Michael Phelps vs. Milorad Cavic; or, the Slimmest Victory in History

Patriotism runs rampant at Olympic time, and though I am generally not outwardly (nor inwardly, for that matter) patriotic, I am addicted to watching the Olympics on tv. As much as I am enjoying it, I feel compelled to discuss my thoughts about the current Games here on my blog.

First, I'm amazed by how NBC is blatantly glossing over the smog problem in Beijing. My mother told me that a few weeks before the Olympics aired, she heard/saw a story on tv that explained how the Olympic committee was forcing the Chinese farmers to give up their rice crops so that there would be enough water for the Games. Understandably, she was outraged, and I share this view. It still amazes me that first world countries -- or, in this case, the West -- colonializes the East so directly and without mercy. Related to this, NBC is promoting Chinese-American unity; many ads for Coke, Budweiser, and Visa depict images of Chinese and American athletes sharing Coke, winning gold in events, or partying at one of Beijing's many clubs with Bud beer. Now, I probably don't have to say how problematic this is, because even though China has embraced Coke, and probably Budweiser as well, this treatment does nothing more than continue to promote the West's takeover of the East.

In addition, the Olympics bring many discussions of unity and world-wide harmony. By watching the games, we're seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, because our minds are taken off of the War in Iraq, conflicts in Georgia/Russia, and even the gas price fiasco. Instead, we're watching as Michael Phelps beats Serb swimmer Milorad Cavic by one one-hundredth of a second to win his 7th gold medal, which then led to his 8th. We're watching the Chinese gymastics and diving teams slaughter the competition, and the women's beach volleyball team remain undefeated. For me, all this is a welcome break from the tragedy and annoying political ads, but at the same time I have to wonder: How much harm is this doing?

I ask this question because I am about to begin a new semester of teaching English 101, and one of the major goals of the course will be engagement in social and political issues. That is, I want my students to be able to think critically about everything, not just texts. I want them to be able to understand how discourses and ideologies work, so that when the next election comes up, or when a problem arises, they can ultimately make the right decision. So this coverage of the Olympics is making me a tad uneasy, because most viewers out there probably haven't read Said, Bhabha, or Hardt and Negri. Nor are they my mom, who, despite not having read any theory, is one of the toughest and smartest critics I know.

To promote unity among the countries is problematic at best; while an admirable goal, and a pillar of these Olympic games, how much unity is there really? And why not just cover the games without the extraneous "packaging"? (I can hear people say, but, Sarah, that's what happens in capitalism"). Have we become so obsessed with materialism and consumer culture that we need to package the Olympic games, too?

Another thought about "unity" NBC's unerring coverage of rivalries and displays of "good sportsmanship." On the one hand, discussing rivalries does little if anything to promote unity; rather, it creates rifts and forces the American viewers to take sides. Furthermore, discussing rivalries continues the trend of simplification: glossing over the "real" issues in favor of ones that "sell" more stories. That is, we all expect there to be rivalries among sports teams or players, and reinforcing our expectations only solidifies the problematic obsession of team sports. Sure, rivalries do exist, but why can't we focus on the "game" or event? And presenting moments of "good sportsmanship" does mend these broken ties somewhat; one could say that it is an attempt to bring teams and athletes together. But in so doing, they gloss over the real meaning --- assuming reality exists -- and significance of the Olympic games: the best athletes in the world showing off their amazing prowess.

Example: Lolo Jones' "disappointment" in the 100m hurdles, or the other American women's runner who came in third in the 400m. Instead of playing up these women's feats and accomplishments, even the runners themselves had been sold on the importance of winning this race! The opening ceremonies of the Olympic games promotes pride and honor for the athletes' countries, and openly declares that they're all "winners" by making it this far. So what happened?!? Where did that go? I mean, I know these athletes have worked so hard to get where they are going, so it makes sense to want to be the best. But, at the same time, why subject them all to the guilt of reliving a two-second interval where they fell off the balance beam, took a step on the landing, or smacked a hurdle? What good does that do anyone?

Perhaps my qualms are related to my fear that visual media is getting all the more manipulative, since we're getting all the more inoculated against it. Perhaps all this is just because I'm an academic, and spend countless hours noticing crap like this, when I'm supposed to be enjoying it like everybody else. Although, I wonder, are they? And how will these games affect China in the future?

Too many big questions.

Back from Summer Hiatus

Greetings, everyone! I am now officially back from summer hiatus, and I'm ready to start blogging again. I also should note that I'm using this blog to work out my reading, writing, and paper ideas. Additionally, I will be having my 101 students blog weekly, so it's only fair that I blog with them!

At any rate, here's a sampling of what I've read this summer:

American Pastoral (by Philip Roth) -- One of the best books I have ever read, hands down. It's fantastic. I try to read a Roth book every summer, and this one was the best. I can't wait to read my next one!

Angels and Insects (by A.S. Byatt) -- Another of my favorite authors. The first novella in this collection (there are 2) was fantastic and positively haunting; the second one I did not like, though the writing was characteristically excellent.

The Brooklyn Follies (by Paul Auster) -- Yet another great read. I literally could not put it down, and it made me glad I picked up my second Auster novel (the first one I read 8 years ago).

Tristram Shandy (by Lawrence Sterne) -- Good, but not what I expected. I had thought it was going to be more like Italo Calvino, but it wasn't. Still, worth picking up.

Luncheon of the Boating Party -- A very good pleasure read. Nothing too spectacular, but I love Renoir, and the author personifies him well, as she does with narrating the painting. So, it was worth it, but a guilty pleasure.

Everything is Illuminated (by Jonathan Safran Foer) --- Great book, a little bit disturbing, though. In my opinion, not as good as his latest, which is below. Interesting, compelling, and ultimately moving, though.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (by Jonathan Safran Foer) -- Awesome. Just awesome. A tad weird, at first, if you don't know his style, but definitely excellent and moving. One of my favorite reads this summer.

Maps and Legends (by Michael Chabon) --Chabon is one of my favorite authors, so he never lets me down. This time, he did not disappoint. His essays were interesting, honest, insightful, and impeccably written. He writes the way I want to write. Pick it up!


There are many more. Academic texts later. :)

Project URL

My first post in May; my last post for this class. :( (Anyone feel a Dickensian onslaught coming on?)

Here is the URL for my project, humble as it is: http://www.uwm.edu/~etlinger/introduction.html

If any of you have trouble with the link, do let me know. I've had some trouble myself, so it wouldn't surprise me if you do, too.

At any rate, I'd love some feedback on this site, as it's intended to be a work in progress and therefore FAR from final, definitive, finished, etc. Please feel free to offer suggestions, criticism, feedback, questions, gripes, how-tos, and the like.

I've enjoyed working with you all this semester, and I will try to find time during the summer to continue the blogging. If nothing else, it'll keep me in touch, and help me prepare for my upcoming first semester review in the fall! :)

Cheers!

So What Do We Do Now?

I'm still thinking about the implications of Chun's argument(s), especially in terms of rhetoric, teaching, writing, and the internet.

In the interest of brevity, my question is this: Given Chun's idea that freedom is what makes us human, and opens up spaces where "real" deliberation -- to use Anne's term-- can occur, how do we make this happen?

What does Chun want us to do, exactly? Is it enough to write a book and think about it? (I think so). But does she want to inspire me/us to teach in ways that bring about her kind of freedom? How?

Finally, if she does want us to teach in ways that bring about freedom, how might we reconcile it with the current aims of the university?

Sigh.

The text from my poem

Sorry, guys. It looked a whole lot better in MovieMaker, and even when I played it on Blogger just before it posted. So here's the text. It might actually be better to read the text, then look at the movie -- since the "animations" are more for mood and a/effect, than anything else.

A letter to his lover, after reading Marlowe (“A Passionate Shepherd to His Love”)

Istanbul, Turkey, 23 October

There is no phone, no fridge,
but there is a house.

It is an old woman’s house, with musty
sheets and old furniture and stale
yellowed windows;
two small beds and a pull-out couch;
nothing in the kitchen but a hot plate
and a few dinged pots.

But there is a house.

we have not had rain in weeks.
The clouds never melt,
and the sky never opens its fist to release
raindrops that crawl like marbles
onto the desert ground:
a desert without a sun.

Through the clouds somewhere I know you are sleeping
turning over in a place I have never seen,
your body silent, still, never letting go
of my shadow that lingers still, on your breath.

I am alone here, in this house
where so many others have left
their residue, and every time I open the door
the lonely ghost of guilt ambles over
and takes my coat.
No, I say, we have not had rain in weeks,
but there is this house.

Darling I cannot give you the poem you need
the poem with its lady twirling among roses
and a gentleman watching, intent, sweeping
her away to his quiet quarters.

I cannot give you that. We
we have not had rain in weeks.

But there is a house.

Poetry in Motion

I don't have PhotoShop, so I made a movie. Here it is. Enjoy.

An Attempt for a Recipe Collective

Many thanks to Anne for hosting a great party on Saturday for Plan B people! Since at least two people asked, I'm putting the recipe for my salad on the blog. Rest assured: even people who can't cook can make this! It's EASY.

Depending on the number of people, you'll want 1-3 pounds of small red and or yellow potatoes, a pound of green beans, half a bunch to a whole bunch of green onions, olive oil, salt, and fresh ground pepper.

Cut potatoes in half. Cook in water until tender.
Cook green beans until bright and crunchy. Cut in half.
Cut green onions.

In large bowl, put everything together. Mix. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix again, and taste. If it's dry, add more oil. Then, continue to add salt and pepper to taste. Voila.

Note: when my mom makes this, she uses red onion. If you want to go this route, use about a quarter of it, diced. I prefer green onions, because they're not as strong. But, it's up to you.