An Intreduction to Godel, Escher Bach

I have just recently started reading a New book named, “Gödel, Escher Bach” (Or GEB for short) by  Douglass R. Hofstadter. This enormous Novel discuses a diverse variety of topics ranging from neurology (Related to the study of the Brain), Zen Buddhism, and visual art, to paradoxes, physics and mathematical logic: (The study of logical reasoning eg; Representing thought process and argument, as a series of fundamental statements, and assertions). The purpose of GEB however, can be best described by Hofstadter himself when he said “In a word, GEB is a very personal attempt to say how it is that animate being can come out of inanimate matter. What is a self, and how can a self come out of stuff that is as selfless as a stone or a puddle? What is an ‘I’ and why are such things found (At least so far) only in association with, as poet Russell Edson once wonderfully phrased it, ‘teeting bulbs of dread and dream’- that is, only in association with certain kinds of gooey lumps encased in hard protective shells, mounted atop mobile pedestals that roam the world on pairs of slightly fuzzy, jointed stilts”

What a paragraph! So how does animate being come out of inanimate matter? Or in simpler terms how does life come out of “not life”? After all humans and other living things are only a composition of atoms alike, so how and why, are we able to make references and relations? Why do we have such a strong sense of awareness and consciousness? Every day we go on with our lives experiencing this and that, but all from a certain perspective, “Our perspective”, but why should a composition of atoms ever have a “perspective”!?. And what is a perspective anyway? (Perhaps consciousness would be a better word rather than perspective). Well that is a enormous question that took Hofstadter over 850 pages to address. It would be silly to expect anyone to come up with a complete answer, given any amount of time.  So my question to you is: How might one go about beginning answering a question like this? How would you start? And do you think the answers are worth the time?  The purpose of such a query is mearly to get you thinking, and hopefully intrigued.  I’ve read about 60 pages of GEB, and already I have been informed of approaches in answering some of the questions above.  If you want to find more about these fundamental questions, click the link below. The link will bring you to a YouTube video showing the first of a series of MIT lectures discussing GEB.  After watching some of the lecture videos, if you feel interested and prepared, I strongly recommend reading Gödel Escher Bach.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jFhq3Rj6DI

The Hero of my book.

                         

           Ben Murcer, the protagonist of my book has many heroic traits. Ben works hard every day in order to contribute to his family; he wants to play his violin more than anything, but he understands the importance of bringing food to the table.  As a result, he sacrifices practically all of his free time to do so. This action is one reason that would lead me to call him, self sacrificing. Also, when Ben was only five, he lost his father in a logging accident.  Later, at the end of the story he endures even more treacherous hardship.  Due to these setbacks, it is clear that Ben endures separation, and even more noticeably he seems to handle these incidents in a provoking way. He takes the feelings of despair and sorrow inside of him, and builds an urge to advocate for himself, providing him with the necessary skills required to leave, (and want to leave) the landing. (The landing if you haven’t read my past posts, is the boat port where Ben does some of his work; which he anxiously wants get away from).

            Here is a image I have chosen to represent Bens heroism:

                                                          

         
           I have rechrieved this image from http://www.vanseodesign.com/web-design/inspiration-ideas/

           I chose this photo, not because of its musical relation with Ben, but to exemplify his drive for continuing his passion whenever possible: This image’s background is dark, and there is only half of one line written in the musical. I think that’s very relative to Ben’s experience; it expresses the need of finding the time to continue ones passion, regardless of your position in life; the writer in this photo is up late in the night, making sure he writes. Analogously, Ben is only able to play at dawn, so he does so, willingly.  

Blog post 5

I have just finished the book “The Landing” by John Ibibston, and I have to say it was a good read. If anyone is pressed for time, but still has an inertest in reading, and is able immerse themselves patiently in a slow paist and yet complex plot, I strongly recommend this book. If you wish to learn more about this novel go check out some of my earlier posts, all of which are about “The Landing”.

Now onto discussing a arcatyple character in this story. One that immediately comes to mind as a mentor is Ms Ruth Chapman. If you haven’t read any of my past posts, Ruth is a widowed cottager, who has just rented one of Bens families’ cottages for the summer. Throughout her stay Ben is hired by her to fix up the place, and while he does so there is a strong bond created between the two. In the midst of all the isolation and confusion Ben is going through, out springs opportunity; Ruth chapman is rich, nice and loves music, as does Ben! Throughout the weeks of Bens service Ruth shows him how to be classy, perform in front of an audience, and to believe in oneself no matter what. This influence to Ben is ultimately what allows him to have the skills to succeed in a place other than that of the landing. (The landing by the way is basically a boat port besides the place where Ben does his cottage work). A quote/conversation between Ruth and Ben that I think is worth listing and is a good example of what I have discussed will be posted below.

“So you like the violin?” she asked.

“Yeah. I kind of play it. But nothing like that.

Just fiddle music”

                 She shook her head. “Playing is Playing.”

“Well, I just play at weddings and dances and stuff”

“So keep practicing and maybe one day you’ll play like the Sibelis yourself.”

Check this video out, and see how it relates to my intriguing book

“”I know! There’s so much I don’t know how to play, but I could.  I know I could, if someone would just show me”. (Ibbitson, The Landing 98)

                This quote directly expresses the main character (Ben), and his passion/ drive to succeed in his musical studies. More, however, this quote shows the reader that Ben is feeling trapped or lonely, during his current situation in life. Ben really wants to learn how to play the violin professionally, but confusingly, he is stuck inside a small town where he has no opportunity to succeed. 

               I think that Ben will end up moving to Toronto in order to persue his dream!  Maybe he will even be able to inspire others, just as he was inspired when he was a child.

                

              This is a video, of footage from the TV show “ Britain’s Got Talent”.  (The embed code for the video was diabled, so click on the link for veiwage). The footage contains the performance, of two Violinists, who were raised in the ghetto, and were able to show off their exiting violin skills. Ben, (The main character in my book) is also from a poor community. He loves to play the violin, and truly expressed his passion for the instrument during a recent party he went to. He felt so amazing, finally receiving appreciation, and the opportunity to express his emotions through a musical presentation.

One epic sentance from the book, "The Landing".

""like it?" his father asked, but the boy didn't hear, heard only the music accelerating, growing louder still, unbearable, making him want to yell back at it, until it smashed to a stop, leaving only an echo in sudden silence" (Ibbitson,11).

For me, that sentence listed above, is a great description of how it feels, to be in the midst of viewing such a sight of extraordinary amazement. The boy, who has his eyes fixed on an opera presentation, is young and has never seen, or heard symphony music of any sort. Viewing this one performance changed the entire course of his life, as he gained a strong passion for music, leading him on an adventure. Similar to the boy mentioned, I am very passionate about many things.  Just as the boy in the text, I find that I become entranced in certain moments, analyzing a truly beautiful or original sight whatever it may be. I also do this to such an extent that I am oblivious of the entire world around me, just as the boy was; there is just so much to view during such sights of amazement.

 This text also reminds me of the character “John Nash” from the movie, “A Beautiful mind”. John is a mathematician, who has wonderful flashes of insight, and immediately tries to write his new thoughts, regardless of the time or where he is. His insight usually comes from something he is viewing at the time, and just like the boy, these sights shift the entire course of his life.

Blog post 2: Feelings relating to my new book.

                                                      

                                                 

      I have taken this image this site: http://umanitoba.ca/cm/vol15/no3/thelanding.html

       The book I am reading right now is called ``The Landing”, it is written by John Ibbitsin.
                 
                         A brief summary of my book so far.

Ever since Ben Murcer was a boy, he has had a passion for music. However, not to long after Ben gained his passion, his father was killed in a logging accident. So, Ben and his mom were forced to move in with his Uncle Henry. In the current time of the book, Ben is fixing up his uncles cottage, so that they can rent it out to the rich. There is so much work left to do on the property, and to make matters worse, the rich folk are arriving in only one day. Henry is not pleased about this, so, he is constantly yelling at Ben, reminding him to work even harder.

                                              My thoughys on this book.

                      Being that I am at the early stages of my novel, I have mainly learned the basic  foundations of the book . However, the book is written with a generality that makes the story seems like it could appeal to every individual.  Regardless of the books potential, it contains very little action or shift, making it boring. Although I do love the character development of the book, I’m already attached to the main character Ben. I’m relating some of my own life to his; as I struggle to find time for my passions, and so does he.

“Some people will lie, cheat, steal and back-stab to get ahead,... and to think, all they have to do is READ.” - Fortune

I feel this quote generally explains the gain in reading.  Even more, the blindness of those who, “try to get ahead”, but sadly resort to unproductive options.  Meanwhile, they should have just used an optimal approach of reading. However it seems to me that one could think of the word “reading” as learning in general in this quote. This comes from the idea that reading is a way of learning that the author is trying to encourage.

This quote and idea relates to me, as I view similar traits in my own life.   Most of the time it’s someone I see who doesn’t know any better, then to diminish others, in order to gain false benefit.  As I see this, I get a certain type of defiance, or drive that beholds over me, and inspires me to do what those I am viewing lack. So, I end up spending time learning things I believe to be important, which then builds my view of the world.  I think this quote tries to encourage everyone to do the same. To me, learning is one of the few eternalitys, it stays with you, and it is accessible whenever you wish.  It appears that one of the best ways to learn is to read. I have little experience with reading, but based on the feedback of others, it seems to be really awesome, and contains many benefits. So I hope to read more often this year, and who knows what will be learned.