Geertz Summary

            In the article, “Deep Play: Notes on a Balinese Cockfights,” Geertz remarks on his experience of living with the Balinese, absorbing their culture, and trying to identify the significance of the cockfights that happen so readily there. A remarkable style of writing is implemented that almost appears that if he is crafting a journal entry for a local newspaper; however, it goes so much “deeper” than just that. The entire summary of this article stems from the title, specifically the words “ Deep play,” which branches out to describing the cockfights; he mentions how they take on an art form in an unusual manner that so perfectly describes the unique, and somewhat odd, culture of the Balinese.

            Due to the complexity of this article, it would be silly to try and take everything that Geertz says for face value, behind his well sought out anthropological arguments are “deeper” meanings. Geertz is really trying to strike chords with the reader and get his audience to truly understand what the complex network around the cockfight is truly a symbol. In his case it is a symbol for their culture, even though the society functions on a full 180-degree turn from what goes on with the fights, the connections can be made.

            It is easy to get lost in the complex wording, difficult vocabulary, and what seems like endless footnotes; however, an astute audience can get past all that and realize the message Geertz is convey. The Balinese culture is akin to an art form that is the cockfight, which at first glance seems like an unreasonable correlation, but the correlation does exist. One has to look past the strict guidelines of the day to day social life and analyze the instance where the rules of life fall by the way side and let the art be interpreted “deeply” to understand them, the true point being made by Geertz.

Geertz Quote

" As any art form- for that, finally is what we are dealing with- the cockfight renders ordinary, everyday experience comprehensible by presenting it in terms of acts and objects which have had their practical consequences removed and been reduced ( or, if you prefer, raised) to the level of sheer appearances, where their meaning can be more powerfully articulated and more exactly perceived. the cockfight is "really real" only to the cocks- it does not kill anyone, castrate anyone, reduce anyone to animal status, alter the hierarchal relations among people, nor refashion the hierarchy; it does not even redistribute income in any significant way."

I chose the quotation that I did not for it's complexity, although there is a lot of thought that probably went  into it, but for how it gives a general picture to the audience of everything that goes on in the village and what it truly boils down too. First off, he uses the theory of art, which in this case are the cockfights themselves, to explain why the people of that village are the way they are. The cock fights represent everything that the people embody, or would like to embody, but put it into another reality, the reality that only exists to the "cocks." These fights have no affect on society, because to them the money doesn't matter neither does the humility or victory. After all is said and done, this quote gets down to the fact that the cockfights serve no other purpose than itself, this allows it take on its art form.

Summary

In the article, " Ask Not What Occupy Wall Street Will Do Next; Ask How We Will Change The Status Quo," the author simply tosses back and forth between opinions of how effective Occupy Wall Street really is, and posses a argument of trying to uncover what exactly OWS is. He enjoys Paralleling his arguments with the use of analogies, such as the comparison of the OWS movement to a reality television show or to a brand. He combats those with debating over the level of concreteness of the movement to how much it impacts the nation as a whole, the "status quo."

The author utilizes two analogies separately in the article that when connected out of the scope article complement each other when trying to explain what exactly OWS is. The first analogy makes a statement that OWS is a character on a reality show. Reality Shows are pure entertainment for those watching along. They follow what happens on each episode, pick out there favorite characters, and debate over the previous episode with there friends the next day but they have no effect on "reality," just like the show itself. OWS can also be likened to a brand, such as the ones he mentioned, Nike or Starbucks. You cant argue there existence in the market for they are clearly everywhere. People can have there opinions about the brand and can argue which one is better; however, as the author mentions, because the brand is there no one is arguing over there purpose in society.

After the author makes it clear to the reader that OWS is a "real" thing that is going on, he proceeds to explain the effectiveness of trying to get its voice out there. These type of organizations want change, and they want it quick; however, it is not always the easiest thing. At the beginning they were not taken seriously and the journey since their beginning in Zuccotti park the author mentions that they must fulfill a simple requirement in order to move forward, he puts it as  the resisting of rectification of their "brand."

As of now both OWS and the 1% on Wall Street seem to have developed a co-existence. OWS has come out of the woodworks, made its claims, and have stood steadfast up until the point that they have solidified and no further progress has been established. The author makes an urgent statement to the 99% that they must take a step back and challenge the status quo, for as of now, they are abiding by the line of status quo allowing them to be heard with out really being "heard."

Mutiple Ways of Reading: From Closed Minded to Petrol Head

Strong reading, as defined by the Ways of Reading book, is fairly clear and simple; however, ones interpretation what strong reading is can differ drastically based upon everyones varying ideas. In the book " strong reading" is simply put as the combination of reading the text, then proceeding to think about  what has been just read, and then finally write about it. Throw up what was just taken in onto paper, work it and re-work it in such a fashion that it posses valid ideas and poses thought provoking arguments. In my own words, strong reading is necessitated by a source that requires. Everyone, well mostly everyone, can go read a recipe for PB&J and write their own directions that resemble fairly close to the published recipe.  However, if presented with a paper that was written by pure intelligence and wisdom, it may require just more than simple memorization to fully understand what is being said through out. In order to understand what is presented in that paper, one must give attention to a portion, pause, develop ideas and mull through possible applications about the ideals being set forth. Once this processes has been completed for the entire piece, an argument/assignment may be brought up and the real writing begins. Using all the ammunition gathered from reading strongly, the ideas put down on paper will most clearly resemble something that of higher learning than something of memorization. As with most non-concrete ideas in life, they can be further broken down to reveal new meanings. The same can be held true for strong reading, it can be tailored in such a way that one can read " with the grain" or " against the grain." Cars and the automotive experience is a huge passion in life, a very fulfilling, yet expensive, passion. Over the years I have been a diehard Porsche enthusiast, loving everything from their style of cars to their engineering philosophies, and I still am today; however, because of reading and documentaries, I have learned to love arch rivals, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and BMW. I arrived at this point from making the transition from "reading against the grain" to "reading with the grain," a personal choice after driving several of there cars. Several years ago, I would read articles posted by Ferrari "against the grain," constantly justifying in my head why all there ideas are wrong, there cars look ridiculous, and how Porsche is doing it all right. Recently, I began reading the articles again, but this time "with the grain." It made me realize that if I am a true car enthusiast I must find the soul in all automobiles and appreciate all the marvels that they hold. By making that transition and using the different ways of reading, it allowed me to expand my appreciation of automobiles, I became, in the words of Jeremy Clarkson, a true Petrol Head.