Course Description
Course Description
Can a highway billboard be counted as literature? Is Bob Dylan a sellout? Who is Lady Gaga? Can Google be used as a poetic constraint? How do internet phenomena like Youtube and Facebook shape our attitudes toward wisdom, knowledge, and information? Are we morally implicated just by watching? Is constructing our own identities a dangerous thing, and is deconstruction possible?
In this course we will try and answer these questions.
We will discuss relatively nascent literary forms, such as children’s literature, graphic novels, genre fiction, fan fiction, and blogging; we will explore the art of adaptation, and talk about the ways in which the narrative techniques used in film and television have shaped our formal understanding of image, character, metaphor, and plot; we will question the mythologizing power of nostalgia and ask whether speculative fiction (science fiction and fantasy) can offer us a better understanding of our own world.
Come prepared to both read and write generously. This course will be graded on enthusiasm, regular attendance, and a final portfolio of polished work.
Required Reading List:
Alan Moore, From Hell
Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass
Additional reading materials will be provided in photocopy form.
I think there is a difference between wisdom and information, especially in the format of these "fake" news shows. Information is the cold hard facts, like the stories that "real" news programs deliver to the general audience on a daily basis. Wisdom is enlightenment on a certain topic such as John Stewart's wisdom of the daily news. John Stewart and other "fake" news anchors are not attempting to provide information about a certain topic but rather they are attempting to provide their own wisdom or point of view. When the general public is seeking information about the news they will most likely tune into their favorite news station, but when they are seeking another individual's opinion about the news, then he or she may turn on the Daily Show with John Stewart.
ReplyDeleteThis clip does demonstrate the difference between wisdom and information quite well. The whole premise of Jon Stewart's show is to comically share political wisdom and to incite skepticism. The problem with the Fox News clip featured in this clip is that the newsman was stating his political opinion or "wisdom" as true and absolute. He didn't acknowledge any other alternative or successfully refute any other arguments. Stewart acknowledges that he is simply sharing his opinion and providing examples to support his opinion and why he thinks that way. Fox News just regurgitates information and expects you to buy into in.
ReplyDeleteI used to be an avid watcher of the Daily Show, and have always respected John Stewart's opinions. I also hate Glenn Beck. I can not for the life of me understand his point of view. Stewart does a great job caricaturing what Glenn Beck does with the whole chalk board thing.
ReplyDeleteThis video showed how these fake news shows have a way of displaying wisdom instead of actual information. They will take bits of information that actually happened and then analyze it, giving the viewers an idea of how they view it. In this clip in particular John Stewart used comedy to portray his wisdom of the topic. The clip was a satire on Glen Beck, who was also showing his wisdom of the topic, but not using comedy. This is different than actual information, which is given during the news everyday, but does not include the opinions of the people telling the news.
ReplyDelete-Sydney Gitelis
The case of wisdom vs information is a long ongoing debate that is reminiscent of intelligence vs smart. In the case of the former debate, I believe that, similar to Ellen, that there is a difference in the two. Wisdom does refer to a higher enlightenment or thought process as to where information just concerns cold, hard facts (or maybe remnants of facts). One can be informed and not wise, having a grasp on events but not the effects or a higher understanding of such things.
ReplyDelete-Christine Mallari
Wisdom is basically someones opinion that they may think is right, but others could voice their wisdom as well on the same subject but with a different point of view. So with wisdom, it isn't the precise truth. Information on the other hand is suppose to be the truth; like on news shows. Information is meant to give people the details they need in order to know what is going on and if it wasn't the truth and just someone's opinion, then they wouldn't be getting the correct details that they need, they would just be getting the "wisdom" of someone who thought they knew what was right and wrong. Both John Stewert and Glen Beck use wisdom on their shows but in different ways. John Stewert uses his wisdom in a comical way to make fun of Glen Beck, while Beck voices his wisdom about what he thinks he right, while others obviously may disagree.
ReplyDeleteI found the clip hilarious. I watch the daily show pretty regularly. He's done the Glen Beck thing a couple times, i don't think i've seen this one yet. When it comes to information versus wisdom i think its in the minds of the beholder. I see wisdom as something someone posses, you can't lose it or gain it your born with it. Where as information is something we gather, it is knowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or circumstance. So while i believe this clip does do a good job of presenting information, it does rely on a person wisdom, or personal understanding, to dissect truth from fallibility. Also it does help to have some general understanding of what the Glen Beck show is and what he stands for, same is true for the Daily Show.
ReplyDeleteTo me, wisdom isn't just someone's opinion, the two aren't synonymous. There are dumb people (Glen Beck) in the world who voice their opinions but you definitely wouldn't call them wise like any racist, bigot, or any kind of extremist. Also, I don't think wisdom is guaranteed through knowledge. It is like the old saying, "practice makes perfect," which is wrong, "practice makes permanent," someone can practice something the wrong way, just like someone can study the wrong way or interpret the wrong way. And one more thing, information isn't based on wisdom, but wisdom is based on information and facts, therefore, to me, anyone talking about religion as absolute truth can never truly be wise because that person is presenting their information as fact, and we all know it has never been proven either way. The person may be wise in the allegories they teach, but not in the religion they preach. But like the person above me, I agree that wisdom is in the eyes of the beholder, because I look at Glen Beck and think he's and idiot, but many others believe him to be very wise, otherwise he wouldn't have a TV show that people watch.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea who Glenn Beck was until I watched this. I think John provided me with some good wisdom about who Glenn Beck is. He made it clear that it was his opinion but his examples were so entertaining that I felt I had to agree with him. I am an idiot when it comes to politics so I liked how John broke it down into an idiot-proof presentation. I especially liked the end where he broke down the words conservative libertarian. So I guess where Glenn Beck is giving information he thinks is fact, shows like John's are providing wisdom over information like this, in my opinion. Others may think the reverse is true.
ReplyDeleteInformation versus wisdom is a fairly easy thing to determine. I feel like wisdom isn't something that people automatically receive or get through school. I believe in the age-old saying that with age comes wisdom. Information is a totally different can of soup. Information is more of a tangible element. You can gain information with the snap of a finger and so thats why i find wisdom much the better quality.And i think that is what Jon Stewart is touching on when he is making fun of Glen Beck. Sure he has all of this info, but it all comes together and is completely ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI found this clip to be pretty entertaining. As a journalist student, I find it refreshing when people such as Stewart point out the absurdity of some of the more popular voices of today's news. In terms of wisdom versus information: I feel information can be gathered for any topic or subject, given the proper amount of education. Wisdom, however, is acquired through first-hand experience. While both are valuable in their own ways, the best standpoint comes from both - a rarity in today's day and age.
ReplyDelete-Mitch
This was a very entertaining video to watch. The thing that stands out the most is Stewart's ability to not take himself so seriuosly while Beck takes himself way to seriuosly. I think the Daily show is the second to knowone in its ability to make light of those individuals who think that they are hot shit and know how fix everything. Jon Stewart is one of the few television personalities that can actually laugh at himself.
ReplyDelete