Tag Archives: sophiafuga

Extra Credit: Steve Mentz’s Visit in the DHC

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I attended the Steve Mentz talk in the Digital Humanities Center this past week. One point of conversation I found particularly interesting during this discussion was about the use of language when it comes to the internet. For instance, “surfing” the internet. “Flow” of data. I had never thought about how those words interact with technology and the idea of impermanence that comes with that language. The idea of surfing the internet makes it seem like we are just passing by, and the water (data) we touch will float away, with us leaving no trace of our existence. But, like the ocean, we are leaving a trace, something permanent rubbed into the surface that will sink to the bottom (think of the trash scattered on the ocean floor, invisible to the naked eye but long lasting evidence). Although I reckon impossible, I wonder how changing these terms might change our ideas on data and perhaps open our eyes to how insecure and public all of this data is. Perhaps if we used “walking the internet”, or “stomping through”. With these terracentric terms, we start to think about footprints (take digital footprint), and how those stick. I personally have literally no clue how these underground cables work or the cloud, but they kept getting mentioned during this talk (and the one during our class), and I’m wondering how they can even manage to support the amount of data we are constantly sending back and forth across the globe?

EC: 5 Questions for Steve Mentz

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  • How do you think social media influences the idea our culture holds of water?
  • What differences and similarities do you see on views of the water across countries?
  • Where is your favorite place you’ve swum?
  • If you had to choose one place to live, anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
  • What is something you wish everyone knew about the ocean?

Week 4: Idea of the Workforce to Cultural Imagination

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One part of the reading that stuck out to me this week was the idea that as the sea becomes less relevant to the workforce, it becomes bigger in the cultural imagination. This is such a transition of thought, and maybe why we have more environmental awareness about the ocean. Instead of using the ocean as something for profit and to sustain ourselves, it becomes a cultural idea, and as it becomes personified, we feel more reason to protect it. As we create this cultural idea/fact that the ocean is alive, we can also see this idea of it being helpless, and want to protect it. Similar to a puppy, maybe. 

Gillis brought up this idea of the growing cultural imagination in the context of how the humanities shape our knowledge of the ocean. Right now, I think the ocean is such a signifier of wealth. Real estate properties are higher by the ocean, and it is considered a luxury to be able to go to the beach. I don’t know if this holds true everywhere, though. In Japan, not all of the coast was as valued as living in a big city, like Tokyo. I would be interested in exploring what differences there might be in the value of the ocean in the US versus Japan. In California, anywhere on the coast is expensive and valuable, but I went to plenty of coastlines in Japan that weren’t populated or seemingly expensive. How we view something and the cultural value we place on it is simply that.

I also think it should be noted that our idea of the ocean in the cultural imagination is so limited. When we think of going to the ocean, it is simply to go to the seashore, maybe dip our bodies in for a few minutes. When the ocean was more relevant to the workforce, thoughts of the ocean must’ve been so different. I doubt many thought of white sandy beaches; rather ports with large ships and months of journey. 

Week 3: What Moby Dick Means to Me

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What I found interesting in the reading this week was from What Moby Dick Means To Me. The concept of it being whatever you want it to be opens the door for projection and transference, in my opinion. I started the book, and the introduction presents similar ideas of taking the book as you want it, and that it isn’t and shouldn’t be forced into a box. I think this is an interesting way of looking at literature, a way that isn’t traditionally taught in schools, especially middle/high school. In my experience, teachers invite you to look at the book with a critical viewpoint, but they keep the idea that there’s a certain motif or central theme in the book that should be recognized. Whereas Moby Dick seems to go against that and invites this personal transference. As a psychology major, I find this interesting. Projection has such negative connotations around it nowadays, yet it is such an insightful tool and can have a positive impact when used the right way. 

Another way to look at this idea of projection is how it might change over time. This article also mentioned the book being used as a religious item in a time of religious uncertainty. How can we use this book now, and will we only use it in what is lacking or can we learn to use it as a tool for overall growth? This also reminds me of a lot of constitutional debates, and how what was written hundreds of years ago should be applied and interpreted nowadays. I have discussed this topic in many classes, and there’s never a straight forward conclusion because of all the different interpretations with their biases. 

I am excited to see all the different emotions and memories that Moby Dick evokes for people in the class. I believe a big part of who we are is shaped by experience; and how we perceive art such as literary text is deeply influenced by these experiences. I also think that looking at this book with different perspectives from different people in the class will allow for more open-mindedness toward ideas and interpretations.

Week 2: Cannibalism

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In the second text for this week, The True-Life Horror That Inspired Moby Dick, I found irony in the act of cannibalism. The crew’s fear of going to the islands that were rumored to have cannibals forced them out into sea, and they ended up eating each other. This act was also a bit disturbing to read about–nowadays engaging in something like that would be deeply disturbing and looked down upon. Yet, this was only about two hundred years ago, and seen as normal. Looking at historical context around events is important, and also highlights how constructed social norms are. What we see as right now, might be seen as wrong and/or immoral a hundred years in the past or future. I think having this type of critical thinking is important, as our values are often relative to the society we have been raised in. 

Another part of the cannibalism/society interaction I find interesting is that this cannibalism was seen as normal when forced into those conditions. When people are put into emergency situations, it is always interesting to see what standards/morals become quickly compromised. It makes me think about Lord of the Flies and Lost–both of which highlight what can happen when a group of people are removed from the laws of society. 
I am also interested to see how this may tie into Moby Dick. I honestly know nothing about the book except for that they are on a ship, there’s a whale, and people from different backgrounds. I wonder if there will be cannibalism in the book. I would also be interested in seeing what social norms will be present in the book that people may find ‘issue’ with nowadays, or what might be considered improper. Additionally, I found there to be a bit of karmic humor in this ‘adventure’. After setting a fire, the ship was sunk. I wonder if this may pop up as a theme in Moby Dick as well.

Introduction post :)

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Hi y’all! My name is Sophia. I am a psychology student with an emphasis in neuroscience, but I love reading and writing. I don’t really plan to do anything with my degree since I’m working toward a full time career in photography. One of my biggest hobbies is traveling–this year I went to my 18th country! Some of my favorite books are Kokoro, Brave New World, and Schopenhauer’s Porcupines. I’m looking forward to making some new connections this year and having engaging conversations in this class that challenge me.