Sanavieai Brazeal
Sept 21, 2007
Trance (Discussion)
In this featured story, it is set in a military type atmosphere and the individuals are discussing what the logical approach to making a situation better can be. There environment is ruled by their emotions and their democracy. The characters live in an underground community where they must answer to leadership if something goes wrong in situations. They enjoy knowledge of their history and in how to maintain it for future generations. Social values and a way of life is what they strive to keep and preserve. The rebels are facing slavery and are fighting to avoid it. They want to be a part of one vice and separate from what is unusual and unnatural.
A conflict occurs in which they face an elimination of their race and all that they hold dear to them. The history of there ancestors is at stake and that is why they must make certain mission jumps. These mission jumps unify and maintain history. They leave their bodies in a control center, but their souls travel around in history. An out of body experience occurs throughout the story.
Diversity and unity are separated when they should be combined. In the story Sheba says she wants Blackness to always exist. She is frustrated and just wants to be left alone and to be who they want to be. There are different forms of a struggle and the crew has to understand it can take over your world. But as people unite the struggles can be overcome and won. Dominance of a race has burdened our world thinking that one race is better than the other. The world is not pretty, but it is up to believers to see that we must live in unity. Without that we are in slavery of the mind and body.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Criteria for a Synthesis Essay and Essay Example
The following is taken from chapter 13: Analyzing and Synthesizing Ideas; The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing Fourth Edition; John D. Ramage
A Synthesis Essay:
1. Addresses a focusing question
2. Summarizes and analyzes the views of at least two writers on this question
3. Shows how you have wrestled with different perspectives on the question and have synthesized these ideas to arrive at your own new view of the question
Overview
In the introduction to your essay, present the focusing question to your readers so that they become interested in it, see its problematic nature, and appreciate its significance. Then present your own thesis that grows out of your analysis and synthesis of your readings. At appropriate places in your essay, summarize these readings briefly because you should assume that your audience has not read them.
In the body of your paper, you have two main goals: (1) through analysis, show how the pieces you have selected provide different perspectives on the focusing question based on differing values, assumptions, beliefs, or framing of the question; and (2) through synthesis, add your own perspective and independent thinking by making your own connections among the ideas in the readings. In other words, create a new view by combining ideas gathered from readings with your own ideas.
Essay Components (Place these components above the completed essay).
1. State the focusing question.
2. State the thesis.
3. Write a 200-250-word summary of each of the main texts you will use in your final paper. Please separate each summary.
4. Write a 500-word analysis of your texts. (Look at things such as the text’s purpose, audience, genre, appeal, the author’s point of view and similarities and differences of the main themes in the chosen texts.)
5. State the risky, surprising or new view.
Student Example of a Synthesis Essay
Note that Kate MacAulay begins by presenting the focusing question that connects the texts she is analyzing. She then summarizes these texts and presents her mapping thesis statement. She devotes more than half of the body of the essay to a close analysis of the texts before she moves on to present her own independent thinking in the synthesis section of the essay.
TECHNOLOGY'S PERIL AND POTENTIAL
Kate MacAulay (student)
Recently in English class, we have been focusing on the question, What effect is technology having on humanity and the quality of life in the twenty-first century? We have had heated discussions about the use of cell phones, palm pilots, beepers, e-mail, chat rooms, and the Web. As part of my investigation of this question, I read two texts: a chapter from George Ritzer’s book The McDonaldization of Society, entitled “The Irrationality of Rationality: Traffic Jams on Those ‘Happy Trails,’ and an article published in the magazine Wired entitled “Who Am We?” by Sherry Turkle. In his chapter, Ritzer, a sociology professor, explains how technology has rationalized businesses and many facets of society following the McDonald’s model. He argues that modern technology is causing loss of quality products, time, and relationships. In the McDonaldized system, where everything is designed logically for economy and convenience, things have become more artificial, and our relationships have become more superficial. In her article “Who Am We?” Sherry Turkle, a psychology professor at MIT, shows how computers and the Internet are transforming our views of ourselves and the way we interact socially. Focusing on computers’ capacities for simulation and promoting interaction, Turkle has explored MUDs (multi-user domains), which allow people to create virtual identities. MUDs, Turkle believes, contribute to the formation of postmodern multiple selves and raise new questions about personal identity and morality. Although both Turkle and Ritzer identify problems in technology’s influence and in society’s responses to it, Turkle sees more potential and gain where Ritzer sees mostly peril and loss. Both articles made me question how we define our values and morality in this postmodern, technologically advanced world and persuaded me of the need for caution in embracing technology.
Although Ritzer and Turkle both see technology as having some negative effects on human relations and the quality of life, they disagree about exactly where the most interesting and serious problems lie. Ritzer believes that the problems caused by technology are not problems within the individual, but problems imposed on the individual by McDonaldized systems. For example, Ritzer claims that fast-food restaurants encourage us to eat unhealthy food quickly and also contribute to “the disintegration of the family” (141) by taking away family time. He also believes that rationalized systems create illusions of fun, reality, and friendliness. He talks about the “scripted interactions” (138) that employees are supposed to have with customers, where they are told exactly what to say to every customer, making interactions less real. Further, rationalized systems are dehumanizing in the kinds of jobs they create that “don’t offer much in the way of satisfaction or stability” (137), benefiting only stockholders, owners, and employers.
In contrast, Turkle responds to technology’s threat by focusing inward on technology’s effect on the self and on relationships. While she is clearly intrigued by such Internet capabilities as multi-user domains, she acknowledges that this potential for multiple simultaneous identities threatens the wholeness of individuals, possibly damaging our emotional and psychological selves. Her concern is that people become addicted to these games because in the virtual world it is easy to create better “selves,” to be what you wish you were. Turkle shows that people can lose themselves between the real world and the virtual world and be “imprisoned by the screens” (199). Although the virtual world is exciting and fun, she notes that “[o]ur experiences there are serious play” (199). She also examines cases of virtual characters who get into relationships with other characters, including cyber-sex relationships. She ponders the issue of cyber-sex immorality and adultery.
Despite Turkle and Ritzer’s agreement that technology can damage us as a society, they disagree on their overall outlook and on our power to respond positively to technology’s influence. I find Ritzer’s views almost entirely negative. He believes that we are irreversibly damaged by technological advances because we are completely caught up in the McDonaldized system, with few parts of society left unchanged. Almost all of the family-owned neighborhood restaurants or mom-and-pop grocery stores have been taken over by franchises like Red Robin or Safeway. The costs of these rationalized systems, he says, are “inefficiency, illusions of various types, disenchantment, dehumanization, and homogenization” (124). In this chapter of his book, Ritzer doesn’t mention any ways that our lives could be improved by these systems; he gives only examples of the way we are misled and damaged by them.
Turkle’s approach strikes me as much more positive and balanced than Ritzer’s.Optimistically, she explains that MUDs can give people self-knowledge that they can apply to real life: “[t]he anonymity of MUDs gives people the chance to express multiple and often unexplored aspects of the self, to play with their identity and to try out new ones” (152). Turkle sees an opportunity for us to grow as individuals and to learn to use technology in a positive way: “If we can cultivate awareness of what stands behind our screen personae, we are more likely to succeed in using virtual experience for personal transformation” (199). Turkle’s views are more complex than Ritzer’s. She believes that we have to take responsibility for our own habits and psychological responses to technology. She encourages us to be aware of how we interact with technology and believes that we can grow as individuals using this technology.
After reading these articles, I have realized how the continuing advancement oftechnology raises new moral questions. In a McDonaldized system, where everything is designed for convenience, there seem to be many places for morals to be left out of the picture. For example, is it okay for us to exchange real human interaction for convenience and saving time? Is there something wrong with our ethics when interesting and fulfilling jobs are eliminated by machines or replaced by dead-end, low-paying Mcjobs? Turkle too shows us how virtual worlds pose new moral questions for us. In MUDs, people can form virtual relationships, even cyber-sex relationships. The people behind the characters are real people, even if they are acting as someone else. If a married person has a cyber-sex relationship on a MUD, is he or she cheating? If a person commits a virtual assault or other crime that has no real-world, physical effects, should he or she feel guilty or sinful for the intention? Ritzer and Turkle have made me see how important these questions are.
Reading the articles made me strongly believe that we must use this technology inmoderation in order to preserve individual qualities and our relationships. From our class discussions, I remember what Scott said about the way that the Internet connects people. He said that people like his uncle, who was severely injured on the job, use the Internet as a way of “getting out” to meet people and socialize. He pointed out how the Microsoft Gaming Zone has brought his uncle into an ongoing backgammon tournament through which he has made friends. Meanwhile his aunt has gotten a lot of pleasure out of playing and problem solving in the world of MUDs.
But my own experience has left me concerned about the danger we face as emotional, social beings in the face of technology. The other night at a family gathering, one of my cousins, after discussing car buying with some of the relatives, got the urge to research new car prices. He left the room, logged onto the Internet, and spent the rest of the evening looking at cars and prices. We saw him only once the whole evening when he came out to get a slice of pie. My cousin's withdrawal from the conversation made me think about Ritzer’s and Turkle’s concerns that technology decreases real interactions among people.
Ritzer and Turkle offer us a warning that technology can be damaging if we don’trecognize and overcome its dangers. I would encourage us not to let ourselves become dominated by technology, not to let it take our full attention just because it is there, and not to overlook the complex moral questions that technology poses. The convenience that technology offers—our e-mail, cell phones, and debit cards—should help us save time that can be spent in nurturing our relationships with other people. The real challenge is to find ways to become even better people because of technology.
Works Cited
Ritzer, George. The McDonaldization of Society. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge, 2000.
Turkle, Sherry. “Who Am We?” Wired Jan. 1996: 148+.
Components Shown
Introduces focusing questions and context
Recently in English class, we have been focusing on the question, What effect is technology having on humanity and the quality of life in the twenty-first century? We have had heated discussions about the use of cell phones, palm pilots, beepers, e-mail, chat rooms, and the Web.
Introduces the texts to be analyzed
As part of my investigation of this question, I read two texts: a chapter from George Ritzer’s book The McDonaldization of Society, entitled “The Irrationality of Rationality: Traffic Jams on Those ‘Happy Trails,’ and an article published in the magazine Wired entitled “Who Am We?” by Sherry Turkle.
Brief summary of Ritzer’s text
In his chapter, Ritzer, a sociology professor, explains how technology has rationalized businesses and many facets of society following the McDonald’s model. He argues that modern technology is causing loss of quality products, time, and relationships. In the McDonaldized system, where everything is designed logically for economy and convenience, things have become more artificial, and our relationships have become more superficial.
Brief summary of Turkle’s text
In her article “Who Am We?” Sherry Turkle, a psychology professor at MIT, shows how computers and the Internet are transforming our views of ourselves and the way we interact socially. Focusing on computers’ capacities for simulation and promoting interaction, Turkle has explored MUDs (multi-user domains), which allow people to create virtual identities. MUDs, Turkle believes, contribute to the formation of postmodern multiple selves and raise new questions about personal identity and morality.
Thesis statement with analytical points and synthesis points
Although both Turkle and Ritzer identify problems in technology’s influence and in society’s responses to it, Turkle sees more potential and gain where Ritzer sees mostly peril and loss. Both articles made me question how we define our values and morality in this postmodern, technologically advanced world and persuaded me of the need for caution in embracing technology.
Analytical point: compares and contrasts Ritzer’s and Turkle’s ideas
Although Ritzer and Turkle both see technology as having some negative effects on human relations and the quality of life, they disagree about exactly where the most interesting and serious problems lie. Ritzer believes that the problems caused by technology are not problems within the individual, but problems imposed on the individual by McDonaldized systems.
Analyzes and elaborates on Ritzer’s ideas
For example, Ritzer claims that fast-food restaurants encourage us to eat unhealthy food quickly and also contribute to “the disintegration of the family” (141) by taking away family time. He also believes that rationalized systems create illusions of fun, reality, and friendliness. He talks about the “scripted interactions” (138) that employees are supposed to have with customers, where they are told exactly what to say to every customer, making interactions less real. Further, rationalized systems are dehumanizing in the kinds of jobs they create that “don’t offer much in the way of satisfaction or stability” (137), benefiting only stockholders, owners, and employers.
Analyzes, contrasts, and elaborates on Turkle’s ideas
In contrast, Turkle responds to technology’s threat by focusing inward on technology’s effect on the self and on relationships. While she is clearly intrigued by such Internet capabilities as multi-user domains, she acknowledges that this potential for multiple simultaneous identities threatens the wholeness of individuals, possibly damaging our emotional and psychological selves. Her concern is that people become addicted to these games because in the virtual world it is easy to create better “selves,” to be what you wish you were. Turkle shows that people can lose themselves between the real world and the virtual world and be “imprisoned by the screens” (199). Although the virtual world is exciting and fun, she notes that “[o]urexperiences there are serious play” (199). She also examines cases of virtual characters who get into relationships with other characters, including cyber-sex relationships. She ponders the issue of cyber-sex immorality and adultery.
Analytical points: compares and contrasts Ritzer’s and Turkle’s ideas
Despite Turkle and Ritzer’s agreement that technology can damage us as a society, they disagree on their overall outlook and on our power to respond positively to technology’s influence. I find Ritzer’s views almost entirely negative. He believes that we are irreversibly damaged by technological advances because we are completely caught up in the McDonaldized system, with few parts of society left unchanged.
Analyzes and elaborates on Ritzer’ ideas
Almost all of the family-owned neighborhood restaurants or mom-and-pop grocery stores have been taken over by franchises like Red Robin or Safeway. The costs of these rationalized systems, he says, are “inefficiency, illusions of various types, disenchantment, dehumanization, and homogenization” (124).
Presents writer’s independent thinking
In this chapter of his book, Ritzer doesn’t mention any ways that our lives could be improved by these systems; he gives only examples of the way we are misled and damaged by them.
Analyzes, contrasts, and elaborates on Turkle’s ideas
Turkle’s approach strikes me as much more positive and balanced than Ritzer’s.Optimistically, she explains that MUDs can give people self-knowledge that they can apply to real life: “[t]he anonymity of MUDs gives people the chance to express multiple and often unexplored aspects of the self, to play with their identity and to try out new ones” (152). Turkle sees an opportunity for us to grow as individuals and to learn to use technology in a positive way: “If we can cultivate awareness of what stands behind our screen personae, we are more likely to succeed in using virtual experience for personal transformation” (199).
Presents writer’s independent thinking
Turkle’s views are more complex than Ritzer’s. She believes that we have to take responsibility for our own habits and psychological responses to technology. She encourages us to be aware of how we interact with technology and believes that we can grow as individuals using this technology.
Transition to writer’s synthesis. Synthesis point discusses writer’s own view
After reading these articles, I have realized how the continuing advancement oftechnology raises new moral questions. In a McDonaldized system, where everything is designed for convenience, there seem to be many places for morals to be left out of the picture. For example, is it okay for us to exchange real human interaction for convenience and saving time?
Elaborates on the connections the writer is making
Is there something wrong with our ethics when interesting and fulfilling jobs are eliminated by machines or replaced by dead-end, low-paying Mcjobs? Turkle too shows us how virtual worlds pose new moral questions for us. In MUDs, people can form virtual relationships, even cyber-sex relationships. The people behind the characters are real people, even if they are acting as someone else. If a married person has a cyber-sex relationship on a MUD, is he or she cheating? If a person commits a virtual assault or other crime that has no real-world, physical effects, should he or she feel guilty or sinful for the intention? Ritzer and Turkle have made me see how important these questions are.
Synthesis point discusses writer’s own view
Reading the articles made me strongly believe that we must use this technology inmoderation in order to preserve individual qualities and our relationships. From our class discussions, I remember what Scott said about the way that the Internet connects people. He said that people like his uncle, who was severely injured on the job, use the Internet as a way of “getting out” to meet people and socialize. He pointed out how the Microsoft Gaming Zone has brought his uncle into an ongoing backgammon tournament through which he has made friends. Meanwhile his aunt has gotten a lot of pleasure out of playing and problem solving in the world of MUDs.
Synthesis point discusses writer’s own view
But my own experience has left me concerned about the danger we face as emotional, social beings in the face of technology. The other night at a family gathering, one of my cousins, after discussing car buying with some of the relatives, got the urge to research new car prices. He left the room, logged onto the Internet, and spent the rest of the evening looking at cars and prices. We saw him only once the whole evening when he came out to get a slice of pie. My cousin's withdrawal from the conversation made me think about Ritzer’s and Turkle’s concerns that technology decreases real interactions among people.
Transition and final connections
Ritzer and Turkle offer us a warning that technology can be damaging if we don’trecognize and overcome its dangers. I would encourage us not to let ourselves become dominated by technology, not to let it take our full attention just because it is there, and not to overlook the complex moral questions that technology poses.
Conclusion
The convenience that technology offers—our e-mail, cell phones, and debit cards—should help us save time that can be spent in nurturing our relationships with other people. The real challenge is to find ways to become even better people because of technology.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Lauren Broussard
Fictional Writing on Trance
Kalamu ya Salaam’s Trance was extremely different from my usual reads. This story was a very futuristic view of what could happen if a total race and culture was wiped out of history completely. It was real wakeup call to see the process of time travel and underground governments evolving. This allowed the reader to have a more complex view of what our society could or couldn’t do with the role play of “God”. Could we eventually do these things with the continuation of massive technology discoveries?
I think time travel has always been a very outlandish fantasy. Movies such as Back to the Future have made this outlook to several people. That subject is something I for one never see happening. But the thought of an entire culture being wiped out is something that could very well happen. Some people say the south is starting to fade away. Such beautiful places on our coastal shores have been destroyed due to the destruction of continuous hurricanes and floods. Most of the culture and historical landmarks have been wiped out and no longer existing. What happen if this were to continue?
With the continuation of global warming, the eco system is being destroyed and losing its ability to protect us. With this being said, the continuation of naturalistic disasters is being heightened. 2006 ended with 10 named storms (one between Alberto and Beryl that was unnamed during the season and only identified in the post-season analysis). CSU had predicted 17 storms. Accu Weather predicted 6 tropical cyclones (3 major) will strike US coast (none did), with a total number “above average”NHC/NOAA predicted 13-16 named storms (hurricanes and tropical storms), 8-10 of which will become hurricanes, and 4-6 of which will be major hurricanes (category 3 or higher) (www.hurriicane)
When and how do you think the human race will be wiped out? The major things that could currently wipe out the human race would be some nuclear war, or a some type of space rock hitting earth. In about 100 year I think we would have the technology to stop a meteorite from impacting earth. Also be able to establish life on the moon or something if there was a nuclear war. If we could survive for 1000 years the population would be giant maybe in the 100's of billions and spread out over a few planets, then it would be harder for the human race to die out. 100,000 years by now we should have some type of close to speed of light travel, maybe half the speed of light. Then it would be even harder for something to kill the human race. There are theories out there that say that the Big Bang will slow down and start to comeback in on its self in trillions of years. I wonder if in trillions of years what would be going on in the universe and if we would have the technology to stop the big bang saving the universe.
The fact is, we can only hope for the best in all this to happen. We, contrary to our belifs, hope we can see the end of it all but none of us really know the answer. I just hope the way it ends is a quick and clean way of going!
Fictional Writing on Trance
Kalamu ya Salaam’s Trance was extremely different from my usual reads. This story was a very futuristic view of what could happen if a total race and culture was wiped out of history completely. It was real wakeup call to see the process of time travel and underground governments evolving. This allowed the reader to have a more complex view of what our society could or couldn’t do with the role play of “God”. Could we eventually do these things with the continuation of massive technology discoveries?
I think time travel has always been a very outlandish fantasy. Movies such as Back to the Future have made this outlook to several people. That subject is something I for one never see happening. But the thought of an entire culture being wiped out is something that could very well happen. Some people say the south is starting to fade away. Such beautiful places on our coastal shores have been destroyed due to the destruction of continuous hurricanes and floods. Most of the culture and historical landmarks have been wiped out and no longer existing. What happen if this were to continue?
With the continuation of global warming, the eco system is being destroyed and losing its ability to protect us. With this being said, the continuation of naturalistic disasters is being heightened. 2006 ended with 10 named storms (one between Alberto and Beryl that was unnamed during the season and only identified in the post-season analysis). CSU had predicted 17 storms. Accu Weather predicted 6 tropical cyclones (3 major) will strike US coast (none did), with a total number “above average”NHC/NOAA predicted 13-16 named storms (hurricanes and tropical storms), 8-10 of which will become hurricanes, and 4-6 of which will be major hurricanes (category 3 or higher) (www.hurriicane)
When and how do you think the human race will be wiped out? The major things that could currently wipe out the human race would be some nuclear war, or a some type of space rock hitting earth. In about 100 year I think we would have the technology to stop a meteorite from impacting earth. Also be able to establish life on the moon or something if there was a nuclear war. If we could survive for 1000 years the population would be giant maybe in the 100's of billions and spread out over a few planets, then it would be harder for the human race to die out. 100,000 years by now we should have some type of close to speed of light travel, maybe half the speed of light. Then it would be even harder for something to kill the human race. There are theories out there that say that the Big Bang will slow down and start to comeback in on its self in trillions of years. I wonder if in trillions of years what would be going on in the universe and if we would have the technology to stop the big bang saving the universe.
The fact is, we can only hope for the best in all this to happen. We, contrary to our belifs, hope we can see the end of it all but none of us really know the answer. I just hope the way it ends is a quick and clean way of going!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
For good or bad?
Lauren Broussard
Contemporary Black Fiction
The Second Law of Thermodynamics
The Second Law of Thermodynamics chapter allowed the reader to view a detailed transcription of members serving on the 1997 Black Speculative Fiction Writers Conference panel. This conference was held at Clark University allowing famous writers such as Octavia E. Butler and William Hudson to speak to audiences and receive feed back to previous projects. These transcriptions allowed the reader to be resourced with in depth notes and reflections of some of the most significant names in the field of speculative fiction.
These transcriptions allowed the reader to have a full understanding of the drastic gender, sex, and race roles of the entertainment field through the centuries. As discussed on page 1 of the essay, Jewell Gomez was told her main character of her upcoming publication was unsellable due to the fact of the characters color, lesbian interests, and vampire position in the story. She describes the personal wound of a dismissal to her novel because two of the three characterizations were applied to her own life. This creates the realization of such characters positions appearing in our society today. The reader questions if through time this has began to change.
We all like to think through time certain groups such as homosexuals and ethnic role positions have “improved” in the character they are portraying. But has it really? We look at upcoming leading black male actors such as Will Smith and Jamie Fox. They have always been known to be the respectful “black” character of the story. They have all held the positions of the “good guy” and never took the chance of being the bad guy. As discussed in other classes, if these men were to do so, it could ruin there career. Many writers and entertainment industries have seen this outlet as a true “money maker” for books and films. But it makes you think, do they really want to help the world of peace through unity? Or do they just want to make a dollar? Would you go see the upcoming movie knowing that an “ethnic” man was portraying a “white” role? Or an ethnic woman has a relationship with a white man? Sure you would! And they get the dollar.
Contemporary Black Fiction
The Second Law of Thermodynamics
The Second Law of Thermodynamics chapter allowed the reader to view a detailed transcription of members serving on the 1997 Black Speculative Fiction Writers Conference panel. This conference was held at Clark University allowing famous writers such as Octavia E. Butler and William Hudson to speak to audiences and receive feed back to previous projects. These transcriptions allowed the reader to be resourced with in depth notes and reflections of some of the most significant names in the field of speculative fiction.
These transcriptions allowed the reader to have a full understanding of the drastic gender, sex, and race roles of the entertainment field through the centuries. As discussed on page 1 of the essay, Jewell Gomez was told her main character of her upcoming publication was unsellable due to the fact of the characters color, lesbian interests, and vampire position in the story. She describes the personal wound of a dismissal to her novel because two of the three characterizations were applied to her own life. This creates the realization of such characters positions appearing in our society today. The reader questions if through time this has began to change.
We all like to think through time certain groups such as homosexuals and ethnic role positions have “improved” in the character they are portraying. But has it really? We look at upcoming leading black male actors such as Will Smith and Jamie Fox. They have always been known to be the respectful “black” character of the story. They have all held the positions of the “good guy” and never took the chance of being the bad guy. As discussed in other classes, if these men were to do so, it could ruin there career. Many writers and entertainment industries have seen this outlet as a true “money maker” for books and films. But it makes you think, do they really want to help the world of peace through unity? Or do they just want to make a dollar? Would you go see the upcoming movie knowing that an “ethnic” man was portraying a “white” role? Or an ethnic woman has a relationship with a white man? Sure you would! And they get the dollar.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Gender Equality in the Modern Fiction Marketplace
Jeannie K. Holmes
Sept. 10, 2007
EH 468
Celebrating the Alien
Alice Mary Norton legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton in 1934 (Cooper 376). She chose to take on a male name because, at the time, “the most authoritative voice in the kinds of genre fiction Norton like to write was a male voice.” Does this same belief hold true in today’s marketplace?
The modern fiction marketplace is vast and varied. Take a walk through a bookstore and look at the names on the covers. Women writers hold an almost equal footing across the genres, and more so in some genres such as romance. Does this mean that the gender bias faced by Andre Norton is a thing of the past?
No, it doesn’t. Just as women during the 1930s through 1960s – the years when Andre Norton was publishing – were taking on male pseudonyms or using their initials, women authors continue this practice today because of a perceived bias against female authors within certain genres. A female author who has used initials to her advantage has been J. K. Rowling. No one can deny the success of the Harry Potter series in reaching children as well as adults and in crossing genre boundaries. However, some women authors, particularly in the thriller genre, who have chosen to keep their names with interesting results.
A recent Publisher’s Weekly article highlighted nine debut thriller authors, including two women. The seven male authors had first printings of their books numbering from as low as 20,000 to as high as 200,000 books – numbers that are almost unheard of for debut authors in any genre. The two female authors are slated for first printings of 100,000 to 200,000 (Publishers Weekly, April 2007).
Is there a perceived bias against women authors in the modern fiction marketplace? It’s hard to determine by simply looking at the shelves of the local bookstore. More women are reading and writing science fiction and fantasy. More women are writing mysteries and thrillers. A trip down the romance aisle will show that it is a genre still ruled by female authors. However, looking at then science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and thriller genres reveals more women who are following Rowling’s example and using their initials. Three modern examples of female authors using initials to level the gender playing field within the thriller genre are M. J. Rose, J. T. Ellison, and C. J. Lyons. C. E. Murphy, author of Urban Shaman, uses her initials in the fantasy genre. L. A. Banks, an African American author, writes incredibly rich fantasy fiction that incorporates the supernatural with science in modern urban settings.
Gender bias in the modern fiction marketplace seems to linger. However, it is slowly changing. As women’s roles have expanded in society, the modern marketplace reflects this expansion. Because fiction – especially science fiction – often comments on our modern cultural views, it will continue to evolve and show a diversity of nationality, ethnicity, and gender both within the stories being told and in the storytellers themselves (Colatrella, 563).
Works Cited
Colatrella, Carol. “Science Fiction in the Information Age.” American Literary History, Vol. 11, No. 3. (Autumn, 1999), pp. 554-565.
Cooper, Carol. “Celebrating the Alien: The Politics of Race and Species in the Juveniles of
Andre Norton.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones, Sheree R Thomas, Ed. Aspect: New
York. 2005.
Danford, Natalie. “Maiden Mysteries: Nine first-timers vie for the attention of whodunit fans.”
Publisher’s Weekly. April 23, 2007.
Sept. 10, 2007
EH 468
Celebrating the Alien
Alice Mary Norton legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton in 1934 (Cooper 376). She chose to take on a male name because, at the time, “the most authoritative voice in the kinds of genre fiction Norton like to write was a male voice.” Does this same belief hold true in today’s marketplace?
The modern fiction marketplace is vast and varied. Take a walk through a bookstore and look at the names on the covers. Women writers hold an almost equal footing across the genres, and more so in some genres such as romance. Does this mean that the gender bias faced by Andre Norton is a thing of the past?
No, it doesn’t. Just as women during the 1930s through 1960s – the years when Andre Norton was publishing – were taking on male pseudonyms or using their initials, women authors continue this practice today because of a perceived bias against female authors within certain genres. A female author who has used initials to her advantage has been J. K. Rowling. No one can deny the success of the Harry Potter series in reaching children as well as adults and in crossing genre boundaries. However, some women authors, particularly in the thriller genre, who have chosen to keep their names with interesting results.
A recent Publisher’s Weekly article highlighted nine debut thriller authors, including two women. The seven male authors had first printings of their books numbering from as low as 20,000 to as high as 200,000 books – numbers that are almost unheard of for debut authors in any genre. The two female authors are slated for first printings of 100,000 to 200,000 (Publishers Weekly, April 2007).
Is there a perceived bias against women authors in the modern fiction marketplace? It’s hard to determine by simply looking at the shelves of the local bookstore. More women are reading and writing science fiction and fantasy. More women are writing mysteries and thrillers. A trip down the romance aisle will show that it is a genre still ruled by female authors. However, looking at then science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and thriller genres reveals more women who are following Rowling’s example and using their initials. Three modern examples of female authors using initials to level the gender playing field within the thriller genre are M. J. Rose, J. T. Ellison, and C. J. Lyons. C. E. Murphy, author of Urban Shaman, uses her initials in the fantasy genre. L. A. Banks, an African American author, writes incredibly rich fantasy fiction that incorporates the supernatural with science in modern urban settings.
Gender bias in the modern fiction marketplace seems to linger. However, it is slowly changing. As women’s roles have expanded in society, the modern marketplace reflects this expansion. Because fiction – especially science fiction – often comments on our modern cultural views, it will continue to evolve and show a diversity of nationality, ethnicity, and gender both within the stories being told and in the storytellers themselves (Colatrella, 563).
Works Cited
Colatrella, Carol. “Science Fiction in the Information Age.” American Literary History, Vol. 11, No. 3. (Autumn, 1999), pp. 554-565.
Cooper, Carol. “Celebrating the Alien: The Politics of Race and Species in the Juveniles of
Andre Norton.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones, Sheree R Thomas, Ed. Aspect: New
York. 2005.
Danford, Natalie. “Maiden Mysteries: Nine first-timers vie for the attention of whodunit fans.”
Publisher’s Weekly. April 23, 2007.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Gender and Race
Essay 1
Whitney Hubbert
09-10-07
EH 468
Celebrating the Alien
In this reading, the history of gender and race concerning Science Fiction authors was examined. On Wikipedia.org, list of science fiction authors was extremely long. Therefore, I glanced at the first 50 or so and the first thing I noticed is more male authors than female. In the A section there was only four female names in the entire 35 list of authors.
Writing used to belong to the men, however, more women are writing and reading, therefore, changing the ratio dramatically. Andre Norton is a woman who “paved the way for other women to write in those fields (Who is Andre Norton, p.1).” I wonder, if Norton did not become a SF writer, would authors of SF and the protagonists still be predominantly male? In this time, many writers are female and write successful novels.
Many people try to avoid the topic of race because it can be an uncomfortable discussion. When you are an author, you have to write for the public. If the public were not ready for change, then your book would have been a disaster. Andre Norton not only helped females, but also decided to use dark skinned males as her protagonists. The point she was making is it does not matter whether the protagonist is White, Black or any other ethnicity. You can still get the message across.
Andre Norton’s book, “The Sioux Spaceman” had the protagonist with “unequivocally dark skin color, (Celebrating the Alien, p. 378).” This SF book was
written in 1960. As most may know, the 1960’s were a time of riots. The Civil Rights
Movement was beginning, and Andre Norton took a giant leap when she made the
protagonist a different race. Sadly, sometimes race can determine what you become when you grow up. If Norton was not afraid to write a book with a dark skinned protagonist, and sold many copies; why are people still harping on the same string? People are afraid of change, but change can be a great thing. If you open your eyes and get past the outer look, many things can be accomplished.
In conclusion, history plays a major role when it comes to SF novels. Because of
the past, readers and writers can move past all the negative. As mentioned earlier, the
ratio between men and women writing and reading is changing. Andre Norton’s
commitment and dedication helped readers along the way, and maybe we can realize to not judge a book by its cover… look deeper.
Works Cited
Cooper, Carol. “Celebrating the Alien; The Politics of Race And Species In The
Juveniles of Andre Norton.” Dark Matter: Reading The Bones. Ed. Sheree R.
Thomas. New York: Warner Books, 2004. 375-383.
Taddeo, Linda. Who is Andre Norton?. 26 August 2007. Accessed on 5 September
2007. http://www.andre-norton.org/anorton/anlf.html
Whitney Hubbert
09-10-07
EH 468
Celebrating the Alien
In this reading, the history of gender and race concerning Science Fiction authors was examined. On Wikipedia.org, list of science fiction authors was extremely long. Therefore, I glanced at the first 50 or so and the first thing I noticed is more male authors than female. In the A section there was only four female names in the entire 35 list of authors.
Writing used to belong to the men, however, more women are writing and reading, therefore, changing the ratio dramatically. Andre Norton is a woman who “paved the way for other women to write in those fields (Who is Andre Norton, p.1).” I wonder, if Norton did not become a SF writer, would authors of SF and the protagonists still be predominantly male? In this time, many writers are female and write successful novels.
Many people try to avoid the topic of race because it can be an uncomfortable discussion. When you are an author, you have to write for the public. If the public were not ready for change, then your book would have been a disaster. Andre Norton not only helped females, but also decided to use dark skinned males as her protagonists. The point she was making is it does not matter whether the protagonist is White, Black or any other ethnicity. You can still get the message across.
Andre Norton’s book, “The Sioux Spaceman” had the protagonist with “unequivocally dark skin color, (Celebrating the Alien, p. 378).” This SF book was
written in 1960. As most may know, the 1960’s were a time of riots. The Civil Rights
Movement was beginning, and Andre Norton took a giant leap when she made the
protagonist a different race. Sadly, sometimes race can determine what you become when you grow up. If Norton was not afraid to write a book with a dark skinned protagonist, and sold many copies; why are people still harping on the same string? People are afraid of change, but change can be a great thing. If you open your eyes and get past the outer look, many things can be accomplished.
In conclusion, history plays a major role when it comes to SF novels. Because of
the past, readers and writers can move past all the negative. As mentioned earlier, the
ratio between men and women writing and reading is changing. Andre Norton’s
commitment and dedication helped readers along the way, and maybe we can realize to not judge a book by its cover… look deeper.
Works Cited
Cooper, Carol. “Celebrating the Alien; The Politics of Race And Species In The
Juveniles of Andre Norton.” Dark Matter: Reading The Bones. Ed. Sheree R.
Thomas. New York: Warner Books, 2004. 375-383.
Taddeo, Linda. Who is Andre Norton?. 26 August 2007. Accessed on 5 September
2007. http://www.andre-norton.org/anorton/anlf.html
Paper 1
Celebrating the Alien
Sanavieai Brazeal
Sept 10,2007
EH 468 12:20p.m. class
An alien is defined as someone who is different and does not belong with the norm. In this reading, the author Carol Cooper gives an insight on a writer who had to personify what being different was about. Alice Mary Norton wrote novels under a fictitious male name. She did this so avid readers would read her novels thinking that a white male wrote them. Norton began publishing as Andre Norton in 1934. Many female authors used initials or took male names to gain authority for their work. The idea was made that only white male authors gain success and admiration.
In our society, race has been known to be a major factor in who and what we are to become in our lives. Many rely on race to judge a person’s weakness and their strong-points. The problems of society are unchanging and sometimes set in stone. Many people do not like change and many do not want to make people uncomfortable. The race card has been abused in that we believe that it is a basis for a person’s outlook on life. Whether white, black, red, or yellow, we all have a purpose in everyday life.
Norton’s novels gave rise to different races of characters. Each was strong in their own right and believed in doing what was right for the greater good. The assumption that it was a male writer shows how gender and race go hand in hand at times. It is common knowledge that we as a people are not based on what is on the inside but what is on the outside for the world to see.
Sanavieai Brazeal
Sept 10,2007
EH 468 12:20p.m. class
An alien is defined as someone who is different and does not belong with the norm. In this reading, the author Carol Cooper gives an insight on a writer who had to personify what being different was about. Alice Mary Norton wrote novels under a fictitious male name. She did this so avid readers would read her novels thinking that a white male wrote them. Norton began publishing as Andre Norton in 1934. Many female authors used initials or took male names to gain authority for their work. The idea was made that only white male authors gain success and admiration.
In our society, race has been known to be a major factor in who and what we are to become in our lives. Many rely on race to judge a person’s weakness and their strong-points. The problems of society are unchanging and sometimes set in stone. Many people do not like change and many do not want to make people uncomfortable. The race card has been abused in that we believe that it is a basis for a person’s outlook on life. Whether white, black, red, or yellow, we all have a purpose in everyday life.
Norton’s novels gave rise to different races of characters. Each was strong in their own right and believed in doing what was right for the greater good. The assumption that it was a male writer shows how gender and race go hand in hand at times. It is common knowledge that we as a people are not based on what is on the inside but what is on the outside for the world to see.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
RACE & HEALTH (REVISED)
Erica White 9/7/07 EH 468 Essay 1 |
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
A Humrous and Succint Example of a Synthesis essay
About the following essay:
The biology citation is not included. (Always include works cited in your essays).
The diction in your essay would be more formal, and you would use at least two texts. However, this should still help you to see how sythesis occurs. The two topics include:
(1) Sexual Communication
(2) Biology
My girlfriend and I have always tried to find ways to improve our relationship. In the communication, support, and yes. in the sexual part of our relationship.
In the past we’ve tried to be very open about what we like and dislike, both partners agreeing to be honest while not being offended about what the other one had to say.
Not long ago we had one of our talks where we discussed such matters. She reluctantly informed me that she would like more stimulation in our foreplay resulting her breasts. I didn't get angry at all, but I wondered how much was it going to take.
I put these questions into words and she revealed to me it wasn't so much the amount of time, but the area I was stimulating was not as productive as some other areas might be. I became impatient. "Where?," I said. She quietly came back, "The nipple."
I started to laugh out loud when I remembered the lecture in class. I told her that makes sense, because sexual stimulation is what women complain about during breast feeding. I told her that pressure is the stimulus for the tactile sense and that when something touches her nipple an action potential is started, then Oxytocin is released by the hypothalamus to her uterus and small muscles in her breast.
I told her that if she were pregnant (God forbid), that these muscles would shoot the milk out for her baby to feed on. Her uterus contracting is what makes her stimulated sexually. She rolled over away from me and said, "If you don’t want to do it, just say so!"
This example is taken from:http://users.adelphia.net/~sachssci2/synsampl.htm
The biology citation is not included. (Always include works cited in your essays).
The diction in your essay would be more formal, and you would use at least two texts. However, this should still help you to see how sythesis occurs. The two topics include:
(1) Sexual Communication
(2) Biology
My girlfriend and I have always tried to find ways to improve our relationship. In the communication, support, and yes. in the sexual part of our relationship.
In the past we’ve tried to be very open about what we like and dislike, both partners agreeing to be honest while not being offended about what the other one had to say.
Not long ago we had one of our talks where we discussed such matters. She reluctantly informed me that she would like more stimulation in our foreplay resulting her breasts. I didn't get angry at all, but I wondered how much was it going to take.
I put these questions into words and she revealed to me it wasn't so much the amount of time, but the area I was stimulating was not as productive as some other areas might be. I became impatient. "Where?," I said. She quietly came back, "The nipple."
I started to laugh out loud when I remembered the lecture in class. I told her that makes sense, because sexual stimulation is what women complain about during breast feeding. I told her that pressure is the stimulus for the tactile sense and that when something touches her nipple an action potential is started, then Oxytocin is released by the hypothalamus to her uterus and small muscles in her breast.
I told her that if she were pregnant (God forbid), that these muscles would shoot the milk out for her baby to feed on. Her uterus contracting is what makes her stimulated sexually. She rolled over away from me and said, "If you don’t want to do it, just say so!"
This example is taken from:http://users.adelphia.net/~sachssci2/synsampl.htm
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