Weekly Response 4

Levester­­ Williams

ADP III: Technology and Environment

October 3, 2009

Milk It, Baby!

Fragments of nature have been imbued within our speech in the form of idiomatic expressions. Each expression has its own connotation and denotation within our culture by designating each expression to fit a particular situation in our lives. Within the realm of nature, we express ourselves clearly. The idiomatic expressions that I chose are sub rosa, which is Latin for “under the rose,” and cum grano salis, which is Latin for “with a grain of salt."

The Latin idiom sub rosa means confidentiality in our terms. Before I researched its origin, I thought this phrase was place in a context where corruption could be found. Since roses have thorns under the petals, I falsely conceived that “under the rose” specifically meant to keep a corrupted act a secret. In great literature such as classics by William Shakespeare’s Hamlet where Denmark is stated to be “an unweeded garden / That grows to seed” (Shakespeare 11), thorns are associated with corruption.

Actually, in Egypt, the rose is the emblem that is associated with the ancient Egyptian god Horus, the god of silence. The Greeks adopted the Egyptian god and called him Harpocrates. With a misinterpretation of the posture of the god’s statue, the Greeks incorporated the expression “sub rosa” to correspond to the statue holding its one finger up to its lips, as if to declare “secrecy”, but in actuality it is sucking its finger. Therefore, the Greeks incorporate it into their mythology by exclaiming that Cupid, the son of Aphrodite, gives a rose to Harpocrates as gratitude for upholding a secret from Aphrodite. The roses adorn the ceilings of the forum of the Greek council’s rendezvous and discuss in “secrecy.” Also, in the Roman banquet, roses adorned the ceilings as to apprise all that what is spoken sub wino, Latin for “under the [influence of] wine,” is sub rosa (“SubRosa”). The meaning of sub rosa has not been changed over time.

The Latin idiom cum grano salis means to accept things while being alert of its genuineness, “to take [something] with a grain of salt.” However, this expression is transmuted over the ages since it original context is actually to take salt to facilitate the consumption of something. I speculated that this phrase derives from Colonial times where blacks were slaves. I assumed they added much salt to their food since whites gave only the “detestable” parts of an animal to the slaves; therefore, slaves heavily salted the meat being skeptical about it taste. In actuality, the phrase originally derives from Pliny’s Natural Historia where a grain of salt is added to a recipe to consume the antidote to negate the effects of all poison. The meaning of cum grano salis probably changed since our culinary aspect has changed dramatically. Our variety of food has changed since we are in a country where new food items are being introduced. Being a preservative and having the ability to brng forth taste, salt add much favor to a bland food. Therefore, people may be skeptical about eating a food, so they might add a “grain of salt” due to skepticism, not facilitation as in its origin ("Take").

Works Cited

"SubRosa Magick - Origin of Sub Rosa." SubRosa Magick - Join Us Under the rose! Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .

"Take with a grain of salt." The meanings and origins of sayings and phrases http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/take-with-a-grain-of-salt.html. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .

William, Shakespeare,. Hamlet. New York: Dover Publications, 1992. Print.

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Response 3

It is difficult to comprehend where the items I own originate.  There is a certain ignorance that goes along with not coming to terms with how we get various products.  I feel as though if more people were aware of where electricity comes from or where we are really getting our fruit from, we would be able to change environmental, production, and pollution issues.  The main problem is the fact that we purchase goods that are from across the world.  Not only is this impractical, but it is creating unnecessary pollution.  It does not make sense to buy foods that were grown South America.  We do not know where they come from or even what these foods are being grown in. 

As Leopold points out “there are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm.  One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace” (Leopold 6).  Of course it would be a great idea for our food to all be grown locally, to have clothing made by the community, and electricity generated through alternative power sources.  This would also, in turn, help the economy of the local community.  There would really only be positive outcomes through practice of this simple concept.  However, there would have to be drastic changes in how the nation imports and exports materials.  As well as vastly change the basic outline of the economy.  Therefore, Leopold’s statement is definitely relevant to today’s world.  The only concept that I would disagree with is the fact that everyone should own a farm.  If we were to grow everything locally I do not think that it would be necessary for every household to have a farm.  Just certain people in the community should take care of produce. 

In my life I can honestly say I know very little information as far as where my clothes, food, heat, and energy sources originate.  It is difficult to even the way I go about purchasing items.  I have very little resources to be able to buy my food locally or have an alternative energy source for my home. The only way to truly make an difference is to have the government make these drastic changes.  As I like the idea of leading an agricultural life, I do not know if it will ever 

WR Prompt #4: Milk it, Baby!

Yes, yes I DO want you to get the most out of this class, out of college, out of life in general... BUT... That's not what this post is about.

This week's prompt is a little different. Consider the common expression "milk (something) for what it's worth"/ "She's milking this situation"/ "Go for it baby, milk it!"

Our contemporary speech is littered with verbal phrases/ metaphors/ parables etc. whose roots are agrarian and yet we use them in non-farm-related contexts.

Your assignment is:

1. Find 2 idiomatic expressions whose origin is in agriculture ("don't count your chickens til they're hatched") OR that has a relationship to the environment (to "turn over a new leaf"). My hope is that you will come upon these in your everyday life. You'll find that to find TWO is actually a piece of cake. The trick is in #2:

2. You are not allowed to repeat someone else's phrases. Check the blog before you post. I'll be making a list so that we can all "reap the benefits" of a concerted effort. This is both to see what you are able to come up with as well as an incentive not to procrastinate; the "early bird" will have it easy.

3. Once you have your two expressions, restate in your OWN WORDS what you think they meant when they came about (imagine in what context they were used- Ask yourself Who, What, When, Where, Why and How).

4. Do some research (wikapedia is fine) to verify your speculation (#3). You might be surprised at the origin of certain sayings. For ex."Come Hell or high water" comes from cattle ranching, in particular "the driving of cattle to railheads in the mid West in the latter part of the nineteenth century. In 1939 Paul Wellman published a book with the title Trampling Herd: the Story of the Cattle Range in America in which he wrote: “ ‘In spite of hell and high water’ is a legacy of the cattle trail when the cowboys drove their horn-spiked masses of longhorns through high water at every river and continuous hell between.” (http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-com1.htm)

4. Put them in the context of today's use. Discuss how it differs (if at all) from its source. Give your reasons for why you think the expression caught on in vernacular setting and why/ how the meaning evolved.

These instructions may seem long, but the ultimate result will be fairly quick compared to other weeks. As you all have already started seeing differently (i.e. thinking about your role in relationship to global systems, noticing what you previously overlooked, etc.), now I'm asking you to listen carefully to what you and others say. Our cultural heritage is rich in remnants of our past and they are not only important to informing our future choices but in teaching us to pay attention to our roots.

ps. (as if this wasn't long enough) I just wanted to mention that I'll add bonus points to anyone who surpasses the minimum requirement of coming up with 2 idioms or who comes up with idiomatic expressions from other languages (with the corresponding translation and cultural explanation, of course) -Reed

World changing response 3

Its very interesting that “living in a compact space” is very desirable these days. It may have to do with the fact that our economy, which seems to be spiraling downwards faster and faster by the second: forcing people into smaller dwellings. Or it could be the new fascination with a smaller, more intimate living environment. In the section “Living Well in a Compact Space” there is a sub-category called “Convertible Kitchenettes”. This particular section somehow stuck out to me. I believe that this idea is both positive and negative. Although this idea may in fact help consolidate and make a smaller area more livable by conserving space and keeping things more organized. It is also interesting to note that this idea/design also confuses me somewhat. I find that this design sort of eliminates the idea of having separate areas in the home designated for relaxation, and a “kitchen”, where “housework” seems to be the main activity associated with that area. When does trying to make life easier and more convenient end? When can we as a people take what we have and make the best of it (small homes included), without trying to destroy the simple functions and ideas that we are already so accustomed to?  Why can’t we just keep certain things separate? Consolidation and the ideas that most designs these days are intended for the use of multi-tasking are the two reasons that I believe  to contribute to making out society lazy, and less appreciative of life itself. 

Respone 2

            As I look back on the past twenty years, I realize how much has changed and advanced, as far as technology, in my lifetime alone.  It is difficult to say what we need compared to what we want.  One night a few weeks ago my friends and I realized how attached we are to our cell phones and claimed we could not live without them.  Then I began to wonder, well, the only reason we feel as though we would be lost without our phones and technology is because we have made these advances.  If objects such as phones, the internet, portable computers, would have never existed we would be perfectly fine.  We only think we need these things because someone told us we need them.  Then we considered the fact that the world has become accessible through a screen.  These screens now tell us where to go and what to do through e-mails, as well as provide us with information that we never even imagined existed.  It is easy to see the benefits of technology; it improves efficiency and creates a simple way to communicate with one another.  This poses a few questions.  Is it worth it to have the world at our fingertips?  Is this really making us happy or helping us live better?  If I really think about it, in some cases, it closes doors of communication and relationships.  Humanity no longer has to speak face to face, we can just write to each other instantaneously, never having to make actual human contact.  All technology is really doing is creating a barrier between the human race and the natural world.  Do we really want to become creatures that stair at screens all day instead of understand the benefits and quality of life?

            People who sit there and claim that we do not need the natural world in order to survive and lead happy lives, does not understand that technology would not be able to work without our environment.  Technology works because of chemicals and energy.  The two are actually closely linked together but vastly drag us farther apart from nature.  When I think about some of my fondest memories growing up, I begin to realize that most of them took place in a very natural world.  In high school my friends and I typically did not have a place to hang out at night.  There were forests all around us.  We created a sitting spot next to a river and a large oak tree branch that stretched over the path.  It created an environment with no rules or barriers.  It was the only place we could call our own.  Another creation of ours was a tree house.  My guy friends took the time to construct a full fledged tree house in the middle of a forest.  At night we would all sit up in the trees and sing songs around a bonfire.  Looking back, I remember we eventually had to take that tree house down.  The police saw it in the winter after the trees lost their leaves, and they told us it was against the law to just construct things in the middle of a forest.  To this day, I am not certain I understand what we were necessarily doing wrong.  Sometimes I go back to these places and it reminds me of some of the happiest times of my life.  There are people that hike, love mountain climbing, and taking vacations through national parks.  I am the opposite; I like amusement parks and visiting large cities.  In no way am I claiming that I love to be outside, most of the time I would prefer to sit inside and talk on my computer.  I know I have become a victim of this technological revolution, however, I still believe it is important for everyone to understand the beauty, mystery, and connection we have with the natural world.

The above image is from freshman year of high school.  This photograph was taken on the bridge in knock Knolls Park back home.  I still spend a lot of time here.  This past summer I went there about five times.  I chose this image because it best represents my favorite place to be outside.  There are so many memories at this park and so many experiences I have enjoyed with the people I truly care about.  I thank the natural world for giving me a place I could call home while the rest of the world closed their doors to teenagers who were always "up to no good."  

Weekly Response 3

Levester Williams

ADP III: Technology and Environment

You, Spirituality, and the Global System

With a plethora of information that transpires through our eyes every day from huge corporations, we consumers are focused on finding the “perfect” products that will fit our frivolous lifestyles. Most of us are not thinking about where the products come from, unless there is a recent recall on a certain products. Our focus is on buying cheap products, specifically food, and top name –brand products. Our ignorance is being decisive without being informed about the products beyond its advertised quality: “most environmental mistakes are due, not to some inherent baseness in human nature, but to ignorance” (Leopold xxi). However, the continuous occurrence of advertisements hinders the manifestation of informed decision to come to the consumers.

Having first hand-experience of actually making the product or being apprised of the products’ origin would widen our perception to its manufacturing and allow us to make a better consumer choice. Leopold states that there are “two spiritual dangers of not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace” (Leopold 6). This is just a metaphorical statement that asserts that, if we humans are not actually producing the products we consume, we are less likely to not know the cycle of a product beyond its purchase at a local or large retailer. He even mentioned to plant a garden, so you are able to dissipate the illusion from the “grocer” and recognize the importance of conserving nature (Leopold 6).

As mentioned before, we consumers are mainly concerned with the price of the product and its quality for us, not its possible detrimental effects on nature: “most of us dwell in the blissful ignorance of partial knowledge” (Steffen 402). Similarly, the actual supply of energy is no concern to us. This perception makes us as stagnant against discovering the burgeoning environmental issues and resolving them. Also, since nature is actually our life support, not technology, nature is able to be equated with our spirit. Without it we would not be alive just as we need our “spirit” to be in us.

Danger arises from not being informed about our products since corporations have the power to abuse the land by manipulating it with hardly any constraints. I must contextualize the products I buy into environmental issues since it has a global effect. Before that, I must be aware from the places that my things come from and the energy that I am consuming. This enables me to ensure that I make smart decision to save nature.

Works Cited

Leopold, Aldo. Sand County Almanac, and Sketches Here and There. New York: Oxford UP, 1987. Print.

Steffen, Alex, ed. Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st century. New York: Abrams, 2006. Print.

Response #3

Sarah Pearson

 

In 1949 global problems were not as large of a concern as they are today. People weren’t as aware of how much damage was being done to the earth. On the other hand I believe that people were more aware at that time of what they were consuming and where products/ food they purchased came from. I feel that people are ignorant today and literally do not care where their food comes from or where products are made.  People are more concerned with money and having more of everything. I think this ties into the concept of “there are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace” (Leopold 6). This doesn’t mean literally owning a farm, rather I think it serves as an awareness for how things are provided for us and the processes and systems that allows everyday life to flow smoothly in our society. I think the word spiritual is used in the sense that we should be less concerned with material things and we should be thinking about issues outside our own lives. One definition for “spiritual” says “1.relating to, or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.” Meaning if people were more aware of what was going on in the world and how the material things that we have our hurting the planet; maybe our planet wouldn’t be going through so many drastic changes.

 

Sources:

wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

 

Leopold, Aldo. Sand County Almanac, and Sketches Here and There. New York: Oxford UP, 1949.