Joshua Paris
5/10/09
Ms. Brown
Precis-Article III
Article III was fundamentally informative on the psychological aspect of memory, and ways that we remember things and the reasons why we forget. In the article, it explains that many of our memories comes from a sense of detail, and because of this detailed imagery, we develop a sense of long term memory. Although we can hold lots of things in long-term memory, the details of the memory aren’t always crystal-clear and are often limited to just the gist of what we saw or what happened. There is also a very important kind of memory called Semantic memory which stores facts and generalized information. It contains verbal information, concepts, rules, principles, and problem-solving skills. Episodic memory stores information as images, semantic memory stores information in networks or schemata. Information is most easily stored in semantic memory when it is meaningful - that is, easily related to existing, well-established schemata. The key point of this section is that information is stored in the long-term memory in a structured fashion - with elements of knowledge chained together or organized in schema related to specific topics. Information is likely to be effectively entered into long-term memory to the extent that the learner actively interacts with the information in working memory. It is impossible to actively interact with information without making connections with existing information, and these connections facilitate storage of information even if the learner is unaware that information is being transferred to long-term memory. A large amount of permanent learning occurs automatically, without conscious effort on the part of the learner. In other instances, the learner or observer may make deliberate attempts to transfer information to long-term memory.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Claude McKays Poet/Poem Analysis
1.Well a harlot is anyone who is born to a low class. McKay uses this word to belittle the high class people such as the Pharoahs and people who believe that they are somehow better than everyone else. Insightful as the end of this poem is, the audience is empowered knowing that we are nothing compared to the almight God.
2. He is saying that black people are hogs because just like hogs we are being controlled, contained, and shut down by the white man. We were nothing to them but slaves to be controlled and jump when the say jump. Eventually we fight on, and fight those who oppose us, and learn to fight for independence and what we want, and through that we are free.
3. McKays language is much different because he doesn't beat around the bush with his feelings. He lets the audience know exactly how he feels about a situation, and you can feel the anger through his words. Through his amazing balance between zeal and word choice, the reader feels the same emotions that he feels assuming that they can relate to what he is saying. By reading what he has to say, blacks can see the harmful affects of what will happened if we let ourselves be shut down and controlled.
2. He is saying that black people are hogs because just like hogs we are being controlled, contained, and shut down by the white man. We were nothing to them but slaves to be controlled and jump when the say jump. Eventually we fight on, and fight those who oppose us, and learn to fight for independence and what we want, and through that we are free.
3. McKays language is much different because he doesn't beat around the bush with his feelings. He lets the audience know exactly how he feels about a situation, and you can feel the anger through his words. Through his amazing balance between zeal and word choice, the reader feels the same emotions that he feels assuming that they can relate to what he is saying. By reading what he has to say, blacks can see the harmful affects of what will happened if we let ourselves be shut down and controlled.
Poem/Poet Analysis
1. The rivers are Euphrates, Congo, Nile, and the Mississippi. Langston Hughes is able to create two meanings for the theme of roots since on the one hand they refer to the deep roots like trees have as well as “roots” in the historical and familial sense. Through these images and details, it is clear that it addresses themes that are much larger than simply rivers or human veins—it is a statement on the whole of African American history as it has flourished along rivers, which gave life and allowed “human veins” and firm historical roots.
2. I believe this poem is about how blacks were treated unequally.This is during the Harlem Renaissnace, it shows how the blacks will overcome. They will be eating with white people soon. He will be inviting them to eat with him. This is obviously a peace of art that helped Harlem become the neighborhood it became in the 1930s.
3. Well quite frankly, the boy doesn't have a say so in anything because the white man never listens to him nor does he believe him! Blacks have fought for decades trying to be heard and trying to get rid of this degrading attitude. W.E.B. Du Bois and Alain Locke would have objected to this poem simply because this poem has a lot of degrading words about black people which is totally not true and there lies the objection.
4. McKay is harder with his poems than Hughes. McKay uses harsh messages/words that put an aggressive tone into racism. It gives the audience a urge to stand up and do something about the hard struggles that they endure.Hughes is softspoken if you will ;he takes a more subtle approach in his message in writing. He would encourage them saying "we can do it" while McKay on the other hand would say something like, "Time to put an end to all this!"
5. He was saying how white people like to steal black peoples music, and say that its there own, and that it is originated from them! Using "black stories" and to keep us down. In addition, they added there own little piece of "white" in it if you will. Yes this still goes on today, but it has became somewhat of a normalicy to humans today and less of a public issue.
6. Because America is the problem! We claim how we are all free, and all have equal rights, but for a black man, you are not an African American, you are a black man living in America. It is very subtle, but whites do have somewhat of an upper hand and they create this illusion that everyone is treated equal, but in a deeper reality it is not so. Africa does have problems just like any other continent, but they are more warm hearted than America.
2. I believe this poem is about how blacks were treated unequally.This is during the Harlem Renaissnace, it shows how the blacks will overcome. They will be eating with white people soon. He will be inviting them to eat with him. This is obviously a peace of art that helped Harlem become the neighborhood it became in the 1930s.
3. Well quite frankly, the boy doesn't have a say so in anything because the white man never listens to him nor does he believe him! Blacks have fought for decades trying to be heard and trying to get rid of this degrading attitude. W.E.B. Du Bois and Alain Locke would have objected to this poem simply because this poem has a lot of degrading words about black people which is totally not true and there lies the objection.
4. McKay is harder with his poems than Hughes. McKay uses harsh messages/words that put an aggressive tone into racism. It gives the audience a urge to stand up and do something about the hard struggles that they endure.Hughes is softspoken if you will ;he takes a more subtle approach in his message in writing. He would encourage them saying "we can do it" while McKay on the other hand would say something like, "Time to put an end to all this!"
5. He was saying how white people like to steal black peoples music, and say that its there own, and that it is originated from them! Using "black stories" and to keep us down. In addition, they added there own little piece of "white" in it if you will. Yes this still goes on today, but it has became somewhat of a normalicy to humans today and less of a public issue.
6. Because America is the problem! We claim how we are all free, and all have equal rights, but for a black man, you are not an African American, you are a black man living in America. It is very subtle, but whites do have somewhat of an upper hand and they create this illusion that everyone is treated equal, but in a deeper reality it is not so. Africa does have problems just like any other continent, but they are more warm hearted than America.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Clique of the GHETTO
The kids you "don't want to mess with" - that's the image. Baggy clothes, silver chains, and rap music is usually what comes to mind when you think about the ghetto group at your school. The style of clothing in this group is usually sporty. Jerseys and brands such as Ecco and Sean John seem to be the norm. Just like any other group in high school, a certain style of music goes along with this group, usually rap and hip-hop.In high school, many people may shift to a different style and enter new groups. Usually this clique ends up in fights, in jail, murdering, or getting killed because of the stupid mentality that they have. There is a very low success rate of success in this clique because they care too much about what other people think of them, and that education is for fools.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Their Eyes Were Watching God Quote
The quote that stook out for me the most was when Hurston stated that "Before the week was over he had whipped Janie. Not because of her behavior justified his jealously, but it relieved that awful fear inside him. Being able to whip her reassured him in possession. Not brutal beating at all. He just slapped her around a bit to show he was boss."I felt bad for Janie when Mrs. Turner’s brother came home because Janie got beaten for Tea Cake’s jealously. I loved this quote because Tea Cake’s felt the need to do this because it not only made him feel better but also because this was the way the husbands were supposes to treat their wife. They were the boss; there was no equal medium back then, but in their relationship there was. Tea Cake’s allows her to have an equal say or he at least wants her to. Another reason why Tea Cake’s beat Janie was because he feared that she would leave him. I felt like Janie allowed him to do this because she knew his intentions and why he did it. Relating this quote to what some people refer to as the "Roaring Twenties" where woman start to gain more independence, and are doing whatever it is what they want to do, we can see the change that women endured to be where they are now is phenominal. I personally believe that men should not hit there wives or any woman for that matter. It shows weakness and cowardness. Many women felt that they needed a man to survive, and they would take anything from there husbands. In our modern day in time, woman are more independent, and 9 times out of 10 if there man hits them and slaps them around, they would turn on Beyonce's song "Irraplaceable" and say "to the left to the left." It has always been hard for women to earn the same respect as men. Women have endured a lot through the years to get where they are today, but the fight for respect still continues. In this novel, Janie is on a journey of self-discovery and to achieve independence and self-understanding, but she does not do so until she is nearly forty years old. Many obstacles stood in her way that was one of many fights toward woman becoming recognized for independence.
If I was to see what will happen to the future, I would say Janies life continued as an independent woman, she couldn’t help but to think that she might fall in another relationship filled with the same struggles of her other three. She remembered how much easier life use to be as a child, and the hardships she’s had to endure being in the real world; the first time she had true intimacy, the feeling she struggled with knowing her intimacy eventually ended. Janie had fell in love after her marriage ended. Although her marriage is on a successful road now, there is still that doubt in her mind that something could go wrong and she’ll end up back at square one. However she knows that she’s an independent woman, and she doesn’t need a man like she felt in her early years.
If I was to see what will happen to the future, I would say Janies life continued as an independent woman, she couldn’t help but to think that she might fall in another relationship filled with the same struggles of her other three. She remembered how much easier life use to be as a child, and the hardships she’s had to endure being in the real world; the first time she had true intimacy, the feeling she struggled with knowing her intimacy eventually ended. Janie had fell in love after her marriage ended. Although her marriage is on a successful road now, there is still that doubt in her mind that something could go wrong and she’ll end up back at square one. However she knows that she’s an independent woman, and she doesn’t need a man like she felt in her early years.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wealth (agreed with Lapham)
Laphams's view of "the American Faith in money is somewhat correct. What is Wealth When one asks themselves "what is wealth," people immediately think of money. They think of nice cars and big houses. People think of power and the ability to have control over others. When I was in elementary school I believed this same thing. Now that I am in highschool my outlook on what wealth is has changed dramatically.
To me wealth is contentment and knowledge. With these two things will come the greatest wealth a person can achieve. Money does not necessarily mean contentment although some people think that it does. Wealth is not having money, property, and power if these things cannot make a person truly content. These things do not necessarily bring wisdom either. When I think of wealth a quotation comes to mind. It was said by Henry David Thoreau: "Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations... Their authors are a natural and irresistible aristocracy in every society, and, more than kings or emperors, exert an influence on mankind." I believe that if one chooses to enrich their mind and strive for knowledge that they are truly wealthy. Wealth is the ability to enrich and influence. With knowledge one can do these things. Wealth is not taking things for granted. In many ways knowledge can help you achieve success. With knowledge one can look into the past and see the mistakes that others have made. The person with knowledge will not repeat these mistakes. Knowledge can help one make the right choices in life. If one can make the right choices in life and live a good life then they can truly have wealth. Wealth is not the ability to take everything for granted. Wealth is not greed and malice towards others. People sometimes put so much stress on wealth. What I believe is that if one should spend their life gaining wealth than what truly was the purpose of life. When one dies all the wealth will not go with them. Wealth is not the endless struggle to gain more riches than another. If one is obsessed with this idea how can one truly be wealthy. When one struggles for material items such as money there will always be an emptiness inside them. This emptiness will never be filled no matter how much money they can attain. Pretty soon the need for money will destroy a person. I have seen how money can corrupt individuals. Wealth is not being famous and having everyone know who you are. Others may know who you are but if you do not know who you are what is the point of all this fame. Wealth is not the ability to gloat and boast to others about your riches. The more a person does this they will become more lonely in life. When one brags they expect others to feel bad and jealous. This person feeds of these feelings of jealousy. If people are indifferent and do not pay attention then the person will never be complete. How can someone like this truly be wealthy?
When I think of wealth another quotation comes to mind. It was said by Titus Lucretius Carus: "But if one should guide his life by true principles, man's greatest wealth is to live on a little with contented mind; for a little is never lacking." I believe that wealth is contentment. Wealth is happiness. Without contentment one can never truly be wealthy. I think that money cannot always bring this contentment. A person must be at peace with his mind and his heart. If a person can achieve this peace then any amount of money will be enough for them. Of course, not many people can achieve this level. One way is religion. If a person is religious and is in pursuit of inner peace than they are wealthy. It they can find happiness in this way then their life truly has a purpose. It really does not matter what religion one follows. If this religion gives them peace then it is the true giver of wealth. I believe that a middle-class worker with a family and a modest income can easily be more happy than a millionaire with seven wives and no morals. Another way a person can acquire wealth is through family. To have someone whom you can pass down your experiences and knowledge is true wealth. To love and to be loved is wealth. Having people to take care of and having responsibilities makes life interesting. A life without these things can never truly be content. Basically I believe that wealth is something that someone cannot necessarily achieve through wealth and fame. One needs knowledge and contentment. With religion, education, and family a person can reach these goals. Wealth is not unhappiness and ignorance. With these things one does not have wealth and life has no purpose. I hope after someone reads this they can have more insight into what wealth truly is.
To me wealth is contentment and knowledge. With these two things will come the greatest wealth a person can achieve. Money does not necessarily mean contentment although some people think that it does. Wealth is not having money, property, and power if these things cannot make a person truly content. These things do not necessarily bring wisdom either. When I think of wealth a quotation comes to mind. It was said by Henry David Thoreau: "Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations... Their authors are a natural and irresistible aristocracy in every society, and, more than kings or emperors, exert an influence on mankind." I believe that if one chooses to enrich their mind and strive for knowledge that they are truly wealthy. Wealth is the ability to enrich and influence. With knowledge one can do these things. Wealth is not taking things for granted. In many ways knowledge can help you achieve success. With knowledge one can look into the past and see the mistakes that others have made. The person with knowledge will not repeat these mistakes. Knowledge can help one make the right choices in life. If one can make the right choices in life and live a good life then they can truly have wealth. Wealth is not the ability to take everything for granted. Wealth is not greed and malice towards others. People sometimes put so much stress on wealth. What I believe is that if one should spend their life gaining wealth than what truly was the purpose of life. When one dies all the wealth will not go with them. Wealth is not the endless struggle to gain more riches than another. If one is obsessed with this idea how can one truly be wealthy. When one struggles for material items such as money there will always be an emptiness inside them. This emptiness will never be filled no matter how much money they can attain. Pretty soon the need for money will destroy a person. I have seen how money can corrupt individuals. Wealth is not being famous and having everyone know who you are. Others may know who you are but if you do not know who you are what is the point of all this fame. Wealth is not the ability to gloat and boast to others about your riches. The more a person does this they will become more lonely in life. When one brags they expect others to feel bad and jealous. This person feeds of these feelings of jealousy. If people are indifferent and do not pay attention then the person will never be complete. How can someone like this truly be wealthy?
When I think of wealth another quotation comes to mind. It was said by Titus Lucretius Carus: "But if one should guide his life by true principles, man's greatest wealth is to live on a little with contented mind; for a little is never lacking." I believe that wealth is contentment. Wealth is happiness. Without contentment one can never truly be wealthy. I think that money cannot always bring this contentment. A person must be at peace with his mind and his heart. If a person can achieve this peace then any amount of money will be enough for them. Of course, not many people can achieve this level. One way is religion. If a person is religious and is in pursuit of inner peace than they are wealthy. It they can find happiness in this way then their life truly has a purpose. It really does not matter what religion one follows. If this religion gives them peace then it is the true giver of wealth. I believe that a middle-class worker with a family and a modest income can easily be more happy than a millionaire with seven wives and no morals. Another way a person can acquire wealth is through family. To have someone whom you can pass down your experiences and knowledge is true wealth. To love and to be loved is wealth. Having people to take care of and having responsibilities makes life interesting. A life without these things can never truly be content. Basically I believe that wealth is something that someone cannot necessarily achieve through wealth and fame. One needs knowledge and contentment. With religion, education, and family a person can reach these goals. Wealth is not unhappiness and ignorance. With these things one does not have wealth and life has no purpose. I hope after someone reads this they can have more insight into what wealth truly is.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Death Penalty
The death penalty is a very controversial issue. Many people have different opinions about how a criminal should be disciplined. Over 80% of Americans favor the death penalty.Presently, thirty-eight states have the death penalty, but is the concept of "alife for a life" the best way to castigate a criminal? Of the thirteen states that do not have the death penalty, is crime more likely to occur there than instates that have the death penalty? The idea of putting another human to death is hard to completely fathom. The physical mechanics involved in the act of execution are easy to grasp, but the emotions involved in carrying out a death sentence on another person, regardless of how much they deserve it, is beyond my own understanding. I know it must be painful, dehumanizing, and sickening. However, this act is sometimes necessary and it is our responsibility as a society to see that justice be served.
Capital punishment has proven to have good benefits upon the country in determining the consequences that criminals deserve. This is needed to ensure the safety and moral values of society. If this is the case, there is no need for us to consider the expenses involved in the death penalty. Certainly human lives are more important, for it may easily be yours. We should not abolish capital punishment, but hold our country accountable for properly exercising the death penalty upon those who deserve it.
Also, there is debate over the morals and effectiveness of such a harsh sentence. Most commonly, the death penalty is challenged as a violation of the Eighth Amendment, which says that the U.S. cannot use "cruel and unusual" punishment. Due to the fact that "punishment" is a legal infliction of suffering, it must be somewhat "cruel.” As for being unusual, it is anything but, due to the long history of its usage. People will plunder, take advantage of others, and commit crimes as long as it is in their best interest to do so. The purpose of our entire criminal justice system is to protect the rights of life, liberty, and property for all its citizens. To do this, the punishment for crime must be harsh enough to deter potential criminals. Under this mindset, the death penalty makes perfect sense. Here is a punishment that truly makes a criminal pay for his crime, stops the criminal from committing it again, and deters other criminals from committing the same crime.
Capital punishment has proven to have good benefits upon the country in determining the consequences that criminals deserve. This is needed to ensure the safety and moral values of society. If this is the case, there is no need for us to consider the expenses involved in the death penalty. Certainly human lives are more important, for it may easily be yours. We should not abolish capital punishment, but hold our country accountable for properly exercising the death penalty upon those who deserve it.
Also, there is debate over the morals and effectiveness of such a harsh sentence. Most commonly, the death penalty is challenged as a violation of the Eighth Amendment, which says that the U.S. cannot use "cruel and unusual" punishment. Due to the fact that "punishment" is a legal infliction of suffering, it must be somewhat "cruel.” As for being unusual, it is anything but, due to the long history of its usage. People will plunder, take advantage of others, and commit crimes as long as it is in their best interest to do so. The purpose of our entire criminal justice system is to protect the rights of life, liberty, and property for all its citizens. To do this, the punishment for crime must be harsh enough to deter potential criminals. Under this mindset, the death penalty makes perfect sense. Here is a punishment that truly makes a criminal pay for his crime, stops the criminal from committing it again, and deters other criminals from committing the same crime.
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