This week for my story lab assignment I watched the TED Talks: Copyright is Brain Damage by Nina Paley and A New Theory of Human Intelligence by Scott Barry Kaufman
I thought what Scott Kaufman had to say was right on the nose. I think our society puts far too much emphasis on predictors and predictive measurements as a way to gauge intelligence. Kids are told they are either gifted or not when they are young and that shapes their whole learning experience.
I thought he had an awesome story to tell. It was hilarious how he was clever enough to get in to Carnegie Melon in a department that didn't care about SAT score. That just goes to show you how true the point he's trying to make is. He beat the system. He didn't cheat it. I hope we can keep working to implement some of the new ways of measuring intelligence that he discussed.
Copyright is brain damage. What a title. I really enjoyed what Nina had to speak about. I am not a creator so I can't even imagine what its like dealing with copyright on that end, but just as a consumer copyright is already frustrating enough.
I liked how she explained how copyright often isn't even doing anything to help the person whose work is being protected. I hate how much business and profits have ruined our world. People should absolutely make money off of their work, but copyright law has become increasingly predatory.
I hadn't heard about copylefting before this video, but now that it has been brought to my attention I think that it is pretty cool. I hope the movement has had good luck with trying to subvert copyright. I hope they have not been sued to death or worse.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Reading Notes Dante's Inferno Part B
At the top of the broken gully, the infamy of Crete, the Minotaur, conceived on Pasiphaë, in the wooden cow, lay stretched out. When he saw Dante and the guide he gnashed at himself. The guide said, "Perhaps you think we are someone else. We are just passing through to see the punishments."
The Minotaur became enraged. Virgil told Dante, "Run to the passage while he is in a fury. It is time for your descent."
They made their way downwards. In the first ring they saw centaurs racing one behind another. WHen the centaurs saw them they stood still. Three elected leaders came up and asked why they were there. The guide responded that they will talk to Chiron. Chiron noticed that Dante is alive. The guide explained the situation. Chiron turned to Nessuss and said, "Turn and guide them. If another crew meets you then keep them off."
They followed their new guide along the crimson boiling. He said "These are tyrants who indulged in blood, and rapine. Here they lament their offenses, done without mercy."
As they kept walking the blood grew shallower and shallower. In the second ring the harpies made their nest. They had broad wings, and human necks and faces, clawed feet, and large feathered bellies. They made mournful cries in that strange wood.
They left the third ring and the guide told Dante, "'Follow me. Be careful not to place your feet on the burning sand. Always keep back close to the wood."
They reached a stopping point and the guide said, "There is a deserted island in the middle of the sea, named Crete, under whose king Saturn, the world was pure. Their course falls from rock to rock into this valley. They form Acheron, Styx and Phlegethon. They go down to where there is no further fall and form Cocytus. You will see what kind of lake that is, so I will not describe it to you here."
Bibliography
Dante's Divine Comedy, translated by Tony Kline (2002).
The Minotaur became enraged. Virgil told Dante, "Run to the passage while he is in a fury. It is time for your descent."
They made their way downwards. In the first ring they saw centaurs racing one behind another. WHen the centaurs saw them they stood still. Three elected leaders came up and asked why they were there. The guide responded that they will talk to Chiron. Chiron noticed that Dante is alive. The guide explained the situation. Chiron turned to Nessuss and said, "Turn and guide them. If another crew meets you then keep them off."
They followed their new guide along the crimson boiling. He said "These are tyrants who indulged in blood, and rapine. Here they lament their offenses, done without mercy."
As they kept walking the blood grew shallower and shallower. In the second ring the harpies made their nest. They had broad wings, and human necks and faces, clawed feet, and large feathered bellies. They made mournful cries in that strange wood.
They left the third ring and the guide told Dante, "'Follow me. Be careful not to place your feet on the burning sand. Always keep back close to the wood."
They reached a stopping point and the guide said, "There is a deserted island in the middle of the sea, named Crete, under whose king Saturn, the world was pure. Their course falls from rock to rock into this valley. They form Acheron, Styx and Phlegethon. They go down to where there is no further fall and form Cocytus. You will see what kind of lake that is, so I will not describe it to you here."
A Racing Centaur
Bibliography
Dante's Divine Comedy, translated by Tony Kline (2002).
Reading Notes Dante's Inferno Part A
Dante found himself in the middle of a dark wood. It was very harsh and frightening. He couldn't quite say how he got there. He was almost in a sleep-like state. He was fearful. When he was returning from the depths someone appeared. Dante cried out "Have pity on me!"
The figure replied, "I am not a man, but I once was. I was a poet. Why do you not climb the delightful mountain that is the cause of all joy?"
Dante answered, "Are you Virgil? Save me from here."
Virgil responded, "You must go another road if you wish to escape this savage place. No man can cross her path."
Finally Virgil said, "I think its best if you follow me. I will guide and lead you through here."
There were words on the gate to hell that Dante couldn't understand. Virgil told him it, "Here, all uncertainty must be left behind; all cowardice must be dead. We have come to the place where I told you that you would see the sad people who have lost the good of the intellect."
Sighs, complaints, and groans filled the air. Dante asked Virgil who was doing all the crying and what race they were. Virgil responded, "This is the miserable mode in which those exist who lived without praise, without blame. Heaven drove them out to maintain its beauty, and deep Hell does not accept them lest the evil have glory over them."
Then Dante asked what makes them groan so deeply. Virgil answered, "They have no hope of death, and their darkened life is so mean that they are envious of every other fate."
Dante looked back and saw a quickly moving banner. There was a line of people behind it. Then he looked onwards to the bank of the river, and he saw people. He asked Virgil who they were. Virgil told him he will know when they get to Acheron.
Bibliography
Dante's Divine Comedy, translated by Tony Kline (2002).
The figure replied, "I am not a man, but I once was. I was a poet. Why do you not climb the delightful mountain that is the cause of all joy?"
Dante answered, "Are you Virgil? Save me from here."
Virgil responded, "You must go another road if you wish to escape this savage place. No man can cross her path."
Finally Virgil said, "I think its best if you follow me. I will guide and lead you through here."
There were words on the gate to hell that Dante couldn't understand. Virgil told him it, "Here, all uncertainty must be left behind; all cowardice must be dead. We have come to the place where I told you that you would see the sad people who have lost the good of the intellect."
Sighs, complaints, and groans filled the air. Dante asked Virgil who was doing all the crying and what race they were. Virgil responded, "This is the miserable mode in which those exist who lived without praise, without blame. Heaven drove them out to maintain its beauty, and deep Hell does not accept them lest the evil have glory over them."
Then Dante asked what makes them groan so deeply. Virgil answered, "They have no hope of death, and their darkened life is so mean that they are envious of every other fate."
Dante looked back and saw a quickly moving banner. There was a line of people behind it. Then he looked onwards to the bank of the river, and he saw people. He asked Virgil who they were. Virgil told him he will know when they get to Acheron.
Spooky forest from Unsplash
Bibliography
Dante's Divine Comedy, translated by Tony Kline (2002).
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Extra Credit Reading Beowulf Pt B
Beowulf lay still on the couch. A fog was creeping up outside. After some time there was a rustling in the trees. A deep grunt of a pig could be heard. The fog parted and a shadow loomed. Grendel stood at the entrance of the keep while Beowulf and the Earls slept soundly. He began to try and get the door open.
Grendel cast a spell to make those who were sleeping sleep even harder. Eventually Grendel got through the door of the keep. Beowulf came out of his dream spell and he saw Grendel. After Grendel devoured Hondscio he tuned his eyes to Beowulf. Beowulf, who was stung with loathing, leaped from the bed.
They fought silently in the fog filled hall. Beowulf gained the upper hand and flew at Grendel. He twisted Grendel's arm, and Grendel fell to the floor. Grendel oozed a slimy sap that smelled like vinegar and sickened Beowulf. Beowulf called on the strength of the Gods and he ripped off Grendel's arm.
Then the spell wore off on the rest of the Earls. Grendel ran out the door into the fog. The next morning men hoisted Grendel's arm from the ceiling. Men came from all around to view this trophy.
The king and queen thanked Beowulf. They had a feast that lasted for days. A messenger came and interrupted the celebration. He told them that Lord Aescher was dead. He said that he was murdered by some new fiend. Grendel's arm was missing.
Wealhtheow told Beowulf "this must be the work of Grendel's mother. Your work here is not done."
Beowulf told his men to come because they have a new monster to fight. Black Unferth stepped forward and told Beowulf that he was sorry for ever doubting him. He gave Beowulf his magic sword.
Bibliography
The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs, with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933).
Grendel cast a spell to make those who were sleeping sleep even harder. Eventually Grendel got through the door of the keep. Beowulf came out of his dream spell and he saw Grendel. After Grendel devoured Hondscio he tuned his eyes to Beowulf. Beowulf, who was stung with loathing, leaped from the bed.
They fought silently in the fog filled hall. Beowulf gained the upper hand and flew at Grendel. He twisted Grendel's arm, and Grendel fell to the floor. Grendel oozed a slimy sap that smelled like vinegar and sickened Beowulf. Beowulf called on the strength of the Gods and he ripped off Grendel's arm.
Then the spell wore off on the rest of the Earls. Grendel ran out the door into the fog. The next morning men hoisted Grendel's arm from the ceiling. Men came from all around to view this trophy.
The king and queen thanked Beowulf. They had a feast that lasted for days. A messenger came and interrupted the celebration. He told them that Lord Aescher was dead. He said that he was murdered by some new fiend. Grendel's arm was missing.
Wealhtheow told Beowulf "this must be the work of Grendel's mother. Your work here is not done."
Beowulf told his men to come because they have a new monster to fight. Black Unferth stepped forward and told Beowulf that he was sorry for ever doubting him. He gave Beowulf his magic sword.
Photo by Ricardo Cruz on Unsplash
Bibliography
The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs, with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933).
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Reading Notes Looking Glass Part B
Alice's first thought was that she must have been dreaming about the Lion and the Unicorn and those queer Anglo-Saxon Messengers. At this moment her thoughts were interrupted by a loud shouting of
'Ahoy! Ahoy! Check!' and a Knight dressed in crimson armor came
galloping down upon her, brandishing a great club. Just as he reached
her, the horse stopped suddenly: 'You're my prisoner!' the Knight cried,
as he tumbled off his horse.
Then the white knight shows up and he says the same thing and tries to take Alice as his prisoner. They began banging away at each other with such fury that Alice got behind a tree to be out of the way of the blows.
Alice asks the knight about his body. The Knight looked surprised at the question. :What does it matter where my body happens to be?" he said. "My mind goes on working all the same. In fact, the more head downwards I am, the more I keep inventing new things."
Alice has a golden crown on her head. She was not surprised at finding the Red Queen and the White Queen sitting by her. She would have liked very much to ask them how they came there, but she feared it would not be quite civil. However, there would be no harm, she thought, in asking if the game was over
Bibliography
Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll (1871).
Then the white knight shows up and he says the same thing and tries to take Alice as his prisoner. They began banging away at each other with such fury that Alice got behind a tree to be out of the way of the blows.
Alice asks the knight about his body. The Knight looked surprised at the question. :What does it matter where my body happens to be?" he said. "My mind goes on working all the same. In fact, the more head downwards I am, the more I keep inventing new things."
Alice has a golden crown on her head. She was not surprised at finding the Red Queen and the White Queen sitting by her. She would have liked very much to ask them how they came there, but she feared it would not be quite civil. However, there would be no harm, she thought, in asking if the game was over
The White Knight. Source
Bibliography
Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll (1871).
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Reading Notes Looking Glass Part A
The glass was beginning to melt away like a mist. Alice was through the glass and had jumped lightly down into the looking glass room. There was a fire in the fireplace. The pictures on the wall seemed to be alive.
Alice heard the Red King and Red Queen go past. A white pawn began screaming at the table behind Alice. The White Queen screamed "Oh my! My precious child!" Alice picked up the queen and set her on the table next to the pawn. Next Alice picked the king up more slowly and gently than she did the queen. She dusted all the ash off of him too.
The king takes out a notebook and begins writing a memo. Alice took his pencil and wrote "THE WHITE KNIGHT IS SLIDING DOWN THE POKER. HE BALANCES VERY BADLY" in his notebook.
There was a book lying near Alice on the table, and while she sat watching the White King she turned over the leaves to find some part that she could read. She told herself "it's all in some language I don't know. She realized she had to hold the book to a mirror because she was in the loking glass world. It was a poem about the Jabberwocky.
Alice realized she needed to hurry. She thought to herself "if I don't make haste I shall have to go back through the Looking-glass before I've seen what the rest of the house is like! Let's have a look at the garden first!" She was out of the room in a moment, and ran down stairs.
She wandered on until she came across two little fat men. One of them had "DUM"embroidered on his collar, and the other "DEE." Alice asks them what the best way to get out of the woods is. Alice didn't want to hurt either of the boys feelings so she shook both of their hands at the same time.
Bibliography
Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll (1871).
Alice heard the Red King and Red Queen go past. A white pawn began screaming at the table behind Alice. The White Queen screamed "Oh my! My precious child!" Alice picked up the queen and set her on the table next to the pawn. Next Alice picked the king up more slowly and gently than she did the queen. She dusted all the ash off of him too.
The king takes out a notebook and begins writing a memo. Alice took his pencil and wrote "THE WHITE KNIGHT IS SLIDING DOWN THE POKER. HE BALANCES VERY BADLY" in his notebook.
There was a book lying near Alice on the table, and while she sat watching the White King she turned over the leaves to find some part that she could read. She told herself "it's all in some language I don't know. She realized she had to hold the book to a mirror because she was in the loking glass world. It was a poem about the Jabberwocky.
Alice realized she needed to hurry. She thought to herself "if I don't make haste I shall have to go back through the Looking-glass before I've seen what the rest of the house is like! Let's have a look at the garden first!" She was out of the room in a moment, and ran down stairs.
She wandered on until she came across two little fat men. One of them had "DUM"embroidered on his collar, and the other "DEE." Alice asks them what the best way to get out of the woods is. Alice didn't want to hurt either of the boys feelings so she shook both of their hands at the same time.
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Source
Bibliography
Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll (1871).
Friday, November 8, 2019
Story Lab
This week for the story lab assignment I watched the two TED talk videos. I thought the videos were really insightful and thought-provoking.
The first woman was a great storyteller and orator. I think I could listen to her talk for hours on end. I thought she did a great job at making her speech funny at times to. I had never given much thought to the characters I know. I grew up in the western world so it was something I never had to worry about. I thought it was particularly funny when she brought up how badly she wanted to try ginger beer.
The second video was also super informative. I thought it was really cool how she was a psychology professor at OU. It was surprising to hear how much people consumer Harry Potter, but it made sense. I was surprised how attached people felt to fictional characters, but I also wasn't that surprised. Bridge to Terrabithia is still the most emotionally scarring I have ever seen. That death hit me harder than any other fictional death. I didn't know kids could die at that point in my life.
The first woman was a great storyteller and orator. I think I could listen to her talk for hours on end. I thought she did a great job at making her speech funny at times to. I had never given much thought to the characters I know. I grew up in the western world so it was something I never had to worry about. I thought it was particularly funny when she brought up how badly she wanted to try ginger beer.
The second video was also super informative. I thought it was really cool how she was a psychology professor at OU. It was surprising to hear how much people consumer Harry Potter, but it made sense. I was surprised how attached people felt to fictional characters, but I also wasn't that surprised. Bridge to Terrabithia is still the most emotionally scarring I have ever seen. That death hit me harder than any other fictional death. I didn't know kids could die at that point in my life.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Reading Notes King Arthur Part B
Galahad comes across two knights. He asked the knights what brought them there. The knights replied that there is a shield that no one can put on his neck without it killing him in three days. They hear mass and then a monk leads them to an altar with a shield behind it. The monk said "this shield can be hung around no knights neck unless he be the worthiest knight in the world."
King Bagdemagus bared the shield even though he knew he wasn't worthy. He told Galahad to wait there to see what happens to him. Bagdemagus rode two miles before he ran into a strange knight who injured him with a spear. The knight took the shield and gave it to his squire. He told his squire to give the shield to Sir Galahad.
The squire asks Bagdemagus if he is wounded. Bagdemagus said he is and that he will "hardly escape from death." The squire brought him to a monastery and treated his wounds. Then the squire went to Galahad and told him that he is the one who has to bare the shied. Galahad bares the shield and they head out to the White Knight.
Galahad returns to the monks. They have him investigate a tomb that is making strange noises. Galahad opens the tomb and smoke comes out. A foul figure appears and told Galahad that he sees so many angels around him that he won't dare to touch him. The monks and Galahad removed a body from the tomb because it wasn't a true christian.
The sick knight arose and saw Lancelot at his feet with his eyes shut. "I marvel greatly at this sleeping Knight," he said to his squire, "that he had no power to wake when the Holy Vessel was brought hither."
Bibliography:
King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang, illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902).
King Bagdemagus bared the shield even though he knew he wasn't worthy. He told Galahad to wait there to see what happens to him. Bagdemagus rode two miles before he ran into a strange knight who injured him with a spear. The knight took the shield and gave it to his squire. He told his squire to give the shield to Sir Galahad.
The squire asks Bagdemagus if he is wounded. Bagdemagus said he is and that he will "hardly escape from death." The squire brought him to a monastery and treated his wounds. Then the squire went to Galahad and told him that he is the one who has to bare the shied. Galahad bares the shield and they head out to the White Knight.
Galahad returns to the monks. They have him investigate a tomb that is making strange noises. Galahad opens the tomb and smoke comes out. A foul figure appears and told Galahad that he sees so many angels around him that he won't dare to touch him. The monks and Galahad removed a body from the tomb because it wasn't a true christian.
The sick knight arose and saw Lancelot at his feet with his eyes shut. "I marvel greatly at this sleeping Knight," he said to his squire, "that he had no power to wake when the Holy Vessel was brought hither."
The Shield from Wikipedia
Bibliography:
King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang, illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902).
Reading Notes King Arthur Part A
King Uther died and there was no king. Every knight in the kingdom wanted the crown for himself. The country was in bad shape without a king. Merlin and counsel decided all the lords and gentlemen should meet in London on Christmas Day. There was a sword in a stone. "Whoso pulleth out this sword is by right of birth the king of England" was written on the stone.
No one could pull the sword from the stone. Two knights were chosen to keep guard over the sword. The counsel decided that on New Years Day a tournament should be held. Any knight who wanted could try to remove the sword.
Sir Ector brought his son Kay and his foster son Arthur. Kay asked Arthur to return home and grab his sword because he forgot it. Arthur goes to get it, but the door is locked. Arthur doesn't know what to do so he decides he will grab the stone in the courtyard and give it to his brother. He grabbed the handle of the sword and drew it out easily. He delivered it to Kay.
Kay told his father he was now the rightful king becasue he had the sword in his possession. Ector made Kay swear where he got the sword from, and Kay told him his brother brought it to him. Ector then tells Arthur that he is the rightful king. He tells Arthur to put the sword back so there can be a witness this time. Kay and Ector try to remove the sword, but they cannot. Arthur tries and removes the sword as easily as he did the first time.
Ector and Kay kneel. Arthur asks "Why do you, my father and brother, kneel to me?"
Ector tells Arthur that he is not really his father. Ector told Arthur "You are the son of Uther Pendragon, and you were brought to me when you were born by Merlin himself, who promised that when the time came I should know from whom you sprang."
Bibliography:
King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang, illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902).
No one could pull the sword from the stone. Two knights were chosen to keep guard over the sword. The counsel decided that on New Years Day a tournament should be held. Any knight who wanted could try to remove the sword.
Sir Ector brought his son Kay and his foster son Arthur. Kay asked Arthur to return home and grab his sword because he forgot it. Arthur goes to get it, but the door is locked. Arthur doesn't know what to do so he decides he will grab the stone in the courtyard and give it to his brother. He grabbed the handle of the sword and drew it out easily. He delivered it to Kay.
Kay told his father he was now the rightful king becasue he had the sword in his possession. Ector made Kay swear where he got the sword from, and Kay told him his brother brought it to him. Ector then tells Arthur that he is the rightful king. He tells Arthur to put the sword back so there can be a witness this time. Kay and Ector try to remove the sword, but they cannot. Arthur tries and removes the sword as easily as he did the first time.
Ector and Kay kneel. Arthur asks "Why do you, my father and brother, kneel to me?"
Ector tells Arthur that he is not really his father. Ector told Arthur "You are the son of Uther Pendragon, and you were brought to me when you were born by Merlin himself, who promised that when the time came I should know from whom you sprang."
The sword in the stone from Pixabay
Bibliography:
King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang, illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902).
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Extra Credit Reading Beowulf: Part A
Long ago in the north of what is now known as Europe there was a kingdom called Geatsland. Its ruler was a man named Hygelac. The men who lived in Geatsland were famous for their bravery. The Geats were a warlike nation. Hygelac and his warriors were fighting in battles for most of the year.
The caves along the coasts of Geatsland were inhabited by evil monsters. Huge serpents devoured fishermen when they could catch them by surprise. The forests were filled with loathsome beasts. It was not safe to travel in them after dark. However, the monsters of the sea and the forest kept to themselves. They rarely left their lairs.
Beowulf was Hygelac's nephew. He was the son of the king's sister. When he was young Beowulf went to live with his uncle to learn the arts of war and how to handle ships. As the years passed he became more sullen in his strength. His companions dubbed him "the silent." When he reached his manhood and was admitted to the king's circle a feast was thrown for him. At the feast Beowulf sat in gloomy silence. His strength was great, but he had nothing to use it on. He longed for adventure.
Hygelac signaled and all the voices in the hall died down. He told everyone that someone had come a long way to sing a wondrous song for them. That person is the Wanderer. The Wanderer came forward with his harp. He sat down on a stool, threw back his cloak, and struck the strings of the harp. His voice was like the crying of birds, but there was a sweetness to it. He sang about a monster that had terrorized a neighboring kingdom. The monster was part bird part animal, and it was called Grendel.
Bibliography
The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs, with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933).
The caves along the coasts of Geatsland were inhabited by evil monsters. Huge serpents devoured fishermen when they could catch them by surprise. The forests were filled with loathsome beasts. It was not safe to travel in them after dark. However, the monsters of the sea and the forest kept to themselves. They rarely left their lairs.
Beowulf was Hygelac's nephew. He was the son of the king's sister. When he was young Beowulf went to live with his uncle to learn the arts of war and how to handle ships. As the years passed he became more sullen in his strength. His companions dubbed him "the silent." When he reached his manhood and was admitted to the king's circle a feast was thrown for him. At the feast Beowulf sat in gloomy silence. His strength was great, but he had nothing to use it on. He longed for adventure.
Hygelac signaled and all the voices in the hall died down. He told everyone that someone had come a long way to sing a wondrous song for them. That person is the Wanderer. The Wanderer came forward with his harp. He sat down on a stool, threw back his cloak, and struck the strings of the harp. His voice was like the crying of birds, but there was a sweetness to it. He sang about a monster that had terrorized a neighboring kingdom. The monster was part bird part animal, and it was called Grendel.
Bibliography
The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs, with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933).
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