When I read page 260, I couldn't believe what I was reading. I couldn't believe that Ishamael had died. It was very hard to believe that after everything he had taught his pupil. Specially, after everything I had learned. But, as I kept on reading, I found two passeges, one in page 262, and one in page 263:
"WITH MAN GONE, WILL THERE BE HOPE FOR GORRILLA?"-pg. 262
and
"WITH GORRILLA GONE, WILL THERE BE HOPE FOR MAN?"- pg. 263
These two passages got me thinking of everything I've learn while reading the book. At the begginning, I though that men controlled everything in the world. I used to think that without man, there will not be opportunity for any other creatures to survive. Just like it says in the first quote on page 262. As I kept reading the book, I realized that there are many things very important for survival that man don't know about. But, other animals do, for example Ishamel. He knew information that is vital for survival. So, the last quote tells that without animals, who know very important things that we don't know, we won't be able to live. In order for us humans to survive, and stop destroying the world, we need to learn from other creatures.
jueves, 28 de agosto de 2008
miércoles, 27 de agosto de 2008
Fragment Sentence Exercises
Exercise #1:
1. F (dependent clause)
2. F (dependent clause)
3. C
4. F (no main verb)
5. C
6. C
7. F (dependent clause)
8. F (dependent clause)
9. F (dependent clause)
10. C
11. F (dependent clause)
12. F (dependent clause)
13. C
14. C
15. F (dependent clause)
16. F (dependent clause)
Exercise #2:
1.(dependent clause)
How can a person find patriotism in a local night club? Well, it did not take me too long. About four weeks ago in a little night club in Louisville, Kentucky, a couple of my friends, Rick and Lon, the duo who were providing the entertainment that night for the club, started off with a very funny joke.
2. (no main verb)
For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their politicians and quasi-political trust and confidence in their political institutions and their leaders. "Political" meaning all levels of government, and "quasi-political," for example churches, labor unions, large professional/business associations, educational institutions, and the like. The result is that a very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.
3. (dependent clause)
For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for one's children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer Americans who feel they are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-opinion analysis group has found that large numbers of Americans, at some times and in some places, see themselves as lower on the ladder with worse living conditions and anticipation of further decline over the next five years.
4. (dependent clause)
Well, in looking at the picture at the left you see an old lady. She has a very funny look on her face, as if she's lonely and just wants to be left alone. She also looks as if she has seen a lot and experienced lots of things.
5. (no main verb & no subject)
A president is an appointed leader, someone who is a decision maker in the executive branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person the people elect is capable. Just hopefully assumes that his past record as a politician, over the years is buildup of experience and handling situations.
Exercise #3:
My brother was always my best friend when I was a child, especially as we two were almost alone in the world. We lived with our old grandmother in a little house, almost a shack, in the country. Whenever I think of him now, I see a solemn, responsible boy, a boy too old for his years, who looked out for me no matter what once there was a bully, John Anson, who looked enormous to me, though he was probably an average twelve-year-old. John had it in for me because he liked Littice Grant, who liked me. He decided to beat me up right before her eyes. I was lucky my brother came by. He didn't interfere any, he just stood there. Somehow, though, his presence gave me confidence I licked the stuffing out of John Anson. If my brother hadn't been there, I don't think I could have done it.
1. F (dependent clause)
2. F (dependent clause)
3. C
4. F (no main verb)
5. C
6. C
7. F (dependent clause)
8. F (dependent clause)
9. F (dependent clause)
10. C
11. F (dependent clause)
12. F (dependent clause)
13. C
14. C
15. F (dependent clause)
16. F (dependent clause)
Exercise #2:
1.(dependent clause)
How can a person find patriotism in a local night club? Well, it did not take me too long. About four weeks ago in a little night club in Louisville, Kentucky, a couple of my friends, Rick and Lon, the duo who were providing the entertainment that night for the club, started off with a very funny joke.
2. (no main verb)
For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their politicians and quasi-political trust and confidence in their political institutions and their leaders. "Political" meaning all levels of government, and "quasi-political," for example churches, labor unions, large professional/business associations, educational institutions, and the like. The result is that a very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.
3. (dependent clause)
For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for one's children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer Americans who feel they are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-opinion analysis group has found that large numbers of Americans, at some times and in some places, see themselves as lower on the ladder with worse living conditions and anticipation of further decline over the next five years.
4. (dependent clause)
Well, in looking at the picture at the left you see an old lady. She has a very funny look on her face, as if she's lonely and just wants to be left alone. She also looks as if she has seen a lot and experienced lots of things.
5. (no main verb & no subject)
A president is an appointed leader, someone who is a decision maker in the executive branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person the people elect is capable. Just hopefully assumes that his past record as a politician, over the years is buildup of experience and handling situations.
Exercise #3:
My brother was always my best friend when I was a child, especially as we two were almost alone in the world. We lived with our old grandmother in a little house, almost a shack, in the country. Whenever I think of him now, I see a solemn, responsible boy, a boy too old for his years, who looked out for me no matter what once there was a bully, John Anson, who looked enormous to me, though he was probably an average twelve-year-old. John had it in for me because he liked Littice Grant, who liked me. He decided to beat me up right before her eyes. I was lucky my brother came by. He didn't interfere any, he just stood there. Somehow, though, his presence gave me confidence I licked the stuffing out of John Anson. If my brother hadn't been there, I don't think I could have done it.
Evolution
When I read page 235, there was a question Ishamel asked Alan, which I thought was very interesting:
"I mean, what happens to people who live in the hands of the gods that does not happen to people who build their lives on the knowledge of good and evil?"-pg. 235
This question got me thinking, is there really something positive that happens to "Leavers" that doesn't happen to "Takers"? But, when I got to page 237, I read two passages which made me realize that there is something very important that only happens to "Leavers". Something I was not aware of.
"What happens to people-to creatures in generlal- who live in hands of the Gods?"-pg. 237
"Ah. Yes, I see. They evolve."-pg.237
I haven't realized that this was actually true. That the reason why man became man, was because they evolved. And this was only possible by men living as part of the world, not as the rulers of the world. We "Takers" are stopping evolution for every creature by controlling everyhting around us instead of allowing things to be natural, just how they are supposed to be. But, the "Leavers" believed that we belonged to the world, and this allowed us to continue evolving. In page 240, there is an interesting passage which made me think of what will happen if we humans, believe what "Leavers" believe.
"And what happens if you take the Leaver premise, that man belongs to the world?" pg.240
"Then creation goes on forever."-pg. 240
I began to think if it was actually possible for humans to live as the world didn't belong to them. If we could find a way to live as if we belonged to the world. As I kept on reading, I found that Alan said something very interesting:
"In other words, the world doesn't need to belong to man- but it does need man to belong to it."-pg. 243
By reading this, I undestood that we "Takers" believe that we need the world to bleong to us. But really, the world needs us to belong to it. We have caused lots of damage and devastation in the world, and if we don't fix this, we are going to cause the world to destroy with ourselves in it. In order to fix this, we need that every person in the world to understand this, and do something about it.
"I think that what you're groping for is that people need more than to be scolded, more than to be made to feel stupid and guilty. They need more than a vision of doom. They need a vision of the world and of themselves that inspires them."-pg. 244
"I mean, what happens to people who live in the hands of the gods that does not happen to people who build their lives on the knowledge of good and evil?"-pg. 235
This question got me thinking, is there really something positive that happens to "Leavers" that doesn't happen to "Takers"? But, when I got to page 237, I read two passages which made me realize that there is something very important that only happens to "Leavers". Something I was not aware of.
"What happens to people-to creatures in generlal- who live in hands of the Gods?"-pg. 237
"Ah. Yes, I see. They evolve."-pg.237
I haven't realized that this was actually true. That the reason why man became man, was because they evolved. And this was only possible by men living as part of the world, not as the rulers of the world. We "Takers" are stopping evolution for every creature by controlling everyhting around us instead of allowing things to be natural, just how they are supposed to be. But, the "Leavers" believed that we belonged to the world, and this allowed us to continue evolving. In page 240, there is an interesting passage which made me think of what will happen if we humans, believe what "Leavers" believe.
"And what happens if you take the Leaver premise, that man belongs to the world?" pg.240
"Then creation goes on forever."-pg. 240
I began to think if it was actually possible for humans to live as the world didn't belong to them. If we could find a way to live as if we belonged to the world. As I kept on reading, I found that Alan said something very interesting:
"In other words, the world doesn't need to belong to man- but it does need man to belong to it."-pg. 243
By reading this, I undestood that we "Takers" believe that we need the world to bleong to us. But really, the world needs us to belong to it. We have caused lots of damage and devastation in the world, and if we don't fix this, we are going to cause the world to destroy with ourselves in it. In order to fix this, we need that every person in the world to understand this, and do something about it.
"I think that what you're groping for is that people need more than to be scolded, more than to be made to feel stupid and guilty. They need more than a vision of doom. They need a vision of the world and of themselves that inspires them."-pg. 244
martes, 26 de agosto de 2008
"Leavers"
While I read chapter 11, I started to think about the way I've always thought about "Leavers". I thought of the way they lived and they way they think about life. For example in page 220, I read an interesting passage:
"Man was as well adapted to life on this planet as any other species, and the idea that he lived on the knife-edged of survival is simply biological nonsense."-pg. 220
I realized by reading this, that even though man didn't use to have control of the whole world, men still lived well and had everything he needed. But, there is another passage which made me realized why I used to think that the "Leavers" were primitive not intelligent people:
"Mother Culture teaches that, before the revolution, human life was devoid of meaning, was stupid, empty, and worthless."-pg. 216
This passage got me thinking about my knowledge, about the things I've learned in my life. And I realized that I've always learned that life before revolution, life when the "Leavers" used be the only humans, were times of chaos. This passage, applied to me, in the way I've been taught in my life. We "Takers" have been taught by "Mother Culture" that life before we ruled the world, was worthless, was chaotic, and a life not worth knowing about. Because we believe that a life in which we don't control everything in the world is a terrible life. In page 227, I found a passage which is very important to be aware of:
"If your lives are in your own hands, then it's entirely up to you whether you go on living or become extinct."-pg. 227
We "Takers" have to be aware that controlling everything in the world also has consequences. For example right now with Global Warming. Even though none of us wanted or expected this, now it is happening. We didn't think that controlling the whole Earth, was going to bring such consequences. We believed that controlling our own lives and other species lives was going to be good, but we didn't see this coming.
"Man was as well adapted to life on this planet as any other species, and the idea that he lived on the knife-edged of survival is simply biological nonsense."-pg. 220
I realized by reading this, that even though man didn't use to have control of the whole world, men still lived well and had everything he needed. But, there is another passage which made me realized why I used to think that the "Leavers" were primitive not intelligent people:
"Mother Culture teaches that, before the revolution, human life was devoid of meaning, was stupid, empty, and worthless."-pg. 216
This passage got me thinking about my knowledge, about the things I've learned in my life. And I realized that I've always learned that life before revolution, life when the "Leavers" used be the only humans, were times of chaos. This passage, applied to me, in the way I've been taught in my life. We "Takers" have been taught by "Mother Culture" that life before we ruled the world, was worthless, was chaotic, and a life not worth knowing about. Because we believe that a life in which we don't control everything in the world is a terrible life. In page 227, I found a passage which is very important to be aware of:
"If your lives are in your own hands, then it's entirely up to you whether you go on living or become extinct."-pg. 227
We "Takers" have to be aware that controlling everything in the world also has consequences. For example right now with Global Warming. Even though none of us wanted or expected this, now it is happening. We didn't think that controlling the whole Earth, was going to bring such consequences. We believed that controlling our own lives and other species lives was going to be good, but we didn't see this coming.
lunes, 25 de agosto de 2008
Creation of Culture
As I read page 200, there were various ideas going through my mind. I started to think about culture, the way it is passed from generation to generation, and the way each generation modifies that culture. But, the real idea going through my mind was that the heirs of this knowledge accumulation were the "Leavers," and not the "Takers." As I kept reading through the page, I found a very interesting passage:
"The leavers are still passing that accumulation along in whatever form it came to them. But we're not, because ten thousand years ago the founders of our culture said, 'This is all shit. This is not the way people should live,' and they got rid of it." -pg. 200
And as I kept reading, I found:
" Leaver peoples are always conscious of having a tradition that goes back to very ancient times. We have no such consciousness. For the most part, we're a very 'new' people. Every generation is somehow new, more thoroughly cut off from the past than the one that came before."- pg. 201
These two passages, got me thinking in the way we "Takers" live. We don't really care for the past, we just believe that our way of leaving is the right one always. We think everything has to be our way because if it is not, it is wrong.
"That is what we Takers want. That's what takers want. We don't want to know a way to live that works well. We want to know the one right way. " -pg. 204
"Takers" don't care if things work well for them, they only care if things work the right way according to them. They need a guide on how to live, they need someone to tell them the right way to live. While "Leavers" knew how to live, they didn't need anyone to tell them how to do anything.
"The leavers are still passing that accumulation along in whatever form it came to them. But we're not, because ten thousand years ago the founders of our culture said, 'This is all shit. This is not the way people should live,' and they got rid of it." -pg. 200
And as I kept reading, I found:
" Leaver peoples are always conscious of having a tradition that goes back to very ancient times. We have no such consciousness. For the most part, we're a very 'new' people. Every generation is somehow new, more thoroughly cut off from the past than the one that came before."- pg. 201
These two passages, got me thinking in the way we "Takers" live. We don't really care for the past, we just believe that our way of leaving is the right one always. We think everything has to be our way because if it is not, it is wrong.
"That is what we Takers want. That's what takers want. We don't want to know a way to live that works well. We want to know the one right way. " -pg. 204
"Takers" don't care if things work well for them, they only care if things work the right way according to them. They need a guide on how to live, they need someone to tell them the right way to live. While "Leavers" knew how to live, they didn't need anyone to tell them how to do anything.
sábado, 23 de agosto de 2008
Ishmael
I have never in my life read a book such as Ishmael. Ishmael is an extraordinary book which made me think of everything that is happening in the world. After reading Ishmael, I became a much more aware person, and I started to become more conscious on what is going on in the world. For example now everyday, in my house I try to save energy and recycle. But, even though I try this, I can see that many people still aren't aware of the fact that we humans are destroying the world with ourselves in it. As it said in the book, we humans didn't used to be this way, we used to belong to the world and not the other way around. We used to take care of our surroundings, not destroy them for our benefit. But unfortunately, things changed and we came to be this way.
As I read the book, there were some questions that pervaded my mind. How did we humans come to be this way? Why did we suddenly felt like the world belonged to us? Why do we have the desire to rule and control everything that surrounds us? I couldn't get over the fact that we have a huge ambition to destroy everything for our benefit, without caring that we are hurting animals and nature. And there is a question I have that unfortunately, right now I don't want to know the answer because I'm sure that I won't like it. Where are we going? Where are we taking the Earth and ourselves?
As I read the book, there were some questions that pervaded my mind. How did we humans come to be this way? Why did we suddenly felt like the world belonged to us? Why do we have the desire to rule and control everything that surrounds us? I couldn't get over the fact that we have a huge ambition to destroy everything for our benefit, without caring that we are hurting animals and nature. And there is a question I have that unfortunately, right now I don't want to know the answer because I'm sure that I won't like it. Where are we going? Where are we taking the Earth and ourselves?
jueves, 21 de agosto de 2008
Blog Questions
1. What is the difference between a blog and a book?
The difference between a blog and a book, is that even though their use is related, they both are used for different things. A book is used to read and to learn from it. After you read a book, you interpretate it. And then, after you have your own interpretation, you go to a blog and you give your opinion about it and discus it with other people. In the blog, you are able to give your opinions on various different topics.
2. How have blogs changes recently?
Blogs have changed in the past years due to that now, people have found more topics they will like to discus in blogs. Before, in the world there were only a few blogs, and a few topics to discus in the blogs, so not that many people went in them. But now, there are more topics to talk and give opinions about. And more people have joined and use them due to the diversity of topics there are in the blogs.
3. Why might you read a blog?
I might read a blog if there is a movie, a book, an activity, or an event that I will like to discus and/or give my opinion about. In blogs, you can see what other people think about topics you like, and allow people know what you think abou that. Another reason I might also read a blog is, if there is a topic I am interested in, or if I will like to learn people's opinion about.
4. Is there reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why? Why not?
I belief that there is no reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog. I think this because a blog's objective is to create a place in which people with a common interest can discus and talk about a topic. And, when you get in a blog, the objective is clear, because there is a space in which people can give their interpretations of a topic they want to talk about. Also, they are free to write what the belief.
5. If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?
If I kept my own blog, I will title it Fantastic Movies. This is because I love movies, and it will be place in which people could discus and give their opinions on movies they've seen.
The difference between a blog and a book, is that even though their use is related, they both are used for different things. A book is used to read and to learn from it. After you read a book, you interpretate it. And then, after you have your own interpretation, you go to a blog and you give your opinion about it and discus it with other people. In the blog, you are able to give your opinions on various different topics.
2. How have blogs changes recently?
Blogs have changed in the past years due to that now, people have found more topics they will like to discus in blogs. Before, in the world there were only a few blogs, and a few topics to discus in the blogs, so not that many people went in them. But now, there are more topics to talk and give opinions about. And more people have joined and use them due to the diversity of topics there are in the blogs.
3. Why might you read a blog?
I might read a blog if there is a movie, a book, an activity, or an event that I will like to discus and/or give my opinion about. In blogs, you can see what other people think about topics you like, and allow people know what you think abou that. Another reason I might also read a blog is, if there is a topic I am interested in, or if I will like to learn people's opinion about.
4. Is there reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why? Why not?
I belief that there is no reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog. I think this because a blog's objective is to create a place in which people with a common interest can discus and talk about a topic. And, when you get in a blog, the objective is clear, because there is a space in which people can give their interpretations of a topic they want to talk about. Also, they are free to write what the belief.
5. If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?
If I kept my own blog, I will title it Fantastic Movies. This is because I love movies, and it will be place in which people could discus and give their opinions on movies they've seen.
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