1. B
2. C
3. b
4. C
5. C
6. A
7. C
8. B
9. A
10. B
11. A
12. a
13. B
14. a
15. d
16. C
17. D
18. C
19. D
20. B
21. B
22. C
23. a
24. D
25. C
26. d
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Reflection
Reflection The lecture made some good points. I was surprised to know that Hitler made the cover of Time magazine and that a few American eaders had praised his efforts to fix Germany as a country. It shows that Hitler was very strategic in planning his evenutal take over of most of Europe. I was also surprised to find out the brief history of BMW and Damier Bently. Now I know why BMW's are such good cars. Its because they started off making airplanes and crafts for the war. most of Europe. I was also surprised to find out the brief history of BMW and Damier Bently. Now I know why BMW's are such good cars. Its because they started off making .airplanes and crafts for the war.
Assignment: Hitler
Quote Probably what set Hitler apart from other demagogues was his ability to exert“charismatic authority” (the Weberian concept) over his audiences, who saw in him some super natural quality. Hitler was an admirer of Nietzsche and thought of himself as the superman creating a new order of values that disposed of the weak notions of human rights and substituted it for a philosophy of power legitimated through violence. This combined with claims to speaking for the “real Germans” and promises to “restore German greatness” struck a chord with insecure Germans who felt lost and directionless in their lives, and all too willing to find scapegoats for their problems. One of the most common claims made by early Hitler supporters was the feeling that “he made me feel like I was not alone anymore”. felt lost and directionless in their lives, and al too willing to find scapegoats for their problems. One of the most common claims made by early Hitler supporters was the feeling that “he made me feel like I was not alone anymore”
Throughout my time in elementary and high school, I was given the impression that Hitler was this fanatical dictator who was solely out to attack Jewish people with no rationa explanation. But with further study, we are shown the method to Hitler's madness. His actions were indeed cruel but he was skillful at playing upon the weakness and ignorance of the German people. At the time in Germany, banking was seen as a "Jewish" profession. Hitler used this weakness to monopolize Germany's most profitable industries.
The Final Solution is when Hitler's rationale didn't seem so rational.
Throughout my time in elementary and high school, I was given the impression that Hitler was this fanatical dictator who was solely out to attack Jewish people with no rationa explanation. But with further study, we are shown the method to Hitler's madness. His actions were indeed cruel but he was skillful at playing upon the weakness and ignorance of the German people. At the time in Germany, banking was seen as a "Jewish" profession. Hitler used this weakness to monopolize Germany's most profitable industries.
The Final Solution is when Hitler's rationale didn't seem so rational.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Assignment: Founded on Force
Every state is founded on force,' said Trotsky at Brest-Litovsk. That is indeed right. If no social institutions existed which knew the use of violence, then the concept of 'state' would be eliminated, and a condition would emerge that could be designated as 'anarchy,' in the specific sense of this word. Of course, force is certainly not the normal or the only means of the state--nobody says that--but force is a means specific to the state. Today the relation between the state and violence is an especially intimate one. In the past, the most varied institutions--beginning with the sib--have known the use of physical force as quite normal. Today, however, we have to say that a state is a human community that (successfully) claims the physical force within a given territory. Note that 'territory' is one of the characteristics of the state. Specifically, at the present time, the right to use physical force is ascribed to other nstitutions or to individuals only to the extent to which the state permits it. The state is considered the sole source of the 'right' to use violence. Hence, 'politics' for us means striving to share power or striving to influence the distribution of power, either among states or among groups within a state.
This part of the speech stood out to me because it is true that one of the main reasons for the creation of a state is to ensure a certain territories' security. Being able to protect its domain is important because it legitimazies the righteousness of the states' being and their use of force. However, words such as force and power have different meanings when it comes to the state itself and their territories or people. There's a sort of irony in saying that "Politics" for the people means that their is struggle to influence the way power is distributed. While the primary use of force can be used as a means of protecting one's said territory, the state can also use force as a means of controlling its population. This is where the social insitiutions come into play. They help to control the population by "assisting" them in every aspect of their lives. This is much like what we see in United States politics. There are people called Lobbyists and then there are the corporations that campaign or sponsor for a favorable candidate. Either way, they "strive" to share power by seeing who can come up with the most amount of money in order to influence the outcome of an election.
This part of the speech stood out to me because it is true that one of the main reasons for the creation of a state is to ensure a certain territories' security. Being able to protect its domain is important because it legitimazies the righteousness of the states' being and their use of force. However, words such as force and power have different meanings when it comes to the state itself and their territories or people. There's a sort of irony in saying that "Politics" for the people means that their is struggle to influence the way power is distributed. While the primary use of force can be used as a means of protecting one's said territory, the state can also use force as a means of controlling its population. This is where the social insitiutions come into play. They help to control the population by "assisting" them in every aspect of their lives. This is much like what we see in United States politics. There are people called Lobbyists and then there are the corporations that campaign or sponsor for a favorable candidate. Either way, they "strive" to share power by seeing who can come up with the most amount of money in order to influence the outcome of an election.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Reflection
Reflection
Today’s lecture on the Weimar Republic was very knowledgeable. I was always aware of Germany’s brief period of democracy but I’ve never known the reasons as to why it failed. If 1/3 of Germany’s debt was due to the reparations, what were the other 2/3rd’s? Because it seems like the reparations didn’t hurt the economy as much as they make it seem. Sure it added to the collapse but it wasn’t the sole reason. I can understand how the inflation led to the rise of Hitler. It was a common belief that banking was a Jewish profession. Hitler was able to use this to his advantage. I realized that Germany is a very unique country. It has been through a lot in its history and it still managed to recover.
Today’s lecture on the Weimar Republic was very knowledgeable. I was always aware of Germany’s brief period of democracy but I’ve never known the reasons as to why it failed. If 1/3 of Germany’s debt was due to the reparations, what were the other 2/3rd’s? Because it seems like the reparations didn’t hurt the economy as much as they make it seem. Sure it added to the collapse but it wasn’t the sole reason. I can understand how the inflation led to the rise of Hitler. It was a common belief that banking was a Jewish profession. Hitler was able to use this to his advantage. I realized that Germany is a very unique country. It has been through a lot in its history and it still managed to recover.
Assignment - The Reich!
From the First part of the Reich document.
The Reich is responsible for legislation in the areas
1. Civil law
2. Penal law
3. Jurisdiction including the execution of sentences as wellas judicial
assistance between government offices
4. Passport affairs and the registration of aliens
5. Welfare for the poor and the migrants
6. Press, clubs, assemblies
7. Population policy, motherhood, baby, children and youthwelfare
8. Health care, veterinary affairs, protection of plantsagainst diseases and parasites
9. Labour legislation, insurance and protection of workersand employees as well as certification of employment
10. The establishment of institutions representingoccupations within the Reich territory
11. Welfare for combattants and their surviving dependants
12. The law of expropriation
13. The nationalization of natural resources, of economicenterprises, of the production, distribution and pricing of merchandise for thesocial economy
14. Trade, measurements, the distribution of paper money,construction and stock markets
15. The sale of food as well as other goods of dailyconsumption
16. Industry and mining
17. Insurances
18. Merchant shipping. ocean and coastal fishing
19. Railways, inland navigation, motor vehicle traffic onland, water and in the air, the construction of overland roads, as far as theseserve general traffic and national defense
20. Theatres and cinemas
This is passage is explaining the areas of life that the German government is responsible for. I think this is very commendable of the German government because they are clearly outlining what they can be held accountable for. They are not trying to escape their responsibilities. The wording provides for a certain trust between the German people and their government. This section is like a conversation in which all sides are being truthful. When things are explained in such a clear fashion, there is no reason for protests and uprisings. I chose this passage because there is a clear understanding about what the German government is about.
From the Second part of the Reich document.
Article 111
All Germans enjoy freedom to move and settle down. Every body is entitled to stay and settle anywhere within the Reich, to acquire property and to pursue his trade. Limitations require a Reich law.
This passage is very interesting because it encourages Germans to explore their country. It has a welcoming feel to it, unlike the American constitution. The 14th, 15th and 16th amendment abolished slavery, made slaves natural born citizens and gave black males theright to vote. But these amendments were worded in a way that made it seem impersonal. In other words, it was just legal jargon or something that was a government obligation because there had been people protesting to abolish slavery. I chose this passage because of thes implicity. I get the message right from reading it. It gets the point across without using legal terms and becoming redundant.
The Reich is responsible for legislation in the areas
1. Civil law
2. Penal law
3. Jurisdiction including the execution of sentences as wellas judicial
assistance between government offices
4. Passport affairs and the registration of aliens
5. Welfare for the poor and the migrants
6. Press, clubs, assemblies
7. Population policy, motherhood, baby, children and youthwelfare
8. Health care, veterinary affairs, protection of plantsagainst diseases and parasites
9. Labour legislation, insurance and protection of workersand employees as well as certification of employment
10. The establishment of institutions representingoccupations within the Reich territory
11. Welfare for combattants and their surviving dependants
12. The law of expropriation
13. The nationalization of natural resources, of economicenterprises, of the production, distribution and pricing of merchandise for thesocial economy
14. Trade, measurements, the distribution of paper money,construction and stock markets
15. The sale of food as well as other goods of dailyconsumption
16. Industry and mining
17. Insurances
18. Merchant shipping. ocean and coastal fishing
19. Railways, inland navigation, motor vehicle traffic onland, water and in the air, the construction of overland roads, as far as theseserve general traffic and national defense
20. Theatres and cinemas
This is passage is explaining the areas of life that the German government is responsible for. I think this is very commendable of the German government because they are clearly outlining what they can be held accountable for. They are not trying to escape their responsibilities. The wording provides for a certain trust between the German people and their government. This section is like a conversation in which all sides are being truthful. When things are explained in such a clear fashion, there is no reason for protests and uprisings. I chose this passage because there is a clear understanding about what the German government is about.
From the Second part of the Reich document.
Article 111
All Germans enjoy freedom to move and settle down. Every body is entitled to stay and settle anywhere within the Reich, to acquire property and to pursue his trade. Limitations require a Reich law.
This passage is very interesting because it encourages Germans to explore their country. It has a welcoming feel to it, unlike the American constitution. The 14th, 15th and 16th amendment abolished slavery, made slaves natural born citizens and gave black males theright to vote. But these amendments were worded in a way that made it seem impersonal. In other words, it was just legal jargon or something that was a government obligation because there had been people protesting to abolish slavery. I chose this passage because of thes implicity. I get the message right from reading it. It gets the point across without using legal terms and becoming redundant.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Mid Term Assignment
Nihilism is the idea that old norms must be destroyed and replaced with new ones in order to create a better society. This idea was very popular in Germany after World War I. It was at this time when the German people felt as though the war had destroyed their economy and society. The responses to Germany’s participation in the war came in the form of art work such as Dadaism and films such as Blue Angel and Dr. Caligiri’s cabinet. We have been studying different forms of nihilism throughout the semester. The Dada artists tended to express their ideas by meshing aspects of humanity with technology while fiction such as Ernst Junger’s On Pain and Herman Hesse’s Siddartha expressed their ideas by exploring the meaning of reality and life.
Dadaism was an anti-war cultural movement which started after World War I and took particular interest in Germany. The artworks in this movement present a negative portrayal of society. Whereas the industrial advances of Europe were widely seen as a great achievement, the dada artists saw these advances as steadily destroying humanity and taking away from the human imagination. Raoul Haussman’s “Direktion,” is the perfect example.
The head and upper part of the body are the first noticeable parts of a person. In Haussman’s picture, the upper body’s internal organs are exposed. The chest cavity and vessels are emphasized with bright colors, red and blue and significant detail meaning it is easy to see the texture of the chest cavity. The head on the other hand has been replaced with a dust colored kind of clock. In examining this picture, the focal point for the eye would be the chest cavity. The clock is in direct contrast with these human features. This picture is saying that technology is turning humans into brainless robots who do not have to think because now technology is doing that for them.
With Haussman’s intergration of humanity and technology, we are getting a negative depiction of the two. He is saying that both entities cannot coexist because technology takes away from human creativity. In another of Haussman’s paintings, Dada Seigt, we are shown how machinery affects human activities. It seems as though, Haussman is saying that machines ignite the flame of war.
In Ernst Jungers’ novel On Pain, his feelings towards technology are somewhat ambiguous. This was discussed in the class blog as well where it was mentioned that the use of technology is counterproductive to human society. Its emergence takes away jobs and makes people feel useless. Technology in itself takes away from basic human nature and brings out vicious a quality which in turn leaves the whole of society in a disarray.
On one hand, Junger is against technology for those reasons. On another hand, Junger supports the use of technology because it forces people to leave the past behind and seek a better future. “The masses kill with machines, they tear apart and trample underfoot; by contrast, the lumpenproletariat is directly familiar with the joys of torture. The masses are moved morally; they unite in situations of excitement and indignation. They must be convinced that the opponent is evil and that they are prosecuting justice against this evil. The lumpenproletariat is beyond moral valuations and thus always and everywhere ready to seize the opportunity, i.e., with every disturbance of the social order regardless of origin. The lumpenproletariat therefore functions beyond the more limited space of politics; instead, one must regard the lumpenproletariat as a kind of underground army reserve that the social order keeps on alert.” (p.26) Junger. This quote is saying that even though this integration between technology and humanity causes chaos, it prepares society for change.
Another work that we have discussed in the class blog as well as on our separate blogs is Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha. This book was written in 1922 shortly after the end of World War I. Siddhartha, which is a mixture of two words meaning “Achieve” and “Wealth”, is a young man who leads a very sheltered life until he decides to seek a path of enlightenment.
Siddhartha feels as though something is missing and even though he follows the rituals of his religion to a tee, he still unsatisfied. He leaves his father’s home because he feels he has learned all his father knows. Siddhartha goes through various stages of development on his path to enlightenment. First, he decides that in order to become one with the universe, one must detach themselves from their wants and desires. He and his best friend Govinda travel with the Samanas in order to learn how to rid themselves of their desires.
After traveling for some time, Siddhartha comes to the realization that this is not the way to reach nirvana. “Siddhartha learned a great deal from the Samanas; he learned many ways of losing the Self. He traveled along the path of self-denial through pain, through voluntary suffering and conquering of pain, through hunger, thirst and fatigue. He traveled the way of self-denial through meditation, through the emptying of the mind through all images. Along these and other paths did he learn to travel? He lost his Self a thousand times and for days on end he dwelt in non-being. But although the paths took him away from Self, in the end they always led back to it.” (34) Siddartha, then, makes the decision to leave. He makes the decision to wander around the village and observe the townspeople in which he becomes disgusted at the hypocrisy he sees.
He then meets Gotma who convinces him that there is no specific way to achieve enlightenment. Siddartha then leaves Gotma and comes to the realization that every religion has their own ritual. So he decides to find the ritual that is best for him. It is on his path that he meets Kamala and develops a relationship. In this relationship with Kamala, he experiences love and loss, which in turn helps him find peace and finally nirvana.
Siddhartha’s rejection of all things known is in exact correlation with the ideals of Nihilism. He rejected the old norms in order to find himself and once he was able to completely shed himself of all past habits, he was able to do so. Herman Hesse’s book was a reflection of Germany’s nihilist attitude post world war I.
In conclusion, the ideas we have studied differ in many ways but they all reflect one idea: Nihilism. Raoul Haussman’s art work mocked technological advances and mourned humanity which led to the inference that he wanted these ways to be destroyed so that new ones could surmount. Ernst Junger essentially supported technology and its causes because he believed it would eventually transform humanity. Siddartha worked hard to drop his habits in order to find his true self.
Dadaism was an anti-war cultural movement which started after World War I and took particular interest in Germany. The artworks in this movement present a negative portrayal of society. Whereas the industrial advances of Europe were widely seen as a great achievement, the dada artists saw these advances as steadily destroying humanity and taking away from the human imagination. Raoul Haussman’s “Direktion,” is the perfect example.
The head and upper part of the body are the first noticeable parts of a person. In Haussman’s picture, the upper body’s internal organs are exposed. The chest cavity and vessels are emphasized with bright colors, red and blue and significant detail meaning it is easy to see the texture of the chest cavity. The head on the other hand has been replaced with a dust colored kind of clock. In examining this picture, the focal point for the eye would be the chest cavity. The clock is in direct contrast with these human features. This picture is saying that technology is turning humans into brainless robots who do not have to think because now technology is doing that for them.
With Haussman’s intergration of humanity and technology, we are getting a negative depiction of the two. He is saying that both entities cannot coexist because technology takes away from human creativity. In another of Haussman’s paintings, Dada Seigt, we are shown how machinery affects human activities. It seems as though, Haussman is saying that machines ignite the flame of war.
In Ernst Jungers’ novel On Pain, his feelings towards technology are somewhat ambiguous. This was discussed in the class blog as well where it was mentioned that the use of technology is counterproductive to human society. Its emergence takes away jobs and makes people feel useless. Technology in itself takes away from basic human nature and brings out vicious a quality which in turn leaves the whole of society in a disarray.
On one hand, Junger is against technology for those reasons. On another hand, Junger supports the use of technology because it forces people to leave the past behind and seek a better future. “The masses kill with machines, they tear apart and trample underfoot; by contrast, the lumpenproletariat is directly familiar with the joys of torture. The masses are moved morally; they unite in situations of excitement and indignation. They must be convinced that the opponent is evil and that they are prosecuting justice against this evil. The lumpenproletariat is beyond moral valuations and thus always and everywhere ready to seize the opportunity, i.e., with every disturbance of the social order regardless of origin. The lumpenproletariat therefore functions beyond the more limited space of politics; instead, one must regard the lumpenproletariat as a kind of underground army reserve that the social order keeps on alert.” (p.26) Junger. This quote is saying that even though this integration between technology and humanity causes chaos, it prepares society for change.
Another work that we have discussed in the class blog as well as on our separate blogs is Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha. This book was written in 1922 shortly after the end of World War I. Siddhartha, which is a mixture of two words meaning “Achieve” and “Wealth”, is a young man who leads a very sheltered life until he decides to seek a path of enlightenment.
Siddhartha feels as though something is missing and even though he follows the rituals of his religion to a tee, he still unsatisfied. He leaves his father’s home because he feels he has learned all his father knows. Siddhartha goes through various stages of development on his path to enlightenment. First, he decides that in order to become one with the universe, one must detach themselves from their wants and desires. He and his best friend Govinda travel with the Samanas in order to learn how to rid themselves of their desires.
After traveling for some time, Siddhartha comes to the realization that this is not the way to reach nirvana. “Siddhartha learned a great deal from the Samanas; he learned many ways of losing the Self. He traveled along the path of self-denial through pain, through voluntary suffering and conquering of pain, through hunger, thirst and fatigue. He traveled the way of self-denial through meditation, through the emptying of the mind through all images. Along these and other paths did he learn to travel? He lost his Self a thousand times and for days on end he dwelt in non-being. But although the paths took him away from Self, in the end they always led back to it.” (34) Siddartha, then, makes the decision to leave. He makes the decision to wander around the village and observe the townspeople in which he becomes disgusted at the hypocrisy he sees.
He then meets Gotma who convinces him that there is no specific way to achieve enlightenment. Siddartha then leaves Gotma and comes to the realization that every religion has their own ritual. So he decides to find the ritual that is best for him. It is on his path that he meets Kamala and develops a relationship. In this relationship with Kamala, he experiences love and loss, which in turn helps him find peace and finally nirvana.
Siddhartha’s rejection of all things known is in exact correlation with the ideals of Nihilism. He rejected the old norms in order to find himself and once he was able to completely shed himself of all past habits, he was able to do so. Herman Hesse’s book was a reflection of Germany’s nihilist attitude post world war I.
In conclusion, the ideas we have studied differ in many ways but they all reflect one idea: Nihilism. Raoul Haussman’s art work mocked technological advances and mourned humanity which led to the inference that he wanted these ways to be destroyed so that new ones could surmount. Ernst Junger essentially supported technology and its causes because he believed it would eventually transform humanity. Siddartha worked hard to drop his habits in order to find his true self.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Picture this... Photography!
Photography, then, is an expression of our peculiarly cruel way of seeing. Ultimately, it is a kind of evil eye, a type of magical possession. One senses this very clearly in places where a different cultic substance is still active. The moment a city like Mecca can be photographed, it falls into the colonial sphere sphere
This quote relates to the art work of the Dada artists that we have studied. The art work of Raoul Haussman and others are examples of how photography can be manipulated. In the case of the Dada artists, photography was manipulated into a mockery of society.
Aside from the quotes relevance to the work we have studied. The quote expresses the feeling toward photography. Essentially photography takes away from the actua beauty and reality of an object. Hence the line"If the city of mecca were to be photographed..."The light captures and emphasizes what it wants thus leaving a certain imprint on the human mind. Photography in a sense takes away from the human imagination.
I chose this quote because I study photography. I feel differently. I think photography is a beautiful expression of art. It does capture details but these details are sometimes unseen by the human eye. I think that photography is also a back up for the human memory. We will not and can not remember everything. Having photos will keep our memories in tact.
This quote relates to the art work of the Dada artists that we have studied. The art work of Raoul Haussman and others are examples of how photography can be manipulated. In the case of the Dada artists, photography was manipulated into a mockery of society.
Aside from the quotes relevance to the work we have studied. The quote expresses the feeling toward photography. Essentially photography takes away from the actua beauty and reality of an object. Hence the line"If the city of mecca were to be photographed..."The light captures and emphasizes what it wants thus leaving a certain imprint on the human mind. Photography in a sense takes away from the human imagination.
I chose this quote because I study photography. I feel differently. I think photography is a beautiful expression of art. It does capture details but these details are sometimes unseen by the human eye. I think that photography is also a back up for the human memory. We will not and can not remember everything. Having photos will keep our memories in tact.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Unconsciously............
"Isn't it strange how we are misled by words, how we give names to streets, events and people, and form judgments about them, just because we are too lazy to change our habits?"
I chose this quote because as humans we are creatures of habit. And we never seem to pay attention to what we do which causes us to work on autopilot and become mindless in a sense. It shows that humans in a sense lack creativity if we have to keep the same names. Or perhaps we have bad memories. I especially gravitated this part ?Isn?t strange how we are misled by words?? It shows that we can use language as a form of manipulation and as humans we tend to take words and statements and turn them into what works for us.
I chose this quote because as humans we are creatures of habit. And we never seem to pay attention to what we do which causes us to work on autopilot and become mindless in a sense. It shows that humans in a sense lack creativity if we have to keep the same names. Or perhaps we have bad memories. I especially gravitated this part ?Isn?t strange how we are misled by words?? It shows that we can use language as a form of manipulation and as humans we tend to take words and statements and turn them into what works for us.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Reflection
The two films that we have watched have personified Expressionism. These films have helped pave the way for modern Hollywood films. The Cabinet of Dr. caligiri reminded me of the movie Shutter Island with Leonardo Di Caprio. These movies show that there can be different themes present in one story. It pretty much leaves room for interpretation and I think that is interesting.
The plays on reality as seen in Dr. caligiris cabinet are something that has yet to be explored. You can tell that the themes often affect the feelings or mood of society.
The plays on reality as seen in Dr. caligiris cabinet are something that has yet to be explored. You can tell that the themes often affect the feelings or mood of society.
Three Things I Hate About You. Assingnment 4.
The three themes that can be found in Dr. Caligiri’s cabinet and the Blue Angel are the deception of Beauty, Insanity (servere confusion) and Irony.
Ceasare is taken aback by Jane’s beauty and cannot bring himself to murder her at first. It shows how taboo beauty can be after complete debunkery. This becomes Ceasare's downfall as it cause him to be killed later, for waiting too long to proceed with the Jane's slaying.
In the Blue Angel, Professor Rath, although warning his students of the Blue Angel, gets himself in a whirlpool with Lola, a vivacious night club singer. After catching her cheating on him, he goes insane. The theme of irony is present in both films. Ceasare predicts someone’s death and incidentally he dies later on in the film. In The Blue Angel, the professor warns the children about going to the Blue Angel and he is ironically captured by her beauty.
These themes channel Nihilisim in the sense that they reflect all the ideals the Germans were rejecting during this depressing time in their country. I believe that the women and their power of beauty would symbolize what Germany once was and how that beauty of their country betrayed its own people. That betrayl and the Great War caused a depression and a sort of "insanity" which eventually destroyed everything the German people believed in.
Ceasare is taken aback by Jane’s beauty and cannot bring himself to murder her at first. It shows how taboo beauty can be after complete debunkery. This becomes Ceasare's downfall as it cause him to be killed later, for waiting too long to proceed with the Jane's slaying.
In the Blue Angel, Professor Rath, although warning his students of the Blue Angel, gets himself in a whirlpool with Lola, a vivacious night club singer. After catching her cheating on him, he goes insane. The theme of irony is present in both films. Ceasare predicts someone’s death and incidentally he dies later on in the film. In The Blue Angel, the professor warns the children about going to the Blue Angel and he is ironically captured by her beauty.
These themes channel Nihilisim in the sense that they reflect all the ideals the Germans were rejecting during this depressing time in their country. I believe that the women and their power of beauty would symbolize what Germany once was and how that beauty of their country betrayed its own people. That betrayl and the Great War caused a depression and a sort of "insanity" which eventually destroyed everything the German people believed in.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Reflection: Fate and Destiny!
When I read the lecture, the first thing that stood out to me was the theme of fate and destiny. I liked when you said "that you are locked into things and have little if any choice in the outcome of your life." This is depressing. And if life is indeed seen through this perspective then it is meaningless." I had never thought about fate and destiny as something negative. I always had the common perception that things would work out for the best. But I can see how in Germany this idea of fate and destiny can make the germans feel hopeless. After the war, they were annihilated economically and nationally. The country was condemned and frowned upon by the whole world so their sense of national pride was destroyed. It seems natural that the Dada artists would reject this idea of fate and destiny because it would mean that they were resigned to this fate that was bestowed upon them.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Quiz 1
1. What is nihilism? Is it correct to say it is thebelief in nothing?
Nihilism is an extremist idea which claims that life has no meaning. Yes it would be correct to say that nihilism is a belief in nothing because nihilist do not believe in anything but the fact that human existence is useless.
2. What are the differences between Greco-Roman andJudeo-Christian values according to Nietzsche? Which values does he believe arebetter for living a full and healthy life and why?
Greco-Roman values support human nature while Judeo Christian values suppress human nature. Nietzche believes that Greco-Roman values are better for living a full life because they allow people to be who they really are and they allow humans to destroy which is what he thinks is their primary purpose.
3. Why is Dada art so pessimistic and bizzare? Whatgroups in Germany society where Dada artists trying to discredit and undermine?
Dada art is pessimistic because it is a reflection of German society during and after the War. The Dada artists were trying to discredit upper society.
4. How many jobs does Dr. Caligari have in the film?
Dr Caligari has three jobs.
5. Why does Siddhartha leave his father?
Siddhartha leaves his father because he learned all he could from his father and felt that by leaving he could learn more elsewhere.
6. How does Cesare "die" in the film?
Cesare fakes his death by pretending to jump off the cliff because he could not out run the servants.
7. Why is the river so important to Siddharta at the end of the novel?
The River is important to Siddharta at the end of the novel because it signifies the place where Siddhartha found the ultimate wisdom. It is the place where he became at one with himself.
Nihilism is an extremist idea which claims that life has no meaning. Yes it would be correct to say that nihilism is a belief in nothing because nihilist do not believe in anything but the fact that human existence is useless.
2. What are the differences between Greco-Roman andJudeo-Christian values according to Nietzsche? Which values does he believe arebetter for living a full and healthy life and why?
Greco-Roman values support human nature while Judeo Christian values suppress human nature. Nietzche believes that Greco-Roman values are better for living a full life because they allow people to be who they really are and they allow humans to destroy which is what he thinks is their primary purpose.
3. Why is Dada art so pessimistic and bizzare? Whatgroups in Germany society where Dada artists trying to discredit and undermine?
Dada art is pessimistic because it is a reflection of German society during and after the War. The Dada artists were trying to discredit upper society.
4. How many jobs does Dr. Caligari have in the film?
Dr Caligari has three jobs.
5. Why does Siddhartha leave his father?
Siddhartha leaves his father because he learned all he could from his father and felt that by leaving he could learn more elsewhere.
6. How does Cesare "die" in the film?
Cesare fakes his death by pretending to jump off the cliff because he could not out run the servants.
7. Why is the river so important to Siddharta at the end of the novel?
The River is important to Siddharta at the end of the novel because it signifies the place where Siddhartha found the ultimate wisdom. It is the place where he became at one with himself.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Reflection
Growing up as a Christian /CatholicI was forced into my ways of belief by family memebers and friends of the Church. Now that I have grown to function alone I can think and generate opinions of my own. As I developed and grew out of my Catholic ways, which was to traditionally going to church on Sundays and attend Church class, I find myself interested in other religious beliefs. This interest in other religions gives my mind infinite wonders of whats real and whats just structure.
Buddhism is one of the most interesting religious structures to me. I work at a pharmacy and an African American patient continues to teach me and preach to me about her beliefs and practices as she pick up her psychiatric prescriptions but to me shes not so psychotic at all. The theory of the transfer of energy compared to what I use to believe in through the Christian Church are beyond different but religions are the practically same in how they drag vast amount of souls into a whirlpool of imaginary certainty with energetic faith. A question I often ask myself is whats real, whats fake and also whats a waste of time. I can understand where the belief of nothings exists fits in.
Buddhism is one of the most interesting religious structures to me. I work at a pharmacy and an African American patient continues to teach me and preach to me about her beliefs and practices as she pick up her psychiatric prescriptions but to me shes not so psychotic at all. The theory of the transfer of energy compared to what I use to believe in through the Christian Church are beyond different but religions are the practically same in how they drag vast amount of souls into a whirlpool of imaginary certainty with energetic faith. A question I often ask myself is whats real, whats fake and also whats a waste of time. I can understand where the belief of nothings exists fits in.
Assignment 2
"When someone is searching, then it might easily happen that the one thing his eyes still see is that what he searches for, that he is unstable to find anything, to let anything enter his mind, because he always thinks of nothing but the object of his search, because he has a goal, because he is obsessed by the goal. Searching means: having a goal. But finding means: being free, being open, having no goal. You oh venerable one are perhaps indeed a searchers, because striving for your goal, there are many things you don't see, which are directly in front of your eyes."
The passage is explaining the difference between searching and finding. Siddartha seeks to educate the people who think they are in tune with the universe by sharing this difference with them. He is saying people do not take the time to fulfill themselves or get to know the world around them. They are so busy trying to live in the moment or so busy moving on auto pilot that they miss what they really need. They miss the fulfillment of their souls and on building a relationship with a higher being.
This same sentiment can be seen in the Dada artists of Germany. Their artwork is a mockery of the menial things that humans buy into. As terrible as war is, it was profitable for certain countries to join. It was also a way of showing off who had power. It’s sad that people are concerned with killing each other instead of trying to make peace with themselves and one another.
I chose this passage because it resonated with how I feel about the world. Many people are moving through life with no idea of why they want certain things or what motivates them. It seems as though there is no time to explore thyself and the world around us. We as humans are so consumed by time and competition an
The passage is explaining the difference between searching and finding. Siddartha seeks to educate the people who think they are in tune with the universe by sharing this difference with them. He is saying people do not take the time to fulfill themselves or get to know the world around them. They are so busy trying to live in the moment or so busy moving on auto pilot that they miss what they really need. They miss the fulfillment of their souls and on building a relationship with a higher being.
This same sentiment can be seen in the Dada artists of Germany. Their artwork is a mockery of the menial things that humans buy into. As terrible as war is, it was profitable for certain countries to join. It was also a way of showing off who had power. It’s sad that people are concerned with killing each other instead of trying to make peace with themselves and one another.
I chose this passage because it resonated with how I feel about the world. Many people are moving through life with no idea of why they want certain things or what motivates them. It seems as though there is no time to explore thyself and the world around us. We as humans are so consumed by time and competition an
Friday, September 9, 2011
Assignment 1: Paintings
Raoul Hausman was born in Vienna but moved to Berlin when he was 14 years old. His father influenced his interest in art. Hausman became involved in the Dada movement when he met Johannes Baader. He got married in 1908, had a daughter and enrolled in Berlin’s private art school. He was influenced by Henwerth Walden and began painting in an expressionist style. His networking with many different artists helped to credit him as an influential figure in Germany. Later in his career, he began experimenting with photomontage. During this period, he had an affair with fellow Dada artist, Hannah Hoch. He traveled extensively throughout Europe experimenting with different art forms. The last years of his life were spent in isolation. He died February 1st , 1971 in Limoges, France.
This artwork is called Dada Siegt 1919. From looking at Raoul Haussman’s paintings, I have noticed that he focuses on the anatomical features of the human body. He emphasizes on the brain and in the far background there is an empty shell of a human body. This plays into the idea of nihilism. The fact that he chooses to focus his work on body parts is saying that we as humans are essentially just a bunch of organs.
Elasticism 1920.
Another thing that I noticed about Haussman’s work is that he takes things that are so important to us and he minimizes it. Machinery and science, all things that we rely on, are being mocked in this picture. They are being thrown together as if they are nothing. The man with the blank look on his face is essentially saying that these things have no value until we give them such.
This picture is called Self Portrait of the Dadasphoh 1920. Once again, Haussman chooses to emphasize on the internal organs. He likes to use clocks or timers as well. It’s as if he is making a mockery of time another thing that we take so seriously. By the man sitting in the chair, he is making a statement that we are so bound to this thing called time that it has control over us.
This artwork is called Dada Siegt 1919. From looking at Raoul Haussman’s paintings, I have noticed that he focuses on the anatomical features of the human body. He emphasizes on the brain and in the far background there is an empty shell of a human body. This plays into the idea of nihilism. The fact that he chooses to focus his work on body parts is saying that we as humans are essentially just a bunch of organs.
Elasticism 1920.
Another thing that I noticed about Haussman’s work is that he takes things that are so important to us and he minimizes it. Machinery and science, all things that we rely on, are being mocked in this picture. They are being thrown together as if they are nothing. The man with the blank look on his face is essentially saying that these things have no value until we give them such.
This picture is called Self Portrait of the Dadasphoh 1920. Once again, Haussman chooses to emphasize on the internal organs. He likes to use clocks or timers as well. It’s as if he is making a mockery of time another thing that we take so seriously. By the man sitting in the chair, he is making a statement that we are so bound to this thing called time that it has control over us.
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