Jacques Derrida.

     I am definitely sometimes afraid to write, but most certainly in a different way than Jacques Derrida is. Derrida takes writing a lot more seriously than I do. I think this is because he is a writer, and I am not. I'm afraid to write because since I don't see myself as a writer, I'm not very confident with my writing, especially when it comes to creative writing. I don't really fear writing essays, as long as I know exactly what I'm writing. I'm scared to write because I don't always think I'm persuasive enough, or organize my thoughts in a correct manner. Then I feel like my writing is all over the place and I panic. This usually happens during the quizzes we have in class. But there's really nothing I can do if I have a time limit, right? So, I have to be a tough cookie and just deal with it. Hopefully I'll end up preventing this fear of writing after I complete this course.

You can view a video of Mr. Derrida here.

John Wideman.

I wasn't sure what or how to post this. Throughout my experience I kind of just wrote down what I was thinking (almost like a stream of consciousness), so that's what I am going to type. Here goes nothing.

I wish this lady introducing this special moment wouldn't speak so rapidly and at such a low volume. I also wish I knew more of Mr. Wideman, or read a work of his. Wideman just stated that storytelling is being alive-- it's a deep telling of the human heart incompetent with itself. Wow, he's funny! And genuine, from what I see/hear. He looks SO scholarly, playing with his glasses in his suit.
     Woah. This is pretty cool. I've never really seen a big author in person before. Could you imagine if I loved his writing like I love...I don't know...J.K. Rowling's writing? This would be SICK. Awesome.
Aw, I like the advice he just gave. He pretty much just stated, "Don't short hand teaching. Find something to do that excites you. Forget about the money. Teaching is a great job." He recommends teaching. Or to write I do not think I will ever write as a career, but teaching is a possibility.
     Oh my gosh, he's reading a work in progress, this is cool! I get to hear part of a book that isn't even published yet! HA!
     While observing John Wideman and listening to him, it reminded me of the short essay we read for class, When Writers Speak. I thought it was interesting because obviously Wideman is a well-known author, and I think he's great at public speaking or speaking out loud at all, opposite of the author of When Writers Speak.
Mr. Wideman's hands seem like they're shaking, and yet his voice is so calm. His work-in-progress is both fiction and nonfiction I believe he said. While he's reading he seems as if he is reminiscing. Oh look, his hands stopped shaking...wow, he is so comfortable now. You can just tell. He's currently lost in his own writing.
Oh no, I'm getting uninterested. I'm having trouble focusing and trying hard to listen to his own writing come out as words. This is reminding me of another idea we wrote about in class-- the idea of orality verses textuality. This is cool that I get to hear the actually author read out his own work. It's awesome. However, like I said about Taylor Mali, I'd be able to appreciate the work much more if I was reading it. I see myself as more of a visual learner and I feel more comfortable capturing ideas when I see it.
Anyway, back to Wideman. Wow! Seriously, this guy is SO into his writing! It's as if he's acting it out. His facial expressions and he rhythm of his voice is emphasizing his writing. I just wish I was able to hear him better. Then I wouldn't be so distracted.
     Alright... in my opinion this passage is WAY to long to be read aloud. I've never been to one of these things before but I can legitimately see the audience losing their attention towards. He should have found an earlier spot to stop.

Slam Poetry.

The biggest difference between oral words and textual words is the affect that each has on an audience. In this particular video of the outspoken performance by Taylor Mali, one sees and hears Mali talking, getting the privilege of hearing the tone of his voice and seeing his body movements, which definitely emphasized his entire point of the poem. Rhetorically, Mali presented his poem with the "speaking problem" he describes in his piece. Rather than speaking with conviction and authority when reciting the poem, Mali questioned his own statements and added unnecessary questioning to his words such as "ya know?" and by using the word "like." In the 'Wordle' video, I had an easier time understanding and focusing on Mali's point, because it included both Mali's voice audio as well as the lyrics to his poem. With the words printed throughout the 'Wordle' video, I was able to capture each word used in the poem opposed to the video of Mali where I only hear him recite it. I feel as if even if the 'Wordle' did not include the audio of the poet one could read the lyrics and hear the tone and irony of Mali's voice just by reading the text.

Trimble's Law of Closing

Power group's Prezi for "Trimble's Law of Closing" can be viewed here.

Michael Wesch

     In Wesch's video he portrays the different uses for the Web to share ideas, pictures, videos, news and much more information. Wesch explains through his video that instead of looking at writing as a machine humans are using, one should look at 'the machine' using us. Without our interactions with writing and technology, it would not exist. We post new things everyday and people create new ways to develop and improve technology. We are teaching 'the machine' new features every second. The machine is using us to learn new things, ideas, ways, and functions. It may seem as if we are using writing and technology, but in reality, 'the machine' is using us. Without our usage, technology would be nothing.

The video can be viewed here