"Our neighborly intimacy with the sea was not fully realized by Torstein till he woke one morning and found a sardine on his pillow. There was so little room in the cabin that Torstein had to lie with his head in the doorway, and, if anyone inadvertently trod on his face when going at night, he bit him in the leg. He grasped the sardine by the tail and confided to it understandingly that all sardines had his entire sympathy."[Heyerdayl 87]
This excerpt is all about engaging the reader. One can not enjoy nonfiction when there is no humor.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Kon-Tiki
"You think I exaggerate," he continued in a low voice. "But, although it is strictly forbidden, there are still people in this country who make a living by selling shrunken human heads. Its impossible to control it, and to this day jungle Indians cut off the heads of their enemies among other nomad tribes."[44 Heyerdahl]
It is nigh impossible to govern a nomadic group of people, and whether shrinking heads and selling them is wrong, there will be a group of nonconformists. It is human nature to stick to old habits. While reading Dante's Inferno, few people will be scared, and fewer will change their ways. This is because it is less difficult to maintain your way of life than to conform to what authorities say. Partially, though, this is because of my own stubbornness.
It is nigh impossible to govern a nomadic group of people, and whether shrinking heads and selling them is wrong, there will be a group of nonconformists. It is human nature to stick to old habits. While reading Dante's Inferno, few people will be scared, and fewer will change their ways. This is because it is less difficult to maintain your way of life than to conform to what authorities say. Partially, though, this is because of my own stubbornness.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Final Blogpost
At this point, Hari Seldon lifted his book and opened and opened it. His face grew solemn. "And never forget there was another Foundation established eighty years ago; a Foundation at the other end of the Galaxy, at Star's End. They will always be there for consideration. Gentlemen, nine hundred and twenty years of the Plan stretch ahead of you. The problems is yours!"
He dropped his eyes to his book and flicked out of existence, while the lights brightened to fullness. In the babble that followed, Lee leaned over to Hardin's ear. "He didn't say when he'd be back."
Hardin replied, "I know- but I trust he won't return until you and I are safely and cozily dead!"
[Asimov 139]
The hero, but secondary character, makes his speech to the people of the planet Terminus. At this point in the book, Seldon is foreshadowing a series of unknown events, and giving the people a release from the felt pressure of the universe. The format of this speech is used two more times in the book, but about a hundred years apart.
He dropped his eyes to his book and flicked out of existence, while the lights brightened to fullness. In the babble that followed, Lee leaned over to Hardin's ear. "He didn't say when he'd be back."
Hardin replied, "I know- but I trust he won't return until you and I are safely and cozily dead!"
[Asimov 139]
The hero, but secondary character, makes his speech to the people of the planet Terminus. At this point in the book, Seldon is foreshadowing a series of unknown events, and giving the people a release from the felt pressure of the universe. The format of this speech is used two more times in the book, but about a hundred years apart.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Blogpost 2
"But you are wrong. Dr. Seldon was of the opinion that you would be arrested this morning."
"What!"
"It is unfortunate, but true. The Commission has been more and more hostile to his activities. New members joining the group have been interfered with to an increasing extent. Th graphs showed that for our purposes, matters might best be brought to a climax now. The Commission of itself was moving somewhat slowly so Dr. Seldon visited you yesterday for the purpose of forcing their hand. No other reason."
[Asimov 23]
The lawyer provided to Gaal shows that Seldon was not over confident, but has outmaneuvered the "Commission" and has forced them into action, the Commission thinking they were still in control. (fate/free will)
"What!"
"It is unfortunate, but true. The Commission has been more and more hostile to his activities. New members joining the group have been interfered with to an increasing extent. Th graphs showed that for our purposes, matters might best be brought to a climax now. The Commission of itself was moving somewhat slowly so Dr. Seldon visited you yesterday for the purpose of forcing their hand. No other reason."
[Asimov 23]
The lawyer provided to Gaal shows that Seldon was not over confident, but has outmaneuvered the "Commission" and has forced them into action, the Commission thinking they were still in control. (fate/free will)
Blogpost 1
"That's bad."
"Not necessarily. All is taken into account."
"But is that why I am being investigated?"
"Yes. Everything about my project is being investigated."
"Are you in danger, sir?"
"Oh, yes. There is a probability of 1.7% that I will be executed, but of course that will not stop he project. We have taken that into account as well. Well, never mind. You will meet me I suppose at the University tomorrow?"
"I will," said Gaal.
[Asimov 19]
The two characters in this excerpt of a conversation are Gaal, and Seldon. This passage shows the character, Seldon, is either very inteligent, or over confident of himself. Seldon is shown to expect that he will survive the investigation, statisticly at least, and that he has overlooked nothing of consequence.
"Not necessarily. All is taken into account."
"But is that why I am being investigated?"
"Yes. Everything about my project is being investigated."
"Are you in danger, sir?"
"Oh, yes. There is a probability of 1.7% that I will be executed, but of course that will not stop he project. We have taken that into account as well. Well, never mind. You will meet me I suppose at the University tomorrow?"
"I will," said Gaal.
[Asimov 19]
The two characters in this excerpt of a conversation are Gaal, and Seldon. This passage shows the character, Seldon, is either very inteligent, or over confident of himself. Seldon is shown to expect that he will survive the investigation, statisticly at least, and that he has overlooked nothing of consequence.
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