"Please understand your fishbowls are best described by the quote: “the systematic interplay of reflective areas is central”. Here no judgement can be made, only feelings to be shared through text and images."
I'd like to think that each of my different pages (letter reflections, vocab, assignments, etc.) are like different reflective areas. I am reflecting on the letters, the vocabulary, on the assignments, and on myself there. In doing all of this, they help me build upon each posting and form a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. All of this is part of the Fishbowl, and all of it is important.
RESPONSE TO LETTERS - Sandra Chu
Response to "Thoughts, the morning after thanksgiving" letter
"1. We’re all at different wave lengths. I like to see our intersection as dimensions. We’re different dimensions that are intersecting."
Despite the fact that we're all separate, different people, we all have this course and the Fishbowl in common. It is here that we intersect, and we will have the digital proof of it for as long as this website is alive, and for as long as it stays in our memories.
"3. Perspective requires distance. Once you become aware of that, it is easy. Give distance in time and space. I call it The Return to Look."
I have definitely experienced this. In the beginning of the semester, I could not understand this course. But, after continuing with it, and periodically taking breaks before coming back, I have a different perspective. I can see the validity in the topics, and the meaning we are creating. Even now, after the holiday break, I feel differently again about this course - I believe that there are changes that could be made (like the commenting on others' posts suggestion I made in a previous post). I am developing a new perspective each time I come back to the Fishbowl and read both new and old content.
Despite the fact that we're all separate, different people, we all have this course and the Fishbowl in common. It is here that we intersect, and we will have the digital proof of it for as long as this website is alive, and for as long as it stays in our memories.
"3. Perspective requires distance. Once you become aware of that, it is easy. Give distance in time and space. I call it The Return to Look."
I have definitely experienced this. In the beginning of the semester, I could not understand this course. But, after continuing with it, and periodically taking breaks before coming back, I have a different perspective. I can see the validity in the topics, and the meaning we are creating. Even now, after the holiday break, I feel differently again about this course - I believe that there are changes that could be made (like the commenting on others' posts suggestion I made in a previous post). I am developing a new perspective each time I come back to the Fishbowl and read both new and old content.
Response to letters
"Maturity and The Fishbowl" letter
"Like happiness — another life-skill we have miscategorized as a passive abstraction — maturity requires early education, consistent relearning, and unrelenting practice." I have definitely felt a maturity in the Fishbowl as a whole; we've become accustomed to this new website and format, and we are continuing strong. It did not come naturally at all, but with relearning and constant practice through revisits to the site and making posts, we have undergone a happy transformation. The Fishbowl is only one of the many different transformations we will undergo as we continue to mature in life.
"Voguing (345)" letter
Voguing is defined as the action of "dance[ing] to music in such a way as to imitate the characteristic poses struck by a model on a catwalk." You can find various dancing videos online of it. In regards to the Fishbowl, our posts are our way of voguing in the sense that we are striking our own poses with the sentences we post. We are letting everyone know: this is me, and this is my style of thought. You can do the same for a business by establishing your own brand and style.
"Like happiness — another life-skill we have miscategorized as a passive abstraction — maturity requires early education, consistent relearning, and unrelenting practice." I have definitely felt a maturity in the Fishbowl as a whole; we've become accustomed to this new website and format, and we are continuing strong. It did not come naturally at all, but with relearning and constant practice through revisits to the site and making posts, we have undergone a happy transformation. The Fishbowl is only one of the many different transformations we will undergo as we continue to mature in life.
"Voguing (345)" letter
Voguing is defined as the action of "dance[ing] to music in such a way as to imitate the characteristic poses struck by a model on a catwalk." You can find various dancing videos online of it. In regards to the Fishbowl, our posts are our way of voguing in the sense that we are striking our own poses with the sentences we post. We are letting everyone know: this is me, and this is my style of thought. You can do the same for a business by establishing your own brand and style.
Response to letters
"Mutation/motion" letter
"When images supplant texts, we experience, perceive, and value the world and ourselves differently, no longer in a one-dimensional, linear, process-oriented, sequential way but rather in a two-dimensional way, as surface, context, scene." We're very used to seeing just images. Online on social media, and even in ads that we pass by every day, we see pictures and our minds immediately connect them to a meaning. Seeing them creates more images and thoughts in our minds, and it is a continuous frenzy of images quickly passing by as we take in more sights. After thinking about voguing some more, it reminded me that striking a pose is only for a moment - and no matter how long we hold a pose for, we eventually must shift footing and stand a different way. We do the same with our thoughts, ever changing, and the same with all of the different posts we make in the Fishbowl in the wake of new information to reflect on and respond to.
"Lost in words" letter
It's easy to get lost in the words of the Fishbowl. There are so many perspectives, and it's fun even reading postings from the design class as well. To me, it's like a blog where we can read everyone's posted thoughts. No conflicts, just a peaceful stream of thoughts to read.
"When images supplant texts, we experience, perceive, and value the world and ourselves differently, no longer in a one-dimensional, linear, process-oriented, sequential way but rather in a two-dimensional way, as surface, context, scene." We're very used to seeing just images. Online on social media, and even in ads that we pass by every day, we see pictures and our minds immediately connect them to a meaning. Seeing them creates more images and thoughts in our minds, and it is a continuous frenzy of images quickly passing by as we take in more sights. After thinking about voguing some more, it reminded me that striking a pose is only for a moment - and no matter how long we hold a pose for, we eventually must shift footing and stand a different way. We do the same with our thoughts, ever changing, and the same with all of the different posts we make in the Fishbowl in the wake of new information to reflect on and respond to.
"Lost in words" letter
It's easy to get lost in the words of the Fishbowl. There are so many perspectives, and it's fun even reading postings from the design class as well. To me, it's like a blog where we can read everyone's posted thoughts. No conflicts, just a peaceful stream of thoughts to read.
Last edited by sandrachu on 04 Dec 2019, 21:32, edited 1 time in total.
Response to letters
"Creating social memories and inter-subjective spaces (345)" letter
Very interesting to view past students' videos. The most recently uploaded ones were for a different course so some of the topics they spoke of were different, but some things like perspective, connectivity, etc., were in common with what we've learned.
"Snow storm cancellation: going online (345)" letter
I hope everyone is enjoying the snow day. I am taking this opportunity to visit the Fishbowl and read and write a bit.
Very interesting to view past students' videos. The most recently uploaded ones were for a different course so some of the topics they spoke of were different, but some things like perspective, connectivity, etc., were in common with what we've learned.
"Snow storm cancellation: going online (345)" letter
I hope everyone is enjoying the snow day. I am taking this opportunity to visit the Fishbowl and read and write a bit.
"Correcting Mike Troiano's web address" letter
"Mike Troiano, Filmmaker will visit on Wednesday, 12/4 at 3pm (443) and, next Tuesday, 12/10 at 11am (345)."
I will unfortunately have to miss our last day of class (12/10) because I have a presentation with BUS 422 that cannot be missed. I know Sanjiv mentioned not to email when we miss class, so I am informing him here. This will be the only class I have missed during the semester. I will try to get information from a group mate on what I miss that day.
I will unfortunately have to miss our last day of class (12/10) because I have a presentation with BUS 422 that cannot be missed. I know Sanjiv mentioned not to email when we miss class, so I am informing him here. This will be the only class I have missed during the semester. I will try to get information from a group mate on what I miss that day.
"Coming close to the end-1 (345)" letter
Media ecology theory is the study of media, technology, and communication and how they affect human environments.
It's true that media has drastically changed our environment - we use technology every day for transportation, learning, and communication. We consume different forms of media through technology, and it surrounds us. Not only has it affected our environment, but also our internal functions as well. Being so close to technology and fast communication has changed the way we think and react. Sometimes social media has a negative effect on our minds, and being "plugged in" all the time can be draining. It's hard to be without any of this, as it's permeated through almost everything in our surroundings. This is why being aware of how much media you consume, and how often you use technology is important.
It's true that media has drastically changed our environment - we use technology every day for transportation, learning, and communication. We consume different forms of media through technology, and it surrounds us. Not only has it affected our environment, but also our internal functions as well. Being so close to technology and fast communication has changed the way we think and react. Sometimes social media has a negative effect on our minds, and being "plugged in" all the time can be draining. It's hard to be without any of this, as it's permeated through almost everything in our surroundings. This is why being aware of how much media you consume, and how often you use technology is important.
"Bus 345" letter
Thanks for the clarification. I will be looking at everyone's class notes and speaking to a group mate for more information after Tuesday's class.
Response to "Coming close to the end-2 (345)"
"By describing experience well, we understand ways of leading more authentic lives."
This is why self reflection is so important. When you look back on past experiences and deconstruct them, you can find meaning where you never thought you would. Explanations appear for questions you had regarding the event, and everything becomes clearer. By doing so, you understand yourself on a deeper level. Even if you reflect on something and the answer turns out to be what you expected, there is still value in the act: you can now be even more reassured in yourself and your actions. There is no more questioning it as an experience borne from heavy outside influence or a fickle mind - it's all you.
This is why self reflection is so important. When you look back on past experiences and deconstruct them, you can find meaning where you never thought you would. Explanations appear for questions you had regarding the event, and everything becomes clearer. By doing so, you understand yourself on a deeper level. Even if you reflect on something and the answer turns out to be what you expected, there is still value in the act: you can now be even more reassured in yourself and your actions. There is no more questioning it as an experience borne from heavy outside influence or a fickle mind - it's all you.
Response to Letters
"Action learning" letter
Sanjiv, please do let us know if we end up being able to fund registration for the conference! It would be a shame if we were picked and aren't able to participate. That aside, I will continue my action learning within the Fishbowl until the end of the course, and then outside of the Fishbowl as I continue on.
"We live in our constructions" letter
"We live in our fishbowls; in our constructions of text and images." I believe that this is only possible due to the fact that we each have a unique voice. We leave traces of our individuality in our word choice and in the stories we share in our felt experiences. All of our writing, whether it be in the Fishbowl or not, contains snippets of who we were at the time of its creation. The fun part is that we get to come back, reread, and relive that moment together.
"The final" letter
I believe my group and I are doing the selfie. We won't be able to meet in person so we'll be sending in videos separately, but with each other in mind.
"The final again (345)" and "Making your videos (345)" letters
Thank you for giving some clarification. I will work on my selfie soon!
Sanjiv, please do let us know if we end up being able to fund registration for the conference! It would be a shame if we were picked and aren't able to participate. That aside, I will continue my action learning within the Fishbowl until the end of the course, and then outside of the Fishbowl as I continue on.
"We live in our constructions" letter
"We live in our fishbowls; in our constructions of text and images." I believe that this is only possible due to the fact that we each have a unique voice. We leave traces of our individuality in our word choice and in the stories we share in our felt experiences. All of our writing, whether it be in the Fishbowl or not, contains snippets of who we were at the time of its creation. The fun part is that we get to come back, reread, and relive that moment together.
"The final" letter
I believe my group and I are doing the selfie. We won't be able to meet in person so we'll be sending in videos separately, but with each other in mind.
"The final again (345)" and "Making your videos (345)" letters
Thank you for giving some clarification. I will work on my selfie soon!
My Fishbowl
I was looking back on all of my past letter responses/reflections, and I'd like to share the ones that were my favorite throughout the semester. If I had to define my Fishbowl, these are the ones that I would want to show.
Response to "Looking at what we're looking at" letter
"Indeed, we are all in one big fishbowl, where opposites co-exist."
"It's about having awareness."
These particular sentences really reminded me of a commencement speech I had heard online many years ago. It's called "This is Water" by David Foster Wallace. I think parts of it really encompass what we are trying to do in this class. At one point, Foster says, "The capital-T Truth is about life before death. It is about the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time..." In this course we are learning how to think and how to learn, and we are trying to have awareness of ourselves and of others around us. The way we view the world can have a world of a difference, and it can alter the meanings we give to each experience. In a past letter, we talked about Apperception, and it is definitely a key theme of what we are doing here.
(Link to a video of the commencement speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC7xzavzEKY)
Response to "Simultaneous reading and writing" letter
"As a reader of your text, I create my own meaning; in effect I add my own authoring to your text."
This reminded me a lot of a conversation my French class in high school once had regarding language. We were talking about the origin of words and language, and how many languages borrow from each other. These words then become something new, but they will always come from the same origin. Similarly, we are all listening and reading, and creating our own perceived meanings that we will pass on to others, only for the cycle to continue.
"Mutation/motion" letter
....After thinking about voguing some more, it reminded me that striking a pose is only for a moment - and no matter how long we hold a pose for, we eventually must shift footing and stand a different way. We do the same with our thoughts, ever changing, and the same with all of the different posts we make in the Fishbowl in the wake of new information to reflect on and respond to.
Response to "Coming close to the end-2 (345)" letter
"By describing experience well, we understand ways of leading more authentic lives."
This is why self reflection is so important. When you look back on past experiences and deconstruct them, you can find meaning where you never thought you would. Explanations appear for questions you had regarding the event, and everything becomes clearer. By doing so, you understand yourself on a deeper level. Even if you reflect on something and the answer turns out to be what you expected, there is still value in the act: you can now be even more reassured in yourself and your actions. There is no more questioning it as an experience borne from heavy outside influence or a fickle mind - it's all you.
These particular posts were the ones that I personally enjoyed the most. They were either the most memorable or the most interesting when I think back to my Fishbowl. For anyone reading my posts: here are the ones that I would add arrows and stars to if I could.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Response to "Looking at what we're looking at" letter
"Indeed, we are all in one big fishbowl, where opposites co-exist."
"It's about having awareness."
These particular sentences really reminded me of a commencement speech I had heard online many years ago. It's called "This is Water" by David Foster Wallace. I think parts of it really encompass what we are trying to do in this class. At one point, Foster says, "The capital-T Truth is about life before death. It is about the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time..." In this course we are learning how to think and how to learn, and we are trying to have awareness of ourselves and of others around us. The way we view the world can have a world of a difference, and it can alter the meanings we give to each experience. In a past letter, we talked about Apperception, and it is definitely a key theme of what we are doing here.
(Link to a video of the commencement speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC7xzavzEKY)
Response to "Simultaneous reading and writing" letter
"As a reader of your text, I create my own meaning; in effect I add my own authoring to your text."
This reminded me a lot of a conversation my French class in high school once had regarding language. We were talking about the origin of words and language, and how many languages borrow from each other. These words then become something new, but they will always come from the same origin. Similarly, we are all listening and reading, and creating our own perceived meanings that we will pass on to others, only for the cycle to continue.
"Mutation/motion" letter
....After thinking about voguing some more, it reminded me that striking a pose is only for a moment - and no matter how long we hold a pose for, we eventually must shift footing and stand a different way. We do the same with our thoughts, ever changing, and the same with all of the different posts we make in the Fishbowl in the wake of new information to reflect on and respond to.
Response to "Coming close to the end-2 (345)" letter
"By describing experience well, we understand ways of leading more authentic lives."
This is why self reflection is so important. When you look back on past experiences and deconstruct them, you can find meaning where you never thought you would. Explanations appear for questions you had regarding the event, and everything becomes clearer. By doing so, you understand yourself on a deeper level. Even if you reflect on something and the answer turns out to be what you expected, there is still value in the act: you can now be even more reassured in yourself and your actions. There is no more questioning it as an experience borne from heavy outside influence or a fickle mind - it's all you.
These particular posts were the ones that I personally enjoyed the most. They were either the most memorable or the most interesting when I think back to my Fishbowl. For anyone reading my posts: here are the ones that I would add arrows and stars to if I could.
Happy Holidays, everyone!