Field Notes from a Catastrophe

Reading Part 2 about man was informative and little dry. When I read the first couple of chapters I found out about a lot historical events that I had no idea would have any relation to Global Warming. Then the rest of the book went on to talk about how much of an impact the U.S. would have if it were to change its habits towards the environment. I thought that the examples on the different groups and their efforts was a good touch to how there are people in the U.S. that are actually doing something. The thing I didn’t like about the book was how it broke the aspects down into nature and man parts. I think that it could have used some of that “to the extreme” that you find in fiction. I think it would stress the importance of the matter and purhaps show a bit of the consequeces of our actions. That’s why I think movies and video documentaries work best out of the world of the media today. They give you room to go that extra distance and add a little extremity to what ever your trying to get across. It’s like they say “seeing is believing”.

Cat’s Cradle

            In reading Cat’s Cradle I at first believed it was a book on religion, though it kind of was. I felt it had so many twists and turns through out it that when the ending happed it took me surprise a little. At first I thought that everything would lead up to some conspiracy and the good Professor Hoeniker would still be alive. I had no idea that it would all end up freezing the entire world. After reading the entire book I felt that only the ending had any real meaning. I also thought it was kind of stupid that nobody thought it was dangerous, even remotely to have something that freezes all the moisture it touches on an island in the middle of the ocean! What makes it worse is that it’s an island that is underdeveloped and lacking in almost every aspect of life.

            In short I felt the story was good, but a little on the extreme side. It talked went on about all sorts of things that were related to the creator of Ice-Nine but not into itself. I mean it didn’t leave any hints about the fact that the Russians and Americans both also possessed pieces of it, or at least slightly obvious hints. But what I do like is that it doesn’t specifically say what is the condition of the rest of the world. With that kind of ending it leaves room for one to speculate or make up ones own ending. It also makes you think what one would do in that situation.

Remember the Titans

In response to the film Remember the Titians I overall had a generally good reaction to it. I liked their idea of breaking through the race barriers by offering a common goal for each and every member of the team. I also liked the portrayal of the racism during that time period; it gave a strong feeling of what the time was like back then. It gave a strong sense of emotion towards the audience and could almost make you feel like you could relate in some way.

Some of the my dislikes were that they only showed the racist tensions between white people and African Americans. Where were the Asians? Most movies always have an Asian in them, even if they’re just lingering in the background somewhere. Not only that where were the Latinos, the Jewish people, and all the other discriminated races. I guess I could say the same for Crash, but in that movie all the stories seemed to closely related. I felt though that the feelings of equality between the players were a bit sped up, but also of course it is a movie so I guess they had to. I do believe that it was only because of winning that any of them did decide to do anything.  

The Lorax and Moutain Road Players

The Lorax is book that just makes you feel sympathy. It relates to many on different levels. I guess that’s why we read it to so many children last Proj. Renn. I felt kind of silly at first, but I admit that it was enjoyable. In a sense the Lorax seemed like a warning to the youth about the effects of pollution. I think that it was good to read such a story to children. In meeting with the children that day made me think back to when I was kid and how I used to go on field trips and have events put on in our auditorium. Now that I think of it, the world would be in a better position if as children we learned more about the environment and global warming. I think maybe we would now have a more serious attitude towards energy and impact we have on the globe. By seeing those children that day also make me think of the impact they may have and yet have on the world as a whole, perhaps a positive impact or perhaps negative. In all I believe I had a good time, I got a lot of laughs, got in touch with my inner child, and got some more laughs.