Hi all, This week you need to respond to the poem,"No Man is an Island." It might help to do some research on the poet and the poem. Of course Wikipedia is a good starting point. Between now and next week you need to write about 300 words in total. Firstly write a PERSONAL RESPONSE to the message of the poem (200 words. The you need to RESPOND to someone else's post (100 words). Please ensure when you sign up that you use your own name so I can check all the posts against the roll. Enjoy!
"No Man is an Island." A man can be an island if an island is considered to be a small community. Nothing, not plants, nor animals, not even the atoms that create us. Everything is linked even if it is often not directly so. A man stuck in a desert is linked to everything. He is connected to the sand particles which continually join to form the surroundings, those are joined to the strange wildlife around. But for one thing, we are all joined to the earth and the Earth is connected to all of us. Without it we would not live for very long. I am linked to the world by the internet if I choose to be or not. We cannot be one in ourselves for eternity.
Interesting view Lizzy; that we are all physically connected to our environment. To me the poem is saying that mankind is a single entity and that our interactions and relationships with others is what makes us human. I agree with the poem to some extent, that we are connected to the people in our lives, and cannot be happy without other people. I believe this concept also supports the idea of equality, that everyone is born equally. However, there are parts I disagree with, such as "any man's death diminishes me." There have been a lot of bad people in history, people whose death do not diminish mankind. I don't believe we are connected to every other person in the world. Although we might be affected and dependent on the people in our community, I think there are many groups of people who we are not connected with. For example, many people's religious views set them apart from other religions. I don't consider myself connected to someone living on the other side of the world whom I've never met and that might have different beliefs to me.
Firstly I’d just like to say a few words about the page name. An archipelago is a chain or cluster of islands that is formed tectonically. I feel in the context of this blog, and the stimulus material “no man is an island" it is meaning that everyone is connected or part of a community. I feel the same about this, and in accordance to the theory “six degrees of separation” which in simplest terms is that every single person is connected within six steps or less, it seems that this is correct. And if you think about this logically if every person knows approximately 1000 people it is very easy to see how this theory is supported. Michael in reply to your comment on religion I’d like to say that different religions still connects others. The definition of religion is: Religion is the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or a set of beliefs concerning the origin and purpose of the universe. With this basic idea can you see how everyone no matter what religion they follow , are connected as they are all searching for meaning or “higher power” or “god”. And this is something I believe everyone has in common, even of those who believe in the theory of evolution still have searched for response to the unanswered questions about the meaning of existence and how we came to be. I’m not trying to condescend your view if just trying to explain mine on the topic. And I just like to say about the quote “Each man's death diminishes me” that it does no matter who dies if you hear about this death or made aware of it you do feel saddened, for example the tsunami in Bali 2004 deeply saddened me though I didn’t have any connection to any of the victims of that horrific natural disaster.
Thanks for the comment on the blog name, Tom! Its nice to see someone looking into the meaning of the name and the logic behind our choice. There is some really amazing discussion from this class already, keep up the good work!! Miss Minnemeyer
I liked the fact that you could relate the idea of being "diminished" to that awful tsunami tragedy. I think because do many Aussies holiday there it felt like part of our "neighbourhood."
Our 'connection' to others is an important part to the topic I think. There was a theory that it only took 6 people to connect you with anyone else in the world. Some scientists tried it out for some random people to try to contact one famous person (i forget who) and the people who succeeded went through roughly 6 people. Though there were many who didn't reach him at all. There must be something in that in relation to the links between everyone, but I guess that's physical connection not 'other' connection.
>Do you think we have a choice in the matter? Can a person choose to be "apart" from the world?
The world is everything. Everything we know, everything we have created, what we believe, etc. It is part of us and us part of it. 'We' have no choice in this. Even suicide would not rip us from our bond with the world. It is inescapable.
This poem speaks out to me, mostly because i do beleive that no man can live in total solitary. we all need some 'back up' in our lives, when we are sad or depressed about something, and someone is there to make us feel better. John Donne is talking about the connection that people have with the people around them, and the connection with these people is what makes us human.
This poem focuses on the idea that none of us can happily live our lives unless we're involved with other people. Without human contact and multiple relationships, it can be argued that our lives lack fulfillment and reason. As human beings we require not only to feel wanted, but also to feel needed. It is expected that most people have at least one person in their life that they can rely on, and whom also relies on them. Whether it is a family member or a friend, having someone to support you, both through difficult and stressful times can make life that much easier. However, it must be mentioned that we cannot survive merely relying on everybody around us and must be capable of being independent. The ability to look after ones self is vital in life, not only to survive, but also to feel a certain amount of self worth. We need to feel that we deserve our family and friends, and that we are valuable contributors to our relationships. My personal opinion is that life would not be worth living without human interaction and contact. It would lack depth and meaning without friends, family and responsibility. This said, we still need to be our own person and look out for ourselves, because ultimately, it is our individuality that truly defines us.
I do believe no person could live completely by themselves happily. Everyone needs someone, or even something, a pet could do to satisfy a need of company. Surely a lonely person would soon go crazy, humans have the natural need for interaction of some kind. But in the poem, the part, "each man's death diminishes me", I would have to agree with Michael. Tom, i don't think Michael's talking about unfortunate events, where people have died from natural disasters. But instead with circumstances of people causing trauma for other people. For example with Hitler, he caused tremendous grief for whole countries and killed millions of people. Guarantee at least a few people were glad of his death, I'm thankful he came to an end. That shows that this particular man's death did not diminish everyone. I agree with you, that when there's an event of innocent people being killed by a tragedy, it affects everyone and everyone feels sorrow for them. But there's circumstances where someones death can have the opposite affect.
Tom, do you really know 1000 people? I think Will Freeman's problem was that he knew lots of people but he wasn't genuinely connected to any of he until he met Marcus.I like Ashlea's term "involved with other people." And in relation to Samantha's comment: perhaps Hitler was an example of a life diminishing others rather than a death.
In relation to the definition of Archipelago I think that every man (or woman) is an island, but it is our ability to reach out to other islands that make us who we are. The reason that Will Freeman was so alone in the world was because he never thought he needed anyone, therefore he never reached out to anyone else until Marcus came into his life. (keeping in mind I have not seen the whole of the text yet). Whether or not you choose to leave your island is what defines you as a person. Or at-least that is what I think.
Will acted as though any commitment would be a burden but this "burden" was the making of him. Being needed is what finally convinced him of his worth and value. Up until then he didn't really think much of himself.
In class today I mentioned an article about the internet and its effects n our intelligence. In terms of the things that influence us and shape us, this is really interesting. Some of you have talked about the connection we have via technology. Read this... unless of course you can't because you are programmed to skim and scan. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/how-the-internet-makes-us-stupid-20100909-15383.html
in relation to about a boy, at the start of the movie, will beleives he is an island, but by the end of the movie, he realises that he would be nothing if he didnt have Rachel. So after coming in contact with something he loves, he changed his whole view of life entirely. I think a man can be an island, but he would be a very unhappy and unfulfilled man.
When i first read the poem, "No man is an island", I found an instantaneous connection with it and my own life and feelings. I believe that people are connected with one another, be it physically or spiritually (not trying to sound "hippy-like"). By this I mean that we as humans can have a spiritual connection with those who have experienced tragedy (locally or internationally)and have been killed in natural or man-made disasters like tom had previous mentioned about the Tsunami in Bali. We feel sympathy and sorrow. I feel that I am not an island because I am surrounded by family, friends and a community that are supportive and friendly. For example, I have been living in my court ever since I was born and everyone knows each other. So when someone new moves into the neighborhood, we all greet them with open arms. It might be the simplest thing as waving 'hello' in the morning but it makes me and those around me feel connected. In reference to the film text "About a boy", I think that Will Freeman has convinced himself that he is an "island" and that he doesn't need anyone around him but when Marcus Brewer comes into his life, a spark of humanity is thrust out of him and his life has more meaning. People may think they are isolated or an “island” but it is only human nature for us as people to want to interact with one another.
I agree with Adrian, a man that would self proclaim himself a island would be unhappy and an unfulfilled man. I think no one would be able to live with themselves and not share experiences with other people. ‘Each is a piece of a continent' I believe this is is trying to say that everyone in some way are all connected, which I also see is that no one can be a island because we are all connected. Connected through family, friends, community, pop culture, because these things shape people and can have a massive effect on people’s decisions and a way that we are all connected because everyone has family, friends have their individual likes on music, clothes, what they do, when they do it and I think that is another reason why we are all connected. I also agree with Wai and Tom that we are emotionally connected as well feeling sympathy for people who may lose someone special in their lives because it really can happen to anyone at any time. I think in the movie 'about a boy' Will evokes sympathy for Marcus because of what he has gone through with his mother and genuinely feels sorry for him, and try’s to help him. This connection with Marcus I think makes Will think about his life and to try and stop being an Island when he meets that girl(can’t remember her name, she had a really crazy son that yelled at Marcus when they met but ends up with her at the end of the movie)through meeting Marcus has stopped him being a island and making him stop thinking that he is Ibiza.
I really like David’s view that we are all islands who reach out to each other. When I read the poem I didn’t think of the poem this way at all. I think this view makes sense because could mean that each person could be an island if they choose to be but it would be very difficult and quite an unhappy lifestyle. Instead we reach out and live within our communities and form continents. In response to Michael saying that he doesn’t believe that he is connected to someone on the other side of the world, I have to agree. If we are connected to everybody by six steps or less it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are a part of their community or island.
To me the poem demonstrates how one person may be a member of many different communities. I think it shows how we all belong to our own personal communities, or islands, which would consist of family and friends. I do believe that no man would be able live happily without the support and company of friends and family. As well as being a part of this island, we are all a part of a larger community, or continent. This would be made up of most of the people we know. For example our neighbours, teammates and school and work relations. Although we may not know many other people outside of this community we are still connected to the rest of the world. This is just like a larger community because when something devastating happens in other parts of the world, such as the 2004 tsunami, we can still be affected. We may have been affected because someone we knew was holidaying or we saw the devastating effects on television, either way we would share a connection to people in other parts of the world and although we may not know these people personally, I believe it would make us apart of one community.
I believe that in John Donne’s passage, ‘No man is an island’ Donne is saying that all of humanity is connected in some way. He is saying that no one is isolated from the rest of humanity; no one is separate from the "continent" of mankind; therefore, if one person dies, all of humanity is affected, even made less. He uses the comparison with an island because an island is separate from the main continents. He says that "no man is an island" to convey the idea that none of us humans is alone in the world. We are not islands; we are part of a larger mass, which means we are connected. He goes on with his comparison and says that, just like when a piece of a continent, a "clod" washes away and makes the continent smaller, any death of any person makes the whole of humanity smaller. We lose something in ourselves due to this unseen connection. So, he says, when the bell tolls (a signal for a funeral or death), don't ask who the bell is for, it is for you, because you are part of the great continent of man, which is now smaller since one of it's members have been taken away.
After listening to the Simon and Garfunkel song ‘I am a rock’ and looking carefully at the lyrics, it became clear to me that there is a strong similarity between it and the movie ‘About A Boy’, where Will is very much so a rock, his own island, he is, “shielded in my armour” (I have taken lyrics form the song to show these connections). He disconnects himself from others and has “built walls” he has “no need of friendship; friendship causes pain”. These feelings are what makes him alone and a somewhat miserable person “it's laughter and it's loving I disdain”. Will has no human feelings. He is heartless and has no emotions “And a rock feels no pain; and an island never cries”. In saying this, Will does make the transition from bad to good by the end of the movie. This is because he opens himself up to things and is no longer isolating himself from the rest of the world through the urging of Marcus.
I really enjoyed the song, it is interesting to see an opposite point of view.
Thanks for that Emma. Do you think Will had no feelings or that he tried to minimise them so he wouldn't feel pain? I think the line 'it's laughter and it's loving I disdain' is relevant to Will. Remember the little comment he made about his childhood, how he was brought out at Xmas time to perform his father's one hit to drunken relatives for their amusement and his father's shame. No wonder he avoided "laughter" and "loving" as an adult!
I just listened to the clip again and noticed the part "I have my books and my poetry to protect me" What do you think that means? What did Will use to "protect" him?
The poem ‘No man is an island’ by John Donne reflects on a person's need and for the support of others throughout life. I think everyone is an island in some way. We are individuals, with our own beliefs, ambitions, thoughts and feelings. Although we are islands, we have the need to be wanted and needed, as David said, “islands have to reach out for other islands”. I like the thought of islands creating archipelagos, continents and the world. Other people are an essential part of one’s wellbeing and a major influence, making us who we are. Friends and family influence our opinions and choices. But what happens when an island runs away from its original archipelago? A new archipelago isn’t created in a split second. We (most of us) are in control of our lives. Some people choose to live by themselves; some people need the warmth and support of other people. I chose to move as far away as I could, leave my archipelago and everything that was important and meaningful to me, in search for something (I’m not even sure what). We are islands searching for meaning and fulfilment, to make the archipelago that means something to us in point in our lives. In the movie “About a boy” Will had chosen the life of a lonely island and by the end of the movie had realised that every island needs to branch out for others to make their life meaningful.
thanks jordan for agreeing with me. Other people completely disregard the fact that a man can be an island. Its ignorant to think that a man can't live by himself. The fact of the matter is that that man would not be very happy, but is it true that a man can be an island.
After reading the poem 'No man is an Island' the thing that comes up in my mind is that no one is alone. Throughout our lives we all need someone to talk whether its a friend, family member or even a workcolleague. In the film about a boy young marcus is a troubled kid who has a hard time at school and at home. Marcus meets Will(who lives on his own) and starts to spend time with him. To Will marcus seemed annoying coming everyday, when to marcus it made him happy to spend time with someone else. Overtime they develop a relationship where they were both become open to each other.Will had someone to talk to and marcus had somewhere to go when he was troubled. Reading over everyones blog and it is clear that everyone agrees we are all connected in some way with others around us.
The poem 'No man is an Island' by John Donne is making a juxapostion about how islands unlike people are isolated. “Entire of itself” this line could have many interpretations but I see it as meaning that we are made up of a combination of things like our hobbies, and our loved ones etc. and that we would not be what we are without those around us but we are a reflection of those around us. “Each man's death diminishes me,” I do not entirely agree with this line. Although, I do believe that certain deaths of people will affect us, whether it be a large or small effect. This poem can be reflected through the film “About A Boy” starring Hugh Grant. At the beginning of the film, we can see that Will wholly agrees with the statement that “No man is and island”. However this is proved to be untrue as he has daily encounters with the community, thus linking him to the “continent”, as he is a “clod”. After Will experiences a connection with another person and loses the connection (Marcus), he realises that he enjoys the relationship he has formed and realises that no man can entirely be an island. I agree with Ashlea in her statement that without any relationships, we will lack reason and fulfillment in our lives. No man should be an island as we all need to rely on someone to live a content life.
This clip shows that most people feel scared and that they are disconnect from the rest of the world. I believe that it isn’t until we are in the company of family or close friends that we begin to realise how we are connected, making us feel safer and allowing us to express what we really feel. In the clip, he is saying that people hide behind lies, sarcasms, deceptions and exaggerations to confuse the truth. I think that this means we try to confuse the truth because we are afraid of what other people will think of us when we are completely honest. It is our friends and families who make us feel the most comfortable and safe, so they are the people who we can be most honest with. Once someone is completely honest with other people, they share a connection with these people and become a part of their lives. This means that they no longer feel separate or disconnected from everything. I think that if you are never completely honest with anybody you will always feel disconnected from everybody because honesty and trust is a deep connection to share with other people.
I would like to firstly address the opening moments in the clip entitled "Powder". I think by having the character (who is obviously different) walk through a large crowd i.e. at a carnival, and being stared at like a caged animal at a zoo, the instantaneous feel of alienation is immediately grasped by the audience. When the man starts to discuss the issue of people being connected with everything and everyone, i believe that in ways we are connected with others. We may share a common interest or opinion yet may not know them personally. I like how he says that "people have a spot they can't see past". I think it means that people are so caution of how they react and respond with others that they don't want to embarrass themselves. It is only natural to feel uncomfortable around new people but it is that fear that people seem to need to overcome to actually begin to connect with that person. Another thing related to this topic is how people can be over paranoid about how others judge them on their appearances alone and not on their personalities. I feel that people shouldn't 'judge a book by its cover' or how people should cater for others and forgot about who they really are. People should find a connection with one another based on who they actually are and not who they can be.
The clip, entitled "Powder" is about a man who is obviously different from everyone else. it starts with him walking through a large crowd, being stared at and judged by the "normal people." When the man starts talking about how we are all connected in one way or another, it got me thinking that maybe we are. in the previous post on "about a boy" the last comment i made was that men can be islands. well if we are all connected by eachother in any way, then a man can't be an island because he has somewhat of a relationship with different things and people. People shouldn't judge someone if they don't know them, or don't intend to know them because of their differences.
The video "Powder",is about a man who is different from the rest of us. I think they had a man who is different from us in this video shows he is being alienated and not accepted by the general public. The man goes on to talk about "We are all connected". I believe this is true, it also made me think about Tom's post of 6 degrees of seperation and that we are all connected in some way or another. I think its good of this man for believing in what he wants to and for not being a sheep (following what everyone else does). We never know this man walking through the crowd being stared at might be the nicest man we have ever spoken to but no one gives him a chance.
The second text prompt, "Powder" is a very different sort of video concerning the theme of 'no man is an island'. I watched it a couple of times in order to understand it. I think this video is another way of showing how a man/woman can be an island. This makes me think of tom’s post about the 6 degrees of separation between people and that we as a public are all connected in one way or another. I think people in the world these days do not accept or see that we are all connected, everyone is on this earth for a reason to do whatever that may be. I think people criticise people to much judging on appearance mostly or what they listen to or what they decide to do in their spare time. Everyone is different, everyone has experienced different things through their life and that is what has shaped them to be the person that they are that you see on the street in the supermarket everyone is different and from this video is a good example of how people think we they see someone society out of place. When in actual fact they are connected in those 6 degrees of seperation.
This weeks prompt, a section of the film, "Powder", talks about how we may feel like we're an "island", but in fact we are all connected in many ways. I think this prompt shows that, people consider themselves different and distant, so always wanting acceptance, but they actually already have it. Everyone is at least connected to something in the world, there's just different things to be connected too. It doesn't have to be with your family, a group of friends or social group, it could just be one person or one thing that someone get's attached too. When Jeremy talks about how people should talk with no sarcasms, no deceptions or exaggerations, because they use it to confuse the truth, i believe people may do this as another way to get around being considered different. People don't want to say anything that will make others think badly of them in any way, so they won't always admit to what they actually think or believe. It's the feeling of being different, unaccepted and unwanted that can make humans scared, so they act to be accepted. In many societies it's hard to be able to be yourself and be accepted, in societies there may be a modern trend. Not everyone likes these, but will still go along so they can be seen "normal". I believe, humans can have a relationship with anyone, but only to some extent. One needs to find the people they can fully relate too and be completely themselves around.
In the clip entitled 'Powder' shows how a man is seen different by others while walking through a crowd.People stop and stare because he appears different. Throughout the clip the man expresses his thoughts on how he feels and describes that we are all connected, this is based on the theme no man is an island or no man or women is alone. After watching this clip it made me realise that we are all critical of each other either something we say or something we do or even look like. kathryn made a good point on how we confuse or hide from the truth because we are afraid of what others may think of us when we are honest and that it is our true friends and family that we open too and can trust.
I agree with Wai Keat when he said that having someone who is different walk through a large crowd can make the feel alienated. To feel alienated is to feel that you are separated from everyone else. Although it may seem that Jeremy is alienated he knows that he isn’t because he can see how he is connected to everything. The “spot” which people have that they can’t see past is stopping them from seeing how they are connected to everything. I also agree that this “spot” could be because of caution or fear. Jeremy obviously doesn’t have this “spot” but the people who do can often feel alienated or separated.
The start of the clip is positioned to make the audience feel part of Jeremy when he walks past all the people looking at him with obvious disdain. The clip tries to capture the audience with the strange appearance of the main character Jeremy. I think it's ironic that he is the one person in the clip that looks alienated and yet he is the only one who believes that we are all connected. Maybe he has to believe that to keep his sanity, if he didn't believe that we are connected maybe he would feel too alienated and sad. One thing that I do notice is that the connection between the two at the end is their heartbeat. It seems like the only way you can truly realise that someone is there you have to feel their heartbeat. In 'Tarzan' the movie, when Tarzan and Jane first meet they connect by hearing each other's heartbeat and holding their palms together. Is this the only way to feel close to someone? the only way it can be real?
>The 'spot'. In the clip, Jeremy says the the 'spot' is taught not a natural occurrence in us. >'a spot where they were taught they were disconnected from everything'
I think was Wai Keat on the right track stating that the spot is our caution not to be embarrassed but I think there's more to it. It's not just embarrassment we're avoiding, I think it's connected to our natural sense of preservation. Instead of only fearing big animals, we also fear others like us because they also have the power to kill or harm us (emotionally and physically). We are the top of the food chain and the only thing that can kill us is ourselves.
Powder seems to have the ability of sensing the thoughts and can sense the truths of people around him: they are scared and feel disconnected from the rest of the world, but in truth are all connected to everything that exists. He believes they have a ‘feeling of being separate, separated from everything and they’re not, they’re a part of absolutely everyone and everything’. I like the part at the end of the clip involving Powder and Lindsey’s fingers touching. Powder senses that Lindsey feels disconnected from society, although she may not realise this, and through touching her hand and making contact with her, he helps her to understand that we are all connected in some small way. The example of fingers is relevant as fingers are all separate and can do things independently and yet they are all connected to become one, by the hand. It is after this contact between the two that enables Lindsey to both see and feel just how connected they really are to one another. This is an indication that people need physical contact with others. It is this type of physical contact with others that breaks down people’s barriers, or as Powder refers to, our ‘spot’ that people can’t see past (I think that using the term spot he is referring to some kind of mental blockage that prevents us from seeing and experiencing the emotions that can arise in us from interacting with others). Contact helps you to see how you rely on people and how vital they are to ones self. It shows us how much we need them. Maybe this is why Powder’s grandparents felt disconnected from everything, possibly due to a lack of contact with others. This could be an overall reflection on our society. We need to pay more attention and be more helping towards the elderly people in the world, to make sure we have regular contact with them so they may avoid this feeling of being outcasts and the associated sense of disconnection.
The film “Powder” conveys the idea that generally, society as a whole is reluctant to accept people that have differences, eg. Race, religion, disabilities, sexual orientation, etc. We have all judged someone or something once by its appearance, yet it shouldn’t matter. As appearance is the first thing we see, we make an assumption based on their looks, therefore losing the chance to get to know the person. Some may even not voice their opinions, and just follow the crowd by judging just so they don’t stand out.
The clip begins with Powder walking through a crowd of what society would deem as “normal” people. Heads turn, and immediately each one of those people have already judged him. This demonstrates that he feels alienated and that he doesn’t belong.
This film also addresses the former topic of “No man is an Island”, as Powder expresses his thoughts that we are all connected. This relates to the theory of “Six degrees of separation”. For a man who has had no connections and who has been separated from society to believe that everyone and everything on this planet is connected is quite ironic. However once again this addresses the theme “No man is an Island”.
I like the way Wai explained “the spot” that Powder referred to, that we may be too embarrassed to be ourselves in case someone judges us for what we say or do. It is a shame that society has come to this, and that there are people who are too afraid to be themselves. We should all be able to express ourselves without a fear and connect with each other based on personalities, not appearances.
Without any contextual information relating to the story, I found it hard to fully understand what it was that the video was trying to convey. Obviously it comments on exclusion and social outcast, however I don't agree with the theory that everyone and everything is "connected." From the previous post, "No man is an island," the discussion related to how we are connected to people through relationships, however, in this video, it is focusing on a more literal sense; that everything is somehow physically or spiritually connected. I don't find this a realistic viewpoint.
The first part of the video shows how society is quick to judge people based on their appearance and differences. Jeremy walks through a crowd as heads turn and people stare at him. This is a comment on the extensive discrimination in society. Out society is full of discrimination: racism, sexism, homophobia; people tend to target anyone who is different from themselves.
The second part of the video explores the theory that everything in the world is connected. Jeremy appears to have the ability to see what is happening in other people's minds. I believe that the idea that everyone, even the people that you haven't met are connected to you, is fatuous and absurd, just as absurd as mind reading. I understand that the video may be some sort of an analogy, but I don't think it relates to the "No man is an island" theme realistically.
FINALLY! this is my first contact with the internet for the holidays. kinda sad since it's there is only three days left of it.
Being in Malasia has shown me that if your far away from something it's hard to connect to it. Even internet which is supposed to be easy to find all around the world is REALLY hard to get to without the proper equipment. We had to buy a new laptop to get onto it. I know Mrs Kennedy would say 'why not just go to an internet cafe?'. Well, there difficult to find and for the first week of the holidays i was in a beach resort far away from the city. Lets see you find an internet cafe in an undeveloped country on the beach.
I take back what I said about not being able to be separate to the world. Undeveloped countries, wierd unheard-of tribes, they have so little impact on our lifes that it is possible to say that we are not connected.
I can see that there is a clear connection between John Donne’s poem and the short clip from the movie ‘Powder’. Both explore the idea that everyone is connected, and no one is truly alone. In the poem, Donne claims that ‘each mans death diminishes [him]’, demonstrating his belief that there is a connection between himself and every other being on this Earth. This is similar to Jeremy’s point of view in the clip from the film ‘Powder’, where he reveals that we are all ‘part of absolutely everyone’. I feel this clip was intended to illustrate how narrow-minded people can be, and how the modern world has shaped us into self involved and self-centred beings. It show how we aren’t open to new ideas and how hard it is for people to accept that they are connected to each other. I think this clip illustrates our tendency to ignore the bigger picture, and only focus on ourselves. Jeremy talks of the lady having a ‘spot that she can’t see past’ on her forehead. I believe this is his description of the mental barrier people subconsciously put up to block out new ideas and different kinds of people.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteThis week you need to respond to the poem,"No Man is an Island." It might help to do some research on the poet and the poem. Of course Wikipedia is a good starting point. Between now and next week you need to write about 300 words in total. Firstly write a PERSONAL RESPONSE to the message of the poem (200 words. The you need to RESPOND to someone else's post (100 words). Please ensure when you sign up that you use your own name so I can check all the posts against the roll. Enjoy!
"No Man is an Island."
ReplyDeleteA man can be an island if an island is considered to be a small community. Nothing, not plants, nor animals, not even the atoms that create us. Everything is linked even if it is often not directly so. A man stuck in a desert is linked to everything. He is connected to the sand particles which continually join to form the surroundings, those are joined to the strange wildlife around. But for one thing, we are all joined to the earth and the Earth is connected to all of us. Without it we would not live for very long.
I am linked to the world by the internet if I choose to be or not. We cannot be one in ourselves for eternity.
I like this Lizzie. Do you think we have a choice in the matter? Can a person choose to be "apart" from the world?
ReplyDeleteInteresting view Lizzy; that we are all physically connected to our environment.
ReplyDeleteTo me the poem is saying that mankind is a single entity and that our interactions and relationships with others is what makes us human. I agree with the poem to some extent, that we are connected to the people in our lives, and cannot be happy without other people. I believe this concept also supports the idea of equality, that everyone is born equally. However, there are parts I disagree with, such as "any man's death diminishes me." There have been a lot of bad people in history, people whose death do not diminish mankind. I don't believe we are connected to every other person in the world. Although we might be affected and dependent on the people in our community, I think there are many groups of people who we are not connected with. For example, many people's religious views set them apart from other religions. I don't consider myself connected to someone living on the other side of the world whom I've never met and that might have different beliefs to me.
Firstly I’d just like to say a few words about the page name. An archipelago is a chain or cluster of islands that is formed tectonically. I feel in the context of this blog, and the stimulus material “no man is an island" it is meaning that everyone is connected or part of a community. I feel the same about this, and in accordance to the theory “six degrees of separation” which in simplest terms is that every single person is connected within six steps or less, it seems that this is correct. And if you think about this logically if every person knows approximately 1000 people it is very easy to see how this theory is supported. Michael in reply to your comment on religion I’d like to say that different religions still connects others. The definition of religion is: Religion is the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or a set of beliefs concerning the origin and purpose of the universe. With this basic idea can you see how everyone no matter what religion they follow , are connected as they are all searching for meaning or “higher power” or “god”. And this is something I believe everyone has in common, even of those who believe in the theory of evolution still have searched for response to the unanswered questions about the meaning of existence and how we came to be. I’m not trying to condescend your view if just trying to explain mine on the topic. And I just like to say about the quote “Each man's death diminishes me” that it does no matter who dies if you hear about this death or made aware of it you do feel saddened, for example the tsunami in Bali 2004 deeply saddened me though I didn’t have any connection to any of the victims of that horrific natural disaster.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on the blog name, Tom! Its nice to see someone looking into the meaning of the name and the logic behind our choice. There is some really amazing discussion from this class already, keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteMiss Minnemeyer
I liked the fact that you could relate the idea of being "diminished" to that awful tsunami tragedy. I think because do many Aussies holiday there it felt like part of our "neighbourhood."
ReplyDeleteOur 'connection' to others is an important part to the topic I think.
ReplyDeleteThere was a theory that it only took 6 people to connect you with anyone else in the world. Some scientists tried it out for some random people to try to contact one famous person (i forget who) and the people who succeeded went through roughly 6 people. Though there were many who didn't reach him at all.
There must be something in that in relation to the links between everyone, but I guess that's physical connection not 'other' connection.
>Do you think we have a choice in the matter? Can a person choose to be "apart" from the world?
ReplyDeleteThe world is everything. Everything we know, everything we have created, what we believe, etc. It is part of us and us part of it. 'We' have no choice in this. Even suicide would not rip us from our bond with the world. It is inescapable.
This poem speaks out to me, mostly because i do beleive that no man can live in total solitary. we all need some 'back up' in our lives, when we are sad or depressed about something, and someone is there to make us feel better. John Donne is talking about the connection that people have with the people around them, and the connection with these people is what makes us human.
ReplyDeleteResponse to 'No man is an Island' - John Donne
ReplyDeleteThis poem focuses on the idea that none of us can happily live our lives unless we're involved with other people. Without human contact and multiple relationships, it can be argued that our lives lack fulfillment and reason. As human beings we require not only to feel wanted, but also to feel needed. It is expected that most people have at least one person in their life that they can rely on, and whom also relies on them. Whether it is a family member or a friend, having someone to support you, both through difficult and stressful times can make life that much easier. However, it must be mentioned that we cannot survive merely relying on everybody around us and must be capable of being independent. The ability to look after ones self is vital in life, not only to survive, but also to feel a certain amount of self worth. We need to feel that we deserve our family and friends, and that we are valuable contributors to our relationships. My personal opinion is that life would not be worth living without human interaction and contact. It would lack depth and meaning without friends, family and responsibility. This said, we still need to be our own person and look out for ourselves, because ultimately, it is our individuality that truly defines us.
I do believe no person could live completely by themselves happily. Everyone needs someone, or even something, a pet could do to satisfy a need of company. Surely a lonely person would soon go crazy, humans have the natural need for interaction of some kind. But in the poem, the part, "each man's death diminishes me", I would have to agree with Michael. Tom, i don't think Michael's talking about unfortunate events, where people have died from natural disasters. But instead with circumstances of people causing trauma for other people. For example with Hitler, he caused tremendous grief for whole countries and killed millions of people. Guarantee at least a few people were glad of his death, I'm thankful he came to an end. That shows that this particular man's death did not diminish everyone. I agree with you, that when there's an event of innocent people being killed by a tragedy, it affects everyone and everyone feels sorrow for them. But there's circumstances where someones death can have the opposite affect.
ReplyDeleteTom, do you really know 1000 people? I think Will Freeman's problem was that he knew lots of people but he wasn't genuinely connected to any of he until he met Marcus.I like Ashlea's term "involved with other people."
ReplyDeleteAnd in relation to Samantha's comment: perhaps Hitler was an example of a life diminishing others rather than a death.
In relation to the definition of Archipelago I think that every man (or woman) is an island, but it is our ability to reach out to other islands that make us who we are. The reason that Will Freeman was so alone in the world was because he never thought he needed anyone, therefore he never reached out to anyone else until Marcus came into his life. (keeping in mind I have not seen the whole of the text yet).
ReplyDeleteWhether or not you choose to leave your island is what defines you as a person. Or at-least that is what I think.
Will acted as though any commitment would be a burden but this "burden" was the making of him. Being needed is what finally convinced him of his worth and value. Up until then he didn't really think much of himself.
ReplyDeleteIn class today I mentioned an article about the internet and its effects n our intelligence. In terms of the things that influence us and shape us, this is really interesting. Some of you have talked about the connection we have via technology. Read this... unless of course you can't because you are programmed to skim and scan.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/how-the-internet-makes-us-stupid-20100909-15383.html
in relation to about a boy, at the start of the movie, will beleives he is an island, but by the end of the movie, he realises that he would be nothing if he didnt have Rachel. So after coming in contact with something he loves, he changed his whole view of life entirely. I think a man can be an island, but he would be a very unhappy and unfulfilled man.
ReplyDeleteWhen i first read the poem, "No man is an island", I found an instantaneous connection with it and my own life and feelings. I believe that people are connected with one another, be it physically or spiritually (not trying to sound "hippy-like"). By this I mean that we as humans can have a spiritual connection with those who have experienced tragedy (locally or internationally)and have been killed in natural or man-made disasters like tom had previous mentioned about the Tsunami in Bali. We feel sympathy and sorrow. I feel that I am not an island because I am surrounded by family, friends and a community that are supportive and friendly. For example, I have been living in my court ever since I was born and everyone knows each other. So when someone new moves into the neighborhood, we all greet them with open arms. It might be the simplest thing as waving 'hello' in the morning but it makes me and those around me feel connected. In reference to the film text "About a boy", I think that Will Freeman has convinced himself that he is an "island" and that he doesn't need anyone around him but when Marcus Brewer comes into his life, a spark of humanity is thrust out of him and his life has more meaning. People may think they are isolated or an “island” but it is only human nature for us as people to want to interact with one another.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Adrian, a man that would self proclaim himself a island would be unhappy and an unfulfilled man. I think no one would be able to live with themselves and not share experiences with other people. ‘Each is a piece of a continent' I believe this is is trying to say that everyone in some way are all connected, which I also see is that no one can be a island because we are all connected. Connected through family, friends, community, pop culture, because these things shape people and can have a massive effect on people’s decisions and a way that we are all connected because everyone has family, friends have their individual likes on music, clothes, what they do, when they do it and I think that is another reason why we are all connected. I also agree with Wai and Tom that we are emotionally connected as well feeling sympathy for people who may lose someone special in their lives because it really can happen to anyone at any time. I think in the movie 'about a boy' Will evokes sympathy for Marcus because of what he has gone through with his mother and genuinely feels sorry for him, and try’s to help him. This connection with Marcus I think makes Will think about his life and to try and stop being an Island when he meets that girl(can’t remember her name, she had a really crazy son that yelled at Marcus when they met but ends up with her at the end of the movie)through meeting Marcus has stopped him being a island and making him stop thinking that he is Ibiza.
ReplyDeletelove the the name thommo, and you bring up an interesting poiunt, you battler.
ReplyDeletecheers man really appriciate the 'battler' part
ReplyDeleteI really like David’s view that we are all islands who reach out to each other. When I read the poem I didn’t think of the poem this way at all. I think this view makes sense because could mean that each person could be an island if they choose to be but it would be very difficult and quite an unhappy lifestyle. Instead we reach out and live within our communities and form continents. In response to Michael saying that he doesn’t believe that he is connected to someone on the other side of the world, I have to agree. If we are connected to everybody by six steps or less it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are a part of their community or island.
ReplyDeleteTo me the poem demonstrates how one person may be a member of many different communities. I think it shows how we all belong to our own personal communities, or islands, which would consist of family and friends. I do believe that no man would be able live happily without the support and company of friends and family. As well as being a part of this island, we are all a part of a larger community, or continent. This would be made up of most of the people we know. For example our neighbours, teammates and school and work relations. Although we may not know many other people outside of this community we are still connected to the rest of the world. This is just like a larger community because when something devastating happens in other parts of the world, such as the 2004 tsunami, we can still be affected. We may have been affected because someone we knew was holidaying or we saw the devastating effects on television, either way we would share a connection to people in other parts of the world and although we may not know these people personally, I believe it would make us apart of one community.
Sorry Ms Kennedy for my late blog.
ReplyDeleteI believe that in John Donne’s passage, ‘No man is an island’ Donne is saying that all of humanity is connected in some way. He is saying that no one is isolated from the rest of humanity; no one is separate from the "continent" of mankind; therefore, if one person dies, all of humanity is affected, even made less. He uses the comparison with an island because an island is separate from the main continents. He says that "no man is an island" to convey the idea that none of us humans is alone in the world. We are not islands; we are part of a larger mass, which means we are connected. He goes on with his comparison and says that, just like when a piece of a continent, a "clod" washes away and makes the continent smaller, any death of any person makes the whole of humanity smaller. We lose something in ourselves due to this unseen connection. So, he says, when the bell tolls (a signal for a funeral or death), don't ask who the bell is for, it is for you, because you are part of the great continent of man, which is now smaller since one of it's members have been taken away.
After listening to the Simon and Garfunkel song ‘I am a rock’ and looking carefully at the lyrics, it became clear to me that there is a strong similarity between it and the movie ‘About A Boy’, where Will is very much so a rock, his own island, he is, “shielded in my armour” (I have taken lyrics form the song to show these connections). He disconnects himself from others and has “built walls” he has “no need of friendship; friendship causes pain”. These feelings are what makes him alone and a somewhat miserable person “it's laughter and it's loving I disdain”. Will has no human feelings. He is heartless and has no emotions “And a rock feels no pain; and an island never cries”. In saying this, Will does make the transition from bad to good by the end of the movie. This is because he opens himself up to things and is no longer isolating himself from the rest of the world through the urging of Marcus.
I really enjoyed the song, it is interesting to see an opposite point of view.
Thanks for that Emma. Do you think Will had no feelings or that he tried to minimise them so he wouldn't feel pain? I think the line 'it's laughter and it's loving I disdain' is relevant to Will. Remember the little comment he made about his childhood, how he was brought out at Xmas time to perform his father's one hit to drunken relatives for their amusement and his father's shame. No wonder he avoided "laughter" and "loving" as an adult!
ReplyDeleteI just listened to the clip again and noticed the part "I have my books and my poetry to protect me" What do you think that means? What did Will use to "protect" him?
ReplyDeleteThe poem ‘No man is an island’ by John Donne reflects on a person's need and for the support of others throughout life. I think everyone is an island in some way. We are individuals, with our own beliefs, ambitions, thoughts and feelings. Although we are islands, we have the need to be wanted and needed, as David said, “islands have to reach out for other islands”. I like the thought of islands creating archipelagos, continents and the world. Other people are an essential part of one’s wellbeing and a major influence, making us who we are. Friends and family influence our opinions and choices. But what happens when an island runs away from its original archipelago? A new archipelago isn’t created in a split second. We (most of us) are in control of our lives. Some people choose to live by themselves; some people need the warmth and support of other people. I chose to move as far away as I could, leave my archipelago and everything that was important and meaningful to me, in search for something (I’m not even sure what). We are islands searching for meaning and fulfilment, to make the archipelago that means something to us in point in our lives.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie “About a boy” Will had chosen the life of a lonely island and by the end of the movie had realised that every island needs to branch out for others to make their life meaningful.
thanks jordan for agreeing with me. Other people completely disregard the fact that a man can be an island. Its ignorant to think that a man can't live by himself. The fact of the matter is that that man would not be very happy, but is it true that a man can be an island.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the poem 'No man is an Island' the thing that comes up in my mind is that no one is alone. Throughout our lives we all need someone to talk whether its a friend, family member or even a workcolleague. In the film about a boy young marcus is a troubled kid who has a hard time at school and at home. Marcus meets Will(who lives on his own) and starts to spend time with him. To Will marcus seemed annoying coming everyday, when to marcus it made him happy to spend time with someone else. Overtime they develop a relationship where they were both become open to each other.Will had someone to talk to and marcus had somewhere to go when he was troubled. Reading over everyones blog and it is clear that everyone agrees we are all connected in some way with others around us.
ReplyDeleteThe poem 'No man is an Island' by John Donne is making a juxapostion about how islands unlike people are isolated. “Entire of itself” this line could have many interpretations but I see it as meaning that we are made up of a combination of things like our hobbies, and our loved ones etc. and that we would not be what we are without those around us but we are a reflection of those around us.
ReplyDelete“Each man's death diminishes me,” I do not entirely agree with this line. Although, I do believe that certain deaths of people will affect us, whether it be a large or small effect.
This poem can be reflected through the film “About A Boy” starring Hugh Grant. At the beginning of the film, we can see that Will wholly agrees with the statement that “No man is and island”. However this is proved to be untrue as he has daily encounters with the community, thus linking him to the “continent”, as he is a “clod”. After Will experiences a connection with another person and loses the connection (Marcus), he realises that he enjoys the relationship he has formed and realises that no man can entirely be an island.
I agree with Ashlea in her statement that without any relationships, we will lack reason and fulfillment in our lives. No man should be an island as we all need to rely on someone to live a content life.
“Powder”
ReplyDeleteThis clip shows that most people feel scared and that they are disconnect from the rest of the world. I believe that it isn’t until we are in the company of family or close friends that we begin to realise how we are connected, making us feel safer and allowing us to express what we really feel.
In the clip, he is saying that people hide behind lies, sarcasms, deceptions and exaggerations to confuse the truth. I think that this means we try to confuse the truth because we are afraid of what other people will think of us when we are completely honest. It is our friends and families who make us feel the most comfortable and safe, so they are the people who we can be most honest with. Once someone is completely honest with other people, they share a connection with these people and become a part of their lives. This means that they no longer feel separate or disconnected from everything. I think that if you are never completely honest with anybody you will always feel disconnected from everybody because honesty and trust is a deep connection to share with other people.
I would like to firstly address the opening moments in the clip entitled "Powder". I think by having the character (who is obviously different) walk through a large crowd i.e. at a carnival, and being stared at like a caged animal at a zoo, the instantaneous feel of alienation is immediately grasped by the audience.
ReplyDeleteWhen the man starts to discuss the issue of people being connected with everything and everyone, i believe that in ways we are connected with others. We may share a common interest or opinion yet may not know them personally. I like how he says that "people have a spot they can't see past". I think it means that people are so caution of how they react and respond with others that they don't want to embarrass themselves. It is only natural to feel uncomfortable around new people but it is that fear that people seem to need to overcome to actually begin to connect with that person. Another thing related to this topic is how people can be over paranoid about how others judge them on their appearances alone and not on their personalities. I feel that people shouldn't 'judge a book by its cover' or how people should cater for others and forgot about who they really are. People should find a connection with one another based on who they actually are and not who they can be.
The clip, entitled "Powder" is about a man who is obviously different from everyone else. it starts with him walking through a large crowd, being stared at and judged by the "normal people." When the man starts talking about how we are all connected in one way or another, it got me thinking that maybe we are. in the previous post on "about a boy" the last comment i made was that men can be islands. well if we are all connected by eachother in any way, then a man can't be an island because he has somewhat of a relationship with different things and people. People shouldn't judge someone if they don't know them, or don't intend to know them because of their differences.
ReplyDeleteThe video "Powder",is about a man who is different from the rest of us. I think they had a man who is different from us in this video shows he is being alienated and not accepted by the general public. The man goes on to talk about "We are all connected". I believe this is true, it also made me think about Tom's post of 6 degrees of seperation and that we are all connected in some way or another. I think its good of this man for believing in what he wants to and for not being a sheep (following what everyone else does). We never know this man walking through the crowd being stared at might be the nicest man we have ever spoken to but no one gives him a chance.
ReplyDeleteThe second text prompt, "Powder" is a very different sort of video concerning the theme of 'no man is an island'. I watched it a couple of times in order to understand it. I think this video is another way of showing how a man/woman can be an island. This makes me think of tom’s post about the 6 degrees of separation between people and that we as a public are all connected in one way or another. I think people in the world these days do not accept or see that we are all connected, everyone is on this earth for a reason to do whatever that may be. I think people criticise people to much judging on appearance mostly or what they listen to or what they decide to do in their spare time. Everyone is different, everyone has experienced different things through their life and that is what has shaped them to be the person that they are that you see on the street in the supermarket everyone is different and from this video is a good example of how people think we they see someone society out of place. When in actual fact they are connected in those 6 degrees of seperation.
ReplyDeleteThis weeks prompt, a section of the film, "Powder", talks about how we may feel like we're an "island", but in fact we are all connected in many ways. I think this prompt shows that, people consider themselves different and distant, so always wanting acceptance, but they actually already have it. Everyone is at least connected to something in the world, there's just different things to be connected too. It doesn't have to be with your family, a group of friends or social group, it could just be one person or one thing that someone get's attached too. When Jeremy talks about how people should talk with no sarcasms, no deceptions or exaggerations, because they use it to confuse the truth, i believe people may do this as another way to get around being considered different. People don't want to say anything that will make others think badly of them in any way, so they won't always admit to what they actually think or believe. It's the feeling of being different, unaccepted and unwanted that can make humans scared, so they act to be accepted. In many societies it's hard to be able to be yourself and be accepted, in societies there may be a modern trend. Not everyone likes these, but will still go along so they can be seen "normal". I believe, humans can have a relationship with anyone, but only to some extent. One needs to find the people they can fully relate too and be completely themselves around.
ReplyDeleteIn the clip entitled 'Powder' shows how a man is seen different by others while walking through a crowd.People stop and stare because he appears different. Throughout the clip the man expresses his thoughts on how he feels and describes that we are all connected, this is based on the theme no man is an island or no man or women is alone. After watching this clip it made me realise that we are all critical of each other either something we say or something we do or even look like.
ReplyDeletekathryn made a good point on how we confuse or hide from the truth because we are afraid of what others may think of us when we are honest and that it is our true friends and family that we open too and can trust.
I agree with Wai Keat when he said that having someone who is different walk through a large crowd can make the feel alienated. To feel alienated is to feel that you are separated from everyone else. Although it may seem that Jeremy is alienated he knows that he isn’t because he can see how he is connected to everything. The “spot” which people have that they can’t see past is stopping them from seeing how they are connected to everything. I also agree that this “spot” could be because of caution or fear. Jeremy obviously doesn’t have this “spot” but the people who do can often feel alienated or separated.
ReplyDelete>Response to 'Powder'
ReplyDeleteThe start of the clip is positioned to make the audience feel part of Jeremy when he walks past all the people looking at him with obvious disdain. The clip tries to capture the audience with the strange appearance of the main character Jeremy. I think it's ironic that he is the one person in the clip that looks alienated and yet he is the only one who believes that we are all connected. Maybe he has to believe that to keep his sanity, if he didn't believe that we are connected maybe he would feel too alienated and sad.
One thing that I do notice is that the connection between the two at the end is their heartbeat. It seems like the only way you can truly realise that someone is there you have to feel their heartbeat. In 'Tarzan' the movie, when Tarzan and Jane first meet they connect by hearing each other's heartbeat and holding their palms together. Is this the only way to feel close to someone? the only way it can be real?
>The 'spot'.
ReplyDeleteIn the clip, Jeremy says the the 'spot' is taught not a natural occurrence in us.
>'a spot where they were taught they were disconnected from everything'
I think was Wai Keat on the right track stating that the spot is our caution not to be embarrassed but I think there's more to it. It's not just embarrassment we're avoiding, I think it's connected to our natural sense of preservation. Instead of only fearing big animals, we also fear others like us because they also have the power to kill or harm us (emotionally and physically). We are the top of the food chain and the only thing that can kill us is ourselves.
Powder seems to have the ability of sensing the thoughts and can sense the truths of people around him: they are scared and feel disconnected from the rest of the world, but in truth are all connected to everything that exists. He believes they have a ‘feeling of being separate, separated from everything and they’re not, they’re a part of absolutely everyone and everything’.
ReplyDeleteI like the part at the end of the clip involving Powder and Lindsey’s fingers touching. Powder senses that Lindsey feels disconnected from society, although she may not realise this, and through touching her hand and making contact with her, he helps her to understand that we are all connected in some small way. The example of fingers is relevant as fingers are all separate and can do things independently and yet they are all connected to become one, by the hand. It is after this contact between the two that enables Lindsey to both see and feel just how connected they really are to one another. This is an indication that people need physical contact with others. It is this type of physical contact with others that breaks down people’s barriers, or as Powder refers to, our ‘spot’ that people can’t see past (I think that using the term spot he is referring to some kind of mental blockage that prevents us from seeing and experiencing the emotions that can arise in us from interacting with others). Contact helps you to see how you rely on people and how vital they are to ones self. It shows us how much we need them. Maybe this is why Powder’s grandparents felt disconnected from everything, possibly due to a lack of contact with others. This could be an overall reflection on our society. We need to pay more attention and be more helping towards the elderly people in the world, to make sure we have regular contact with them so they may avoid this feeling of being outcasts and the associated sense of disconnection.
The film “Powder” conveys the idea that generally, society as a whole is reluctant to accept people that have differences, eg. Race, religion, disabilities, sexual orientation, etc. We have all judged someone or something once by its appearance, yet it shouldn’t matter. As appearance is the first thing we see, we make an assumption based on their looks, therefore losing the chance to get to know the person. Some may even not voice their opinions, and just follow the crowd by judging just so they don’t stand out.
ReplyDeleteThe clip begins with Powder walking through a crowd of what society would deem as “normal” people. Heads turn, and immediately each one of those people have already judged him. This demonstrates that he feels alienated and that he doesn’t belong.
This film also addresses the former topic of “No man is an Island”, as Powder expresses his thoughts that we are all connected. This relates to the theory of “Six degrees of separation”. For a man who has had no connections and who has been separated from society to believe that everyone and everything on this planet is connected is quite ironic. However once again this addresses the theme “No man is an Island”.
I like the way Wai explained “the spot” that Powder referred to, that we may be too embarrassed to be ourselves in case someone judges us for what we say or do. It is a shame that society has come to this, and that there are people who are too afraid to be themselves. We should all be able to express ourselves without a fear and connect with each other based on personalities, not appearances.
Powder.
ReplyDeleteWithout any contextual information relating to the story, I found it hard to fully understand what it was that the video was trying to convey. Obviously it comments on exclusion and social outcast, however I don't agree with the theory that everyone and everything is "connected." From the previous post, "No man is an island," the discussion related to how we are connected to people through relationships, however, in this video, it is focusing on a more literal sense; that everything is somehow physically or spiritually connected. I don't find this a realistic viewpoint.
The first part of the video shows how society is quick to judge people based on their appearance and differences. Jeremy walks through a crowd as heads turn and people stare at him. This is a comment on the extensive discrimination in society. Out society is full of discrimination: racism, sexism, homophobia; people tend to target anyone who is different from themselves.
The second part of the video explores the theory that everything in the world is connected. Jeremy appears to have the ability to see what is happening in other people's minds. I believe that the idea that everyone, even the people that you haven't met are connected to you, is fatuous and absurd, just as absurd as mind reading. I understand that the video may be some sort of an analogy, but I don't think it relates to the "No man is an island" theme realistically.
FINALLY!
ReplyDeletethis is my first contact with the internet for the holidays. kinda sad since it's there is only three days left of it.
Being in Malasia has shown me that if your far away from something it's hard to connect to it. Even internet which is supposed to be easy to find all around the world is REALLY hard to get to without the proper equipment. We had to buy a new laptop to get onto it.
I know Mrs Kennedy would say 'why not just go to an internet cafe?'. Well, there difficult to find and for the first week of the holidays i was in a beach resort far away from the city. Lets see you find an internet cafe in an undeveloped country on the beach.
I take back what I said about not being able to be separate to the world. Undeveloped countries, wierd unheard-of tribes, they have so little impact on our lifes that it is possible to say that we are not connected.
I can see that there is a clear connection between John Donne’s poem and the short clip from the movie ‘Powder’. Both explore the idea that everyone is connected, and no one is truly alone. In the poem, Donne claims that ‘each mans death diminishes [him]’, demonstrating his belief that there is a connection between himself and every other being on this Earth. This is similar to Jeremy’s point of view in the clip from the film ‘Powder’, where he reveals that we are all ‘part of absolutely everyone’. I feel this clip was intended to illustrate how narrow-minded people can be, and how the modern world has shaped us into self involved and self-centred beings. It show how we aren’t open to new ideas and how hard it is for people to accept that they are connected to each other. I think this clip illustrates our tendency to ignore the bigger picture, and only focus on ourselves. Jeremy talks of the lady having a ‘spot that she can’t see past’ on her forehead. I believe this is his description of the mental barrier people subconsciously put up to block out new ideas and different kinds of people.
ReplyDelete