I think that last class was one of the best classes we’ve had yet! For starters I’m understanding!!! (Which after the class before, I am pretty happy about). I think that the hockey reference was a really good one to illustrate the concepts that we’ve been talking about. For one thing, everyone knew about it, and even if you aren’t an avid hockey fan like me, it was still a great moment. Therefore I think we we’re all able to grasp the concept because we were all so excited.
Another reason that class was pretty awesome, was the national spirit that was going on. This is the first Olympics that I’ve ever really been interested in and I think a large part of that was due to it being on home turf. I only recently am starting to enjoy watching hockey (I’m not huge into sports; I am a slow learner lol) and yet I felt my blood boil when the States scored in the last 24 seconds of the game. When Crosby scored my boyfriend in Edmonton texted me instantly and when I went on Facebook, the statuses of my friends across Canada was something about that goal. For me this further affirms the idea that this goal is only a signifier. It linked all of Canada together, whether you’re a hockey fan or not. It was something we were all excited about and all heard about – as a result it is a common experience, even if we have to see it in replay.
Something else the Olympics demonstrated was different realities. Each country went into the games with a slightly different reality. The Georgian team; mourning the death of their team mate, were competing in his memory. For them it was not purely a joyous occasion. Canada’s reality was shaped by hosting. I think the different realities is most evident when you look as the silver medalists. Most of them were thrilled to have won silver, however, whenever the States did it was like their world was crashing down. Granted, I could understand how much they wanted gold, but they did place. As a result I think the States have an entirely different reality.
Dr. Pound mentioned language and how it is not connected to reality but working in a system. I think that is why I am having trouble with this theory. For a theory that has realized the system of language and that there is no reality, how can it be described using a system that has been linked to reality for so long. I feel like we don’t always have the words to describe this theory.
That’s all for now….tata
I liked the bit on the different realities. It's so true. And about the Americans, I can in a way understand where they would be coming from in their disappointment. Obviously when they are professionals and role models like that representing their country, they should be a little more apt to control their composure and atleast try to put on a smile. But on the other hand, Canada and the US, even though we are friendly countries with one another, we seem to have always had the biggest rivalry. The States and Canada are always trying to make themselves seem better than the other, so it's not only losing a gold medal for them, it is losing to their rivals and ultimately submitting to the "Canadians are better" side of the argument; although, they are too proud to submit to that so they react with bitterness. So I don't condone their long faces in losing, but I can understand where they are coming from.
ReplyDeletei totally agree
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