Fashioning the Body: Versions of the Citizen, the Self, and the Subject

Emily

Possible Exam questions answered!  (kind of)   quick notes. . .stream of thought

What are some things I think about as I look over these questions?

- By claiming identity,  your identity is claiming you

The form (example forms given in class. . .we got the census form)  what were the questions asked in 1970?  Marital status, # children, occupation . . .talk about claiming what claims you!

Scott Turner Schofield. . .asked him what the point of creating more “updated” vocabulary does to the idea, and if it’s necessary. He agreed, and referenced the fact that terminology does in fact make us what we are or what we consider ourselves to be.

Visibility of the social discourses within the work?  Scott brought to light social aspects revolving around transgender issues . . .how people reacted to him, what he was feeling based on what happened around him. . . .Pauline Pantsdown made fun of and highlighted Pauline Hanson’s political policy of nationalism, and in turn relied heavily on blatant and offensive humor. 

the other day I got into a conversation about techno music and its authenticity as music. I argued that it is music, just not organic music. The other person argued that it wasn't music at all because it didn't involve instruments. Valid enough, except that, potentially, anything that you use to make a rhythm or melody could be thought of as music. . .maybe? Is that a stretch, and does that create "cyborg" music? I thought about the idea of organic music. . .that if thinking that technology inhibits or depreciates music, then electric guitars wouldn't be music. . .neither would listening to a record, or any media that requires energy or electricity to play! ? Is organic music only hearing flutes and strings and the like firsthand? No recordings? Does this relate to the passage in Tomorrow's Eve about the recording changing what is recorded. . .or when Edison says "It [the phonograph] can't record an eloquent silence or the sound of rumors. In fact, as far as voices go, it is helpless to represent the voice of conscious."  You can never REALLY recreate or represent the true meaning of what you're doing. . . Or perhaps the semiotics of music. . .the signifier is not the signified. The CD is not the music, and itunes is not the music. Even at a live show, could you consider amplified music as NOT organic music?

 

Here's what I'm thinking in my philosophical banter head space : Music that involves electricity is a cyborg, and is not organic music. This is a really blatant, unresearched statement, and not that I actually am applying this to my life, but please, refute me on this, for humor's sake.

Myspace has three primary functions: The Form, The Search Engine, and the Locus Point for Communication.
In functioning as a form, individuals are allowed to catalog themselves by choosing information and being selective for the portrayal of his/her personhood. When you first set up your account, you are asked to fill in a form regarding specifications of who you are, your identity - like what job do you have? - your life - how much money do you make in one year? - and most interestingly, your body. Height, Weight, physique type - even asking you to talk about what you want to do with your body, as in, do you want kids? what is your sexual orientation? Are you a smoker and/or a drinker? Who would you like to meet? What type of person are you considering having sex with?
With Myspace, people present images of themselves by filling out a visual form. The practice of putting a series o��(f photos from one's regular day or diaries of one's day on a blog on myspace can be understood as a form of social interaction. We could say that in this case, as in the case of the photobook, the person is engaged in a presentation of a persona or identity that one adopts; which may resemble their everyday world, or not. Who actually knows what one really looks like in this way?
One can also post a blog which can include information such as poetry, tour date information, current social events, how to bake apple struedel, The blog extends t��áhe everyday; making known or public the private world of the individual. We also get feedback as others (sometimes strangers) give us feedback about ourselves.

In functioning as a search engine, myspace allows access to persons, music, general information, jobs, horoscopes, videos, news. . .the list goes on. It acts as public access to humans via personal information in a self-constructed library. If on a page youre particularly keen on, the space also acts as a directing course of interaction and connection, via the TOP 8. or top 12, or 32, etc. There is a very expansive inter-web within the myspace pages themselves in this way. . .��s

I understood in the point of 'Vertical Role" and all..i do think it was a neat idea, and reminded me of the alienation effect. . .that didn't keep me from falling asleep though.  I usually enjoy grating, repetitive things, but this was ridiculous.  the violent noises and repetitive stream really did accentuate the objectification of her body and her 'play' within the moniter.  

 

I really enjoyed Martha Rosler's 'The East is Red, the West is Bending" was especially clever -  the  (purposefully) awkward attempt at teaching people how to make Asian food using an Americanized "non-primitive" method, the electric wok!  I liked the subtle satire, especially when it's aimed at American economics and consumption...she was so confident in her cooking abilities in her sunglasses..yet was reading from an instruction manual!  It was such a generic representation...I'm just not sure how that is necessarily feminist...is it just because she was a woman poineer in the film industry at the time? 

 

Oh Database, oh Database,

How I long to hold your face

 

Please whisper sweet categorical nothings in  my ear,

and tell me all the decimal placements that I want to hear.

 

It began that cold, bland winter back in 2001

When I clicked your mouse, accessed you, then

There was no greater fun

Than assisting inquiring patrons, students, teachers in their quests.

My capabilities extended, enhanced!

You are the very best.

 

From that day on I swore and swore

That I would be so faithful as to use your insight, wisdom

From then on, forevermore! 

 

Beau Travail: A Political Investment of a Body

 

            A writer, whether they choose to write books, screenplays, operas, etc., selects their medium with a specific intent – to convey a certain aesthetic relevant to the philosophical or artistic principals of the story or idea they are trying to tell.  In this same way, Claire Denis chose to create Beau Travail as a ninety-minute film that relies heavily on imagery and sound as an integral part of the concept of the film.  The concept of the film, which illustrates the maintenance and building of soldier bodies in the French Army in post-colonial Africa, is comparable to Michel Foucault’s article  “The Political Investment of the Body” in The Body; A Reader by Mariam Fraser and Monica Greco, in that it studies ways in which bodies act within models of discipline and power.

VCR 1986-2007

 

Late in the year 2007, month and exact date unknown, the VCR, resident of the Beanblossom/Aper residence, was reportedly found dead resting upon the Magnavox Television in the living room. The VCR lived to be 21 years old after its initial manufacturing year of 1986, and was apparently in good health and working condition until an incident with a fauly VHS tape titled "Waterworld, starring Kevin Costner, left it with a broken hinge door, a few lights out, buttons removed by force, and a slower pace of reeling film. The VHS, starring Kevin Costner, was removed and cited for improper reel usage, and was issued a ticket.

The VCR was a graduate of Sony Entertainment, 1986, and did not pursue a higher degree after entering the work force. It is survived by its Magnavox TV, Sony Playstation, an extensive collection VHS collection, used playstation games, and generic reception antenna. After its death it was replaced with its socially valued updated hybrid offspring, the VHS/DVD combination player.

Ceremonies will be held at 9:30 am Sat, Aug. 21,2007 at Saint 901 East Winona Apartments, back alley dumpster site, adjacent to the laundry room, Chicago, IL 60637.

Hey -

 

Here is what I am interested in:

- public access to humans, personal information in institutions and internet

- how senses of privacy has changed over time

- how access to info on body has changed

- technology and information science's contribution

- control of information distribution,why this has changed, and social implications of th changes

 

OR

- children's literature

- children's animation

- sexuality in children's literature

- maybe consisting of writing a children's novel/ book

- maybe trying to do children's animation?

 

Here's how I would like to do it:

- with implementation of creative endeavors

- research intensive, critical and responsive

- in a fairly organized manner, but not so very professional that we can't be 5 min late here and there.

- being very passionate about the subject matter. . .not just wanted to skim the top, but really dive into issues and questions

- opposing viewpoints very invited

 

Leave comments if your interested in collaborating! Thanks.

here 'tis.