Some perspective...dangit---Psychical Distance

 ‘Psychical Distance’

My thoughts, reaction, and connections

Temporal distance= according to our reading, “Psychical Distance,” is the metaphorical meaning represented by that art piece, which often leads to misconception. Why? We’re about to dig a little deeper as to why there are many misconception in both art and in life!

To summarize the illustration of experiencing ‘fog’ at sea as humans, there are two possibly feelings of emotion or perspectives we can have. The article describes the first reaction to the fog as fear, anxiety, and nervousness. The second feeling is joy, where the body and senses take in every unknown dynamic of the fog’s outcome and the possibilities. I thought this was a unique way to describe “Psychical distance” in how people interpret or see art. The lesson that I took from the illustration is that one painting can have multiple meanings partly due to how people perceive the meaning of the painting. Maybe the artist does this on purpose, or maybe it’s just in our own head. Is the main theme of this illustration that no perspective is more correct than the other?

                The fog illustration in “Psychical Distance,” is similar to the activity we did last class in terms of multiple perspectives being demonstrated from the same setting and time of observation. Our group had four members and although we were at the coffee shop at the same time, we are reported our observation a little differently from one another. One of the members in our group reported more about the noises they heard, while I reported more observation of facial expressions and body. This brings me to a question---why do we choose to focus our attention on certain dynamics of our surrounding? I don’t really know the answer to that question.

The article goes on to say that putting one’s own initial thought aside about what the meaning is of a piece of art, and then objectively observe it again. A way to exercise this alternate way of thinking, is you could pretend to be someone else---someone opposite of you. What would they see? How do you think they would perceive that art piece? The funny thing about this exercise is, no one ever really knows what another person is thinking or feeling, but can collect evidence to support it and make a conclusion. The conclusion can most definitely be wrong though! But it could also be right…

The United States is known as an individualistic society and culture--- I think sometimes seeing alternate perspectives from our own doesn’t come as natural as we like to admit. Why do I say this?  I am linking back to the word individualistic. An example which demonstrates this mentality is in the United States generally one is more likely to get praise and accolades by a personal accomplishment then one who’s standard of accomplishment is defined by bettering the whole (the meaning of what accomplishment looks like can vary between different cultures, society’s norms, and other factors).

The main point that I took away from this article it is impossible to know what exactly someone else is feeling, thinking, ect. Acknowledging that there are multiple perspectives that can stem from one scene, interaction, or observation is important in becoming a mindful and aware person.

Hannah Cooper

Journal Entry Analysis: Compare and Contrast

JD Meier, De Vinci, Jason Myer

Journal One: Lessons Learned from John Wooden, by JD Meier

A person that I admired at an early age and currently still admire is, John Wooden. John Wooden was one of greatest basketball college coaches of all time, leading UCLA’S basketball team to ten National Collegiate Athletic Association championship titles, and the record for most games won in a row (88). His legacy is far greater then breaking basketball records, for John was and is well-known for being an extremely positive role model and monitor to his players.

JD Meire, a best-selling author and fan of John Wooden, expresses his great admiration for the UCLA legendary basketball coach in a tribute journal article, Lessons Learned from John Wooden, describing how Wooden greatly impacted many areas of his own life. JD uses personal experience, direct quotes from Wooden, and makes a specific list of 25 examples of Wooden’s spoken values that stood out to him personally.

This informative journal provides insight on the feelings, respect, and admiration JD has for Wooden. He starts off the journal by using a direct quote from Wooden that reads, (“Peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you’re capable.” – John Wooden). This writing technique quoting Wooden gives an instant idea of Wooden’s character, and provided the reader a better understanding of Wooden’s values. JD doesn’t write much about Wooden’s accomplishments as UCLA’S coach (although he acknowledges them), but further digs deeper into the life values he implicated to his players, which is noticeable in the second paragraph of the article. JD’s shares his personal experience when listening to Wooden for the first time in an interview. JD said that what stuck with him most about that first time he heard Wooden, was the “simple rules he lived by that helped him make meaning and find happiness.” I interpreted JD using this example in the beginning of his journal article as a way to set the tone and theme of the rest of the article. The tone showed appreciation and gratitude for Wooden having a positive impact on not only him, but many, many others.

JD lists the top twenty-five lessons that he took away from Wooden, which can be a writing convention. This can be a writing convention because it enhances the readability and highlights the main point, which is acknowledging the values Wooden imparted to JD.

Website to access article: http://sourcesofinsight.com/lessons-learned-from-john-wooden/

Journal 2: Hymn, by Jason Myers

Jason Myers uses a variety of writing techniques to portray a specific theme, writing conventions, and specific language in his poem Hymn.  

This particular writing piece falls under one genre of a poem. However there are many ways that a poem can be structured depending on what the purpose of the author is. He does not use a rhyming scheme in this. Instead he uses figurative langue to convey his message or theme. An example of the use of his figurative langue from a line in his poem goes, “just to slip the tongue around those two syllables, silk gloves tailored to contain exactly what they need & nothing.”  The genre of his poem can also fall under spirituality due to his reference of God.  I counted the poem being broken up into seven segmenting paragraphs. Using this techniques his main idea or concept is highlighted making is stand out to the reader. Another writing convention he also uses is dash marks at the end of some of his sentence in his punctuation, which allows the reader to reflect on what was just written. I feel this line in his poem depicts the theme, which is actions he felt he should have been doing or participating is as an early twenty year old. The line is, “singeing cry over the gulf between the soul & what the soul longs for.”

Journals by: De Vinci

Leonardo De Vinci wrote in a very unconventional style. Written text is read is mostly read from left to right, however De Vinci wrote most of his journals from right to left.  No one truly knows his reasoning behind the way he structured his writing this way, but there are theories as to why.  I have a theory of my own. De Vinci is known for his complex mind, brilliant ideas, inventions, and hidden meanings beyond the literal meaning of a word or phrase. The concepts he wrote about, I would argue were far beyond comprehension to most minds in his time. I say this because after reading a few of De Vinci’s journal entries and modern translations, its clear there is still confusion with some of his transcripts meanings. My theory behind his reasoning of writing right to left is that he sees the world and society backwards. He saw the structure of society and its norms, and observed how human behavior conformed to those norms--- however he didn’t want to conform. In other words, he wasn’t following any one culture, but creating new ones in which no one had thought of. Generally, and in the journal entries I read the genre of his writing was characteristics art, theories on psychology, new insight on astronomy, and science. It was difficult to find an original journal entry from De Vinci that is legible to read, so I read some of the translations by other authors, as well as looked at the original to compare. Many of De Vinci’s original pieces are manic, or in other words unorganized. However it isn’t about the organization, but more about the content he is coveying.

Journal Entry: https://archive.org/stream/noteboo00leon#page/852/mode/2up/search/852

A pen. Paper. And the ocean

You. Your thoughts. A pen. And paper. No one else in that moment when writing either a first draft of an essay or a personal journal entry, an can say that it’s wrong. The purpose of a first draft is to get all of your thoughts written out and realizing the first time around, it will not be perfect. To me, that is very liberating because I think most can agree perfection is difficult to accomplish the first time. Everything takes practice.

                In the first chapter of Writing Down the Bones, Goldberg describes how her writing has developed over the years. This helped me reflect of my own prior thoughts and experiences with writing.  She described how in her early years in grade school when writing, she never missed a comma, always double checking to make sure the format is just right. I would argue that most people, including myself, agree these techniques of writing aren’t wrong---However, Goldberg made these qualities sound as a limiting way to write. For one, it didn’t allow freedom in her writing because she was too concerned with grammer (which is important) but it kept her from putting her thoughts on to paper. She said that most the compositions she wrote at a young age were dull, boring, and excluded any real feeling she had about the subject. This made me think of many times in my earlier years in school where I was just going through the writing motions. I fulfilled the requirement, but it was far removed from any passion of mine. I am aware that this practice wasn’t all in vein because structure is an important part of conducting a clear message through writing.

However, not until the last couple of years (about when I started Antioch University) I realized that writing is fun. I mean, it isn’t just fun, but it is good for my well-being. Why? I learned that while yes structure helps with clarity and communicating the purpose of writing, first-order-thinking content in writing is also important and valid. First-order-thinking, as we discussed in our first class meeting is summed up as, one’s uncensored thoughts or intuitive thoughts. Second-order-thinking is more about checking one’s self, communicating for a specific reason or purpose, and more analytical. First order of thinking comes more natural and in my opinion is more freeing. It is freeing because it’s literally what comes to your brain in that instant. However, if everyone acted, spoke, or wrote in this practice alone, I have a feeling it would be quite a different world.

Goldberg talks about picking out a specific pen that connects with you and the paper.  At first I couldn’t really relate to connecting with a pen. I can’t recall a time I ever had a lucky pencil. But after digging deeper, I realized that her pen is equivalent to my environment in which I write. She describes how the right pen can create more freedom in her writing because she personally connects with how the pen and paper feel.

 I find that the environment affects the way I write. I feel at most peace with the pen and paper if I am in nature, especially the beach. I know that the details of the ocean are far more complex than anything that I could possibly write. By understanding that there is something so mysterious, unknown, and massive right in front of me, it makes me feel comfortable exploring my most inner thoughts. I’m still not exactly sure why that is, but it is.  

Hey everyone! Here's a little info about me...

Is it just me, or is writing a blurb about you a little difficult? I say it is a little difficult because I feel like there are many little subcultures that make me, well, me...

When someone asks me to describe myself as a whole, it makes a little uncomfortable because typically, there’s a lot to know and I don’t know where to begin.

I hate first dates. Does that explain a little? I hate first dates because I despise the so called ‘small talk’ that has to be exchanged between the two parties. I know the small talk is necessary---to get to know one another--- And I do understand that process. However, a lot of the times the ‘good stuff’ or qualities of a person is far beyond the typical small talk questions like, ‘what do you do’ or ‘where did you grow up.’ These questions are yes important in getting to know someone, but am I a weirdo for having the urge to ask questions of more depth or out of the ordinary like, what your first childhood’s bestfriend was and why you were friends on a first date?

Anyway, I am getting a little side tracked here, hence this is not a supposed to be a dating blurb, but one to get to know each other a little better.

 As I have been attending Antioch for a little over a year now, I know some of you already, and look forward to getting to know the rest of you fellow student colleagues in more depth. So to get that process started, here are a few qualities about me. I really enjoy the sounds of the ocean and the feeling of sand between my toes. In life, I feel that we are supposed to go, go, go, but being by the ocean forces me to relax and slow down. Reflect. I have a passion for sports and I love to engage in conversations about it, whether that is a conversation about your experiences as an athlete or just being a fan. Go Kobe!

 I have lived in Santa Barbara for about six years and grew up on the Central Coast most of my life. I have a huge extended family. My mom is one of nine siblings, so our family gatherings can be compared to a circus sometimes. You better believe that the chances of someone crying, yelling, or dancing will be in the mix when we all get together. Although I have different views then a lot of my family members, I can still say they have molded who I am.

 I genially enjoy making people around me feel like they matter, because they do. JO, who is another professor at Antioch said something recently that stuck with me. She said, “you are a culture of one.” In other words, every single person is their own unique culture. I think the previous quote is important to remember because in our society it’s normal to associate one’s self with labels or groups. It is refreshing to know that no one else can be you!

That’s all for now and again I am honored to get to know the rest of you better this quarter. Cheers!

-Coop