Rhetoric 3371 Questions

Silly me! I started reading and thought, “Oh fun, we’re going to end before the holidays with a nice little Christmas story.” The question is … Why do Christmas lights have to be such a finite object??? That drives me crazy every year too. Maybe I’ll just curl up on the sofa under a nice warm electric blanket and contemplate this dilemma in comfort, my favorite state of being.

I also believe that some of the apparatus of modern comfort is of purely modern invention. We truely choose to live the way we do. I think its interesting how inventions of the past use to be so important but over the ages have become something we overlook and take for granted. (the chair,central heating, indoor plumbing etc.) Huxley writes that the only thing that differenciates a normal chair from a thrown nowadays is the crown. I would like to hear how people interpret the phrase "comfort is now one of the causes of its own further spread. For comfort has now become a physical habit, a fashion, an ideal to be pursued for its own sake." Give some examples in your own life. What are somethings we use today that we do not take for granted? Is there anything we use today that would value discomfort over comfort? It seems like whenever we want to get away from society- we want to revert towards the discomfort side of things. Eg. Camping- "roughing it" is now all about the experience(number of days or weeks) whereas that is how life was all the time in the past

The readings seemed to comment on two overarching reasons for society's obsession with technological advancement: the desire to be infinite and the desire to be comfortable. Personally, I think the desire for comfort is much more pervasive, especially in a capitalistic society like America (and especially at the level of the individual). But maybe becoming infinite, or more powerful, has more sway than I think it does (see: the Cold War). Which of these motivations most significantly contributes to the drive for bigger, better technologies?

On the topic of comfort, it was interesting to see that words written by Huxley in 1927 are still so applicable today. On the other hand, it's scary to realize that he wrote this when the world was supplied with significantly fewer options for comfort. If Huxley thought that comfort was "a little exaggerated" eighty years ago, it's fairly obvious what he would think of today's society. I really liked the last paragraph in that he did not condemn comfort in its own rite, but instead reflected that a certain amount comfort is ideal - that which is conducive to thought. Comfort (a.k.a. the goal of most of our technological advancements) should have a purpose, should be motivated by something outside of itself. When that goal is lost, the process should cease (or at least realign itself). But instead we continue on this trajectory in which we are creating more and more unnecessary technologies that grant us so much power and comfort that they leave us overwhelmed, lost. Or, as Huxley put it, "smothered."

It’s amazing how much life has changed for newer generations. The story Corrections shows this in an interesting way. The older man struggles with the Christmas lights and wants to fix them himself like he used to do. However, he has little luck understanding the new technology and realizes it would probably be much easier to go out and buy a new string of lights. But he resists nonetheless. Newer generations wouldn’t even contemplate such a thing—they go straight to the store and BUY. Commercialism has really changed the way we live. People grow up being bombarded by so many advertisements to “BUY BUY BUY” they know little to nothing else. As well, even simple things such as a string of Christmas lights are often complex in design, so complex that it would be daunting for an average man or woman to figure it out. And things are only meant to last for a certain time—after that, people are supposed to go out and buy new ones. Newer appliances are built quickly and cheaply, and as such usually have a short longevity. Damn commercialism!

The two articles fit together very well, I think. The old man's dillema of fixing the wires or going to buy new lights is one the younger generations would never have. In my opinion, it was a choice of comfort. He was more familiar with a life of hard work and doggedness. He wasn't worried about the comfort of the situation. Much of our generation, as probably most of the next generations, would feel more comfortable just buying new lights, especially the most high-tech ones. I don't think it's any longer about comfort, it's about finding ways to decrease the amount of labor we exert, apparently in order to free our mind. I think it's to numb our mind...

Too funny! I was thinking the exact SAME thing Stephanie was! But as the story went on I quickly realized it was not going to be one of those great Holiday stories that make you all warm and fuzzy inside. But as I was reading through this story the main character reminded me a lot of my dad. He has that same personality that you absolutely cannont just throw something away without fixing it. I think that's why he buys these old beat up cars and fixes them. But my dad also feels the same way about old age. He told me one time that when he was little he use to cry about the fear of getting old and not being able to the things he use to when he was younger. He has also stressed many times that when he becomes too old to walk and chew his own food to just duck tape him to his snowmobile and let him drive off a cliff. Totally morbid, but I do not think he is kidding! So I wonder...is the continuous action of fixing things that are broken a way of keeping busy and young or is it metaphorically soothing in the fact that they would only hope that someone would never just give up on them and "throw them away" if they were "broken."

laziness and fear. two inspiring final readings. interesting to compare though. huxleys talk about comfort is one that speaks to not using our body, to forsake them for the mind. or at least that is the ideal side of comfort. the other kind of speaks about the minds attempt to grapple with the infinite and death and the utter sense of helplessness that it often brings. death brings about the only chance for the big transformation for the "new string of lights" but we have grown attached to the old ones haven't we? for me i saw a comparison between the man wanting to fix the lights and us wanting to fix our bodies to never wear out. we so fear death that we want it to never happen but still the man looks towards it with alittle bit of hope. that might be morbid but it is an interesting idea. we wish for the infinite so much, we wish for that big change so much, that time when we will reach our full potential and the world will be at our whim.

that never happens.

for the man in the story death is the only chance for that. to see that without fear, how do you do that? thats the question i put in the blank.

Corrections made me think about an event this weekend. I used to live in Bolivia and my buddy moved back from there. Well I am leaving to go back there in a week. I didnt want to sell my car and he needed one so he came and picked it up from me. He asked me what type of oil does it take? I had no idea. My response, "whatever kind jiffy lube puts in it." Ive never changed oil in my life because with the way they make cars today it just isnt practical to learn how or do it yourself. I mean, in theory, I would be able to figure it out, but commercialism really does make me just worry about what I do for work and then let everyone else take care of the other services I need. Things are much easier for me in this way. But I know that I have become a less-well-rounded individual because of my reliance on others.

not to say that I totally understood how an inability to fix a string of christmas lights seguis into suicidal tendencies, I can appreciate it. The point is not to fix the bulbs or 'fix' the finiteness of life in contradiction with infinite aspirations, maybe it's better just to understand these problems and not to deny them. I really liked the part of the story where the old man recalls his experience in the North Atlantic. How the sea threatened to pull him down into oblivion, and his sole object the floatation device was his only means to maintain his life. The idea that our technologies keep us alive: affirming our individuality (seperateness from the world) and at the same time feeding into our desires for complete control. In this light, the hopelessness of the old man as he fails to fix the bulbs is the failure of his individuality and the technological promise of that flotation device. His whole method of controlling and manipulating the environment has failed him, and no further application of this method will resolve this problem, maybe the shotgun will do the job after all.

I like comfort. I like bubble baths. When I was younger though, I liked anything having to do with water. So I think if I was living way back when... before the bath... I would have liked swimming in the lakes and puddles as much as I did when I was little in real life, and I would have just grown up liking swimming in the lakes and puddles instead of bubble baths. Frankly, I'm pretty glad we got obsessed with being clean, and I guess I don't mind the assumption that because cleanliness and comfort fit in with my principles and prejudices, political, moral, and religious. With my sparking bubbling clean self it's hard to assume a smelly person without a clue about the technological miracle called deodrant is actually smelly politically, morally, and religiously.

I enjoy Huxley, when he talked about mental labor. I also enjoy mental labor; it is stimulating for me to experience an accomplishment that took very little physical effort but instead a great deal. In fact, it is probably the reason I always look for puzzles and riddles to solve instead of doing homework were I just regurgitate textbook definitions and fake analysis. Is most analysis in class actually thought provoking? I would say no, most answers have already been spoon fed to you in class notes or chapter recaps. I guess my suggestion would be to exercise your noodle, here is a good example of how I waste my time: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/2006/07/3d-logic.html. Only 30 levels, but it can get difficult.

I think Aldous Huxley's best point in his article was that those who cherish comfort find discomfort to be torture. I know I do. If I don't take a shower in the morning it feels like torture, sleeping on the floor=torture, no air conditioning=torture, uncomfortable couch=torture. So often I'm thinking about my own comfort I completely forget to focus on 'mental life'. Huxley says 'Discomfort handicaps thought'...I say dependency on comfort makes everything not as comfortable seem like torture and, therefore, handicaps thought.

Here's something else. I have this friend who comes over to my apartment sometimes, and he immediately lays on my couch, making himself comfortable. I find it difficult to hold a conversation with him as his response time is slower because of his increased comfort level. To combat this I usually take the couch first, and sit upright - forcing him to sit on one of my other uncomfortable chairs. This makes him focus more on the conversation, and therefore makes it a more enjoyable visit for me. But if you find yourself in a social situation where everyone is really comfortable, there probably won't be much conversation...conversation is best when people are sitting semi-uncomfortably.

I also found it interesting how we have a different mentality about buying new and saving, which differs from older generations. I work at a jewelry store, where we encounter both the young and old on a daily basis. There is a difference in the way in which the two decide to buy things. The older generations tend to be more cautious with their money and decisions. Many times they say they need to think about it, or discuss it with their spouses. While I find that younger generations, even people my parents age, don’t need to think about it as much, or consult need their spouses as often. Same goes for the lights in the story. The older man doesn’t want to have to buy new, when he already has something that has the potential to work. I find that interesting that many of us wouldn’t spend an hour let alone probably 15 minutes trying to make the lights work.

I didn’t like that Huxley seemed to be attacking comfort, but of course comfort is not a necessity, that is why it is called comfort. It’s a luxury and I greatly appreciate it, I mean if we have the technology to create comfort in every aspect of our live. Why not? I absolutely love being able to sit here in my comfy bed leaning against my plump down pillows, in my heated house with my music quietly playing. I don’t know if it is just because I am used to comfort but I know that I don’t not like to be uncomfortable, even though I know that I am completely capable of surviving without most of the comforts I have. Comfort makes me a happier person.

i disagree with the comment:
'if the men of the middle ages and early modern epoch lived in filth and discomfort, it was not for any lack of ability to change their mode of life; it was because they chose to live in this way...'
i don't think anyone would want to live in discomfort. there is evidence in ancient cities such as Pompei of running and operating sewer systems. if you have a technology to make life more comfortable, you will use it. i do, however, agree with the quote 'to those who have known comfort, discomfort is torture.' although i may not have used a word as intense as torture. it is good to step outside of your comfort zones at times. people don't do that often enough, and it leads to close mindedness. comfort is nice, but discomfort is life. i know many in this class would probably say they are fine with sleeping all day and doing nothing, but after a while that will become pretty stale. everyone needs a challenge, and challenges oftentimes go hand in hand with discomfort. doesn't it feel good to accomplish a goal where you were uncomfortable to begin with? stepping outside of your boundaries is usually worth it.

"Discomfort handicaps thought” I feel like that's what I am going through right now. It's late and I do not feel too comfortable. As a result I feel handicapped in my thoughts so I apologize if the rest of my post doesn't make sense. This seems to happen a lot when I try and study. I get uncomfortable and I am not able to focus until there is a sense of comfort. It makes sense that comfort is a major goal of many technologies. Humans desire comfort in so many parts of life like in relationships, finances, homes, and clothes. I also agree with the statement "To those who have known comfort, discomfort is a real torture." It reminds me of the song with the chorus “you don't know what you got till it's gone.” However, concerning the statement "The more comfort is brought into the world, the more it is likely to be valued," isn't the opposite true? I feel that many times a new technology is brought into the world, like air conditioning for example, it and transitions from a luxury to a common item. The technology is greatly appreciated because it greatly increases comfort, but then over time that same technology while still "necessary" is not seen as a luxury and is no longer comfortable but merely just a part of life. However, if that technology was gone it would create discomfort, a real torture.

When Huxley stated, “It [comfort] facilitates mental life,” I began to think how today’s technologies have simplified our mental abilities. Take for instance the calculator, this device has handicapped some people to solve problems that probably would not have been that difficult to past generations who did not have the calculator. I know, that I myself have used a calculator during times when I knew that I could very well solve the problem on my own, but I was unwilling to spare an extra few minutes. I totally agree with Huxley’s position on how we will eventually become totally reliant on comfort because, we are already are. Another example of mental handicap is the use of Microsoft Word. Now when I write papers, I rely on this program to fix spelling errors, point out grammar mistakes, and even Auto Correct words that I have spelled incorrectly. Things are becoming too easy. Perhaps, the earth has already turned into a vast featherbed, and we just don’t want to accept it.

What we're comfortable with today is very different from what older generations were. My mom, for example, grew up in England during WWII, and food was rationed. She was one of 10 kids and there was one bicycle for them to share, and they fit as many kids in a bed as was possible. That waste-not want-not mindset carried over into her adulthood in the states, and like the man in our reading, she didn't want to replace anything if she didn't absolutley have to. But she always talked about her life growing up with a soft smile. I think that because they weren't preoccupied with having the latest and greatest in electronics and home furnishings they were able to enjoy the things that really make happiness.

Comfort today is valued more than ever before, and will continue to become more valued. With technologies such as, the television, cell phones and the Internet for some it is difficult to feel or be comfortable without them. I believe our society has a comfortable dependency on technology and won’t let go. Technology is important to us, and is what makes some of us comfortable. Personally, when I would like to be comfortable I would rather escape to a deserted island and find myself with out any technology, than to have to worry and expect myself to depend on technology to make myself comfortable. I believe that true comfort is imbedded in our experiences and relationships no matter if technology is old, new, or even a part of them at all.

The readings made me think of a question which I often contemplate while driving tractors of milking cows which take little thought in themselves. Why do we throw stuff away rather than fixing it? I really hate how wasteful our society is nowadays. If something breaks rather than fix it or even try to figure out what is wrong with it we just toss it out and buy a new one. This relates to comforts in many ways because often those things that break which we replace are purely used for comfort reasons. I think about things as simple as a hair dryer. It is for comfort that we own it no one really needs a hair dryer it will dry on its own. If the cord breaks rather than replace the cord people will throw away the whole dryer. To me this kind of thinking is stupid so I fix everything no matter how small. Maybe the reason is that most people don’t have any clue how to fix stuff anymore which is more troubling to me than the idea that they just don’t have time to do so.

What was the question?

Like a tangled mess of twinkle lights, this course brought us into the depths of technology in all aspects. We began with Dr. Frankenstein bringing life to a stitched-up corpse and ended with the proverbial twinkle light massacre.

There is sooooooo much technology in the world now. Growth and advancement isn't linear--it's algorithmic. The more we progress the faster we progress. And as Alfred contemplated while unpacking twinkle lights, it can all end with a bang.

In several shows that I have staged, we used hundreds, if not thousands, of twinkle lights as set adornment. An outdoor theatre, our crew quickly learned that squirrels love technology, too. They love to chew through plastic wires, leaving a dead string for us to repair the next night.

I was awarded the Squirrel Hunter Award that summer.

It is just amazing how much life and technology has changed even through the course of our lifetimes. This frequent and constant change has definitly caused differences in generations creating a generation gap. Like in the story with the christmas lights as most people have commented on. I would never take the time to figure out where the problem was, but the older generation who have been taught to wast nothing would try to fix the problem rather than wasting the lights and buying new ones. Will the generation gap continue to increase as technology increases? Or will there be decrease in the gap? We have so much technology today and many of us are so well versed in it that I find it hard to believe that our generation will have troubles with future technology. It seems as though their wont really be any brand new inventions but only new technology based on old technology. Therefore, if you know the base of it expanding your knowledge to adapt shouldnt be that hard right? I guess we will wait and see.

Correction to my above post, I used the wrong term:

Growth and advancement isn't linear--it's exponential.

Modern technology and comfort seems to be taken advantage of in the American society. We do not realize what we have until it is no longer there for us. I believe if we did not have our comfortable couches and easily accessible technology we would not be able to adapt very well because we have already become too accustomed to these things.

My Parents always tell me that I could never visit our native country without staying in a hotel in the city because I would not survive. For some of my relatives that do not live in the city, their way of life is completely different from mine. They do not have internet access or the luxury of having a long, hot shower. I honestly do not think I could survive in this type of environment because I have become so used to the American way of life.

“Comfort”

Comfort sums up our society’s nature. We are continually searching for ways to make our lives easier. And why not? If there is a task we find tedious, why not try to find someone, or better, something else to do it? I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing. Sure, there are some things that get taken to extremes (absolute laziness) but the craving for an easier life often spurs on technological advances and allows more time to be unlocked. This new time could be used for a more purposeful cause. I believe this “comfort factor” we have all grown up with is taken for granted but if anything ever fails we immediately find ways to remedy the situation.

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