Howdy LATAWers. Homework for this weekend is to read the little excerpt from "Into the Wild" and respond to this blog entry. What I would like you to reflect upon is our class on Thursday. I told Mr. Lichtman that I would pass some student reflections along to him. As a reminder, here are some topics that came up in the discussion/presentation that day:
1. The feelings that come along with being on the road (from Grateful Dead song at beginning).
2. The manner in which being on the road can free up your mind.
3. The possibility that you think in a different manner when you are moving -- walking, riding, driving.
4. The question I asked, "Does the need to write about your experiences cheapen or enrich them?"
5. Educational innovation -- came up more in first period than seventh. What skills should we REALLY be teaching in high school to prepare students for the future.
Any other topics that came up that interested you.
I may weigh in a little later in the weekend.
Have fun watching those superb owls on Sunday.
mrh
In this entry I would like to comment on how one;s thinking is altered when you are moving, and whether writing about your experiences actually cheapens them or not (questions 3 &4). I believe it was Adam who said during the discussion that while moving he is able to process events more fluidly. I too am one of these people. I think clearer and am able to focus on the task at hand and ultimately achieve my goals. When I sit down and just stop my mind wanders and I ultimately become unproductive. And that's what leads me into my next point. I do in fact believe that transcribing one's experiences, from memory to paper cheapens the experience. There is no writer in my mind skilled enough to convey the power and emotions felt when nature's beauty overcomes you. I do believe however that writing is necessary, and it is probably the best way to relate some of the feelings people try to communicate when escaping from society. Writing offers a media to refine what you intend to say. You can swap out words or just let an idea simmer until what you really mean to say finds you. That being said, within the next decade or so this conversation might most likely be irrelevant as the human populations ceases to answer the call to escape for is seemingly impossibility.
ReplyDeleteI believe that movement certainly enhances emotion. When traveling across the countryside, the traveler is faced with so many different scenarios and has so much raw information to process, that they are forced to think of their experience in a manner different from when they are static. The sheer abundance of information absorbed causes the traveler to reduce the information into broad generalizations, universal human truths, neatly packed ideals that explain a much broader phenomenon. I know from personal experience that my senses feel somewhat overwhelmed on road trips. I see so many people, so many plants, so many animals, so many "things," that it is difficult to attach individual lessons or conclusions to each unique experience. My thought process then strays away from its normal behavior and begins to group and categorize experiences and situations together, creating the effect of "profound" thinking. Regarding progressive education, I am conflicted. I believe the educational system certainly has its flaws and change is necessary, but I am somewhat disillusioned with the motives of many progressive educators. It feels as if many educators want change for changes sake or are just hopping on the educational bandwagon. This being said, I think it would be a great thing if the school moved away from grade inflation and the outdated AP curriculum. If I could change one thing about the school, it would be to rid the school and students of the mentality that high school is all about achieving "good" grades.
ReplyDeleteThe journey of picking up everything you own and leaving, is an uncommon one. While many play with the thought of merely leaving all responsibility behind, the realty is that most people do not actually follow these impulses. Thus, these souls are the ones who go through the motions in their life, all the while truly desiring to be free. So how have these trapped people felt a sense of liberty? By living vicariously through those with the will to leave all possessions behind, the majority of people can finally get a taste of what it is like to be free. But the stories that these desert rats tell to all people are only half wholesome. People have to experience things for themselves, and a journey for self-discovery, cannot be fully understood by those who did not first-hand experience it. Though it is quite nice to be able to pick up a short novel and transplant ourselves into the life of a hermit, the full experience will never be won this way. Instead, people searching for self-discovery must get their hands dirty, they must go out and adventure for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI was not present during the discussion on Thursday, but I do believe that being on the road can free your mind and the ability to clearly think is heightened if one is moving rather than sitting motionless. I have been on various road trips and driving without a destination is probably the best feeling that one can feel. All the barriers that one feels at home whether it be school, friends, family, any sort of drama truly vanishes from the mind. Being on the road alone of by yourself is the best medicine for the mind. Furthermore, I also agree with the fact that moving and being active can help your thinking process rather than sitting motionless in a chair and letting your mind roam wild. I, for example, can completely prove this theory correct because when I am studying for a test or attempting to do some critical thinking, I am capable of accomplishing my goal by walking around instead of sitting at a desk. I am not sure of I answered the blog correctly, but i do hope so!
ReplyDeleteBeing on the road is extremely liberating, and this idea is really at the core of what we've been talking about the last few weeks. It also reminds me exactly of what we read this weekend in Into the Wild, with Everett Ruess and his feelings about being in nature, away from home. I got the sense that Mr. Lichtman, in his travels across the country, had a really clear mind when he was able to focus on the goals of his journey. I agree with what Paola and Parker said in that movement clears up your thinking and allows you to commit all of your thoughts to the goals at hand. If there are no goals, like in Cape Solitude, then being away from home (not just on the road) gives you a peace of mind that home life cannot. I think that's because when you're at home, you are constantly surrounded by issues and stress that you are forced to deal with. But when you're away, you are able to channel your mind into thinking with a different perspective and deal with your thoughts clearly instead of with stress. Sure, it could be looked at like running away from your problems, but I prefer to think of it as finding another way to deal with them and finding a better solution to them.
ReplyDeleteThe most difficult part of a road trip is setting out. Without a driving sense of curiosity and a need to explore, it is nearly impossible. I have come to this conclusion after discussing in class, Mr. Lichtman’s journeys and reading the excerpt from Into the Wild. For most people leaving all of their friends, possessions, and life is the most difficult part because of the unknown and unfamiliarity. However, in order to gain a sense of self growth and a new perspective one must fully immerse themselves in the experience. Mr. Lichtman felt an itch for adventure, which led to his excursion in India and throughout the United States. Similarly in Into the Wild, Everett looks for a thrill and a sense of adventure, which he finds in the desert. However, in Everett’s case it withdraws him from society unveiling his desire for independence, “we like companionship, but we can’t stand to be around people for very long.” In addition, the curiosity that leads to these adventures allows one to discover who they are. In Mr. Lichtman’s case he was able to see other methods of teaching and observe other academic settings, which helped him form his current opinions on education. Everett searches for who is by changing his name and trying to find what best suit him and his personality. This sense of independence and growth is fostered outside of the classroom by fully experiencing life in the world, but often times the hardest step is sparking that inner curiosity and drive for discovery.
ReplyDeleteNothing can stop a man on the open road. The feeling of traveling and not having any responsibilities is unbeatable. It is not only a journey of leaving your home and experiencing a new place, but getting to know yourself. It is being able to grow and learn and letting yourself go. I think the whole notion of a journey mainly has to do with the need to explore and find an adventure. Home is of course a place where family and friends are, warm food and cozy pets, but the outside world has so much more to offer. But, this is the most difficult thing one will encounter. Dropping everything and leaving loved ones behind is not easy, only the brave will do it. Thoreau talks about this "braveness" that is necessary in his essays. But, when getting over the fear, the journey is worth it, even if it might take a while to realize it.
ReplyDeleteAnswering question four, I think that writing about your experiences definitely enriches them. Engraving memories makes them last forever, no matter how much time passes by, they will always be there. It is definitely enriching, writing is also a great way to express suppressed feelings.
-Jacky
Telling people about your experiences ruins them. The bond that forms between people, or between a person and nature, is a secret one. The memories and experiences aren't what they used to be when everyone semi-understands how amazing it was. With that in mind, there are certain circumstances when it would help to write about it, take pictures, or document it in any way. First is when you set out on the journey with the purpose of documenting, as in Mr. Lichtman's case. He went out with a purpose and didn't return until he achieved his goal. The second is if you can get the perfect balance between inspiring someone to make their own memories and not giving away your own. Because in truth everyone should have some souvenir of the past that is one of a kind. Reading books and essays like Into the Wild and Cape Solitude do this. They let the reader get a glimpse of their stories, and try to persuade the readers to create their own.
ReplyDeleteI believe that a special experience can only be understood by the one who is actually experiencing it. It takes a lot for someone to leave everything and try something new, that is probably why it is so uncommon. People who truly want to experience something great have to change the way they are currently living. Leaving friends and family can be difficult, but once achieving that task, you can let yourself free, and try the impossible. When one goings through and experiences nature, that connection (similar to Walker) between humans and nature is something very special and hard to describe in words. I believe that writing about a experiences, no matter how well it is written, the true meaning and power of the event can never be truly matched to the actual experience. However, I think it might be important for the person on the journey to maybe document or write a few things about his or her experience to later come back to these notes, and spark past memories of the true rawness of the experience.
ReplyDeleteThe bond created between nature and man is one unique to itself. Only the person in the moment can truly understand what natures meaning is. Part of being in nature is absorbing and reflecting on sights, sounds, and views that nature has to offer. As Mr. Lichtman goes about his road trip, he goes with a purpose. Achieving his purpose is what makes his trip unique to some others. I feel l like there are two different ways to enjoying nature, one in which includes documentation, just as Mr. Lichtman did on his travels. In most cases i would say that taking pictures and writing about a personal experience can diminish the true meaning by giving up the loyalty to that specific time and place you visited. However, as most of these posts say, part of Mr. Lichtman's goal was do be able to document travel and document at the same time. The fact he was able to handle and compete both effectively gives it a more authentic journey into nature.
ReplyDeleteI was not in class for Mr. Lichtmen's presentation but based upon reading the other posts I believe that when your are walking or driving or anything, there is a different mindset. Normally when you are moving, you are moving towards something else, whether it is a good or a bad thing. I think that when moving, your mind is narrowed in one direction and that direction is the destination. This also depends on how long the journey is and who the journey is with but typically, I only think about the destination and what is ahead. This is why I think that writing about a journey on the trip cheapens things. Personally I would rather write about it afterwards or just talk about it. I like to reflect on the trip and think about all the stories I have and the experiences encountered. It is impossible to completely write about the memories had, one would have to be there to fully experience the event. This is why I would personally take video accounts or photographs rather than try to be descriptive in writing, because a picture is worth a thousand words.
ReplyDeleteTo record or to enjoy the experiences is a problem I have frequently had. It is so challenging to find the balance between the two. For me the balance really lies on at least capturing the general actual picture of a location or event when traveling, so then you can then at least refer back to that picture to regain that old memory. Other then that predicament, I found the portion on education extremely interesting. Even though I'm not sure what's the right way to change the system. I definitely think today's system or more specifically Parker's system is not the right way to go about teaching kids. The main issue though is really the heavy weight that grades have. The weight of the grades really sucks just because kids just go for the grade instead of actually being interested in the class or the material.
ReplyDeleteIn response to question 4, I personally believe that other peoples experiences can both enrich and cheapen our experiences. I believe it can enrich our own beliefs and opinions if we have an experience that we can compare. Other peoples' experiences can enrichen our own if we can relate to them. Music and art are classic examples of this. When you hear a song that truly speaks to you, it's probably because the lyrics are meaningful to you. And they're probably meaningful to you because you understand or relate to them through your own experiences. A sad love song might remind you of an old boy or girlfriend, or a heavy rock song might remind you of your first concert, and so on. Other peoples' experiences trigger our own. And that's something we can find comfort in. We often struggle to find the words to describe exactly how we feel, and sometimes other peoples' art or work can show us those words we couldn't find but that we truly feel. We can learn from others' experiences through the similarities we relate to but also the differences in which make them unique. The times others experiences' can cheapen our own is when we have no general knowledge or common ground to compare with. If we make assumptions off of someone's experience in which we have none of our own, we may be learning, but in a close minded environment. There is no question that the best way to learn is to get our own experiences, but that doesn't mean we can't benefit from learning about the journeys of others.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am on the road I truly feel infinite. As I roll down the window and sing to the radio, I feel free. I do not have to impress or entertain anyone. I refrain from analyzing my day or stressing out about pointless little details, I just look positively toward the future. When I open the window all the worrying and pessimist thoughts fly out the window, and clarity and life fly in. Driving on the freeway gives me the most freedom and excitement. I am exhilarated to see so many cars and disenthrwalled because that I can drive fast. I would not consider myself a teenage rebel, so driving fast on my own definitely gives me defiance. Over time I have taken notice of the different mindsets I carry depending type of locomotion. When I am riding in a car I feel the obligation to talk and entertain. I am locked within a contained space and feel trapped. When walking I always want to go faster. Walking lacks energy and determination and slows the day down. Driving a car gives me satisfaction. I love to write about my road trip sensations and ideas that come to mind. Writing experiences down keep the memory powerful when I return to it. Some think writing an event on paper will cheapen the experience. While letters on paper will not inspire one as much as a live experience do, the experience is not cheapened. The only main difference is writing combines words with imagination. When caught between writing and actually experiencing, I come to think of lessons. Lessons that should be taught and practiced within every high school curriculum. Students are inspired and motivated by experiences. Allowing children to write their experiences allows them to reach out to teachers and share their academic work to the highest potential. My most favorite assignments in english class are the creative ones. Teachers should spend more time on creativity and individuality.
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