Presentation Station

Like I said, don't panic. The reason we spent so much time talking about the project is so that you can break it down, really think about what you want to do for it. Take your time, pace yourself. Start by choosing a book to the left. If you want help picking something, comment on my blog. Really, though, take a few minutes this weekend to choose your book. Look on line. Check out Shelfari, Amazon.com, and Wikipedia to see what people think about them. The most important thing is that you like the book you read. The rest of the project will go well if you put effort into these early choices. And trust me: if you choose your book first, then your topic after you start reading, it will go much better than the other way around. And for the love of whatever you love, read a book you haven't read before. Do yourself a favor and experience something new.

Here are the instructions for Category 4, the Technology section:

Create one of the following. This should be original work manipulating another technology. This may discuss or feature your philosophical issue. For example, if you were to create a blog, it could be a few posts on your findings or the imaginary blog of someone who is dealing with your issue. It could even be a series of reviews of your book, movie, and other citations. Do what you are interested in. I can help with some basic online ways to create blogs, wikis, and websites. Google is your friend. But hey, if you know how to program or you're into filmmaking or writing music, go for it.

We won't spend a lot of time in class on this, but I'll mention the progress frequently. Start those books now. You've got this.

Testing, Testing, 1-2-3

As Exam I quickly approaches, I have some study tips for you. First off, I'd like to apologize for not getting Jeopardy! up in a timely manner. It's on the left side of this page in the links list.

Also, have something you're not sure about? Comment on this blog with your questions by 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday) and I'll answer back by 7:00 p.m. at the latest.

Now, for those test taking tips. Maybe you've heard some of these before, maybe you're not even worried about the exam. For the rest of you, here you go:

1. The test has 24 multiple choice questions and you have to answer 20 of them. Just go through and answer the ones you definitely know, then worry about the ones you don't. You might come across ones you don't know right at first. Don't panic! And really, the multiple choice section is more general than the Jeopardy! game.

2. There are six short answer choices and you have to do three of them. Again, go out of order if you have to. Jump right to the one you really know and are excited about, then do other ones. I don't care what order you answer them in, as long as you label them with the prompt number.

3. The big one: essay. If you're scared of the grammar/mechanics/spelling portion, don't worry too much. I'll take off a couple points, but nothing major. Be more concerned if your handwriting is atrocious. You know who you are. Remember that essays can be bent to your strengths. Don't change the question I ask completely (bad), but choose a direction and run with it. Remember that you should write your essay according to what you can most logically argue and back up with evidence. That doesn't necessarily mean it's your true opinion. How would I know, anyway?

4. Go ahead and make that philosopher chart. I'm not much of a chart person myself; I usually make flashcards to study. Do things however you best work, and if you don't know, this is a good chance to start understanding your own brain. There are good things to know about those philosophers: Name, branch of philosophy (agency, epistemology, etc.), side (fate, idealist, etc.), and major contributions and opinions (cogito ergo sum, allegory of the cave, etc.). If you don't understand the overall ideas of each guy, review. Use sources online to help you get the big picture.

5. Look at the links to the left on this blog. Check out the philosophy dictionary if you're not sure what something means. For example, keep in mind that philosophy has different definitions for "materialism" and "idealism" than our normal everyday language does.

6. Plan your time on the test. you have about 80-85 minutes for the whole block. Start with this: one minute for each multiple choice, 10 minutes for each short answer, 30 for the essay. Bend this to your own strengths and weaknesses. Give yourself slightly less time so you have a few minutes at the end to review and breathe. Use the clock or wear a watch.

7. Go out of order if you want to. Do the essay first or whatever. There are no rules.

8. Write outlines for you essays and short answers so there aren't scribbles everywhere. Also, as soon as you get the test, try writing down the stuff you think you might blank on. You'll be turning in everything you write on, so bring lots of paper if you think it will help.

9. Don't cram. You know this. Seriously, don't wait until Sunday night. I hope you haven't even waited until now. Also, I know you will do it. I know I will hear it. But really, don't look at last minute stuff right before class, and ABSOLUTELY DO NOT ask other people things you're not sure about. DO NOT LISTEN to your fellow students spout off random tidbits of information just before. Bring your mp3 player, Walkman, Ghetto Blaster, whatever and tune them out. Studies show you do better on tests when you don't look at anything and just relax for 10 or 15 minutes before an exam.

10. Trust yourself. Don't waste time reviewing the things you know. Go over what you aren't sure about and don't stress over every tiny fact--that's why I give you choices.

You know more than you think you know.

Welcome to Philosophy! Are You Even Really Here at All?

The literal meaning of the word "philosophy" is "love of wisdom." Keep that in mind throughout the course of this class. Many of you might pride yourself in your ability to master every test you take. But philosophy is about wisdom over knowledge, understanding over facts. Yes, you will have to learn specific pieces of information and know the names of certain stuffy old people, but above all else, this is class will be about ideas.

Easy. All you have to do is know what you think, and ace in the hole, right? But do you? Do you know what you truly believe? Do you know why? Can you back up those beliefs with evidence from your own life? Do you know how to explain those beliefs to others and define them according to great thinkers of the past? You will. At least, you will begin to, because more understanding undoubtedly leads to more questions. By the end of your life, when you realize how little you actually know, then you will have become quite wise indeed.

I look forward to a fun and challenging semester of thoughtful discussions, respectful debates, and extensive questioning.

#10 Peer Review

Last Blog! Yippee! For the final post of the semester (it's almost over... sniffle) you should review something-- a movie, tv show, album, book, art exhibit, restaurant, whatever. Write at least 10 sentences, and include the following:

• What you're reviewing


• Your likes and dislikes. Be sure to focus on one or the other (is this a good review or a bad review?). Back up your opinion with examples from whatever you're reviewing.


• A few facts about this thing/place/etc.


• Comparison to other like things/places/etc. (e.g. if you're reviewing McDonald's, compare to Burger King. Also, don't review McDonald's. Yuck!)


• A rating. 4 1/2 cups of coffee out of 5 for the java spot near your house, for example.

While commenting, write at least 5 sentences stating what viewpoint you have made based on the critic's review. Does this make you want to see that movie or avoid that exhibit? Why? As per the last few posts, just pick two people's blogs to comment on. Try to choose people whom you don't know/have not yet commented on.

Savor it, after this, most of these blogs likely go to a lonely cyberspace grave, swirling around an internet purgatory until Google pulls the plug for good.

#9 Take Two!

Since we've been focusing on movies of late, it's time to dissect one of your favorites. Go to YouTube and choose a clip from one of your favorite films. I realize it might not be exactly one scene, but choose something between 1 and 5 minutes long. My example above is from one of my Top 5 movies of all time, Rushmore. Once you've found your clip, embed it into your blog entry. Then, write at least eight sentences on the sorts of details in your clip that would be included in the script (specific to this scene-- think Juno's pipe). Write at least eight more sentences regarding the details added by the director, actors, and other crew members once filming began.

To embed:
1. Choose your clip from YouTube. Please pick a PG-13 or under clip, even if the movie is rated R. Be sure to pick something from a movie or TV show; no video games, music videos, etc.
2. To the top right of the video screen on YouTube, underneath the "Subscribe" box are two text boxes labeled "URL" and "Embed."
3. Copy the entire text inside the "Embed" box including <> on either side of the code language.
4. While posting on your blog, click on the tab labeled "Edit Html" above where you type your entry.
5. Paste the code from the "Embed" box at the very top of your post. Be sure to leave any other code as is.
6. Return to the "Compose" tab to write the rest of your post.
7. If you have too much trouble with this, at least link to your video clip.


For your comments, choose two people from your block on whose blogs you have never commented (or whom you at least do not know). Pretend you are involved in the making of this movie. Write at least 6 sentences on one major change you would make while filming, such as casting, setting, directorial choices, props, etc.

Have fun!

#8 Haiku-Doodle-Doo

Welcome back to the blog, fellow poets. This week, we're just going to get a glimpse at the huge world that is poetry. To get you into it a little, you're going to write some haiku for the blog. A haiku is a very short poem with one simple topic for each. Traditionally, Japanese haiku were about the seasons, but you can do yours on whatever you wish. The following are the rules:

1. You must write 3 haiku, which are all tied together to one theme (i.e. three colors, three seasons, three stooges, etc.) It is not a bad idea to title your blog with your theme. Example: #8 The Seasons.

2. There are three lines to each haiku.

3. The first and third lines are 5 syllables each.

4. The second line is 7 syllables.

Be sure to have one idea per line; it is extremely difficult to write a successful haiku when one sentence bridges more than one line. Here is an example from the movie Fight Club:

Worker bees can leave

Even drones can fly away

The queen is their slave

As for your comments this week, you are to write one haiku which also goes with the original poster's theme of three. So, if someone posts three about summer, winter, and fall, you might write one about spring. Get it? For this week, comment on anyone's blogs; however, you must comment on one person's blog from Block 1 and one person's blog from Block 2. Have fun.

#7 Not Your Average Tuesday

National Talk Like a Pirate Day. William Shatner's Birthday. Haunted Refrigerator Night. Mario Day (It's on March 10, because it looks like M-A-R-I-O spelled out when you write "mar 10").

Since we're discussing holidays this week--and we'll soon be celebrating one as a class--it's time for you to come up with your own. So, for this blog post, make up your own holiday and write about it (at least 15 sentences). What are the traditions? How do people gear up for it? How do they decorate? What is the historical background of this holiday? Write about the true meaning of your day and all the other things we talked about in class.

For your comments, discuss how you would most like to celebrate the person's holiday (at least 8 sentences).

Block 1:

Group 1: Alpha Amber Wolf, Lady Blue, & This Blog Should Be Anonymous

Group 2: arbol44, Peace and Love, & tomorrowiswaiting

Group 3: Blogx, Potter, & wayzatacreative

Group 4: changeinapocket, Princess Sparkle, & Zoolander

Group 5: Checkers, Rock Fan, & zzzxy

Group 6: CoolKCato & Sisu (choose one other to comment on)

Group 7: Graffiti the World, i like turtles :), & Some Dude

Group 8: Hawk Eye 777, iloveanime, & spark 32

Group 9: Highway Star, junior2010, & Squarish Square

Block 2:

Group 1: About21ninjas, Gobl1nmast4r, & smiley

Group 2: Alice, k of the milky way, & stargazer

Group 3: alle, laranail188, & Stinky Toes

Group 4: Anonymous Blogger, Mindfreak, & StrawberryCake

Group 5: Butterfly, Montag, QB1991, & Ursa Major (just do 2)

Group 6: catastrophebyassociation, One Moment Can Change Everything, & Scrappy Coco

Group 7: Darken Rahl, one x, & Sgirl

Group 8: Dually x3, porcupines and potato salad, & Shiny-sama