Zack's Question (which he posted to the old blog)

we have talked about many different peoples philosophy, view on life, and also people's opinion of humanity this year... (marx, freud, hobbes, locke, ect. and all the isms.) which one of these things/people/beliefs do you like and agree with most and why?

Favorite

What has been your favorite thing we have done this year? It can be a project, book (even though Sebastian posted that below), discussion, anything!

World Civ 2 Readings

Now that we are done reading all of this year's books I'm curious to find out which book or any reading at all would you want to definitely have next year's students read?

Cries of Hate

After finishing the story, I think the last sentence of "The Stranger" is open for interpretation. What do you guys think about the last sentence: "For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate."

Why do you think Meursault would WANT to be greeted by spectators with "cries of hate"? From this quote, do you think he died happily?

The end of the stranger

since we have finished the book, what did you all think. was the end happy or sad?

Existentialism

What do you think about existentialism?  Do you think that it's true there is no inherent reason to life or is there some greater meaning in life for humans?

Monsieur Meursault

Meursault is an unconventional character, and he causes a lot of mixed feelings in the reader. In light of his recent actions (the murder in particular) what do you think of him?

Capitalism In "The Stranger"

So one of the questions in class was why is Camus writing a story about such an odd character.  But Meursault isn't that odd. Do you think that Camus wrote this to simply display how modern life is focused on the external and what an individual means rather than how to help anyone else?

Depressing Thought

So on Friday I had a really dark thought and was wondering what you guys think about it.  As we've been studying the 20th century, I have noticed some similarities between the totalitarian leaders (Stain, Hitler, Mao): all killed millions of people but actually did help industrialize and improve the economy of their respected country.  This led me to the question, which I am now asking you all, in general is it necessary to suppress/kill one group of people in order to industrialize? Which then lead me to the question, is industrialization worth it? Sorry, I know this is pretty dark but I think it is interesting and am wondering what your ideas are on it.

Did He REALLY Love Her?

After reading the last few pages of 1984, one could say we see Winston's 'true' feelings towards Julia when he gives her up to the Party. By doing this, do you think that there was a part of him, all along, that could never fully put her life before his? Throughout the whole story, Winston made it sound like he really loved her. Why would he give her up and give her the fate of Room 101 just so that he wouldn't face his biggest fear? What does this say about his character? Is he purely selfish, or did he have a legitimate reason to rat her out? ("rat"....ha ha ha...)

The End

As we were assigned to finish 1984 tonight, i was wondering what everyone thought of the ending? good? bad? depressing? or just general thoughts or objections to it.

Marriage of Convenience

The winning skit from A/D block ... and from E/F block.

1984: Parallels to our Society

Today in class, when we were talking about 1984, people seemed to be concerned that we could be living in a society like Oceania and never really be aware of it. I was wondering if you guys see any parallels between our western society and anything that would suggest that 1984 is not just another piece of anti-communist propaganda. Essentially, why might 1984 scare us as members of a western society?

funny joke!

Hi guys! So, I was talking to a fellow classmate and we thought that it was completely necessary to post this joke that we thought was hilarious! hope you laugh!

ARRRRR SHE BLOWS AHOY ME MATEYS

That title was just to capture your attention and has nothing to do with my topic.

So today we have a brief reintroduction to pre Cold War Russia and Lenin was brought up. I have a question that might be a little off from the Cold War per se, but a good question nonetheless.

Do you think he was a good or bad person? Also a good or bad leader? Why?

Obviously someone liked him if historians never put him on the same plane as Stalin or Mao or Castro and if everyone in Russia went to see his dead body and grieved. Moreover once famously said "As influenctial in life as he was in death."

Short Question: Was Lenin good or bad? As a person AND as a leader.

Empires

This isn't a question it's just a link to a cool animated map of all the European empires throughout history.

http://www.mapsofwar.com/ind/imperial-history.html

Kawabata Palm of the Hand Stories

Kawabata, the author of Palm of the Hand Stories, seems conflicted in his view of the new Western values that were influencing Japan throughout his lifetime? In some ways he seems to embrace Western modernity (feminism, individualism, etc.) but in other ways he seems to criticize Western modernity (capitalism, industrialization, etc.)? Do you think overall Kawabata EMBRACES Western values/modernity or CRITICIZES Western value/modernity?