Within a computer you can find a heterotopia...many actually since there is the internet. It is not a Utopia, because even when things may seem real or perfect, they rarely are.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
mail lockers/mail room-heterotopia
Such an in-between place...almost like a nirvana, but so not at the same time. Reminds me of purgatory.
Within the pages of a newspaper-heterotopia
There are rules to making this paper...and then you read it, and you finish and you throw it out....when you read it though you enter into it...following the rules of reading...and newspapers.
isolated bench area-heterotopia
Isolated, confined, odd...yet don't step on the grass or the landscaping. Rules. Yet you may enter to sit on the bench.
Parking Lot Heterotopia
Enter, Exit, lines are rules...when you enter you follow them..and follow to exit as well....
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
FOUCAULT:
Foucault talks about hetertopias as if they are so limited and as if there are only so many ways to look at them, but can’t a hetertopia technically be anything? Depending on how a person relates to that object or place?
At the very end this quote really impacted me, especially because I believe the last words are so much more meaningful, as if that is what the author was trying to say the whole time; “The ship is the heterotopia par excellence. In civilizations without boats, dreams dry up, espionage takes the place of adventure, and the police take the place of pirates” . So does Foucault agree with heterotopias completely or not? He seems to go back and forth in a way, naming pros as well as an equal amount of cons.
“Getting in” to a heterotopia, he states is, “either the entry is compulsory, as in the case of entering a barracks or a prison, or else the individual has to submit to rites and purifications” and then continues on to state that there’s “simpler” ways to get in as well. Does that not include all ways to get in then? What makes a heterotopia’s enterance really unique then?
Regarding the previous question, wouldn’t any form of entrance or doorway be a hetertopia?
Lastly, it seems clear to me that Utopia’s in any form or looked at in any way, are impossible. Doesn’t that make the heterotopias the norm?
Yi-Fu Tuan
Holding a spoon, that spoon is now an extension of your body. This is what came to mind when I read Yi-Fu Tuan’s paper on space and place. Even though there is a spatial ability that supposedly is developed by babies and such when learning simple activities, does that mean that instinct is completely ruled out?
I feel like there is so much more than just “place” and “space” that putting them under those two topics is so broad and general. Tuan’s idea of space gives me the impression of just the physical your body experiences. Could that mean that there is no metaphorical space?
Tuan talked about place being a geographical idea. Can one not be in a certain “place” in their own mind?
Tuan touches upon the idea of the nature versus nurture issue, but I feel he avoids the question of which has the greatest influence on more or less the space and place of human beings, nature? Nurture? Or both together?
Considering space looked at in the way Tuan sees it more or less, would space be considered that Karma or an Aura can be seen in “space”?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
This is a good time...
I feel like right now, at 8:35 in the morning, even though I have tons of things to work on before class....that right now is the perfect time to post something.
I try and put away lots of time to post on Blogger only because I seem to get off on so many tangents and ideas, and start to run with them, so it takes me a while to get back to that main point that I start with...
I have two stories.
Story one:
I was in Shop Rite, doing my usual watermelon run, cause needless to say it is the absolute number one most wonderful food anyone could ask for. So I am in the process of buying Shop Rite out of all it's deliciousness, when I decide I will be courageous and go for some carbs, such as bread. I walk by the plethora of breads off all colors, shapes and sizes, until something catches the corner of my eye..."LITE". Yes, I now have an excuse to consider getting a bread-like substance (obviously I have a weight gaining issue...) which subsequently is pretty amazing, because I actually really like the whole darn bread family too, besides watermelon.
mm mm goodness----->
As I ponder the calorie intake of the light style whole grain Thomas's English muffins, an Indian lady walks up on my right and asks me what I think of the muffins. I give her my honest opinion, unfortunately sounding like a commercial as I promote the deliciousness which are the "nooks and crannies" (and yes...I did say that). She takes my recommendation and I turn to leave expressing how nice it was to meet her and help her out in her bread muffin dilemma...when she stops me and asks me for my name.
Now quick side note about myself: I love all people, I think everyone in the entire world does have some good in them and I think it the biggest fault of the world and shame on humankind that people have to be suspicious when others are nice...or think that it's full out flirting. Honestly, I just respect you, would be more than happy to help you out, and most of all have no problem spending time talking to you and making you laugh, or at the least, smile.
So, I tell her my name...she continues on asking where I work and what I am studying. We have this conversation then just as I am about to walk away (and yes we are STILL in front of the muffins) she asks for my number.
To think it's all because of those up there! ha
Side note number due. (That's Italian for 2):
People yell at me all the time because I give my number to anyone and everyone to ask...creeper or not. I just think people are not naive; of course I have a cell phone, I am a working college student who lives away from home. Those are three necessities right there that require communication via cellular device. And honestly...that way you at least know their number, and see that it's them calling, so if you really must you can ignore it.
Needless to say, I gave her my number.
As we parted, I walked away, muffins in hand, told her good luck choosing the right muffin for herself, I was ashamed that I had to think if this was odd that she just asked for my number or not. She did not say why, she simply asked. I didn't want to be rude, and I have absolutely no problem with it, but I can't for the life of me figure out what this older (older than me I mean...probably around upper 30s?) woman is going to do with my number?
I don't think I will ever know, but I will keep you up to date if she calls me sometime.
Now I will divulge at a later time into the ethics of phone numbers and I don't know if you want me to get started on the lack of pure friendliness in the world. Honestly people, it's the choice few who do turn out to be creepers or molesters, or God forbid rapists/killers that make people, especially women, act like a man just grabbed her when he asks for her number or says hello to her. My friendliness has gotten me in odd situations, however this is because, I believe anyway, people are not used to getting a smile in the store, or someone helping them if they drop something etc. etc.
Which honestly is very very sad. Like I sad, I will divulge at a later time...because I can go on forever.
Real quick story two, relates to story one.
New girls at work last semester. I had been working there a year already. I know that place like the back of my hand at this point. We are a family there. I, again, love all people and accept anyone and everyone with open hands. Just found out new girls thought I was putting up a front? :( What!?
This conversation started when I mentioned to another employee that I don't think new girls like me (refraining from name use for obvious reasons...). I often don't think girls like me...it's weird, actually girls and family members. Most of my friends are guys, animals (haha jk) and myself...and parents, they usually like me too. But girls...I always felt that they just didn't get me, or didn't like me! Maybe this has something to do with growing up with my brother who is 4 years older, and playing things like TNT (we're in the same generation people you have to know this!), Star Trek, Legos, and a multitude of other more "boyish" games. Yet now, I am 20, and I am a relatively girly girl, but can still kick a guys butt in video games. So yes, I am a little different.
Anyways...they thought I was putting up a front because I was "too" nice. :(
Once again, it's so sad to hear that people have been conditioned to this point; this point of no return pretty much! Just like your teachers told you when you were younger, it is the wrong-doing of one person that will affect the whole class. Example: Timmy won't even try to control his sugar high (this example unfortunately can range from K-12) and the teacher warns him...yet you all have homework now, because Timmy couldn't shut the heck up.
Typical. Yet unfortunate.
I have a test...don't know if you saw "Pay it Forward" but it's basically the same idea. When you're in the store, smile at someone if you make eye contact as you walk by. Say excuse me, Thank You, Your Welcome, etc. Nod/wave when crossing the street, or allowing a pedestrian to walk in front of you. Shake hands with everyone you meet. Listen to people's problems, don't rant about your own. Appreciate the people around us, and they will appreciate you.
One time a teacher told me a pretty influential story:
Man was depressed, decided he wanted to commit suicide. He felt alone, unwanted, neglected. He decided though that he would walk to the end of a pier...and if along the way one person, let me repeat ONE PERSON simply smiled at him, he would turn around and rethink his decision.
This man did not turn around.
Take this, let it sink in your head, play with it a little like a new toy, but don't forget it. Please.
A girl from our own school killed herself this week. She felt neglected. At home and at school. This is unnecessary in the world today to be neglecting each other.
Get off aim, go meet up with friends. Take your ipod out and talk to people on the bus. Remember; going that extra mile only takes up a minute or two of your time. You can spare it to make someone happy or laugh or smile.
This is my philosophy.
<3
- D
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