Edward Curtis
When J. P. Morgan called for Curtis to produce a photographical series of the North American Indian, he took his mission very seriously. His motive was evident very early on, "The information that is to be gathered ... respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be lost". This quote on Curtis's appeared as an introduction to his first volume of The North American Indian. From the information I have gathered on Edward Curtis, I feel he felt that he was preserving history. During this time period, most people knew nothing about the natives whose land they were living on. Historical record of Native Americans simply was not kept. As a result of this, I feel Curtis''s merit begins to lesson. Since his photographs would be many peoples first impression of Native Americans, he wanted to produce images they would not forget. This accounts for the staging of photographs and the reason why he got a lot of Native American history wrong. Curtis was trying to appeal to his viewers nostalgia and personal memory, meaning, what they "thought" Indians should look like, not neccesarily the truth. Edward Curtis set out to preserve history, but along the way, he ended up doing the Native Americans a disservice. (unintentionally)
Neidich
Warren Neidich can be described as counter-Curtis. His motive is to describe and show us (the public) how photography can generate our ideas about history. His research/work with the O.J. Simpson trial cannot be denied. He argues that the role of today's media has changed. He states that it has transformed from a presentor of news into a producer of entertainment. With it may not be entirely 100 percent correct, he all must admit there is some validity in his claims. All you have to do is turn on the T.V. He presents his photographs from a much different perspective when compared to Curtis. His photographs are not meant to stir up nostalgia or personal memory, but to try and correct these two phenomina that can often get clouded. His work shows us how the general public can easily be influenced by the media storm that often overwhelms us.
By looking at the photographs of both artists in class, and by viewing others online, I honestly didn't really enjoy either artists' work. It was obvious in both accounts that the photographs were staged. I don't think I would ever purchase either of their works. If I had to choose, I would probably say...Curtis, bases solely on the rustic appearence of his photos. I can see why his viewers were easily mislead.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Best Weekend Yet
It has been a looooooooooong time since I saw my girlfriend, all the way back to labor day.
Your probably thinking, labor day? that was only 3 weeks ago...
Ya, well, when your girlfriend goes to school 3 hours away, 3 weeks feels like an eternity.
I was so excited when she told me she had this weekend free and was coming to visit.
This past week of class was crazy, almost like the week before Christmas when I was little, I thought about her all the time. The days seemed to crawl by.
She finally got here Friday right before English, I couldn't have been happier. I was in one of those permanent good moods, nothing was going to bring me down (or get the smile off my face). It lasted all weekend...
Now...its about 3 o'clock, and shes only been gone for about 15 minutes, and I miss her already. You would think maybe saying goodbye would get a little easier each time, but it doesn't. Every time she leaves, I think a little peice of me goes with her. I'm just not as happy as I was earlier this weekend. It felt amazing to wake up these past two mornings and see her beautiful face.
Ya, it has been hard, but its weekends like this one that remind me that its all worth it, and how lucky I am to have her...
((Alan))
Your probably thinking, labor day? that was only 3 weeks ago...
Ya, well, when your girlfriend goes to school 3 hours away, 3 weeks feels like an eternity.
I was so excited when she told me she had this weekend free and was coming to visit.
This past week of class was crazy, almost like the week before Christmas when I was little, I thought about her all the time. The days seemed to crawl by.
She finally got here Friday right before English, I couldn't have been happier. I was in one of those permanent good moods, nothing was going to bring me down (or get the smile off my face). It lasted all weekend...
Now...its about 3 o'clock, and shes only been gone for about 15 minutes, and I miss her already. You would think maybe saying goodbye would get a little easier each time, but it doesn't. Every time she leaves, I think a little peice of me goes with her. I'm just not as happy as I was earlier this weekend. It felt amazing to wake up these past two mornings and see her beautiful face.
Ya, it has been hard, but its weekends like this one that remind me that its all worth it, and how lucky I am to have her...
((Alan))
No News Is Not Good News
I was talking (more like complaining) to a friend on Friday about these blogs we have to write every week. I was telling her that (1.) I usually don't get around to writing them until either Saturday or Sunday because of how busy my week usually is, and (2.) I always struggle to find something interesting to write about.
It was during this conversation that I realized how "out of touch" I am with current events.
In my high school years, I would wake up every morning and peer through the newspaper over breakfast. Such is not the case here at college, where time is often scarce. I can barely make enough time to eat breakfast in the morning before rushing out to go to class. I don't remember the last time I was able to pick up a paper other than the Exponent. (which is definately not the best paper to be informed of the "goings on" around the world from)
College has consumed my whole life since I got here. All the little things, like watching the news before bed, reading the paper, sifting through magazines, etc. are almost nonexistant anymore. I simply do not have time for them anymore. It seems like all I ever do is eat, sleep, go to class, and do homework.
Yea, I guess I could make a better effort to be informed on current events, but after a normal day here at Purdue, all I want to do is go to sleep! There isn't much time to relax, other than on the weekends. (But, I have found out that Sunday turns out to just like every other day, probably because I usually leave a lot of my work until that night) I guess my point is that I was surprised at how easy it was for me to drift away from today's current events and not even know it was happening.
((Alan))
It was during this conversation that I realized how "out of touch" I am with current events.
In my high school years, I would wake up every morning and peer through the newspaper over breakfast. Such is not the case here at college, where time is often scarce. I can barely make enough time to eat breakfast in the morning before rushing out to go to class. I don't remember the last time I was able to pick up a paper other than the Exponent. (which is definately not the best paper to be informed of the "goings on" around the world from)
College has consumed my whole life since I got here. All the little things, like watching the news before bed, reading the paper, sifting through magazines, etc. are almost nonexistant anymore. I simply do not have time for them anymore. It seems like all I ever do is eat, sleep, go to class, and do homework.
Yea, I guess I could make a better effort to be informed on current events, but after a normal day here at Purdue, all I want to do is go to sleep! There isn't much time to relax, other than on the weekends. (But, I have found out that Sunday turns out to just like every other day, probably because I usually leave a lot of my work until that night) I guess my point is that I was surprised at how easy it was for me to drift away from today's current events and not even know it was happening.
((Alan))
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Nothing
Boy does it feel great to being doing nothing! I love the weekend. Especially saturday, because that means tomarrow is Sunday...no school..again!
24-10 Boilers. Minnesota is not very good. Thats another thing I love about the weekends, football.
Saturday -> College
Sunday->NFL
All day
O wait, we scored again, 31-10
I can't wait till we play someone good...I like our chances this year
I remember my weekends back at home during highscool, I hated those nights when I stayed home and did nothing. I always wanted to be out, doing something fun with my friends. Well, things have definately changed...
I barely have anytime to myself out here. It seems like its go go go, all day long. At home, I usually never stayed up later than 11:00 o'clock on a weeknight. Now, 11:00 is nothing. A lot of times, I'm just starting some of my homework then.
I know one thing, I don't like it very much. I feel myself get progressively tired each day of the week. By friday, I'm spent. I thought thats when the party started!?!
I hope things start to lessson up a bit, but I doubt it...
I have to admit, I wasn't exactly ready for this. I feel like I've done more work this semester already, than I did my entire senior year!
24-10 Boilers. Minnesota is not very good. Thats another thing I love about the weekends, football.
Saturday -> College
Sunday->NFL
All day
O wait, we scored again, 31-10
I can't wait till we play someone good...I like our chances this year
I remember my weekends back at home during highscool, I hated those nights when I stayed home and did nothing. I always wanted to be out, doing something fun with my friends. Well, things have definately changed...
I barely have anytime to myself out here. It seems like its go go go, all day long. At home, I usually never stayed up later than 11:00 o'clock on a weeknight. Now, 11:00 is nothing. A lot of times, I'm just starting some of my homework then.
I know one thing, I don't like it very much. I feel myself get progressively tired each day of the week. By friday, I'm spent. I thought thats when the party started!?!
I hope things start to lessson up a bit, but I doubt it...
I have to admit, I wasn't exactly ready for this. I feel like I've done more work this semester already, than I did my entire senior year!
Wright Patterson
I have to admit, I wasn't a happy camper this morning when my alarm clock rang at 7:00am. I couldn't believe it was time to get up already, it felt like my head had just hit the pillow. Five more minutes wouldn't hurt...I hit the snooze.
35 minutes later, I scrambled out of bed, and frantically threw some clothes on. Stupid alarm clock...
I walked myself down to lobby and plopped onto the nearest couch. I fought to keep my eyes open while a member of our Learning Community Board rambled on about today's events. We would be boarding a bus and making the trip over into Ohio to go to Wright PAtterson Air Force Base. We all had tickets to an imax show and would be able to walk around the museum this afternoon.
We all walked outside and boarded to beautiful coach bus that awaited us. I took a seat in the back with a couple friends and waited for the trip to begin. We were not 20 minutes from campus, and I would say three-quarters of the students on board were fast asleep, including myself.
4 hours later (yes, 4 entire hours) we rolled into the musuem parking lot. I had actually been to Wright Patterson some 3 years ago with my parents, and was excited to be back. It is an incredible complex. The musuem spans 3 gigantic hangers that are filled with nearly everything airforce/aviation related since the beginging of flight. Since we only had 4 hours, I did my best to try and take in all the sights. The musuem is divided into 6 different sections, each devoted to a specific time period in history: PreWWI, WWI, WWII, Cold War, Modern Aircraft, and Spacecraft. My favorite part of the day was without a doubt the modern aircraft hanger. I'm a big Top Gun fan, so naturally you can understand my excitement when I was able to sit in the cockpit of an F-16. You know that dream job we all have that will never happen? Well thats me, Airforce fighter ace.
All in all, I had a good day at Wright Patterson. It sure was nice to get away from schoolwork and worrying about my 3 exams this week. (although I probably should have studied on the ride there and back...I mean...I only had 7 hours to kill...) Buts that ok, I'll get over it.
((Alan))
35 minutes later, I scrambled out of bed, and frantically threw some clothes on. Stupid alarm clock...
I walked myself down to lobby and plopped onto the nearest couch. I fought to keep my eyes open while a member of our Learning Community Board rambled on about today's events. We would be boarding a bus and making the trip over into Ohio to go to Wright PAtterson Air Force Base. We all had tickets to an imax show and would be able to walk around the museum this afternoon.
We all walked outside and boarded to beautiful coach bus that awaited us. I took a seat in the back with a couple friends and waited for the trip to begin. We were not 20 minutes from campus, and I would say three-quarters of the students on board were fast asleep, including myself.
4 hours later (yes, 4 entire hours) we rolled into the musuem parking lot. I had actually been to Wright Patterson some 3 years ago with my parents, and was excited to be back. It is an incredible complex. The musuem spans 3 gigantic hangers that are filled with nearly everything airforce/aviation related since the beginging of flight. Since we only had 4 hours, I did my best to try and take in all the sights. The musuem is divided into 6 different sections, each devoted to a specific time period in history: PreWWI, WWI, WWII, Cold War, Modern Aircraft, and Spacecraft. My favorite part of the day was without a doubt the modern aircraft hanger. I'm a big Top Gun fan, so naturally you can understand my excitement when I was able to sit in the cockpit of an F-16. You know that dream job we all have that will never happen? Well thats me, Airforce fighter ace.
All in all, I had a good day at Wright Patterson. It sure was nice to get away from schoolwork and worrying about my 3 exams this week. (although I probably should have studied on the ride there and back...I mean...I only had 7 hours to kill...) Buts that ok, I'll get over it.
((Alan))
Friday, September 21, 2007
Justifiable?
Lesson #5: Proportionality should be a guideline in war.
100,000 people in one night…gone…never to come back…
From a military standpoint
The firebombing of Japanese cities and the detonation of the two atomic bombs was justified.
Prior to the firebombing, the B-29’s were used primarily for high altitude bombing raids. The development of a high pressure cabin made it possible for bombers to drop their payloads from an altitude safe from anti-aircraft guns. However, since the bombs had to travel farther to hit their target, accuracy was compromised.
The solution
The function of the B-29 bomber was modified. To make up for the loss in accuracy, the airplane would now fly at a much lower altitude.
Important Fact
Most of the infrastructure of 1940’s Japan was built out of wood
The revolution
Introduce incendiary bombs that upon impact engulf the surroundings in flames. It would only take a spark here and there, and a whole city could go up in one night.
From a military standpoint, these modifications were genius. The increase in efficiency was astronomical. This type of strategy could be a potential war-winner (as it turned out to be)
One must understand that because of previous events in the war, (such as Stalingrad) nothing in war is guaranteed.
What did this mean?
The military had crippled the Japanese, but needed to deliver its final KO
Aka…The atomic bombs
Think of all the American lives we saved.
The Japanese were tenacious fighters, willing to fight to the death (Okinawa, Iwo)
An attack on mainland Japan would have been disastrous for American GI’s
The operation was a major success.
However, from a moral standpoint…
Who are we to say that our American lives are worth more than those of the Japanese?
((Alan))
100,000 people in one night…gone…never to come back…
From a military standpoint
The firebombing of Japanese cities and the detonation of the two atomic bombs was justified.
Prior to the firebombing, the B-29’s were used primarily for high altitude bombing raids. The development of a high pressure cabin made it possible for bombers to drop their payloads from an altitude safe from anti-aircraft guns. However, since the bombs had to travel farther to hit their target, accuracy was compromised.
The solution
The function of the B-29 bomber was modified. To make up for the loss in accuracy, the airplane would now fly at a much lower altitude.
Important Fact
Most of the infrastructure of 1940’s Japan was built out of wood
The revolution
Introduce incendiary bombs that upon impact engulf the surroundings in flames. It would only take a spark here and there, and a whole city could go up in one night.
From a military standpoint, these modifications were genius. The increase in efficiency was astronomical. This type of strategy could be a potential war-winner (as it turned out to be)
One must understand that because of previous events in the war, (such as Stalingrad) nothing in war is guaranteed.
What did this mean?
The military had crippled the Japanese, but needed to deliver its final KO
Aka…The atomic bombs
Think of all the American lives we saved.
The Japanese were tenacious fighters, willing to fight to the death (Okinawa, Iwo)
An attack on mainland Japan would have been disastrous for American GI’s
The operation was a major success.
However, from a moral standpoint…
Who are we to say that our American lives are worth more than those of the Japanese?
((Alan))
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Beah's Influence
After all that Ishmael Beah has seen and been through, I find the demeanor and aura of his personality today the most inspiring. While searching for more information about him, I came across this quote, "If I choose to feel guilty for what I have done, I will want to be dead myself,
I live knowing that I have been given a second life, and I just try to have fun, and be happy and live it the best I can." I found these words to be both astonishing and encouraging.
Amidst all the horror and suffering Ishmael experiened, good has emerged over evil. It would have been so easy for him to let the weight of the situation he was in keep him down. Against all odds, Ishmael was able to claw his way out of Sierra Leone and begin a new life in the United States. By looking at Ishmael today, one would have no idea of the pain and agony he has felt in his realitively short life. In nearly every single photograph or interview I saw of him, he always had a smile on his face. After what he has been through, it amazes me that he is able to get up each morning and look at himself in the mirror. He killed. Not just once, but over and over and over again. He was a murderer. He slayed innocent lives. It takes a truely special person to be able to put your past behind you and move on with your life. Like he says, he knows what he did. He knows he was a killer. When I first read his quote, I was kind of taken aback. My first reaction was, 'What? He doesn't feel guilty! How can he not!' but after giving it some thought, I realized what he was trying to say. I have a great amount of respect for him because of his commitment to help those who were just like him. He doesn't have to do what he is doing.
His quote gives us all a message of hope. No matter how terrible things seem, we must perservere and fight our way through. No good comes from feeling sorry for yourself.
I really would have loved to go listen to him speak. After listen to our discussion on friday, it seems like I missed out on a special opportunity. I wish I would have had the chance to see him in person and see if I got the same upbeat, kind, and genuine vibe I felt listening to him online.
((Alan))
I live knowing that I have been given a second life, and I just try to have fun, and be happy and live it the best I can." I found these words to be both astonishing and encouraging.
Amidst all the horror and suffering Ishmael experiened, good has emerged over evil. It would have been so easy for him to let the weight of the situation he was in keep him down. Against all odds, Ishmael was able to claw his way out of Sierra Leone and begin a new life in the United States. By looking at Ishmael today, one would have no idea of the pain and agony he has felt in his realitively short life. In nearly every single photograph or interview I saw of him, he always had a smile on his face. After what he has been through, it amazes me that he is able to get up each morning and look at himself in the mirror. He killed. Not just once, but over and over and over again. He was a murderer. He slayed innocent lives. It takes a truely special person to be able to put your past behind you and move on with your life. Like he says, he knows what he did. He knows he was a killer. When I first read his quote, I was kind of taken aback. My first reaction was, 'What? He doesn't feel guilty! How can he not!' but after giving it some thought, I realized what he was trying to say. I have a great amount of respect for him because of his commitment to help those who were just like him. He doesn't have to do what he is doing.
His quote gives us all a message of hope. No matter how terrible things seem, we must perservere and fight our way through. No good comes from feeling sorry for yourself.
I really would have loved to go listen to him speak. After listen to our discussion on friday, it seems like I missed out on a special opportunity. I wish I would have had the chance to see him in person and see if I got the same upbeat, kind, and genuine vibe I felt listening to him online.
((Alan))
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