Abstract This paper examines "When The Network Wakes Up: The Emergence of the Global Mind" by Dr. James Canton which offers an optimistic, utopian view of the future for humans and computer technology. The paper presents a justification of his argument and then critiques the work using aphorisms by James Mander and Neil Postman. The paper includes Canton's source article at the end.
Table of Contents:
Summary of Strong Example of Utopian Writing
Justification/Qualification
Critique Using Required Mander Aphorism
Critique Using Chosen Mander Aphorism
Critique Using Required Postman Aphorism
Critique Using Chosen Postman Aphorism
Significance of Assessment
From the Paper "Postman's fifth idea, that "media tend to become mythic" is demonstrated by Canton's missive. Canton reveres technology so much that he elevates it to a God-like status. This is a dangerous assumption, as it allows for the ruling of technology over man and society. The very point of society, some may argue, is that it is human in nature - not computerized! One must remember that "technology is as a stranger intruder, to remember that technology is not part of God's plan but a product of human creativity and hubris, and that its capacity for good or evil rests entirely on human awareness of what it does for us and to us" (Postman). Canton ironically even chooses his words in an unconscious manner demonstrating his God-like reverence of the Global Mind, amusingly referring to it as "he or she". He speaks too of "the next generation of intelligent life forms" which will be immature if they are "based on the current evolution of humanity." Canton makes technology of the future so grossly God-like that he assumes it will be building our successors!"
Abstract This paper explains that the Chinese Communist uprising in Canton in 1927 was put down by Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-Shek, but it remains a seminal event in the development of China's present government. The author points out that the novel itself is a meditation on the revolutionary spirit, embodied most clearly in the main character, Ch'en, who sacrifices his life for his cause in order to achieve in death the unity with humanity that he missed in life.
Abstract This paper analyzes the work of Isak Dinesen, a modern short story writer equated with Scheherazade. The paper discusses Dinesen's writing-style, which the author says is best enjoyed by those who want to read something that is neither real nor ever could be real. The paper then reviews one of Dinesen's stories, entitled "The Immortal Story", about Mr. Clay, an old, immensely rich tea trader who lives in Canton and does not have the best of a reputation. The paper shows how this story demonstrates Dinesen's powerful story-telling abilities.
From the Paper "Isak Dinesen's desire to be a storyteller and her ability to write as one, render her a modern day Scheherazade. In the book, "1001 Arabian Nights," there is a young woman named Scheherazade who had to tell stories every day in order to live. The frame tale goes that Shahryar, the King, would marry a virgin every day and he would send the wife from the day before to be beheaded. He did this because he was very angry since his first wife, of many years, had been betraying him. By the time Scheherazade came along, Shahryar had killed three thousand virgins. Scheherazade volunteered to spend one night with the King. When she was in the King's chambers, Scheherazade asked if she could say goodbye one last time to her sister Dunyazad. Dunyazad came into the Kinga?'s chambers and had been secretly prepared to ask Scheherazade to tell a story during the night. The King lay awake and listened with awe to Scheherazade's first story and asked for another, but Scheherazade said there wasn't time as dawn was breaking, and regretfully so, as the next story was even more exciting. And so the King kept Scheherazade alive as he eagerly anticipated each new story, until, one thousand and one adventurous nights, and three sons later, the King had not only been entertained but wisely educated in morality and kindness by Scheherazade who became his Queen."
Abstract This paper presents results of a sociological research (using observation, analysis, concepts and methods) conducted at two very different airports (one in Ohio and one in NYC) at different times, in order to come up with a sociological analysis of people in airports. The results include over four hours of observations studying behavior, setting, interactions, rules or social patterns and social categories.
From the Paper "If planes are delayed, if a passenger is late, or if baggage is lost, the efficiency at which the airport operates is affected, which changes the atmosphere and therefore the mood of travelers. I reasoned that because an airport is not just a location, but a system that governs all its inhabitants, I might notice that people in an airport are only as social as they need to be. Because of their very personal reasons for being at a very impersonal place, and because the airport thrives on a system, human beings are naturally less social."
A detailed examination of the motives behind the united front policy in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution and in China during the Communist Revolution.
Abstract This paper analyzes the political background and history of the united front policy in the Soviet Union in the early 20th century and subsequently in China after the formation of the communist parties, as well as the alliance between the Soviet and Chinese communist governments. The writer describes how the Bolsheviks turned to China to continue the world revolution and how Lenin's military and economic support of Sun Yat-sen helped to ally the two main communist parties in China at that time. However, with Stalin's rise to power, the Russian Comintern began to direct the Chinese revolution not so much to ensure its victory but rather to secure their alliance with China. This ultimately led to the destruction of the CCP.
Outline:
Chapter One:
Why Was The United Front Entered Into?
Wider Foreign Policy Implications of the Soviet Union
Leninist Strategy on the Colonial Question - Alliances with Bourgeois Groups
Benefits of the Alliance to the CCP and the GMD
GMD
CCP
The CCP as Being Greatly Influenced by the Comintern and the Soviet Union
Chapter Two
Development of the United Front and the Nature of the Relationship Between the CCP and the GMD - Equal Partners or Subordination?
Nature of the Early Relationship Under Lenin & Sun
Changes Under Stalin
Wider Foreign Policy Thinking
Stalin V. Trotsky
The Role of the CCP and the Left GMD in Their Downfall
Comintern as an Arm of Stalin
Comintern Sentencing the CCP to Death in 1927
Chapter Three
Other Reasons For the Failure of the United Front
Peasant and Agrarian Question - Getting Down to the 'Rice Roots'
The Role of Chiang Kai-shek
No Military Forces and the Naivety of the CCP
From the Paper "The CCP was a tiny party during this time barely claiming a thousand members in 1923, due to it only having been established in 1921 in Shanghai. Then, it was no more than a grouping of radical intellectuals who having been influenced greatly by the May Fourth Movement, wanted to see further and greater change and reform in Chinese society and who regarded that the best way to achieve this would be to form a communist party. The CCP if united with the GMD could gain more members and grow from its humble size and it would also gain the prestige of affiliation with the famous Sun Yat-sen who was regarded as the father of China's Republic and the cooperation of his organization."
