Flying on a McCloud

Hey everybody out there in the blogverse,

I do have to admit that my title this week sounds a lot like a McDonald's commercial rather than enthusiasm for our guest speaker here at NDSU, Mr. Scott McCloud.

If anybody out there in the world is interested in comics, or the ability to simply understand media in a little more detail, then please check out some of his books. I have read one for my Visual Culture and Learning class here at NDSU titled "Understanding Comics", which was a quick read while also being very informational. The ideas that McCloud writes about can be transformed to understand most types of media, such as movies, pictures, or, obviously, comics.

Anyways, the reason I am writing about this man is because he visited our campus here in Fargo, N.D. for a portion of his 50 state tour. McCloud's ideas have become very mainstream in the last ten years or so, which prompted the college here to have him come and speak to some students and members of our community.

McCloud's presentation was a little more than an hour, which was then followed by some Q & A afterwards, but it was all professionally put together and executed without a hitch. McCloud, the family man, even had his wife and children sitting in the front row to help him with the presentation. As, the presentation began, McCloud describes the 5 different questions that need to be answered when creating or understanding a comic, while eventually diving in to his childhood by the end, explaining how this passion for comic book story and artwork inspired him for the rest of his life. He also mentions the different established forms of comic books, such as graphic novels, manga, and the European style of artwork, along with the future of the industry, which included web comics that were both fun and creative in their design.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by Mr. McCloud and his presentation, which was a beautifully put together slide show consisting of almost 700 slides (which strangely went by extremely fast). I recommend any person out there to read one of his books, of which I have only read one but others do exist, and learn a little about "Understanding Comics".

Have a good one gore fanatics.

Intelligence and Humanity. Who would have thunk it...

Hello again party goers,

Here I am again writing another blog for my Electronic Communications class at NDSU. This time around we are looking at the question: "Can human thought be replaced by machine?"

I do believe that a machine can replicate anything to the extent that it is programmed, meaning that if it were programmed to replicate human thought patterns then it could definitely do a good job at fooling someone for at least a little while. I do not believe that a machine can actually create human thoughts, however, to the extent that most human beings are capable, simply because, although a computer can move extremely fast, it doesn't improvise or understand obscure references to forms of media and entertainment. The example in "Computing Machinery and Intelligence", when they give different questions to a computer, which then creates slight pauses to imply human thought process, answers the questions correctly in every instance. If a machine would really be able to replicate human thoughts, then it would also have to replicate error, which it would then have to be taught. For that matter, a computer also probably couldn't provide such thoughts that deal with emotion, except for the replicating of another beings expressions. I am of course talking of cybernetic organisms, versus the programs that are created to replicate human interaction with computers, for which my class recently watched a video on Google Tech Talk.

Anyways, I do love this type of subject matter, although I am freaked out a little by the thought that a computer, cyborg, or even a program can replicate myself to the extent that nobody would even recognize who they are talking too. On the other hand, I do enjoy the luxuries that are created by the uses of computers everyday, and if one day they decide to use me for a power source like in the Matrix, then I'll catch to hell with it I'll catch you guys on the flip side watching my horror films until then. By the way check out "Grindhouse" if it is the last thing you ever do.

Mock Page Warfare

Hey readers out there. This is another official blog entry concerning my NDSU class Electronic Communications. This week we are talking about a mock web page, a model we created to roughly represent what our finished web page will look like, and are now just troubleshooting to make sure that the web page works properly and is user friendly.

Now, the mock page that we have created has some connections between the producers and the readers because we plan on having a mission statement on the home page, directly stating what the point of this web page is and our overall goal with the information presented here in. The category types (city life, rural life, entertainment...) are all catered to the reader to better help them navigate the web site and find the information that they are looking for. The design so far is kind of bland however, with only pics and short text blurbs being the style on the main page. That should change upon looking at the templates if a Content Management System.

That should be our focus for creating this web page, not just the type of information but the display. With the templates of a CMS on our side, we should be able to add some interesting effects, styles, and colors to our web page so that it is not a plain Jane white electronic newspaper dealing with business in the city of Fargo, N.D.

Overall, I do believe that this Web site will eventually be very cool and useful to any reader in the community, or even in other classes dealing with web design and execution of development. Anyways, the next entry will be dealing with some pretty good horror films I've been watching so stay tuned for some fun info. Bye for now gore hounds...

World Wide Web...I haven't heard it called that forever

Hey there party goers. This is another wonderful blog for that Electronic Communications class I've been taking in Fargo, ND. YEAHHHH!!! No seriously.
Anyways, this week we were assigned to read a story literally titled, World Wide Web. It was actually written by a lot of guys that seem to know what they are talking about because what they explain is almost identical to the current Internet system. They mention the uses of servers, HTML, and a basic version of the Windows OS. They commonly refer to everything as the W3 model which I had not heard of until I read this article, but you should get the gist already of what it pertains too.
Anyways, the assignment was to compare this version of the WWW, to other versions we have read about. Basically, I would have to say this form explained is much more simplistic and user friendly than other older forms of thought surrounding the uses of computers. We have read many different articles dealing with the uses of computers and the ways they will change our culture in the future. All of these stories, in my mind, go a little over the top of what we have even experienced yet in our society with technologies. The interfaces, software, and hardware is always so technical with the older thought, that when we look at our current computer technology, everybody should sigh in relief that it's so simple to use.
All in all, I do enjoy reading some of the texts in this book, The New Media Reader, but some of them really make a person's brain hurt afterwards too. Check it out if you like technology though, and keep waiting around because I've been watching some good horror films that I can't wait to tell you about. See ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snow Blindness

Hello there horror fanatics and class members alike.
This is another one of those great blogs dealing with my Electronic Communications class at NDSU. I have been seeing some interesting horror films recently, and I will be posting about just a few of them soon I promise.
Anyways, my assignment this week was a search and comment mission sent forth by my teacher. It was actually just looking at some blog accounts from a class in NY that is sort of a mirror image of our own class here in Fargo, ND. I looked at a couple of blogs and commented on their entries. You can check them out for yourselves at the following links.
My first comment was on the entry "Snow Crash-Chapters 1-7" on http://jenniferquirk.blogspot.com/, and my second was on "Snow Crash" on the blog http://josephmannion.blogspot.com/.
The book they are currently reading, "Snow Crash" seems very creative and imagination inspiring. I am actually thinking about checking it out from the local library if possible. Check out their blogs and maybe you will too. Overall, I enjoyed their blog, and its likeness to our own. It's always strange reading something from a person you don't know because you sometimes wonder what they are like in person. But maybe that's the fun of the matter too. Hiding in words can be a very interesting life style, trust me I know.

Crash Positions for Time Constraints

Well, it is that time again. The "assignment time" for my Electronic Communications class at NDSU (YEAHHHH!!!). No really, I'm happy, because I get to talk about our final goal for this class which is...to create a functional business website for the city of Fargo, N.D.!!!? That seems like it would be a lot of work, doesn't it? Well it is!!! And, although I am not completely computer illiterate, I am definitely not a wizard. I think this is easily my most foreign class this semester. I feel like I'm in enemy territory, struggling to adapt to the surroundings, and lets not kid ourselves, this is survival of the fittest. I'm over exaggerating of course. I simply mean that I have no idea how this class is going to unfold, what tasks are really going to be completed, or what I'm even useful for, which is what this blog is about.

The literal wording for this week's assignment consists of explaining what role I would like to take in completing this website, how I will be able to help in the creation process, and why?

Well, I have definitely had a lot of dealings with all types of Microsoft Office, and with writing in general. The only problem is that all the training I've had in these programs dealt with writing classes (Intro to Professional writing, Creative Writing, Comp classes) and they have no basis for what we are doing. I have been exposed to Photoshops before in high school, which was 5 years ago now, and I have also dealt with creating many little Gif animations in those types of class, but once again they really have no basis for creating a website. Basically, I'm a newbie at most of these topics, but the good news is this......I'm ready to learn!!!!!!!!

I am a fast learner when it comes to damn near anything, and I would like to learn a lot of the software used in this class for future purposes if possible. All you have to do is show me something once, and you should not have to show me again. I also have no problems troubleshooting, since trying something is still better than breaking down and freaking out (although they do like me at the state hospital from time to time he-he). I do have some style, I like to think so anyway, and I am more than willing to help with the design/feel of this website. I am also very well versed in English, and I would enjoy proofreading when it comes to that stage of development.

More over, I am willing to try new things like website design because I'm not only in this class for credit, but to learn in general. I want to help create something that will be looked at by thousands of people, I want to work with the people in our class to create something visually stunning, and I believe that our class has the ability to do it easily if we all try our best.

Well, that's it for this blog entry (did you notice I ended on a high inspirational note), and I'm looking forward to hearing what everybody has to say in our next great installment of Electronic Communications (all rights reserved by Doc Mara).

Technological Performance Anxiety

Tongue twisting titles always encourage me to allow my readers some sort of explanation. In truth, my Electronic Communications class has another assignment dealing with the idea of machines, humans, and the interactions between the two. My major question for this blog entry is how do I, being a person in modern day technological hi jinks, use my body as a high performance machine? Also, how do I not?
Well, let me first say that I do enjoy technology. I don't believe I have ever come right out and said it before, but I enjoy watching movies, playing video games, finding information for practically nothing, and writing on a computer screen, although I do like to outline with pen and paper. I believe these technologies can help us and that we should use them to their fullest extent possible. Unfortunately, I do believe that we are becoming lazy as a society because of these same luxuries that I enjoy, but what the hell... I'M LAZY ANYWAYS. There are moments that I wish we didn't have these technologies, such as when my computer freezes up and I utter profanities I didn't even know were inside of me. Or when my cell phone won't stop ringing so I have to shut it off. But the good by far out ways the bad.
Now that I have that off my chest, to the question at hand. I think that most people use themselves as a high performance machines everyday. You can argue this point, but it doesn't matter what you believe, because look at what machines do. They take in information, run for long periods of time, rest when they are tired, and break down just like humans. I use myself as a storage unit for information everyday, because I am constantly learning something new, if your not then you're doing something wrong. In fact, I like to think of myself as a machine because it helps me cope with the idea of my head exploding from time to time with all the useless shit I learn in a day.
I don't really know how I don't use my self as a machine however, and it's kind of freaking me out. I eat, but you could think of putting information, or even powering a machine as a metaphor for eating. I sleep, but machines have to cool down too. I suppose the only difference is my ability is to have an actual consciousness. Knowing emotions and utilizing them, but then again is that even a good thing. Freaky...
Anyways, I have officially made myself depressed now that I am a machine named the Justin 2000, soon to become obsolete and trashed on the corner of 10th and main. Have a good night though to both Hardware and Wetware alike.

Technological Insecurities

Hello again people of the world!!!. Or maybe just people from my class, either way it's definitely nice to have you back. This is another assignment for my Electronic Communications class at the NDSU campus. This weeks assignment deals with our readings from he last two weeks. They are "Cyborg Manifesto" by Donna Haraway, which is an essay dealing with the massive amounts of new information and technology entering our world and how the everyday woman will deal with it. Haraway is a feminist at heart, but her story is still very interesting to the outgoing male. The other story is entitled "As we may think", and was written by a man named Vannaver Bush in the year 1945. It is an extremely interesting essay about the fact that the world needs to come up with a better way of storing its information. The story was written shortly after the end of WWII, and Bush expresses the idea that since we are finally done trying to kill one another, maybe we can use our scientific minds to create a better storage system for all the information out there. His idea revolved around a machine known as the "Memex", which is startlingly close to resembling our modern day computer.
Well, now that the back story is all there, the assignment before me is which of these essays did you not understand and why? The truth of the matter is that they are both fairly easy to understand. Granted, the vocabulary used in each story is extremely wide, but even the most difficult words can be figured out when they are put into sentences. The story of Vannaver Bush's was definitely the easier of the two to understand, simply because he used a lot of repetition to get his points across. You can tell by reading "As We May Think" that Bush is a very scientific minded man. The fact that he uses many themes that people may have not known then only adds to his theory that people were just simply not ready for the "Memex" yet. Haraway's story, although more difficult to read, is still understandable to the imaginative. Her ideas focus on adapting to use the new hardware being created or fail to function in life. Her ideas are not completely lost by the imagination, especially in the present day and age when a 4 year old can use a computer better than their mother. The problem with this story is that it does the same kind of thing a Bush's, it begins talking in circles. Much like a documentary, these stories give you a problem, then a point of view, and then smash that point of view in to your head with a brick. They are still interesting, they just get a little old after awhile.
Another student in my class, whose hyperlink is http://xoverwriter.blogspot.com, has commented on Bush's story and Bush's line stating that the language of the time was not ready for these advancements. He believes that Bush was insisting that we needed to change the way we talk to each other before we can fully understand the technologies that will be represented. I do think this is a very good analysis of Bush's words, but I truly believe that Bush just mean that people weren't ready to understand what he was thinking of. That the "Memex" would simply not work in his present time, because people weren't ready to understand it is all. I do still like his idea and recommend checking it out so that you are not only getting one biased opinion today.
Anyways, that's it from the horror fanatic. Waiting to see some more good films come out but it just never seems to happen. Weird...

Long Time in the Making

Alright horror fans. It has been a long time coming, but I have officially watched enough horror films in the last few weeks, both old and new, and am ready to give a little review for you.

Well, lets just start off by saying that quite a few of the horror films that I have watched in the last year were hardly more than a waste of my time. However, most of the 8 horror films I had the opportunity to view in the last two weeks have been worth mentioning. I do also believe that many of the bad horror films are still welcome additions to horror culture (considering that most horror films are campy at best), but the type of films I'm looking for only come around every once in a great while. That is why a few of these titles are older than you'd may expect, but great none the less.

Alright, with that side note being said, these are the films that I recently watched: Dead Alive, Feast, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, The Descent Watchers II, Watchers Reborn, Saw 3, and the remake of the Hitcher.

Dead Alive, directed by the recently popular Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings), is out of this world fun. I have seen this movie before, and when I saw it sitting on the shelf at the video store, I couldn't help but review this great gory movie. The story of a man hiding an ever growing family of zombies in his basement is a story that ever person can relate too. OK, maybe not, but it does offer some supremely funny awkward moments, and the most fake blood I have ever seen in any movie period. Check this out for nothing more than the lawnmower wielding finale.

Feast, recently produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for their Project Greenlight series, is also a worthwhile film. From it's misleading introductions of characters, to the gore, to the Night of the Living Dead esque stand-off against strange hungry creatures is sure to have any horror fan on the edge of their seat. Special kudos to the director for the first opening moments (meaning the hero's awesome entrance).

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning is yet another disappointing sequel to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and I mean the original not the Jessica Biel one from 2003. First of all, I don't care how the family of cannibals got together, or the fact that you know what is going to happen in this film since it's a prequel to the 2003 remake. I also don't care about the family members in the house because the only member anyone cares about is Leatherface. This movie does have great visuals, but other than that, it was a supreme waste of time.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is another film I have seen before. This film is outstanding in its realism, from Henry killing somebody on the side of the Jersey turnpike during rush hour to him teaching his friend how to commit murders, it all adds up to one freaky film. It's low budget also means that the picture is rather grainy, but that also adds to the dark aspect of this film. Truly a scary film.

The Descent, an extreme claustrophobia inducing film, was very effective in its overall finished product. A group of women trapped in an underground cave system populated by carnivorous blind, yet super hearing creatures is entertaining to almost anyone who isn't solely obsessed with the idea that women can't defend themselves. That was the best point of this film, because the women kick some serious ass, until most of them are ripped apart and eaten of course. Worth checking out if you are in the mood for a good gory flick.

Alright, now you can laugh. The Watchers movies, which started in the 1980's with a crappy Corey Haim movie, are always bad. Most of them are produced by Roger Corman, which means low budget, half entertaining scripts sometimes, and OK acting. These films are based on one of my favorite books, Watchers, by Dean Koontz, and I just keep hoping they will equal this book in its suspenseful story. That, however, is never going to happen. Stay far, far away from any of these films, unless you want to laugh.

Saw 3, the next entry into the world of James Wan and Leigh Wannell (they created the first film), and it definitely is trying to capitalise on the already effective formula. This movie is practically the same as the first two, being that people are tortured, tested, and ultimately learn some life lesson due to a maniacal Cancer victim, but it doesn't really improve upon the series what so ever. I enjoyed Angus MacFayden as the person abducted to play in the new game, but other than that, there just isn't enough new additions to keep me interested.

Finally, The Hitcher. I was always a fan of Rutger Hauer in the original 1986 version, and the sole reason I wanted to see this remake was for Sean Bean since he takes over the title role. Sean Bean, recently one of the stars of Lord of the Rings and also the best Bond villain since Goldfinger, was awesome as the psychotic Hitcher whose sole purpose for being is to kill and kill until somebody finally stops him. This film, which as most remakes do, reshaped the original film, and I was pleasantly surprised by the end result.

Well, I apparently have no life, but I do enjoy a good horror film. Now feel free to comment on my analysis of these films, I am always up for an argument, but most of all keep enjoying the films. If you noticed, I tried to give each film at least some good aspects because although a movie may suck, it may still be worth watching. Anyways, have fun until next time gore fans.

My Technological Enhancements

Hello, Horror fans. This week is another great assignment for my electronic communications class, and I am to explain how this blog enhances me as a creative individual. My own ideas revolving around transmitting information are quite simple. Write something and see if you are able to get it published. It is not as difficult as that anymore and it's because of this blog. My ability to now create documents and allow massive amounts of readers (although most people will never even know my name) really can enhance a persons perspective of creativity. With this blog, which is preferably free for my already empty pocket, allows me to do these things and more. I have gone the long way before of creating a story, getting it judged by numerous people, and getting it published. It is very difficult, but worth the ability to see your own creations on paper for the masses. I get that same feeling every time that I publish a post on this blog. It satisfies me until I get the need to create another post. I would gladly write on this blog until I die, unfortunately it doesn't pay.

Thinking...Still?

Hello again. Well it's that time to post another blog, and about time if you ask me. I will be using this blog for my Electronic Communication class at NDSU, as well as posting thoughts about current horror films. For the class, I will be posting information relating to essays, or even thoughts that are presented in our class. If you are not a part of my class, check it out. I have to say that so far the class has been immensely enjoyable. And, now that I am done being a giant sized kiss ass, it is time to get down to business.
This week, we read the scientific essay "As We May Think" by Vannevar Bush. This essay was written shortly after World War II, and dealt greatly with the transition of knowledge from one generation to another. Bush speaks about how we, as intelligent people you would think, should begin trying to store all the information that has accumulated over the years so that future generations will have use of it. He had ideas concerning new types of photography, transmitting information over phone lines, and the storage of information in "Memexes", a machine that is a hybrid of a macrophage and computer combined. He was remarkably close to many current technologies that exist, and he began thinking of these things in the 1940's. Well, the problem that has been proposed to our class is how will our society think in another 50 years?
Well, first off, I would like to say we will still be at war. The ability to be happy with the metaphorical inch given to you by people that have massive amounts of power is not a possibility. People are greedy, and probably always will be. The good news, I hope, is that one day people will eventually realize that both nuclear and biological weapons are not the answer to war. If that is a possibility in the future, I will definitely sleep better at night.
With that being said, technology will again make great advances. Computers, which are already becoming so cheap that most households have them, will only become better priced for more consumerism. When it is a proven fact that more people are computer literate than not, then more advancements will be made for interacting with both software and hardware. The Internet, much like it is already, will become the staple of society itself. Information, in the future, will never be barred for it is illegal to do so, and will thus create an easy to access information directory for all cultures.
Photography will also become much easier. The film used in older cameras will become obsolete, and digital cameras will completely take over the market. The memory cards available with these cameras will also be infinitely more spacious, and easier to work with. The actual printing of pictures may also become an extinct knowledge, since the society will be so Internet based there may be no need to create physical copies.
In the end, I can basically only speculate, as can anyone that has no ability of foreseeing or travelling in to the future. In fact, I hope that the world's future always stays a mystery because I am looking forward to every minute of advancement made by cultures around the globe, unless of course the world is going to end in about 24 hours. That would suck the big one, and I just made my self sad thinking about it.
Well, that is it from the perspective of a guy in Fargo, N.D. I hope that you will think about the possibilities of our world better than I. Anyways, I am going to go enjoy a good horror film... I hope anyways.

Craziness Incarnate

Hello all!!!
This is my first official blog on my new blogger account. I'm a normal (somewhat) 21 year old male from Bismarck, N.D., and have just started my Junior Year at the North Dakota State University. I am actually from Bismarck, and since NDSU is in Fargo, N.D., I have to drive back and forth quite a bit. 400 miles a week actually isn't so bad since all my family and my girlfriend live in Bismarck. I say it is my Junior Year in college because my first 2 years were actually at the Bismarck State College where I received Associates Degrees in both English and Science, along with a minor in English. I love college atmosphere and plan on becoming a writer and create horror films if at all possible. All in all, I do find NDSU to be a very nice college, The campuses parking is a little hectic, but the teachers have all been very nice to me and a little eccentric.
Well, that was just a little overview of myself, but I am quite a horror movie fanatic. I have been watching horror films since I was seven, and I will definitely try to keep up on all current horror films along with the classics. If anybody does read these blogs, please let me know about your favorites in horror, or in any other film genre, and perhaps we can have a few discussions. Until then, enjoy the villains, the stories, and especially the gore for me.