Composition 106 is the first class I took online since I’ve attended the University of Michigan –Dearborn. I took this class online because I thought I would be able to work on the assignments whenever I wanted, without having to go to class or interfering with my other classes. However, I found out later on that the amount of time I spent on composition was more than my other class. This was not convenient to me because I thought it defeats the whole purpose of why I took it online in the first place. Nevertheless, I learned a lot of things throughout the semester. For example, I didn’t know how to do a screen capture, or to design a text into different fonts and where to even download new font styles. I thought that yes technology does have a great impact on our lives and education, but assignments such as Module II, broadened my perspective on how technology affects college students and education.
I liked the visual advocacy project a lot because we had the opportunity to choose our topic, and it was personal. I didn’t think that pictures and images could truly convey such a strong message. Not only that. I never really wrote an essay or told a story or showed a problem through pictures. This assignment gave us a break from simply writing and writing papers, and to be creative at the same time. If I had the opportunity to go back and work on this assignment again, I would like to make the time between each picture longer, choose more pictures, and add sound. However, we were limited to 30 seconds so that limited the amount of pictures I included in the slideshow.
Another assignment that I really liked was the summary of the academic articles. Again, this assignment reflected not only subjects we like to discuss, but also our careers. Reading the journal articles at the library also helped me stay updated with current events in the global business world. I would like to go back and work on this assignment, and add more articles, and discuss the topic on a deeper level.
I’m not sure what will become of my “blog” after this class. I think I will keep it for the time being, because I think some of the work will help me with my communications classes. I think it’s nice to look back and reflect on the work I have done from time to time. Overall, this semester was great, and even though it was time consuming, the learning outcomes were helpful.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Microserfs: Response 3
Roza Abdulridha
Professor Yerks
Comp 106
14 December 2008
Microserfs: Geeks of The 90s and People Today
Why do you think Coupland's characters speak in computer jargon, and use technical expressions to describe their lives and environment? How does this compare to your experiences of the workplace and home? What effect does this way of speaking have on others?
The author of the novel, “Microserfs,” Douglas Coupland, presents his characters to speak in such computer jargon language to distinguish this societal group of geeks from the rest of society. Geeks have extremely high IQ’s and are different. In a way, they over think and analyze things. For example, Karla mentions how North America is running out of area codes. “ ‘There’s only two or three left, and they’ll be gone soon enough…we’ve exhausted our supply of numbers’” (Coupland 79). Dan asks her what her point is, and she mentions that soon there will be eight-digit numbers. However, she goes on to explain a theory, where “most humans can only remember five digits at most…So the chances are that phone numbers will be broken up into four and four, for easier memorization” (Coupland 79). In today’s lifestyle and environment, people discuss issues such as politics, goals in life, relationships, and more social topics. It seems to me that discussing area codes is extremely random, and only attentive, high IQ people, like Karla, would discuss such a topic.
Dan’s mother asks what the difference between a “nerd” and a “geek” is. He replies, “It’s tougher than it seems. It’s subtle. Instinctual. I think geek implies hireability, whereas nerd doesn’t necessarily mean your skills are 100 percent sellable. Geek implies wealth” (Coupland 173). I was amazed when I read this quote because to me, the difference between the two is that a nerd is a bookworm, and a geek is a techie. This group of geeks analyzes things on a deeper level, whereas in today’s society, people analyze issues on a surface level. It is interesting to understand how geeks think and speak because they put value and thought into what they say, whereas because today’s society speaks so generally, our conversations do not have mere importance and value.
Upon exchanging Christmas gifts, Susan gave everyone handmade gift baskets, “which made all of us feel cheep” (Coupland 208), as Dan noted. Michael then whispered to Dan, “handmade presents are scary because they reveal that you have too much free time” (Coupland 208). Geeks believe that spending time and thought into making a gift for someone is unusual, and time must be occupied efficiently. To them it is simply easier just to buy a gift. In today’s society, however, people are concerned with presenting a thoughtful gift; whether handmade or bought. If someone presented me with a handmade gift that I liked, then I would be thankful for it and not make a fuss that it is handmade.
The computer jargon language geeks speak in, and the random topics they discuss and do is a mere reflection on how that particular societal group behaved during the American lifestyle of the 90s. It is a way for the reader to compare his or her society to that of the 90s; regardless of the time period the novel is read.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. Microserfs. New York: ReganBooks, 1996.
Professor Yerks
Comp 106
14 December 2008
Microserfs: Geeks of The 90s and People Today
Why do you think Coupland's characters speak in computer jargon, and use technical expressions to describe their lives and environment? How does this compare to your experiences of the workplace and home? What effect does this way of speaking have on others?
The author of the novel, “Microserfs,” Douglas Coupland, presents his characters to speak in such computer jargon language to distinguish this societal group of geeks from the rest of society. Geeks have extremely high IQ’s and are different. In a way, they over think and analyze things. For example, Karla mentions how North America is running out of area codes. “ ‘There’s only two or three left, and they’ll be gone soon enough…we’ve exhausted our supply of numbers’” (Coupland 79). Dan asks her what her point is, and she mentions that soon there will be eight-digit numbers. However, she goes on to explain a theory, where “most humans can only remember five digits at most…So the chances are that phone numbers will be broken up into four and four, for easier memorization” (Coupland 79). In today’s lifestyle and environment, people discuss issues such as politics, goals in life, relationships, and more social topics. It seems to me that discussing area codes is extremely random, and only attentive, high IQ people, like Karla, would discuss such a topic.
Dan’s mother asks what the difference between a “nerd” and a “geek” is. He replies, “It’s tougher than it seems. It’s subtle. Instinctual. I think geek implies hireability, whereas nerd doesn’t necessarily mean your skills are 100 percent sellable. Geek implies wealth” (Coupland 173). I was amazed when I read this quote because to me, the difference between the two is that a nerd is a bookworm, and a geek is a techie. This group of geeks analyzes things on a deeper level, whereas in today’s society, people analyze issues on a surface level. It is interesting to understand how geeks think and speak because they put value and thought into what they say, whereas because today’s society speaks so generally, our conversations do not have mere importance and value.
Upon exchanging Christmas gifts, Susan gave everyone handmade gift baskets, “which made all of us feel cheep” (Coupland 208), as Dan noted. Michael then whispered to Dan, “handmade presents are scary because they reveal that you have too much free time” (Coupland 208). Geeks believe that spending time and thought into making a gift for someone is unusual, and time must be occupied efficiently. To them it is simply easier just to buy a gift. In today’s society, however, people are concerned with presenting a thoughtful gift; whether handmade or bought. If someone presented me with a handmade gift that I liked, then I would be thankful for it and not make a fuss that it is handmade.
The computer jargon language geeks speak in, and the random topics they discuss and do is a mere reflection on how that particular societal group behaved during the American lifestyle of the 90s. It is a way for the reader to compare his or her society to that of the 90s; regardless of the time period the novel is read.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. Microserfs. New York: ReganBooks, 1996.
Microserfs: Response 2
Roza Abdulridha
Professor Yerks
Comp 106
14 December 2008
Microserfs: Technology and The American Lifestyle
What do you think Coupland is saying when he includes random information, random keyboard hits and snatches of gossip amongst the journal and e-mails?
In his novel, “Microserfs,” Douglas Coupland presents the American lifestyle of the 90s and the prediction of the future of technology through Dan’s subconscious files, the journal, and the emails. There is a perception of humans, where “we can no longer create the feeling of an era…of time being particular to one spot in time” (Coupland 75). As Dan inserts this thought into his subconscious file, Coupland conveys the message of the reality of technology in our culture, and foreshadows that technology will soon overpower the world. Humans created technology and it is advancing at a quick pace, which is called progression. What is important, however, is that humans are allowing this advance in society, and that one day, technology might be ahead of us humans. Dan concludes his theory of machines being a human’s subconscious with, “ ‘we made them ourselves. So machines can only be products of our being’” (Coupland 228). Michael reassures Dan of his belief in progress by saying, “ ‘if you can conceive of humans developing a consciousness more complex than their own, then…you believe in progress’” (Coupland 183). The message of technological progression in the future was foreshadowed as soon as computers developed, and it is a message that will continue to be seen. Last but not least, the random keyboard hits that are inserted into Dan’s subconscious file foreshadow technology’s ability in the future. They convey the message that computers will become extremely advanced and humans will be capable of inserting any information into it that will be stored for later use. In other words, entries such as “Melrose Voyager Melrose Voyager ‘press pound now…’” (Coupland 336), are subjects that the computer will know everything about in the future simply by typing in the keyword in search engines, just like today’s Google.
The gossip in the novel conveys the American lifestyle of geeks during the 90s. When Todd hacked into the system and created “Rumor Meister”, gossip among the group immediately go out of hand. They discovered gossip such as, “16) Karla thinks she’s a summer but she’s really a fall…24) Michael’s shirt smell like Gerbil pee” (Coupland 202). Geeks are so dependent on their computers, that only they would actually type gossip into their computers, and only a geek, like Todd, would actually create a system to hack into it. This is unlike typical social groups non-geeks associate with, where gossip is simply shared within people face-to-face, rather than on the computer. Coupland presents an aspect of American lifestyle, the geeks, and technology advancement to readers because it is not a typical lifestyle of the 90s that many commonly conveyed or discussed.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. Microserfs. New York: ReganBooks, 1996.
Professor Yerks
Comp 106
14 December 2008
Microserfs: Technology and The American Lifestyle
What do you think Coupland is saying when he includes random information, random keyboard hits and snatches of gossip amongst the journal and e-mails?
In his novel, “Microserfs,” Douglas Coupland presents the American lifestyle of the 90s and the prediction of the future of technology through Dan’s subconscious files, the journal, and the emails. There is a perception of humans, where “we can no longer create the feeling of an era…of time being particular to one spot in time” (Coupland 75). As Dan inserts this thought into his subconscious file, Coupland conveys the message of the reality of technology in our culture, and foreshadows that technology will soon overpower the world. Humans created technology and it is advancing at a quick pace, which is called progression. What is important, however, is that humans are allowing this advance in society, and that one day, technology might be ahead of us humans. Dan concludes his theory of machines being a human’s subconscious with, “ ‘we made them ourselves. So machines can only be products of our being’” (Coupland 228). Michael reassures Dan of his belief in progress by saying, “ ‘if you can conceive of humans developing a consciousness more complex than their own, then…you believe in progress’” (Coupland 183). The message of technological progression in the future was foreshadowed as soon as computers developed, and it is a message that will continue to be seen. Last but not least, the random keyboard hits that are inserted into Dan’s subconscious file foreshadow technology’s ability in the future. They convey the message that computers will become extremely advanced and humans will be capable of inserting any information into it that will be stored for later use. In other words, entries such as “Melrose Voyager Melrose Voyager ‘press pound now…’” (Coupland 336), are subjects that the computer will know everything about in the future simply by typing in the keyword in search engines, just like today’s Google.
The gossip in the novel conveys the American lifestyle of geeks during the 90s. When Todd hacked into the system and created “Rumor Meister”, gossip among the group immediately go out of hand. They discovered gossip such as, “16) Karla thinks she’s a summer but she’s really a fall…24) Michael’s shirt smell like Gerbil pee” (Coupland 202). Geeks are so dependent on their computers, that only they would actually type gossip into their computers, and only a geek, like Todd, would actually create a system to hack into it. This is unlike typical social groups non-geeks associate with, where gossip is simply shared within people face-to-face, rather than on the computer. Coupland presents an aspect of American lifestyle, the geeks, and technology advancement to readers because it is not a typical lifestyle of the 90s that many commonly conveyed or discussed.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. Microserfs. New York: ReganBooks, 1996.
Microserfs: Response 1
Roza Abdulridha
Professor Yerks
Comp 106
14 December 2008
Microserfs: A Visual Art
Many people have used visual images in their writings to reinforce their messages. In what ways does Coupland use text-based visual art to good effect in Microserfs? At what point does his book become a visual art rather than a literary art experience?
In his novel, “Microserfs,” author Douglas Coupland uses text-based visual art to allow the reader to feel the realm, attitude, and perspective of the novel itself and not just as a literary content. He does so by assigning a different font style for emails, Dan’s diary entries, as well as random entries into the “subconscious file.” Coupland uses these fonts to create a moving and real script, where the reader can place him or herself in the novel, and at the same time take the reader back to the time period of the 1990s.
There is a standard font that is used for the general content of the novel; including conversations. However, to distinguish a conversation about Shiatsu between Karla and Dan and an email between Dan and Abe, Coupland uses a bold typewriter style font. When the reader comes across an email between Abe and Dan, he or she can visualize the appearance of this email on Dan’s PowerBook. The reader can also easily track the progress of these emails as if he or she is receiving these emails with Dan. At one point through the emails, Dan realizes that “Abe’s email is getting more frequent and more personal” (Coupland 186). The reader can skim through the pages and spot any bolded typewriter style font and recognize that it corresponds to an email from Abe, just as Dan can view these messages on his computer. In addition to the emails, the copy and paste of the words “money” and “machine” on an entire page to the reader is seen as a screen shot of the document while Dan typed the words in.
Another font style used is the bigger font bolded words that Dan inserts into his subconscious file. As Dan stares at his PowerBook, he wonders, “ ‘what’s going through their heads?’” (Coupland 44). Thus whenever a reader comes across a page filled with random big font bolded words; he or she can just envision this subconscious file with these words typed into it as if the screen is in front of him or her. The novel becomes a visual art beginning at the point where Dan creates his subconscious file.
These font styles that Coupland uses create a moving and real novel, where the reader experiences the events as Dan does; whether receiving an email from Abe or inserting words into the subconscious file. As a result, the reader can sense how technology operated during the 1990s because the text that used is similar to that used when computers were first created.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. Microserfs. New York: ReganBooks, 1996.
Professor Yerks
Comp 106
14 December 2008
Microserfs: A Visual Art
Many people have used visual images in their writings to reinforce their messages. In what ways does Coupland use text-based visual art to good effect in Microserfs? At what point does his book become a visual art rather than a literary art experience?
In his novel, “Microserfs,” author Douglas Coupland uses text-based visual art to allow the reader to feel the realm, attitude, and perspective of the novel itself and not just as a literary content. He does so by assigning a different font style for emails, Dan’s diary entries, as well as random entries into the “subconscious file.” Coupland uses these fonts to create a moving and real script, where the reader can place him or herself in the novel, and at the same time take the reader back to the time period of the 1990s.
There is a standard font that is used for the general content of the novel; including conversations. However, to distinguish a conversation about Shiatsu between Karla and Dan and an email between Dan and Abe, Coupland uses a bold typewriter style font. When the reader comes across an email between Abe and Dan, he or she can visualize the appearance of this email on Dan’s PowerBook. The reader can also easily track the progress of these emails as if he or she is receiving these emails with Dan. At one point through the emails, Dan realizes that “Abe’s email is getting more frequent and more personal” (Coupland 186). The reader can skim through the pages and spot any bolded typewriter style font and recognize that it corresponds to an email from Abe, just as Dan can view these messages on his computer. In addition to the emails, the copy and paste of the words “money” and “machine” on an entire page to the reader is seen as a screen shot of the document while Dan typed the words in.
Another font style used is the bigger font bolded words that Dan inserts into his subconscious file. As Dan stares at his PowerBook, he wonders, “ ‘what’s going through their heads?’” (Coupland 44). Thus whenever a reader comes across a page filled with random big font bolded words; he or she can just envision this subconscious file with these words typed into it as if the screen is in front of him or her. The novel becomes a visual art beginning at the point where Dan creates his subconscious file.
These font styles that Coupland uses create a moving and real novel, where the reader experiences the events as Dan does; whether receiving an email from Abe or inserting words into the subconscious file. As a result, the reader can sense how technology operated during the 1990s because the text that used is similar to that used when computers were first created.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. Microserfs. New York: ReganBooks, 1996.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Module III--Draft revisions
I went back and re-read each article and noticed that the article “The China Dream Revisited,” was not from a scholarly journal! I was left with only a one-paragraph draft after deleting the summary of the China article. I felt I accomplished nothing! This is the most evident revision to my draft; I had to search for two more articles once again. I actually had a difficult time choosing the two articles from Proquest because I wanted to read all of them! To make the elimination process easier, I simply chose the most recent articles. Then, as I skimmed through a few of them, I noticed a trend in the subject –other than the general topic of Foreign Affairs and international relations. I noticed that each article had ties with trade and relations to the United States, and not just the country’s own economic growth and affairs. I finally chose an article about China developing energy relationships with the US and another that discussed Germany’s relationship with Russia, and how incorporating Russia into the European Union could be unfavorable to relations with the US.
After summarizing each of the two articles, I went through my draft one more time, and this time; I changed the introductory paragraph to tie in the trend I noticed of the relationship to the US. I revised some grammatical errors and sentence structures from the article about Brazil. I had so much to write, I was trying so hard to stay close to 700 words, but I couldn’t help but go over. As to my conclusion, I pictured the geographic locations of the countries and thought, the struggle to build trade relationships seems to be between the East and the West, and worked around that thought to conclude my summary.
After summarizing each of the two articles, I went through my draft one more time, and this time; I changed the introductory paragraph to tie in the trend I noticed of the relationship to the US. I revised some grammatical errors and sentence structures from the article about Brazil. I had so much to write, I was trying so hard to stay close to 700 words, but I couldn’t help but go over. As to my conclusion, I pictured the geographic locations of the countries and thought, the struggle to build trade relationships seems to be between the East and the West, and worked around that thought to conclude my summary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)