The Machine is Us!

Wow! The Youtube video of "Michael Wesch: The Machine is Us/ing Us" was amazing! I really had to stay focused to watch everything. The production of the video was fast moving. A few times, I had to stop and blink my eyes because there was so much information. I thought I wouldn't be able to keep up. There were a few times I paused and had to go back to watch it.

I liked how he started with pencil and writing, then erasing what he wrote. The images quickly changed to more of a digital format that we are use to seeing on computers. He talked about the creation of HTML then XML. He showed how they both changed how information was sent and received. The new format made it more user friendly for people to search and share ideas over the internet. Texting, Youtube and flicker were also mentioned as ways people communicate today.

I enjoyed how he brought us into his world by quickly changing words and images. This made me have to process what I saw very quickly. But, it made me realize how quickly I had to take what I saw as fact. It was only when I finished watching that I could sit and process all of it.

I think the most important part of the video was the caption of "who will organized this data". For me, it brought it back to people. People or "users" are the ones who will not only organize but more importantly create what we see on the internet and the world around us. He says that we teach the machine what we want it to know. In effect, we are teaching each other how to communicate faster and in a language we can all follow. But, he says we need to rethink a few things such as copyright, authorship, ethics, love, family and ourselves. I couldn't agree more with this statement because we are moving so fast with new technology that I have to wonder if we ever stop and ask ourselves if it's a positive thing for our lives. Do we ever stop and question if it's right?

Look At Me!

After watching the Vlog on Youtube, I was hit with the idea that people show the world how they want the world to look at them. Without knowing it, people have been actors in their own movie. They write their own script and then film themselves until they feel they've gotten it right.

I've done some commercial and print work and it always cracks me up that I've been cast as an architect, computer technician and even a doctor! I'm far from those occupations, but because I look a certain way, I can pass as those people. When I look at print ads or commercials on television, I look at them with more skepticism because 9 times out 10 those "real" people are actors.

I enjoyed that the Vlog discussed the idea of wearing a mask. I know that my school and work persona is different. I am able to change masks depending on the situation and not even know it. I think that the invention of Youtube was just an extension of what people were already feeling. It gives them the opportunity to voice what there feeling without the risk of getting feedback from a "receiver". The only feedback would be if there were comments posted. But, that is not as risky as being face to face with someone. In a way, this may help the person feel more connected with others without risking being embarrassed or laughed at. In addition, we are able to edit ourselves the way we want to be seen. But, is this real or are we just building something that is make-believe?

Feeling Together but Really Alone

After reading The Medium is the Massage, I was struck with the idea about how our lives are affected by the continuous invention of technology. I can remember playing cassette tapes and thinking this was the greatest invention. I could listen to music when I wanted to and as many times as I chose. Today, I have my Ipod to turn to. It has a selection of music, movies, and videos that I've chosen to listen to. I wouldn't have dreamed this technology would ever happen. In fact, when the Ipod first came out, it was a "WOW!" feeling for me. Here was a new technology made to bring people together. I can remember talking with friends about which one they were getting. But, I've observed that in our attempt to come together, we've gotten more separate. Our lives have taken on a world that has lost it's social aspect and gotten more individual. Closing out the world around and putting on your earbuds is not an uncommon sight today. It makes me wonder if we have really decided, by our own will, if the music, television and news, that we look at, is by our own choice? Or are we being bombarded and affected by outside forces that we arent' even aware of?

When comparing this to the Vlog on Youtube, they share a common idea that although technology has made us more communicative with each other, it has also made us more closed off. The Vlog stated that we all wear a mask on Youtube. How different is that from real life? We show people what we want them to see. Youtube has offered individuals the chance to voice their opinion on the internet. They can wear and say what they want. There isn't the risk of showing your true colors on the internet. If you show a person you want your viewers to see and are criticized, you won't be offended because it's not really you. On the other hand, I've seen videos of people where they use it to create characters of themselves. They become the stars of their own Youtube shows. Once news gets out that it's a must-see, then the video begins it's ascent up the popularity chart and the person becomes a celebrity.

Another point from Medium is the Massage is the idea of who your family is. When he talks about it, he says, "The family circle has widened. The worldpool of information fathered by electric media--movies, Telstar, flight-- far surpasses any possible influence mom and dad can now bring to bear. Character no longer is shaped by only two earnest, fumbling experts. Now all the world's a sage". With Youtube, brave individuals can post stories about there lives for the world to see. They can get feedback about how they're doing and begin to build a network of followers. But, I have to wonder if this new found "family" is really a substitute for people to building face-to-face relationships? Furthermore, he says the world is a sage. Can we truly turn to the new media as our source for philosophical and spiritual guidance?

Stay tuned...

In Search of Perfection

The movie I watched was the Stepford Wives starring Nicole Kidman and Matthew Broderick. The theme of the movie was control. Specifically control of the women in the town of Stepford. What struck me the most was that there were some parallels in the life that we live in. Do we really live in a "perfect" world. If so, who created it? Did we? Or did we have someone else tell us that our lives are perfect if we drive the right car, live in the right neighborhood or even have the perfect partner for life?

I believe that living in the perfect world is a world that we create it to be. But, we must be resilient enough to withstand the hard times when things don't always go our way. When we live the life we want to, I think we are filled with a purpose that no one else can understand. In the movie, the perfect world was created by the men of Stepford. They believed that they could create a world where their wives were perfect. They would cook, clean and wait on them hand and foot. I don't think the men really got the perfection they desired. What they really wanted was to feel in control and worthy of their wives. In creating the perfect mate, the men only created the weaknesses of their own lives. Since they couldn't be perfect on the inside, they wanted a world that was perfect on the outside. In doing so, they were living a fantasy that would eventually end up badly. It is only when we look inside ourselves that we face who we are completely. All the good and the bad. The perfect traits and the imperfections of our character are the things we have to live with.

I know for myself, my life has had it's challenges. The movie was interesting to compare it to my own adventures in this world. I've tried to build my life the way I wanted it and to be as perfect as possible. Yet, in doing so, it's my drive to succeed that has made me who I am today. I wonder if I'm trying to find perfection only to find that perfection is really all my imperfections.

In Search of Truth

Education isn't what some people declare it to be, namely, putting

knowledge into souls that lack it, like putting sight into blind eyes.. . .

Education takes for granted that sight is there but that it isn't turned the

right way or where it ought to look, and it tries to redirect it appropriately.

I love this statement from Plato's Cave. I just read John Patridge's essay "Plato's Cave and the Matrix". He compares the 2 stories about life and the need to seek out knowledge.

He begins by saying we must have a "healthy" soul to receive and absorb knowledge. But, he states that in our quest, we our sometimes deceived by ourselves. We sometimes see things the way we want to see them. In many cases, we aren't really "healthy" by any means. But, I think there is a constant battle to question what is truth and what is not. In the Matrix, Neo was faced with that same fact. What world he knew wasn't "real". In this case, I would say his mind wasn't "healthy". I know in my life, I have been faced with "truths" I later found we're "not-truths" at all. I know in my life as a yoga teacher, I am constantly seeking what is true and what isn't. Yoga is about being present in the moment. I always have to stop and ask myself what I really "see". He also states that we are prisoners in our own mind. We create this world in our heads only to know the truth when it is materialized in front of us. Only then can we believe that something is a fact. Otherwise, we can make things up that we want to believe are truths for us. He compares the sun to knowledge. The knowledge outside the cave. I like he compared this because it hints at the idea that we have to get out of our "cave" to see what's out there in the world. For most of us, it's knowledge we seek. But, with this knowledge, we can either use it, be scared of it, or ignore it.

The next thing he writes about is the 2 worlds of the Matrix and the Cave's interior. He says that there are some similarities but, the one thing that stands out in both is your physical body. I thought this was an interesting focus because he mentions how in our attempt to seek knowledge, it's only until we master what's in our mind do we master it in our body. Plato and the Matrix play back and forth with the idea of what is real and what isn't. It's only when we attain self-knowledge that we understand not only ourselves better, but the world around us. It is the truths that are already in us that we need to tap into to realize what is true for us! I know as a Spinning Instructor, I've had to train my body very hard. It wasn't until I repeated a drill many times that I finally got it in my head. It was only then that I could say that I've mastered something.

The last thing he writes about is the idea of something being "out of place". We know and sense that something isn't right in our lives. Both Neo and the Cave dwellers have this innate need to seek out something. Something out there that will make things right. They have an idea what it is. But, it isn't in front of their face and there is some apprehension to get it. In a way, the Cave dwellers are imprisoned. Neo was imprisoned and got out! But, I wonder if what he's trying to say is that we are all trying to get out of our heads? If we free our minds, can we be free? Both yoga and Spinning our things that I have found have freed my mind so that my mind can be free to see the world more clearly. For me, it isn't that things are out of place. It's something more that I strive to be a better teacher for my classes. Through the years, I know when something is "out of place" and can quickly correct it.

Finding Neo

I just finished watching The Matrix. There were some similarities in Plato's "Cave". Among them include a search for truth and the obstacles one must face when seeking knowledge. I love the question of "What is the Matrix?" The response was "The answer is out there, if you want it to."

It made me reflect about my life and what truth I'm looking for. I seek truth in so many ways. First, family is important. Without it, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I felt that Neo's new family was there for him. Because the future was not real. Neo never really had a family. What family he knew, was make-believe. Second, friends are few and far between. Who I've surrounded myself with is a reflection of who I am. Neo's friends were on a path to save the world. They never doubted who he was. Even though there were times that he didn't believe it, Morpheus was there to back him up. Good friends are always there for you when you need it. Lastly, speaking my truth is important to me. I think Neo knew that he was destined for something great. But, he didn't know how or what he would become. I see not only myself as someone who seeks to be better in life. But, I see the potential in others around me. I think Neo was someone who stayed true to who he was. In doing so, he was able to do great things.

Seeking knowledge was a theme in Plato's "Cave" and also in The Matrix. Neo had no idea who he was. He had the desire to find out what the Matrix was. But, he didn't know the risk or danger in finding out that knowledge. I think in many ways, we continue to seek out knowledge that we are curious about or have some urge to learn. In my life, I've been an observer of people and events. I have never thought about the danger or risk involved. But, I have used caution when faced with big decisions in my life. School was one of those decisions. Questions like "Would I succeed?" or "Why am I doing this?" I think all students have gone through some sort of questioning in their mind. For some, it's an easy decision. No risk involved. For others, there is a lot of risk. When I watched the Matrix, it brought up things in my life that I've pushed through and succeeded. I've always wanted to seek out more knowledge to challenge my mind. I think Neo was a perfect hero to remind us that when we seek more knowledge, we help not only ourselves but others even if there is a risk.

Overall, I enjoyed watching The Matrix. It's been awhile since I've seen the movie. This time, I watched with new eyes. In a lot of ways, I can say with more "mature" eyes. I liked that it reminded me not to give up when I'm faced with a challenge. Neo didn't give up! He took a risk to discover his truth. More importantly, he continued to seek out more knowledge which made him stronger!

Seeking Knowledge in the Cave of Life

I just finished reading Plato's "The Allegory of the Cave". Plato writes about people living in a cave and the view of the world they have. He ventures to say that only when someone comes out of the cave, does that person see the truth in life. Truth may be a word that doesn't signify right or wrong. But, it does emphasize the idea that when one explores his/her world from a different view point does that person see things differently. It can also be said that the person gains some knowledge that others who remain in the cave never acquire. I found the reading very enlightening and thought about how my life was similar to the story. I consider myself an observer of life when it comes to my job as a yoga and spinning(indoor cycling) teacher and I continue to seek out knowledge to make my craft even better. Plato's Cave can be compared to seeking more knowledge to better oneself.

Being a yoga teacher has been a journey of my spirit and soul. I began teaching as a way to get my body relaxed and flexible about 15 years ago. At that time, all I knew about yoga was that it was something that could help you achieve a greater level of physical being. After my first class, I was so invigorated that I felt I had to learn more about this thing called yoga. I purchased a yoga book and started to read about the various poses. The biggest challenge was pronouncing the poses in Sanskrit. To make my yoga knowledge increase, I began to seek out teachers I felt who were leaders in the yoga world. What struck me most was that they were all so different. How could this be? If yoga was suppose to help you find inner peace, how could all these teachers be completely different. At that moment, I realized that there were different yoga styles, teachers, and approaches. Every time I would learn something I felt empowered. I felt as if something was leading me to more knowledge. I decided I needed to find a teacher training program. It's important to point out here that I'm a firm believer in asking the universe for help. It came to my knowledge that one of the gyms I worked for was offering a teacher training program and I was going to be offered a scholarship to do it! I was very excited to embark on this new journey. With open eyes and an eagerness to improve, I dove right into a 6 month teacher training program. Little did I know how much work it would be. But, I learned so much from the classes that I was so eager to share my knowledge. Every class I would take notes and take 1 thing back to the classes that I was teaching. From a new cue to a new pose, I was driven to learn and apply my knowledge to my classes. I finished the program and came away a different teacher, person and student. I found that it was my craving for more knowledge that drove me to learn more that I knew. I believe that when we seek out knowledge, it is there when we need it. By going through this program, I saw my teaching with new eyes.

My spinning(indoor cycling) career began like most instructors do. The gym I worked at was offering a certification for their instructors. At that time, spinning was a brand new exercise in the fitness industry. There weren't a lot of gyms offering this program and the gym I worked at was eager to jump on this new venture. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Here was a stationary bike that was used to help people exercise and simulate an outdoor bicycle ride. I thought this was a crazy idea. But, it made sense and I was willing to try it out. When I got on the bike I was apprehensive because it was uncomfortable, awkward and there were rules. As the wheel of the bike turned, I quickly realized the excitement of what this could do to people's lives. Here was a piece of equipment that offered cardiovascular benefits that nothing before it could. Plus, I could motivate people with music and a program that people could follow. I began teaching for my gym and my classes began to sell out. They had to start a sign up sheet and a waiting list. Sometimes there were fights over bikes. Once, I had to give up my bike for someone because we ran out of bikes. At that time, I craved even more knowledge. I wanted to know why some people had an easier time standing on the bike than others. Also, how does the heart rate get affected during longer rides. These questions and more filled my head. I decided to make my classes the best in the city and started to research other certifications. I wanted to learn everything I could about spinning. Little did I know that introduction class would lead me to 5 more certifications and I now work for one of the top fitness companies teaching their indoor cycling program across the United States. Again, I think that my drive to discover more knowledge has made me a better instructor and has allowed me to acquire skills that others may not have.