The Elgg system is too slow!  The pictures are too small, not enough, and it's difficult to navigate around!  My main frustration is waiting for the pages to load.  It doens't seem like there is much bandwidth or whatever the term is for adding speed to the connection.  It's not like I'm on "youtube" and waiting on a video, just to load basic little pictures take too long and also reading other peoples blogs is tedious to go from each persons page.  However, I do enjoy the editing features and convienient tabs above.  There should be an easier way to read maybe just the heading or title of some blogs or some way of grouping the similar subjects together. I also agree with Brian's blog regarding the folks who have not put up any pictures, this is pretty weak to not represent yourself visually in some form or another...  The computer user must take advantage of the visual aspect of computing or else we might as well go back to text based stuff and not even deal with pictures... Atleast it will be faster! 

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"What surprised me was his use of language, especially his comment saying “God damn” then following up by saying, “that is a technical term.”  For me, he seemed to deflate his ethos where he wanted to go in opening up the interactions with the students, perhaps he said it to try and lower the formality of the conversion?  Nonetheless it was odd for the President to use potentially shocking language."

Posted by Kevin Williams

 

I have to diagree!  I thought the use of casual interraction added to the overall connection to the class.  Being a president sometimes carries with it a false message of being a conservative person, with mild manners, and a very even attitude, which in my opinion is too boring and fake!  Human emotion is important to express and as long as it can be said on television, radio, etc. it's ok to be used publically.  I was a bit surprised to hear some PG rated language from President Klitgard, but it gave his talk a sense of emotion and caring.  It also made me think that this is a real guy who doesn't always have a prepared speech to just plug-in when needed.  These days we are bombarded with prepared speeches by our govenment, they don't say anything but key words, and try to push an agenda of fear.  I would rather listen to a live and real talk with some imperfection and solutions rather than a perfectly boring and predictable speech!

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What do your see as the greatest danger imposed by technology?

The greatest danger I see right now is the elimination of privacy. Since privacy cannot be guaranteed in today’s society the notion of information security plays an increasingly critical capacity. However, what happens when Citigroup loses its customer data? And what happens to a patient’s rights when Uncle Sam wants to compile a list of HIV patients? Initially, the idea of e-health records can greatly benefit the end user, but in the end, is the user getting used? The notion of information security affects every industry detailed in Leonardo’s Laptop, from e-learning to e-government and e-health to e-business. As society moves closer to 1984 will today’s technological achievements mean tomorrow’s Orwellian government…"(from Brian Thomas)

 

Yes!  That is what I'm talking about !  At the present time the security level of computers is weak!  Let's face it, if some highschool hacker can tap into the government site, or the phone company then it's way to easy and not ready to be completely trusted with vital life changing information.  Let's just call it a glorified yellow pages with a few more goodies that may or may not work depending on many factors like: operating software, download speed, language requirements, etc...  Ofcourse having everyone on a masterlist would be a great idea could help people quickly.  But, this concept just happens to remind me of Hitler and the fact that he made everyone declare their religions, then he simply rounded up the people that he didn't like and killed them.  I know this is a bit extreme, but bad things happen even though the intention may have been positive or to further science, Atom bomb, Nuclear Fission, Einstein, etc... 

 

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Bring in a research article/piece from your field. Not just any article, but one that has significantly influenced your thinking, academic career, research, and/or professional career.  Specify how it has influenced you. Post your article under your personal files and post your answer to your personal blog.
 
An article that has served to inspire and also influence my thinking, academic career, and or professional aspirations is the article about Andres Segovia the famous classical guitarist doing a debut concert in New York.  This account of the great masters first concert and immediate influence and acceptance was a good introduction for me to the power of the solo classical guitar.  I've always enjoyed school and learning and I would hate to see it end because of a career that doesn't encourage creative thinking and new learning.  The article describes the variety of music that Segovia attempts to play on his guitar which was earlier thought of as impossible or at least not worthy of a real classical concert.  It also points out the sensitivity to sound and nuance that Segovia exemplified in his playing.  Many difficulties in the guitar technique require innovative and new ways of playing in order to deal with the physical and practical constraints of playing the guitar.  They mention that Segovia still has the attitude of an academic and doesn't try to impress with classic guitarist approach of catering to the instrument but however tries to make the instrument express what he feels necessary musically and not just as a guitarist.  Some of Segovia's musical ideas transcend that of his instrument and many times the guitar can only hint to, or somehow provide a convincing illusion of what is physically impossible to do on a string instrument.  For example, sustaining notes like a keyboard or piano by holding a note down with the pedal would be the same as plucking the same note quickly in order to give the effect of a sustained note, technically called a tremolo plucking technique.  Although he was not the first person to invent this technique Segovia had the invention of using these and other effects to replace or do what others would not have considered.  There was a chance that this concept would not work at all, or not be effective, but it's that fact that he had the guts and mind to at least attempt a new form of expression.   
   

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1. Is "Soul of the New Machine" a qualitative study based on the six criteria outlined in "The Enlightened Eye?"

The six Key Abilities are: multi-literacies; problem solving; creativity; community participation; self management; and knowledge of self, others and the environment.  Yes, it is definitely a qualitative study that is pretty closely based on the six qualities outlined in "The Enlightened Eye."  The team of engineers many times was involved in all the different abilities in order to complete the given project.  The different team memebers were aware of their various abilities and with the guidance of a comptent team leader like Tom West they were able to harness the sum of knowledge to create something extraordinary and in record time.  I remember a section which knowledge of self, other and environment was a key factor to complementing or crashing a certain project.  Basically two of the engineers were great individually but could not seem to work together at the same time.  For some reason or another they would continue to argue and not getting anything done.  However when they were working alone they were able to follow eachothers notes and questions and solve eachothers problems.  This presented an easy solution to productivity which Tom West the Project Leader noticed and then decided to simply schedule the engineers to work at different times.  Most corporations may not let this type of flexibility occur, but in this situation it was an experienced leader who realized that it was beneficial to step out of the box.  Other qualities such as problem solving, creativity, and self management are exemplified throughout different moments of the book as well.

2. What are the similarities and differences between non-fiction, documentary films, and naturalistic social science in explaining knowledge about every day life?

 The differences between these genres of film are in the strategy used in telling the particular story.  In a non-fiction film the story is true however it is told within the context of the directors taste, the writers specific lines, and the producers idea.  The documentary however seems to tell the story using different techniques that are more organic in nature.  The drama and art of film is not as important in a documentary as is staying true to the story so taht the viewer is able to come to their own conclusions with out too much bias on the part of the story-telling.

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Review of Speaker, President Klitgaard

Loved his style and pressence.  I found it interesting to listen to him discuss the different aspects of transdisciplinary studies and how they impact intellectual growth and discovery. His speaking style and enthusiasm was motivational for me to hear.  He was very postive about CGU and expanded the possiblities, I liked that he told everyone to think big, dream, and work hard.  I believe that the Transdiciplinary system is well-rounded and involves ideas such as a general understanding of other disciplines like mathematics, political science, economics, psychlogy for the optimal knowledge base.  We seem to be in the routine of staying within our disciplines and not branching out to seek solutions to our problems outside our field.   However, as a team, such a strong foundation can promote productive creative thinking and bringing a "out of the box" mentality which many times is the solution to making a big discovery.  "Tresspassing," I believe was the name of his book and it was interesting to hear him talk about the subtle message and challenge that such a title can provoke.  Also, it was interesting to see the discussion and thought process in real-time as Dr. Klitgaard was trying to comprehend and come up with a conclusion on the spot rather than just discuss a pre-made speech.  It brought an aspect of spontaneous energy and creativity and really was helpful to engage the listeners. 

--
Payam Larijani

www.WeLoveGuitar.com

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1. What reaction do you have to the concept of rapid cognition, particularly as it influences your activity as a scholar?

2. What is your favorite story/example in the book?

3. Which CGU scholar is mentioned in the book? 

I believe this is the Professor who had a part in the book "Blink."  Although I couldn't find a specific story that she worked on?

Is knowing believing? The role of event plausibility and background knowledge in planting false beliefs about the personal past

I believe this is the Professor who had a part in the book Blink, although I couldn't find a specific story that she worked on?
Kathy Pezdek, Iris Blandon-Gitlin, Shirley Lam, Rhiannon Ellis Hart, & Jonathan W. Schooler
(K.P.) Department of Psychology, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, 91711-3955; kathy.pezdek@cgu.edu

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