Dru Smith
- “No one could see the colour blue until modern times”
Summary: This reading was about the fact that there are no writings about the color blue in the old times. They would never mention it so we can assume that they couldn’t see the color. But I don’t seem to understand that because science says that we should be able to see the color blue so it kind of confused me. All in all it was a very interesting read.
Response: So as I was reading this article it never really gives us a clear and definitive reason as to why they couldn’t see the color blue. I have a feeling they really don’t know whether or not they could see it. So it makes you wonder if these people actually couldn’t see the color blue. I couldn’t imagine going outside and not seeing the sky as blue. So what could they have possibly seen it as? A cool grey or something even more weird?
- “How Language Shapes our Perception of Reality”
Summary: In this article it basically talks about if you speak another language do you perceive life differently. If you speak English or Russian will you see me as different just because we can’t understand each other? It gave a great example about how Russians have many different words for the color blue. We Americans only have one so are they more advanced than us because they have multiple words or do we just have a more simple life.
Response: I felt that this article was very interesting because it takes a whole new perspective from life in the form of language. I feel as if speaking a whole different language can allow you to see life from a whole different perspective. I see this as a possibility because if you can speak another language then you are truly embracing a whole other culture. So you can feel their culture flowing through you as you speak their language. Also by speaking another language you become even smarter than your average persson. This can also help you in almost everything you do in life.
- “Discourse Community”
Summary: In this article we were explained what a discourse community was. It basically states that it’s a group o0f people that find a common interest in one thing and are able to bond over that topic. For example I think of video game players. They are a very tight knit community and love and enjoy what they do on a daily basis.
Response: I think that discourse communities are very important in day to day life. It’s important for people to find a group that they feel they belong to and can have a fun time bonding with these people. I almost compare it to find the right friend group in high school. You need to find the right friends because your best high school friends can be the people that are with you the rest of your life. So with these discourse communities I feel it is the same premise and guidelines. Once you find the right discourse community you will feel right at home.
- “Twelve Words”
Summary: This article is about the trials and tribulation of a set of twins. One was normal and the other had a severe disability. The one brother loved his brother very much even though he was so different. It’s a heartwarming story that will have you almost feeling bad for them but in the end it is a bittersweet story because he was able to live a happy life with the people that loved him the most.
Response: I like stories like these because it shows what type of love is truly able to give to people. Not all people with disabilities get the love and affection they deserve but we see a family here that broke all of those stereotypes. He was able to live his life with the best people around him and enjoyed it. He obviously needed help with everything but that didn’t bother them; they accepted it. So we need to see more stories like this because it shows the love all people deserve.
Dru Smith 