites by Beast, a practice video.
 Shock - Beast

Belief v Doubt

We live in a world were we are inundated with new information each day. New advertisement, products, songs and labels. A never ending sea of facts, opinions and things in between. Peter Elbow asks us to shift our thinking and focus it onto a new type of game, the believing game.

The believing game is where we consciously make an effort to open our mind to thoughts that we would normally filter out Although I found what he said interesting I think the doubting game does have its place. We need those filters to run and make it through our everyday lives, to stay on track. Its what keeps us focused, instead of going through every thought and idea, we try to pick up only on things that are relevant and important. What are your thoughts on these two games?