Blog # 25

This semester has been a relief for me. Not because of the difficulty level, because at times this cluster has been challenging , but because of the coolness of my teachers. I know that sounds like im kissing ass but im really not. All my teachers have been very cool and nice to me. With that being said let me move on to the individual courses.

Louis Lucca’s class has been awesome. When I first walked in I thought to myself this is probably gonna be a shitty class. It’s on a Monday and I think I speak for everyone when I say I hate Mondays but when we started the discussions it quickly became fun and I started to look forward to Mondays. I know that sounds hard to believe but it’s true. Louis made Mondays fun. The discussions we had were very informative. We discussed current events which was good because I didn’t read the newspaper before and that helped me be on top of things. The midterm paper was pretty challenging. Especially considering my chronic procrastination but in the end I got it done. The last hurdle for that class will be the final project which im still working on once again because of my chronic procrastination.

Dr. Rheuban’s was great as well. She wasn’t as lively as Louis but it was a good class nonetheless. Especially if you are pursuing film as I am. I thought the lectures were full of useful information. Although my classmates thought the lectures were bland. The Films we watched during the class were all very good. Once again the midterm paper was one of the more challenging aspects of the class. It took me a while to get it done and the fact that it was assigned at the same time as louis’ paper didn’t help but it is college so I didn’t really complain. The oral presentation was a little hard but in the end I think I did okay.

And last but not least Dr. Smith’s class for which I am writing this essay. I liked this class it was pretty cool learning how to use the internet for things I wouldn’t use it for. Also having a blog I can call my own is awesome. It was pretty challenging because we had to write almost everyday. It was hard for me because I wasn’t really used to typing that much im more of a pen and pencil kind of guy. The films we watched were entertaining and gross at times but overall I had fun not just in this class but in every class . It was a productive first semester and I look forward to the second.

blog 24

Raymond Cajas
Dr J.Smith
Eng 101
06/01/2010
The matrix can be evaluated hundreds of times and still one would not fully understand it. Everyone who was part of the evaluation would probably have a different opinion of what it all means. The one thing we can all agree on is that deep down we all want to be in the matrix. The acquisition of kung fu and jiu jitsu skills at the press of a button, avoiding all the work that is required to obtain these skills is something I think everyone would accept without thinking. This is one of the things the directors use to make the thought of being an “enlightened one” sound pretty good. When you want something, regardless of what it is, all you have to do is ask tank to upload whatever it is you need. This idea sounds good because to get these things in real life you have to work and let’s be honest nobody likes work. The matrix makes it so that work is a thing of the past. With the press of a button you can have any object or skill you want. On the other hand sleep dealers presents work differently.
In sleep dealers the institution of work is a little strange you have to get “nodes” in order to plug in to a machine that allows you to do your work from thousands of miles away. This is different from the matrix because in the matrix the things that one works hard to obtain can be materialized instantly. In sleep dealers you work than get paid and you can use your money in any way you see fit. The thing that is similar is the acquisition of skills. We know that in the matrix to get a certain skill all you need to do is ask your technician to upload it for you. This seems to be the same in sleep dealers. It looks as if when you plug in to the machine the skills you need are given to you. When Memo connects to the machine the ability to weld is seemingly given to him. He came from being a farmer to being able to weld on a construction site with no training.
Danahay and Reider talk about the control that machines have on Human workers. We see this on a much larger scale in the Matrix. In the matrix everything you see or feel or touch or taste or hear are essentially being pumped into your head by machines. In other words they have almost complete control over. I say almost because if you desire the truth and if you search hard enough you can escape the control that the machines have over you. On the other hand in sleep dealer once you get nodes your in the system for the rest of your life. In sleep dealers you are given the choice of whether you want to be watched at all times. This choice is what makes these movies different.
The scenario that is presented in the matrix is similar to what Karl Marx wrote against. He said that the people thought that they were working voluntarily but the constant surveillance and the controlling of the hours that people work are say otherwise. This is similar to the matrix because the people think that they are simply living their lives but in reality they are being farmed for their body heat and energy. This is different from sleep dealer because the people have a choice. Although in the end they basically end up in the same situation.
The concept of revolution is presented in both movies in one more so than the other, I agree with Danahay and Reider. I don’t think that the matrix is about revolution, at least not the first one. In the first film you get a sense of revolution as if the characters are still preparing for it. The entire movie is a lesson that is being learned and the fight with the agents at that point of the movie was not really revolution but survival. In the second movie revolution is already in the works and in the third aptly named The Matrix: Revolution it is finally acted upon. On the other hand in sleep dealers revolution is presented and acted upon. The characters of sleep dealer set an example of revolution by shooting the dam down. This is a direct action upon the oppression that the government puts upon the people. Having to pay something around the amount of 60 dollars to have access to water is something that was just begging for revolution.

blog #22

The Matrix and eXistenZ are both movies that make you think but one of them makes you think more than the other. In my opinion that movie is eXistenZ. I say this because it has a more believable plot. The matrix puts ideas in your head but their a little farfetched, actually their very farfetched. Existenz provides a story that is much more believable. Keeping in mind the technology that is available nowadays a scenario similar to that of existenz seems possible and not very far away. Videogames are getting more lifelike every year I predict that in ten years there will be virtual reality games and not long after there will be games as lifelike as existenz. When you think of the possibilities of future games, not having a grasp on what is real and what isn’t is not hard to believe.

Blog #21

my plan for the day is to decide what scene i am going to use for my film presentation. I was going to use a scene from "Atonement" but that idea was shattered when i found out we have to use an american film. now my plan is to use the scene when heath ledger dies in "The Patriot" unless i fihnd something better to use. that scene always gets me and i think its a good choice. also today i want to have a definite answer as to what my group is going to do for Louis' final so far we have an idea but im going to talk to my partner(s) about whether we're going to do that or something else. Also i want to finish blogs 19 and 20

Blog #18

today i finished up blog #17. next time i have to go learn how to use movie maker because i still don't know how. also we have to come up with questions to ask the people. also on our own time we have to find people to ask the questions we come up with. also we have to take precautions because this project is going to be a little risky. overall i feel good about this project it's something i actually want to do and the best part... no paper!!!!

Blog #17

This project is going to be fun…I think. We have to make a film or documentary or some other thing that relates to media. Now I still don’t know what I’m going to do but I’m leaning towards something to do with a certain medicinal herb. I asked Louis and he said it was okay so I think I might do that. I know that doing a project on that is probably going to be very generic but I’m going to try very hard to ensure that doesn’t happen. My Project is going to be a documentary called “GREEN CHERRIES”. It’s about people who are “weed virgins”. I know that sounds like it lacks taste but I’m going to try to do it so it actually looks legit. We are going to talk to people who have never smoked before and ask them why they haven’t smoked before and what does the media do to glorify weed smoking and why haven’t they taken the example that Hollywood presents. If we are lucky we will get someone to break their weed cherry on camera. *awkward pause. To do this we will first have to find people who are willing to talk on the subject and get them to sign release forms. After that we have to brainstorm questions that we will ask these people. Hopefully we can get people who are not from this school to answer some questions. For that we will have to take to the streets. I don’t think this will be a problem because if we ask the wrong person we will just say it’s for a school project. The biggest problem, I think, that we will have is putting the footage together using movie maker. I still have to find out how to use movie maker. To do this I’m going to use the resources that the school provides because I probably can’t find out how to do it alone.

blog #16

Are you or could you be living in the matrix? How would you know?
I think I could definitely be in the matrix. I say this because I find it hard to believe that after the 6,000 years, that some creationism believers think humans have been on earth, or the 200,000 years, that believers of evolution think humans have been on earth, that the technology that we have isn’t far greater. Think about it, the technology that we have now is the product of about 100 years of work and research. What’s a little scary is the weird findings I come across on stumpleupon.com. One article I “stumbled upon” showed a machine dating back hundreds maybe even thousands of years that was very complex and, until it was discovered, was believed to be technology too advanced for the time period. Let’s say that technology started hundreds of years ago. The technology that would be possible at this point might be the technology that we see in the movie. After hundreds of years machines might have developed so much that at

Blog #15

Raymond Cajas
Dr. Louis Lucca
Mass Media and Society HUC 103
29 April 2010
The effect of television on violence
The effect of the media on violence has become very apparent. It has been for some time now. Although studies were not conducted when television programs first aired, I think that if they were the results would have been very similar. More violent shows have a very negative effect on children. In this essay I will show the tie that violence in the real world has with violence in the media. Also I will attempt to convince you that violence plays a big part in how aggressive and violent a child grows up to be.

Blog #14 pt.2

I will show how lighting and set design convey good and evil. The film “Sunrise” is
very well made, in my opinion. I say this because the director does an excellent job of
making sure the audience gets what he is trying to say. In some cases he does this in a
very subtle way in other cases he does it quite blatantly. The makers of the film
accomplished this with set design and lighting techniques. I will give examples of this
throughout this paper.
First I will discuss set design. The way set design plays a roll in showing whether a
person or even a place is evil is evident from the very beginning. When we see the
drawing of the train station come to life there are some things that make the viewer think
that the scene they are watching is impure. If you pay attention to the people walking in
the train station, you see that the majority of the people are wearing dark clothing. This
shows that the bustling city life is not one that is pure or good. Another example is when
we see the ship super imposed on the beach. The ship is mostly black and the woman we
see is wearing a black swimsuit and a black swim cap. In making these things the color
that they are in the film the director gives a sense of impurity when it comes to the city.
Also the people of the city are all in a hurry. They seem like they do not enjoy life because they don’t slow down to take everything in.
On the other hand when the country people are shown they are all wearing light
colors. When we first see the boat full of the people from the country, the men are
wearing lighter colors than the men from the city and the women are all wearing white or
very light colors. Also unlike the city folks they seem like they are happy. Happy to be home and happy to see their families and neighbors. The director chose to make these things the colors that they are because he wanted to show how city life is evil and unappreciative of life and country life is good and pure.

Blog #14

Oh my god i have so much work to do. Damn my chronic procrastination. what I did today was work on my film paper i am actually writing it right now and also I'm referring to the film. I will put a draft up as soon as im finished. Although I have been procrastinating i think its safe to say the time has come for me to start writing non stop. which i will do now.

Blog #12

Today was a little better than yesterday. I say this because yesterday I was confused about how to use the research tools that are given to us so I didn't get much done but today I found out how to use them. so what i got done today is I researched what books I could use to do my research. I got two which I'm planning on going to the library to find. This weekend I'm going to write a rough draft so I can have something to work with when I get back to class

Blog #10

What I said to Luis and Yasumasa was pretty similar because they wrote pretty much the same way. They did a pretty good job of describing the ads. In both cases there were some grammatical errors and some spelling errors. What I would recommend to both Luis and Yasumasa is to try to incorporate a little humor or something into their responses. I know that that isn't the task but with the ads that were used there could have been some funny things said about them

blog #11

Today i Said that i was going to research the claim i had made.the claim is that media violence has little to no effect on the violence in the world. I started to research some things but i still have alot of other things to research. for the next class im going to get a little more done. also i have to get familiar with the databases. im still alittle confused on how to work them.

Blog #8

I really liked the MOMI. It was interesting to see the progression of media throughout the years. Especially if ,like me, you want to go into media as a career. For an aspiring screenwriter and/or director to go to this museum was a great experience. Also the fact that it is very accessible is a big plus. A train ride and a small walk is all you need to get there. What I learned from my visit to the MOMI was that the evolution of film has been a very long one but in the long run such length in evolution has rendered a means of filming that is of very high quality. Also the convenience of film has grown. Some of the cameras you see while walking through the museum are quite large and very intricate on the other hand the cameras of today while still intricate are more conveniently sized. What I found cool about the museum was that there were so many props on display that are from my favorite films. They have a scary life size model of Reagan(The Exorcist)mid possession. Also they have the mouth piece that Marlon Brando wore to mimic Jowls in The Godfather. I would go back to this museum in fact I plan to re-visit the museum very soon. I would say that it is definitely a museum you have to visit at least twice

Blog #7

During my time at this school I have enjoyed the classes I have been taking. I enjoy the freedom that my classes give me. Its not like high school where you get work everyday and have to have it the next day here you do your work when you want to you don’t have to worry about whether you did your homework last night. Which I think in the long run is better because in high school if I missed a homework I didn’t really sweat it but here I start stressing out if I miss a homework, which is why I haven’t missed a homework to this day. *bragging . I also like the fact that if we need to research something we constantly use the web. Although we have books we don’t rely on them as much as we do the internet.. This is getting me ready for more thorough research that I’m sure I’m going to encounter in this or a future class. I think I still have to polish my research chops though. Another thing that I like is the fact that the cluster is so involved with media. We don’t go a week without watching some sort of movie or a clip or something. Which is great for m peers and I because a lot of us are going into media related work. Also we’ve copyrighted our blogs which is awesome because I‘ve never had anything copyrighted before. I have some things I’m still wondering about but none of them come to mind right now

Blog #6

The Matrix is the type of movie that you have to watch at least twice. You can’t completely understand it if you don’t. Once you do watch it and get the general idea of it you get to thinking “Would I want to live in the matrix or would I take the blue pill if the choice was given to me?”. Well I personally would want to live in the “real world”. If someone said to me that I could choose to live a life of comfort and ultimately ignorance or I could choose to live a hard life but I would know exactly where I am and what I’m doing I think I would choose the latter. This might not be the case for other people because nowadays more and more people are trying to find the easiest way out. I don’t think that is anyway to go about your life. Now when it comes to the question of whether or not we live in the matrix it’s hard to say but I’m going to say yes we do live in the matrix. The reason I say this is because I consider what some drug users say. If someone is high on marijuana or a hallucinogenic drug of some sort they might argue that the way they see the world is the way it should be seen and that the world that they experience while under the influence of these drugs is the “real world”. So in this particular case the people who are against drugs are the people living in the matrix and the “stoners” are the the ones who have taken the red pill and been set free . Pun intended.
Another thing to keep in mind is, how different are men and machines really? They do many of the same things in some cases computers and machines do a better job than most men and women. So if humans and machines do many of the same things what makes them so different. There are many answers that science fiction movies have touched upon. One of them is the fact that machines can't feel any emotion so they have no compassion or mercy when they kill the humans in the ships like in the movie. They can't feel love or sadness which are things that make humans come to a conclusion when faced whith a decision that requires judgement. Which is the reason that machines can't make judgements.

Blog #5

For this class
Blog series 1-6 WEEKLY
Essay 1-6 WEEKLY
joint final project WEEK 12
Mass comm and society
Blackboard assignments WEEKLY
Joint final project WEEK 12
American film
written assignments OCCASIONALLY
final shot evaluation project WEEK 12

I think in order to get these assignments done on time I have to make sure to at least begin an assignment when it is first given. I have a little problem with procrastination and if I am to do these assignments and projects on time I have to get over it. I think that when it comes time for evalution I have to go back and check if everything is there and if it isnt i have to make sure I do it.

Blog #4 Truman Syndrome

Truman Syndrome is a Disorder in which the victims believe wholeheartedly that they are the unapproving participants of a reality show or film. The term was first used after the film The Truman Show came out. I guess people saw it and started thinking that what they saw was true and that it applied to their life. I think that some people might believe they are in a television show because some things that happen in real life are to hard for them to comprehend. Let’s say a person’s mother dies they might be hurting so bad that the only way to dull the pain is to say to themselves that it isn’t real. This is just an example im not saying this is the case in everyone of the people that suffer from this disorder but the truth is it would be very difficult to find out why these people think the way they do. I found the information about the Truman Syndrome on CNN.com. I think this is a trustworthy source because it is a legitimate news site. I don’t think the writer/s of the article would risk their reputation by posting something false

Blog #3 The Truman Show

The Truman Show is the story of a man whose entire life is a lie. Its aim is to make people laugh, but watching the film you can’t help but start to think about the similarities that this has to real life. For example the blatant use of advertisement and product placement. It seems nowadays you can’t walk down the street without stumbling upon some sort of advertisement also product placement has become obvious and ridiculously shameless. In the movie Truman is forced into participating in advertisement’s for “Kaiser Chicken” or “mococoa-made from the world’s finest cocoa beans, grown on the upper slopes of Mt. Nicaragua”. This, in the movie, is humorous but when you really think about it, it’s pretty sad. To me this is sad because I start thinking about the big picture. His entire life is a lie and they use these ads to fund the lie, and of course to fill their wallets. I feel bad when some of these reality show participants subject themselves to embarrassing things for the guilty pleasure of others and for the monetary gain of the producers so, watching Truman do things that we only do behind closed doors and in front of a mirror for the entertainment of others, I can’t help but feel pity for him. Another aspect of the movie that catches my attention is when the director Christof says that he has given Truman the chance to lead a normal life and that the world we live in is sick. When I hear this I think that Christof has become so obsessed with the “life” he has given Truman that he starts to believe that the world outside of the huge set is horrible. There are a lot of bad things that happen in the world but there is also a lot of good. You can’t expect a person to lead a normal life if they don’t experience the good as well as the bad things that the world has to offer. So in making sure that Truman never sees the bad he is taking away the chance to lead a normal life that he thinks he is giving Truman.

Another thing that caught my attention is when Christof says that Truman could leave at any time if his desire to do so was more than just a vague ambition. He says this and still he tries to prevent Truman from escaping. He tries so hard that he almost kills him. Watching this part and really thinking about it you can't help but compare the film to real life. I don't want to sound preachy but If the Government does not want to let the public know something they will do, like Christof, everything in their power to prevent people from knowing the truth. Although if a person digs deep enough they might find what they are looking for, like Truman.

Blog#2 The Allegory Of The Cave

The allegory of the cave is a very interesting idea. It basically asks if a person is brought up to believe one thing is good when in reality it is not when that person discovers the truth will he believe it or will he still believe the only thing he knows. Further still it asks if he were to return to the people who still believe whatever it is they believe will they shun or even kill him because of his new found enlightenment. It also asks if in the process of said enlightenment would the person be threatened or angry at the person who was trying to make him realize his error. This to me is a very interesting idea and when I read it I think immediately of religion. I do not want to anger anyone but if someone is brought up to believe that one religion is correct and they have followed all the teachings of that religions deity’s and leaders to the letter, to try to convince them to convert to another religion would be next to impossible. The process of attempting to convert someone would undoubtedly include telling the person that their god does not exist. This in itself would enrage even the most faithless follower of that religion. An example of what would happen if one religion tried to change another religions way of life is The Crusades. The crusades were fought to restore Christian control of the holy land. I am sure the intentions were not just to gain control but to convert everyone of a different religion as well. The crusades lasted nearly 200 years. The other religions would not give up. The allegory of the cave is correct in that sense.

blog#1

I am not a cyborg. Although it seems I encounter them every day. People that spend more time on their phones than actually interacting with a human being. A cyborg is a person who’s body has been taken over by electromechanical devices. After reading that definition you might be thinking “this guy is being way too melodramatic. How can a phone or a computer takeover a body?!” Well the truth is your mind is as much a part of your body as let’s say your legs or your arms and in the case of a large part of the population these appliances have more than taken over your minds it’s gotten to the point where people claim to feel physical pain if they go more than one or two days without their phones. I am not a cyborg because my situation hasn’t reached extremes but I’ll admit I am getting there
The reason I say I am getting there is because I am slowly becoming dependent of some electronic devices. Some of these devices I use out of sheer necessity and the others I use out of choice. Transportation, for me at least, is an absolute necessity. I live In the Bronx and go to school in Queens. This is why using such electronics as the metrocard vending machine are unavoidable. Even the booth has computers so depending on technology while using transportation is inevitable. Hell, even a metrocard is considered technology. If you have a car it’s the same story if you need gas there is no way to get it without coming into contact with some sort of computer. So some necessities like going to school or driving to work have become impossible without electronics.
Then come the electronics one uses by choice. This includes telephones, cell phones, computers music devices, televisions, Gaming systems etc… I myself have not become dependent of cellphones or smartphones as they're known as now but something I feel I would be very sorry to lose is my computer I could ramble all day about the benefits of a computer but i'll spare you my rant. I am simply saying that without a computer my life would change drastically and probably not in a positive way. Even More so than my computer the object I can't imagine living without is my Ipod.I am a very musical person. Every chance I get I try to play music or write lyrics I would say that music is a very large part of my life and so is my Ipod. If I didn't have my Ipod With me at all times I would be very close to panic.
I am not a cyborg...yet, because I estimate that in about a month I will become dependent of my Ipod. It will reach the point that I won't let anyone touch it without my permission and supervison. That is how much i care about that wonderful device. I think if I take care of my son/daughter half as much as i take care of my Ipod i will be a great father. In conclusion, If I become dependent of electronics, as long as it is my choice, I wont mind.