Category: uncategorized

Spreading Creativity

I think the idea of using other ideas and material to create different ones is an interesting topic. I see how to some people facing copy-write laws could really be held back from creating that next art piece or song, but if I were the original artist I would probably be upset if someone took my idea and made it better. That is why this subject is so controversial. I have made music using parts of other songs and I know that my song couldn’t contain more than 4 measures of content from another song. This was hard because I felt like it would have sounded cool to use more parts. I think the Ted Talks that addressed how the laws stopping these actions from happening was accurate when he said it was blocking creativity and advancements in our cultures. The essay we read in class had a sentence that stated, “the most valuable contribution to our economy comes from connectivity, not content (Lessig 89).” I see this happening in companies like apple where everything is connected and easy to work with. Although they are actually a rather simple and less content oriented company I think they see success through their efforts to support connectivity with all of their products.

Technology Is Growing

The thesis of Jone’s essay was directed towards the idea that new forms of art and technology are usually created with respect to older forms. An example of this idea from her text explained how, “the stone columns of ancient Egyptian architecture were based on earlier bound papyrus columns”(Jones 51). This example shows the influence and consistency that papyrus columns had on the columns of Egyptian architecture. I think another one of her views is that the ideas grow on one another an are not often random in the uprising of new technology.

 

One historical example  Jones provides as an illustration of her thesis is about the advancement in technology from two dimensional displays to three dimensional displays on a two dimensional surface. This three dimensional imagery was created from the combination of computer technician scientists extending computer limits, and artists that used computer graphic technology to make new 3D images. This was such an amazing advancement because, “the primary form of computer imagery in the early years was the two dimensional screen or plotter graphic” (Jones 54). 3D technology grew off of existing 2D technology and this just exemplifies Jones’ thesis about how new forms of art and technology grow off of the forms of old ones.

 

The mass global exception and technology advancement of  touch screen technology in today’s cell phones  is  based on the old form of button phone technology.Touch screen phones are such a big advancement because it went from touching stationary buttons to swiping across a virtual button. Touch screen phones and devices are extremely more interactive than older phones and are even becoming a necessity to be a part some social groups. For example, “Touchscreens are a must-have UX for any company’s stable of mobile products and has actually created a new style of enormously successful apps”(Sniderman). Phones like the iPhone are examples of how new touchscreen phone technologies grew from and then replaced older button based phone tech. Now with the widespread use of apps for business, school, and entertainment purposes our cultural need for touch screens phones is becoming increasingly prominent. I think that Jone’s would be very excited about the growth of this technological form, in fact she probably has an iPhone already.

 

Citation

Sniderman, Zachary. “Tech Advances That Are Transforming Digital Entertainment.” Mashable. N.p., Jan.-Feb. 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

Jones, B. J. (1990). Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins. LEONARDO: Digital Image – Digital Cinema Supplemental Issue, pp. 21-30.

 

Technology and Games

I think it is an interesting idea that video games and players have the potential to help solve worldly problems. It wasn’t Until I read the text and watched the Ted Talks video that I actually believed this was possible. My question is, what other ways can video gamers help the world out other than informing themselves about problems in the world? Beverly Jones’ Computer Graphics essay stated that “most video games clearly show their origin in military simulation.” This and institutions like the military is where I think video games have the most potential, and whether we can implement these ideas into the video games that everyone plays is another objective. I think another problem arises in  the ability of game designers to trust the gamers completing these tasks and making the games relevant and directly applicable to real life situations. None the less I think this is a great way to move something that millions of people are going to do anyway into a direction that is beneficial to them and other in the World.

My Spirituality In A Nutshell

How I define “spirituality”

After the lessons of this unit my definition and understanding of spirituality has changed a lot. I think I would define it as a deep understanding and mental connection with an idea, object , or occurrence. With these connections comes a belief in this idea or object that can be  mall or exasperatingly large. I think this belief in the idea or object is extremely important because it allows us to become vulnerable and further our “spiritual” connection without the distractions such as doubt, unwillingness, and reluctance. I think once a belief is established in one’s mind it is then the ability of a person to focus on an idea or object, and then allow that focus to be brought out to a greater context that is omniscient to one’s self. Whether this be through prayer, meditation, or other ways to feel a greater presence, this to me is the overall concept of spirituality. I think spirituality’s limit in someone occurs when one limits their willingness to be vulnerable and accepting to something greater than themselves.

 

Does spirituality differ from religion?

I think spirituality and religion are highly related and integrated but they are technically different concepts. In my opinion there can’t be religion without spirituality. This to me is like listening to music without sound.. The notes can be seen but they mean nothing if we cannot deeply connect with the song by listening to it. In religion there is usually an omniscient God that has an all knowing presence outside the reach of our earthly realm. This God teaches certain values and beliefs that the followers are supposed to embrace and portray. Without spirituality I think the goals of any religion can’t be reached. In my religion Christianity, going to church, talking about God, and listening to music is not at all the concept of the religion. Although these might be some typical actions of religious members, these are just basic activities that help to keep the spiritual connection with the religion on track and in focus. I believe the spiritual part of religions like mine occur when one can separate themselves from the present and connect with a God in a deep and action provoking way. This is commonly done through prayer, but I often find myself in this same presence when I take the time to gaze into the omniscient sky on a starry night.

 

How I define “Creativity”

I think creativity is something that is unique to the standards of the person who is being creative. Creativity to me is an action in which a person expands upon the already present beliefs and skills of themselves or others. People can express creativity through actions like playing music, making useful innovations, producing new artwork, or even doing simple behaviors in a different interesting way. I think the standards of someone’s personal creativity determines what they see as creative because creative actions are the results of personal ideas being expanded and improved. My definition of creativity however is when someone uses previous knowledge and in someway implements themselves into the creation of something new.

 

What is the source of “Creativity?”

I think that the source of creativity comes from the process of knowing, thinking, motivating and producing. I think all creative actions start with a source of knowledge that is to be expanded upon. Then comes the creative thinking of the individual to make something new. This thinking is related to how an individual approaches and implements style in the thought of solving a problem. I then think there needs to be a motivation for the action of creativity. I think this source of motivation is important in provoking one’s interest and skills. Then the last source of creativity comes from the personal skills and abilities that someone has in creating what they desire. If I had to give an overall source of creativity it would have to be, a motivation to make something better and different than the last.

Art and Spirituality

I noticed a theme between the text and the video liked for this class. Before ever reading about this subject I have had similar beliefs about art, but was never able to explain them to myself. I think it makes perfect sense that “there is a vast difference between looking and seeing-a difference which is fundamental to the artist’s experience”(Grey 72). this quote by Ernest Watson in Greys paper is a concept that brings about the ideas presented in the rest of the text. The fact that we have the ability to connect further with an object than just taking it for what it is excites me. This explains the creative process in which people create and analyze art in particular. grey discusses how the eye of flesh, reason, and mystic work together to fully know an art subject. These three eyes are said to  interpret the literal, symbolic, and transcendental realms of the art being discussed. the essay describes the steps that an artistic must take to create a meaningful peace of art. Beginning with a desired subject the artist then deeply looks at the subject and follows the next five steps to create the final piece. The steps are not always known by the artist or even fully used. Grey did mention one fact that is applicable to all artworks explaining that “an art object must be ‘grounded’ in some material form. The lowest ‘root’ chakra corresponds to one’s attachment in the material world”(97). This is interesting to me because I have seen some out of this world artwork, but knowing that the idea or concept is grounded to a earthly idea or subject is enlightening. This gives me a new understanding of spirituality and its direct relation with the creative and mental connections to works of art. In order to except this spiritual concept I first had  to acknowledge that everything has a spirit and has the potential to focused and created upon. I like these examples of how artists creatively make artwork like in the class video, and I think it is inspirational and applicable to many other aspects of life. Using these tools and knowing how to focus on something deeply i feel can be useful in areas as ridiculous as homework. The analogy in Grey’s essay of a group of ideas being a river and the way of focusing on one subject is to pick one and go away from the river is very helpful and easy to imagine the process of creating.

Grey, A. (2001). Art as Spiritual Practice. The Mission of Art (1st ed., pp. 205-233). Boston & London: Shambhala.

Why We Want To Be Scared

The article that I researched talked about the reasons that we as a society re-watch scary movies. The writer of Horror Movies: Why People Love Them, Leslie Fink went into detail about the top reasons we like to see these scary movies. She explains that the rush of adrenaline, the distraction from everyday activities, human instinct to follow social norms, and the ability to experience danger from a safe distance are the reasons we are so attracted to watching movies like paranormal activity and the Blair witch project. Fink goes on to describe how human’s sense of fear is far more developed than other animals. One example in humans is that, “Conversations between the brain’s primitive amygdala and the more recently acquired cortex allow humans to interpret an environmental event and respond with an emotion such as fear”(fink). This basically means that we don’t only use primitive habits to promote fear but rather we use a rather newly developed brain function that elicits fear from sources that have been recently exposed to individuals during their lifetime. fink also goes on to say that people who have a well developed imagination, also hold the ability to create fear by simply thinking about a frightening occurrence. Fink had a point that we are attracted to horror films because we are actually safe when confronted with scary monsters and creatures. In the class reading “Why Horror” by Carroll there is a passage that talks about how we feel safe from these monsters because we don’t have to think about ways to deal or escape them in reality. Carroll describes that we would become petrified in fear too paralyzed to even move if were actually face to face with scary movie characters. When we watch these scary movies, “the audience is only reacting to the thought that such and such an impure being might exist”(Carroll). A thought in respect to scariness is obviously much less distressful compared to real life  scenarios, which is why when we watch scary movies there is time to become fascinated with scary creatures from the lack of time we are really scared.

Fink, Leslie. “Horror Movies: Why People Love Them.” LiveScience.com. N.p., 9 Nov. 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://www.livescience.com/7949-horror-movies-people-love.html>.

In Stuart Fischoff’s article, Why Are Some People More Attracted to Scary Movies Than Others Are? He explains the trait differences between people that like scary movies and people that do not by grouping these traits into five categories. The section of the article entitled Lifestyle factors explains that people who have somewhat calm and uneventful lives are more likely to seek thrill by exposing themselves to horror movies because these movies take viewers out of their element and stimulate the nervous system in a unique way. “If we have a relatively calm, uneventful lifestyle, we seek out something that’s going to be exciting for us because our nervous system requires periodic revving, just like a good muscular engine” (Fischoff). This is saying that someone who gets external stimulation to the nervous system would not necessarily find scary movies as enticing because they might not need the revving that someone who is not as active. In the article, Why Horror? Author Noel Carroll describes this stimulation by stating, “the horror story is driven explicitly by curiosity. It engages its audience by being involved in processes of disclosure, discovery, proof, explanation, hypothesis, and confirmation”(Carroll, 279). This basically describes the plot as a revealing of a problem, the build up of suspense and then the resolution of the evil or bad guy being eliminated.  I think both authors are describing a stimulation of the nervous system that is unique to the genre of horror films. Other genres such as comedy, drama, action, and romance films may give viewers several elements of stimulation, but not nearly as much as horror films, notorious for their gut wrenching, heart beating, scream inducing capabilities.

Fischoff, Stuart. “Why Are Some People More Attracted To Scary Movies Than Others Are?” Science and Religion Today. N.p., 8 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://www.scienceandreligiontoday.com/2011/10/28/why-are-some-people-more-attracted-to-scary-movies-than-others-are/>.

Components of Movies Horror

Within this Buffy episode there were many different examples of horror film characteristics. I am going to give one example from the buffy episode of non-diagetic, diagetic and mise-en-scene film principles. One example of a non-diagetic sound in the episode was the eerie music that was quietly playing in the background of scenes. This music is non-diagetic because the sound is coming from a source that was outside of the films world or it was edited in. I chose this example because the music was especially prominent after the voices of the towns people were gone. Because of the prominent exposure to the music, this non-diagetic example did add to the horror effect of the film.

A simple diagetic example that I chose was the scream that came from Buffy near the end of the episode. this scream also added to the aesthetic  horror aspect of the episode because it was screamed after a prolonged time of low sound volume and even silence. This example is also diagetic because the the scream came from an actor in the film (Buffy) and was easily heard by other characters. I chose this because the scream stood out from the film and was an obvious example of diagetic sound.

An example of mise-en-scene in the episode was the lighting of the scenes in the movie. This example also enhance the aesthetic horror aspect of the film because of it’s eerie vibe it gives off. If this was filmed during the day the monsters floating around would not appear to be as creepy. The majority of the scenes in this episode were darkened which is why this example of lighting applies to mise-en-scene. I chose this example because it stood out throughout the episode, often when scenes were difficult to see.

 

Clothing v.s Beliefs

What I wear should reflect what I wear but it doesn’t completely. I tend to dress in a casual manner most of the time. If my clothing doesn’t match perfectly it wont effect how I feel in them whatsoever. I don’t wear much customization other than hats that I think actually express myself well. I like to wear funny flat billed hats. Not the ones that say dumb lines on them but just any old school hat I find at garage sales is usually what I wear. For the most part I like being original and don’t like to follow trends which is probably why I  find myself shopping at goodwill. I don’t want to make myself sound cheap but rather explain that I don’t find a need to buy expensive clothing. Whether its from a gasoline company or has a racing logo, I wear hats primarily for their colors to go with what I wear.  What is on the hats doesn’t at all reflect how I feel or what I support. I wear hats backwards and forwards mostly because I can. Since I have played sports and go to church I feel like hats are the only other clothing piece that is reasonable for me to wear. Throughout my life I have progressed from wearing nice and proper clothing, to more comfortable and suiting clothing to my lifestyle. For example I used to wear nice button up shirts with new jeans and clean shoes,  but now I tend to wear random T-shirts comfortable khaki jeans and boat shoes with a hat. Based on my outfit choices I think I am often confused as a frat guy when in reality I am not and my goal is to give off a fun, inviting, worry free vibe. Whether this is working or not I really don’t care to know because I will probably continue to dress the same until I feel the need to change. I also wear glasses which can be surprising to some that are used to seeing me in different hats. Although I don’t wear my  perscription glasses with hats because it looks odd, and I feel like I am wearing too much. Other than glasses, hats and regular clothing there is not really any other body adornments that signify my beliefs. I usually like to leave that up to my personality.

My family has grown up as Christians and this specific aspect has governed the way our family works. My parents have always been protective over the clothing I wear, meaning they would never support profanity, piercing, tattoos, or any un-modest clothing choices. My mother always tends to wear a necklace or bracelet that has to do with our religion in addition to bright and colorful outfits. Both of my parents dress nicely as if they are going to church at any moment. I feel the way my family dresses gives off core beliefs such as religion, organization, humor, expressiveness,  professionalism, and trust. I think all of these beliefs are shown in the jewelry, clothing and other attributes of dress. My parents outfits are organized and this clothing resembles the rest of their house and careers. My mom regularly wears exciting clothing that represents her belief to be expressive and unique, a belief that I think I gained from her. My dad dresses more professional and has instilled this motive of being professional into our family.

The peers around me have really motivated me to not dress as similar to my parents because of how influential they are. These peers I would consider to be my closest friends. They have always shown beliefs of originality, humor and style. I think that these aspects have caused my decisions of clothing to become less structured and more original and fun. My peers wear less sports team clothing, and more random stylish clothing that expresses beliefs of originality. A couple of my peers wear hats but I have mostly started this adornment to contribute to the belief of originality. My peers also are not afraid to wear wigs and funny shirts that say outlandish quotes. This aspect of humor has influenced me to wear some clothing that my parents might disagree with. there is nothing un-modest, but rather clothing that my parents would see as unnecessary. I think my peers and family equally influence myself in the clothing I wear. Overall  I would order  my motives for my clothing as expressive, humorous, modest, original, and fun. Although I value all of the beliefs and traits of my family and peers there will always be a goal for myself to be different in the way that I dress than both of these groups.