Fitzgerald's elusive, hopeless view of society and mankind reveals the struggles that the world undergoes to move forward and provide changes to the world, but also the inability to remain enthralled with unspoiled world around them, often ending in a worse situation in which they began.
In Fitzgerald's view of the shore, he notes the "inessential houses," and watches the "shadowy, moving glow" of the ferries on the river, all the while contemplating the "vast obscurity beyond the city." He uses language that gives a sense of transparency and an unrealistic tint to the objects that society has deemed necessary and essential for life, spinning the objects as mere illusions, detracting from the actually view of the world- the area "beyond the city", where society has not obtained and improved. Fitzgerald offers these thoughts as an explanation to the faults of society- namely the need to alter and change and buy "stuff"- that was very prevalent in the 1920s and continuing today, with our consumerism culture leaving all who participate with an unfulfilled sensation, showing how everything that we attempt to use to change the world is not fully the answer, how it is the ghost of what we truly want to do in the world.
Fitzgerald also discusses the short attention span of society, with "man...face to face for the last time something to commensurate to his capacity to wonder," with man always trying to "run faster, stretch out our arms farther" to something new, while the dream-what man actually wants- "was already behind him." These phrases give an unreachable sound, like the dream is always one step ahead and can not be attained, or so we think; Often times society places more interest on certain goals that we think we must have, when the actual goal may have already passed by, and we did not reach out to grasp it. By showing humanities lack of interest in the vast wonders of untainted society, the author demonstrates how society is always running for the newest object, like culture today, with new products being unveiled constantly, never to be satisfied with what they have-ultimately leading to a downward spiral back to the original and the past.
Fitzgerald paints a bleak picture of a world riddled by consumerism and dissatisfaction with the world surrounding them. If this general trend continues, the entire system may implode in on itself, and history will repeat itself; maybe not a situation as serious as the Great Depression, but before long, society will return to the unspoiled pleasures of the world. Once society terminates the habit of chasing after the manifestations of dreams, the world will right itself and recover the lost ground caused by the consumerist trends plaguing our nation.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Quotes on Consumerism
In society today, not a soul seems to be content with their current possessions. The general rule for this generation seems to be, "Give me this! Give me this! Give me this! Now I want that instead because that is newer!" Has anyone ever stopped to think about how maybe, just maybe, if we curtailed our spending habits, the entire infrastructure of the world economy may right itself?
Well my friends, as always, the answer to this minuscule problem is in the Bible, Proverbs 30: 8-9 to be exact. The very first line of this passage starts out with "Give me neither poverty nor riches/ Grant me only my share of bread to eat," which emphasizes the problems today. No one wants just their share; society screams to people to take their share, more than they can carry, and then some more. The reason a share is called a "share" is because that is the part that will allow the receiver to accomplish whatever needs to be done, be the task feeding a family or paying bills. Similar to the family in "But Will it Make You Happy," this passage tells the reader to live with only the bare essentials (the "share"), and more than likely you will become happier, most likely due to a simplification of finances, like the family in the article, who removed all of the items that were not absolutely necessary and became debt free. Also, by limiting possessions to only the most important and essential, a strong emotional attachment can develop to the items, making the owner less likely to trade in or buy a new product just because the product is newer.
The next line of the quote states, " for fear that surrounded by plenty, I should fall away/
and say, "Yahweh - who is Yahweh?"/ or else in destitution, take to stealing/ and profane the name of my God." These lines are fairly straight forward, meaning that a person surrounded by plenty will forget where the riches they possessed came from, and will forget about God. No matter what all of the disaster theorists say about why the world is falling apart, this is more than likely the reason. As the world began to prosper, fewer and fewer people kept going to church, until the percentage of Americans who actually regularly attend church is lower than it has been in over thirty years. And this economic downturn is a good indication of what this drop has caused. This entire economic situation may be a result of America- who was founded on Christian principles- "falling away from and profaning" God. This situation reminds me of a parent knowing their child is doing wrong and waiting for them to admit they did wrong and to come back, and, even more like the parent, eventually having to come and reprimand the child because they will not return willingly. This situation leaves a grim outlook for the future, with a new disaster on the horizon if the problem continues unchecked.
Well, this is my analysis for this consumerism quote. Hopefully the world can right itself before the rest of the economy comes crashing down around our society's ears.
Well my friends, as always, the answer to this minuscule problem is in the Bible, Proverbs 30: 8-9 to be exact. The very first line of this passage starts out with "Give me neither poverty nor riches/ Grant me only my share of bread to eat," which emphasizes the problems today. No one wants just their share; society screams to people to take their share, more than they can carry, and then some more. The reason a share is called a "share" is because that is the part that will allow the receiver to accomplish whatever needs to be done, be the task feeding a family or paying bills. Similar to the family in "But Will it Make You Happy," this passage tells the reader to live with only the bare essentials (the "share"), and more than likely you will become happier, most likely due to a simplification of finances, like the family in the article, who removed all of the items that were not absolutely necessary and became debt free. Also, by limiting possessions to only the most important and essential, a strong emotional attachment can develop to the items, making the owner less likely to trade in or buy a new product just because the product is newer.
The next line of the quote states, " for fear that surrounded by plenty, I should fall away/
and say, "Yahweh - who is Yahweh?"/ or else in destitution, take to stealing/ and profane the name of my God." These lines are fairly straight forward, meaning that a person surrounded by plenty will forget where the riches they possessed came from, and will forget about God. No matter what all of the disaster theorists say about why the world is falling apart, this is more than likely the reason. As the world began to prosper, fewer and fewer people kept going to church, until the percentage of Americans who actually regularly attend church is lower than it has been in over thirty years. And this economic downturn is a good indication of what this drop has caused. This entire economic situation may be a result of America- who was founded on Christian principles- "falling away from and profaning" God. This situation reminds me of a parent knowing their child is doing wrong and waiting for them to admit they did wrong and to come back, and, even more like the parent, eventually having to come and reprimand the child because they will not return willingly. This situation leaves a grim outlook for the future, with a new disaster on the horizon if the problem continues unchecked.
Well, this is my analysis for this consumerism quote. Hopefully the world can right itself before the rest of the economy comes crashing down around our society's ears.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
3rd Quarter Annotated Reading List
I read 3 books, the equivalent of 7 books.
Treasure Island tells the story of a young boy named Jim, whose encounter with pirates starts him on a quest for a legendary treasure, amassed by a notorious pirate named Captain Flint. After a group of parents attack the inn owned by Jim's parents, he discovers that they were after a map showing the location of Treasure Island; after sharing this information with the Doctor and the Squire, they decide to form an expedition team to travel to Treasure Island. The trip seems to be proceeding without a hitch, until Jim discovers a secret plot among the crew to mutiny and keep the treasure for themselves. With this revelation, Jim and the remaining, non-mutinous crew take flight to the island and set up defenses against the pirates, and also discovering a mysterious man with a secret that will change their views of the island.
One aspect that drew me to this book was the content. The book is full to the brim with all of the pirate cliches that have been in every pirate movie since the publication of this book (Pirates of the Carribean being just one example). References to the Dead Man's Chest, outlining the proper way to maroon a friend on a deserted island, and half-way explaining why pirates must have large amounts of rum present at all times (they just seem to prefer rum to every otherbeverage) are just a few of the topics revealed in the book. Plus, I have always enjoyed a good pirate story, with mutinies and songs and fights with muskets, showing how even pirates know how to create a fun and rewarding cruise vacation to a dangerous, treasure filled island.
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Print. (309 pages)
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print. (341 pages)
- Treasure Island- Robert L. Stevenson (134 pages)
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone- J.K. Rowling (309 pages)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets- J.K. Rowling (341 pages)
Treasure Island tells the story of a young boy named Jim, whose encounter with pirates starts him on a quest for a legendary treasure, amassed by a notorious pirate named Captain Flint. After a group of parents attack the inn owned by Jim's parents, he discovers that they were after a map showing the location of Treasure Island; after sharing this information with the Doctor and the Squire, they decide to form an expedition team to travel to Treasure Island. The trip seems to be proceeding without a hitch, until Jim discovers a secret plot among the crew to mutiny and keep the treasure for themselves. With this revelation, Jim and the remaining, non-mutinous crew take flight to the island and set up defenses against the pirates, and also discovering a mysterious man with a secret that will change their views of the island.
One aspect that drew me to this book was the content. The book is full to the brim with all of the pirate cliches that have been in every pirate movie since the publication of this book (Pirates of the Carribean being just one example). References to the Dead Man's Chest, outlining the proper way to maroon a friend on a deserted island, and half-way explaining why pirates must have large amounts of rum present at all times (they just seem to prefer rum to every otherbeverage) are just a few of the topics revealed in the book. Plus, I have always enjoyed a good pirate story, with mutinies and songs and fights with muskets, showing how even pirates know how to create a fun and rewarding cruise vacation to a dangerous, treasure filled island.
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Print. (309 pages)
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print. (341 pages)
Advertising Techniques of the Future
With the economy currently struggling, many Americans no longer have the money to go out to Wal-mart and buy whatever new item just came out, be it a new iPod or 3D Television or any other product. Many families just like this family are discovering that simpler pleasures can be just as, and maybe more so, satisfying than buying that new television and sitting in front of the screen for hours on end. I'm talking about family game nights.
Many of the board game companies, including Hasbro, are trying to market their products toward a more family-oriented direction. The ad features a family of four at different points in the day repeatedly saying, "It's Wednesday," before showing the mom at a store, possibly Wal-mart or Target, buying a board game for her family. The family then are seen playing the game at their house that night and having an almost gratuitous amount of fun. This commercial really emphasized the fact that a family can have fun together, even with a bad economy, and with all of the technology available to all people.
This commercial really hit home with me, causing me to remember all of the family game nights I have had with my parents over the years. Maybe I am not a normal teenager, but I actually like my parents and it does not bother me to spend time with them. The general truth seems to be that, with all of this new technology in the world, people (especially teenagers,myself included) began to become more and more anti-social, but, because times are getting tougher and people have less money, they seem to realize that they don't need new expensive toys to have fun- they need a group of people they want to be around.
With these new advertising schemes from the myriad of companies releasing new products, a shift seems to be occurring, from buying the new products and not being with your family as much, because all of the new "stuff" eats up all the time you have, to a more family-centric way of living, with the most important goal being spending time with family. Hopefully, with this shift, all of the innumerable problems in the world can be improved or even solved. But, if not, then I guess all Americans can just try to remember their family game nights and sigh contentedly at their reminiscences.
Many of the board game companies, including Hasbro, are trying to market their products toward a more family-oriented direction. The ad features a family of four at different points in the day repeatedly saying, "It's Wednesday," before showing the mom at a store, possibly Wal-mart or Target, buying a board game for her family. The family then are seen playing the game at their house that night and having an almost gratuitous amount of fun. This commercial really emphasized the fact that a family can have fun together, even with a bad economy, and with all of the technology available to all people.
This commercial really hit home with me, causing me to remember all of the family game nights I have had with my parents over the years. Maybe I am not a normal teenager, but I actually like my parents and it does not bother me to spend time with them. The general truth seems to be that, with all of this new technology in the world, people (especially teenagers,myself included) began to become more and more anti-social, but, because times are getting tougher and people have less money, they seem to realize that they don't need new expensive toys to have fun- they need a group of people they want to be around.
With these new advertising schemes from the myriad of companies releasing new products, a shift seems to be occurring, from buying the new products and not being with your family as much, because all of the new "stuff" eats up all the time you have, to a more family-centric way of living, with the most important goal being spending time with family. Hopefully, with this shift, all of the innumerable problems in the world can be improved or even solved. But, if not, then I guess all Americans can just try to remember their family game nights and sigh contentedly at their reminiscences.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
One and the Same
"Well, Christmas is upon us once again", as the great Charlie Brown once said. That also means that everyone is playing Christmas music everywhere, in the stores, in the streets, in homes, everywhere. One song and video in particular stood out to me: David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing a medley of "Little Drummer Boy" and "Peace on Earth." It is quite obvious why this performance stood out to me, just from the names of the performers, but the entire pretense of the song houses a deeper meaning than just the fact two legends are performing a song together.
Bing Crosby made his fame in the thirties and forties with his music known today as big band music or as a "crooner," with songs such as "White Christmas," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," and "Danny Boy," while David Bowie made his fame as a glam rocker in the seventies and eighties, with songs such as "Suffragette City," "Let's Dance," and "Heroes," basically the parallel opposite of Crosby. What makes this performance so interesting lies within the mutual respect that the two singers have for each other, despite one being old and the other being relatively modern. Despite the age differences, the singers represented popular music at their time in the world, and even though they may have different mediums to their music, both singers are more alike than most people could see from their music.
By the singers coming together and collaborating, they showed how, even with vast differences, people can come together and work together and respect each other. Now, I don't want to come off as one of those crazy people saying, "no more trouble, no more wars, love for everyone," because that probably is not possible, but this performance showed how different age groups, or countries, or ethnicities can come together and work with each other. The way that Bing Crosby and David Bowie blend the Christmas standards using their characteristic voices unveils the songs in a new, slightly contradictory light, almost like, "What is this? I don't know how to explain the sounds I am hearing!" But maybe this fact is why the song has endured over the years.
The symbolic meaning of the performance gives anyone who watches the video or hears the song a feeling of hope that one day the world will get over themselves and work together. Wait, I just found another of the meanings of Christmas; Bring on the holiday special.
Bing Crosby made his fame in the thirties and forties with his music known today as big band music or as a "crooner," with songs such as "White Christmas," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," and "Danny Boy," while David Bowie made his fame as a glam rocker in the seventies and eighties, with songs such as "Suffragette City," "Let's Dance," and "Heroes," basically the parallel opposite of Crosby. What makes this performance so interesting lies within the mutual respect that the two singers have for each other, despite one being old and the other being relatively modern. Despite the age differences, the singers represented popular music at their time in the world, and even though they may have different mediums to their music, both singers are more alike than most people could see from their music.
By the singers coming together and collaborating, they showed how, even with vast differences, people can come together and work together and respect each other. Now, I don't want to come off as one of those crazy people saying, "no more trouble, no more wars, love for everyone," because that probably is not possible, but this performance showed how different age groups, or countries, or ethnicities can come together and work with each other. The way that Bing Crosby and David Bowie blend the Christmas standards using their characteristic voices unveils the songs in a new, slightly contradictory light, almost like, "What is this? I don't know how to explain the sounds I am hearing!" But maybe this fact is why the song has endured over the years.
The symbolic meaning of the performance gives anyone who watches the video or hears the song a feeling of hope that one day the world will get over themselves and work together. Wait, I just found another of the meanings of Christmas; Bring on the holiday special.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Twelve Sentence Short Story
An Audience with the King
The legendary B.B. King has become one of the last remaining original bluesman, his singing as forceful and renowned today as it ever was, his phrasing and vibrato on his guitar Lucille as recognizable as an old friend, and his tone as characteristic music itself. Most people only hear a legend such as this through CD's or through videos; I, on the other hand, have been within throwing distance of the man himself. A stroke of luck, similar to a choir of angels singing, revealed to my parents and my aunt that B.B. was going to be in Fayetteville in September, and we immediately started waiting to get tickets. Once the tickets were bought, the dreadful waiting game began, slogging through the weeks, over the days, to the date, and against all odds (I mean, B.B. is eighty-four years old; you never know when he may check out). I waited and waited and finally the day came to leave for Fayetteville. Enough of this. I was ready to see B.B., still hoping that nothing would go wrong, that B.B. would not die before I could see him, and that the show would be everything I hoped it would be. An old saying goes, "Seek, and thou shall receive awesome tickets." Play Lucille and sing the blues, B.B. passionately did. Was the concert everything I hoped it would be? Seeing as how I was amazed, and inspired, and awe-struck, I would say that the show was what I hoped to see. While he may not have played the whole show, a result of thirty-plus years of diabetes, he never was without some insight brought forth on Lucille or through his words, he was never without his characteristic charm, like that of a caring grandfather wanting to share his wisdom to the audience, revealing to all at the show that no matter how old he may be or whoever comes along after him, B.B. King will always be the King of the Blues.
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