Blog: The finger Rule and Class Discussions October 25 2013

   

During the in-class discussions, often times discussions lag on (or start slow) because of  various reasons. However, there are times, at which point a lot of people start discussing things. Now in these situations (although it’s a bit sad because class discussions usually start to pick up the curve towards the end of the class period) many people are left hanging. I know that I am one of these people. That is why I write down whatever I have to say on the left side of my notebook (note taking tips!). Often you would hear stuff like “Well, this is sort of off but...” or “On a side note, in response to...” and a lot of times the conversations would just move too far ahead for what the person is trying to say. Anyhow, that is why I voiced my opinion in class about the finger rule. At first I had thought of a more rigorous and complex system, but that was quickly vetoed down. The finger rule is that instead of the normal hand that you raise, if you have a quick point to make in response to somebody, and then you raise your index finger. This rule was made to be used under the normal discussions. BUT in today’s class discussion (I FEEL EXTREMELY SAD YOU WEREN'T THERE MR. MITCHELL), this rule, in BETA mode, was 'misused'. It could be seen that this rule clearly doesn’t work when literally everybody has something to say because the discussions are moving at a steadier pace and then everybody is holding their index finger! It could also be clearly observed that today’s discussion was probably the most fascinating of all discussions this entire year: there were multiple debates and unlike any of the other days many people had different opinions about the topic at hand. This day was the most controversial, amusing, and thoughtful day in terms of in class discussion. Maybe this was also because the topics were come up by students and class discussion was led by students.

MORE ON FINGER RULE AND SUBSETS:

The index: I have something quick to say in response to something that somebody has just said.

If you don’t get called on because of other people holding their index fingers and they got called upon, increase the number of fingers per person.

Situation: Person A has just said something and you wanna respond to it. Three people raise their hands with the index finger( Person B, C, and you). Suppose person C has been called upon. Then, you and Person B should also raise with your index finger, your middle finger. In this manner, you have raised two fingers. Keep on going with this pattern until you are finally called upon or the topic is no longer valid (shouldn't happen unless debate super super popular).

The order:

1    1. Index Finger 

      2. Index Finger and Middle Finger

      3.Thumb, Index Finger, and Middle Finger

      4.Thumb, Index Finger, Middle Finger, and Ring Finger

      After this point, if you point is still valid, start going back down the order. So: 1,2,3,4,3,2,1....

It is important to note a significant distinction. During your waiting period, people might want to respond to points that others have stated. If they decide to use the finger rule, then THEY WILL GET PRIORITY. Please, do understand this and DO NOT CHEAT.

If, during this waiting period, you point gets too old and you don’t want to say it but want to respond to another point immediately, then revert back to step 1.

POOF. That’s it. Now, what do you guys think about this? 

Impressions on The Metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis is my personal favorite from all the books that we have read so far. The reason is because it was short, funny, and most importantly easy to read. While The Sun Also Rises was also funny, probably more, I found it harder to read because there were ‘turnarounds’ → what Jake looked like on the outside was not what he was on the inside. Maybe that this was the case because this book is a translation. This is one of the most interesting of things -- did Kafka mean something, and the translation changed it? Maybe, but I’m not German so I can’t say!

I also enjoyed viewing the character of Gregor. I am really shocked by the way his family treats him. Previously, he was simply a paycheck for them so they did take minimal care, but from what can be seen in the book, it looks like they didn’t actually care about him. But on top of that, after his transformation, they simply forgot about him. As I stated in class, Gregor is like a cow who has stopped producing milk, a chicken who has stopped producing eggs, and now, ‘resources’ are just going in with nothing coming out. And this is my main point. How can a family be so cruel as to simply ignore their son? A doctor is sent for in the 1st chapter but there is no reference to a doctor actually coming in and trying to treat Gregor. The purpose of a family is to take care of each other not to just let go. What is really shocking is how Gregor is simply shunned and yet he doesn’t believe that. He stills believes in his family, he trusts his family. What do you guys think? Is it fair or virtuous the way that his family treats him or is it unethically injustice?

SAR vs. Metamorphosis

In the Metamorphosis by Kafka and the Sun Also Rises by Hemingway connections are intertwined which may not be able to be seen at first glimpse. On the surface it doesn't look like there is much of a similarity but there are some.

The Metamorphosis	The Sun Also Rises
Gregor, in the first few lines, is not able to sleep after undergoing his transformation. This causes him to be uncomfortable and he struggles to get up or sleep.	Jake, towards the beginning of the book, is not able to sleep, even though he tries to force himself to, because of ‘re’-meeting one of his ‘best’ friend.
Gregor is unable to find friends due to his rather annoying job. He is fixated at repaying the debt that his parents owe and from what i can see so far in the book, he has a lack of friends due to this.	There is a pattern about good/bad friends and friendship in general which can be seen in SAR. This trend is most popular with Jack because he is the quiet one, yet if he explodes, a lot would come out.
Grete takes care of Gregor, because she knows that someone needs to do it, and it seems like she does like to do it.	Jack takes care of Brett by backing her up in every situation. He always comes to her help. It is like a spring where the two ends are Jack and Brett. There relationship is this spring coming in closer and then going back out but the spring never bends or break.

Reflextions on Brett from The Sun Also Rises

One of the most popular in class discussion that I have seen is about Brett: you either hate her or you love her. However, my situation is sort of in the middle(ish?) because there are some things about her personality which I wasn’t too fond of while on the other end of the spectrum, some things I do like about her character. One of the things which I don’t like about her is how she takes Jakes’ advantage. Towards the ending of the book, when Brett runs out of money she knows that Jake will always listen to her and so she ‘forces’ Jake, in a way, to come there. Perhaps a better word to forces might be pressures. It is rather interesting because during the course of the book, towards the middle, I started to become slightly sympathetic to Brett, but from the beginning I didn’t like her. When she is first introduced to us, she gets drunk and starts shouting in the street at Jake. Although it was in its position a bit funny, it also made me not like Brett.

On the other side of the coin, Brett was, at times, a rather kind person. In one of the scenes towards the end, Jake starts to want to get drunk because he didn’t know what to do. At that time, Brett was right next to him hugging and urging him  that ‘Jake, please don’t get drunk’.

To sum up, I will say that Brett has a good side to her. She really does, but that side of her is hidden deep after her personal ego and attitude.