Manguel-Acts of Reading

When reading this section, I had no idea that reading was a predominantly an out loud experience until more recently. I know I certain would never choose to read out loud. Obviously it was customary for the times, but I can recall countless times in school when a teacher would be picking people to read to the class and I prayed she didn’t find her way to me. I would think to myself if I made it look like was really paying attention then she would just skip over me. This plan worked to no avail and I would be forced to display my less than spectacular reading abilities. Further yet into this week’s reading I came across a quote on page 58 that reads, “If men learn this (referring to writing), it will implant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they will rely on that which is written, calling things to remembrance no longer from with themselves, but by means of external marks…”. I believe this quote really holds truth with today’s society. So many things are written down, looked over and then discarded when there immediate need is fulfilled. Wow! Sounds a lot like a college education! I can’t point fingers here because I’m as guilty as the next, but students copy and copy, read and reread power points, lecture notes and the like until they can’t keep their eyes open just for that 2 hour test. Then if they’re lucky some of them, or should I say us, remember half of the technical heap we force-fed ourselves. Yet I would imagine if you asked someone to recall a book they had read for pleasure, even just one read through, they could conjure up intricate details of character, places and events as if they just set the book down. I truly believe retaining knowledge is all about whether you “want” to know, or give the material a chance. Many classes we don’t even have to “read” for anymore. Professors are becoming more inclined to give test on just lecture notes, stating, “if I didn’t cover the material in lecture it won’t be on the test.”, thus removing all together from the process of learning. Of course there’s a slothful part of me that enjoys this but when you step back and see how we continue to dumb down our standards, it’s a bit ridiculous!

Wk 2- "I've Been to the Mountaintop"

I've just decided today that I will be doing my rhetoric analysis on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I've been to the Mountaintop" speech. This speech caught my eye for a few simple reasons. First, it was recently Martin Luther King Junior Day. This was a man who truly deserves to be recognized for his deeds to better the human race. This was a man who believed justice could be obtained through non-violent means. This was a man stood up for his people even in the face of great opposition and danger to himself. Second, out of the speakers listed on the course homepage he was the man I knew the most about. His history is taught throughout the course of middle and high school. Last, but not least, as I scanned a few options, this one seemed to grab me and I truly felt a connection with what he was saying. True I was not there in the 1960's, but it is hard not to feel for those who did suffer and persevere. I wish I could sit here today and say that I would have had the courage to join his cause back then, but that time has come and gone and I figure, why not analyze what made this man such a riveting speaker instead. We’ve all undoubtedly have heard Martin Luther King Jr.’s “ I have a Dream” speech and who could deny the sense of raw passion and devotion that streams forth from the pages. “I’ve been to the mountaintop”, seems after the first read to be less of powerful speech, but certainly a deeply moving set of prose that stir a man’s character and soul out from the shadow’s into the righteousness of which Luther speaks. I enjoyed the first read of this piece and look forward to breaking down the reasons it appeals to me so very strongly.

Until next time, farewell!

Week One Response to Readings

To be quite honest, I dreaded the day I would have to read "A History of Reading". It appeared to be this incredibly long book that I was required to buy and would take very little from. However, I could not have been farther from the truth. Even with my poor attitude, the book grabbed me from page one. As I kept reading these short descriptions of people from different times all reading in their own unique way, I paused for a moment and noticed that I too was perched in my own fashion. I was laying on my bed, book perched on a pillow and a desk lamp tilted down illuminating the words that had begun drawing me in. After reading a little farther into the section, I found it remarkable the joy the author got from reading. It did not matter what it was, where it was, as long as it was a book. It has been some time since a sat down and enjoyed a book on my own. Caught up in my schooling, I rarely find, or should I say make time to read for pleasure. Maybe it is the fact that as Americans we now expect to be entertained rather than find our own way to be amuzed. Television, movies, and internet consume a great deal of our free time, leaving little for reading. I'll admit I'm guilty of this. I feel that the simply joys of reading and letting your imagination run wild have escaped me and that Manguel's book reminded me of how I used to view reading a new book.

Ryan Eng201

Introduction

Hey,
Ryan here just checking out the new blog and making sure it works. I'm a junior here at UW-Madison. Currently I'm studying genetics and working in a lab on campus. I'm also a member of the UW Club Bowling Team, and the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho. I'm completely new to blogging and hope this is an enjoyable way to discuss class topics. Peace!