I agree with Kate and Cloe. In 1984, sex was a huge part of the rebelling of the system, but in Little Brother sex is just an appeal to teenagers and as Kate said, that it was showing how the two people rebelling coming together.
@Joe, I think that Cory Doctorow is trying to replicate 1984 in a modern version. This is why I believe "sex" is such a large theme. Not because he is trying to obtain the attention of an adolescent audience.
I think that the sex in “Little Brother” is more just to show that they are normal teenagers. The point of the book is to show that normal teenagers can also change the world. Many parts of the book are to show that Marcus and Ange are normal, they just have a cause worth fighting for.
I agree with Kate when she said that in 1984, sex was an act of rebellion, whereas in Little Brother it's the unity of two rebels, who not necessarily are doing it to rebel against the government. Also, the governments in both books are different, where different things are frowned upon. So they rebel in different ways
Now that he has given the story away, I think that Barbara will publish something that he may not necessarily want published. It will be the XNet coming out totally exposed.
I feel like the sex in Little Brother is not as meaningful, symbolic and significant as the sex in 1984. Marcus and Ange and Winston and Julia have two completely different relationships. Although Marcus and Ange obviously have a mature relationship, Winston and Julia were far more connected and committed to eachother while they were having sex. i can see how Winston and Ange having sex brings them closer and strenghtens their relationship though.
I think the role Barbara plays is going to be a very important aspect later down the road. When she publishes her story it will make people like Marcus's dad to realize their government isn't all it's made out to be.
Because of the growing technology, it is impossible for someone to be invisible, and that is symbolic of the telescreens in 1984. Even though things may seem private and secure, there are always going to be loopholes and ways for people to find out things you don't want them to.
@Troy--Security by the government even in our society is not as secret as you say. The telescreens in 1984 were just intimidation, just like the DHS is in Little Brother.
I agree with Troy. We defenently have "telescreans" in our daily lives today. We talked about this in class the other day. We have video cameras in our dressing rooms, schools, streets, and almost every where we go.
I think that this book is more like 1984 than the inner circle is making it sound like. You just have to think about what is behind the main story. Sort of the general plot.
@Kate, that is a really good point and it would follow the plot of 1984. I believe that the government could completely aware of what Marcus is doing, but they want to catch him at the right time.
I feel like 1984 was kind of drastic compared to our world today. However, I agree with Cloe. I think that Little Brother is a more modern, possibly real, book about our world today. I think our world is closer to Little Brother than 1984.
@Garret I feel like Barbara could be like O'Brien but it seems kind of far fetched considering she has published other stories that told the truth to the public.
I think the DHS understand what Marcus is doing to an extent. They could of predicted that he would try to rebel and thus could more easily find out he was involved. However I think that they don’t know that he is M1k3y.
I don't think that Little Brother is as simlar to 1984. In Little Brother, the people have a little more freedom. The kids don't really rat out their parents, and people can get away with a lot more
I also agree with troy. There are tons of things in our world today that are symbolic of the telescreens in 1984. All of the things that we have learned this semester, such as how our privacy is violated and taken away, there is tons of evidence as to how teh government watches us in ways that many people would not be okay with if they knew exactly what was going on behind the scenes and all of the information that basically any educated or experienced person can access.
I agree with that the DHS knows who he is. Did anyone else notice that he gave out his age at the conference on the Xnet? I thought he said he wasn't going to give away his info. Who do you think might be an insider luring in Marcus?
If this book is like 1984, then the DHS must know. O’Brian knew what Winston was doing and didn’t arrest him right away. So the DHS must know what Marcus is doing.
@ Katie F- yes, i agree with you 100%. The world we saw in 1984 is different from Little Brother in many ways. But one has to consider the fact that the books are set in two totally different time era's. Things today are much different and more advanced in our society then a 1984 society. The thought of a kid turning in their parents to the government is really abnormal.
I think that Masha is one of the government's tools that they use to seek out the jammers. If Marcus did create something big with the Xnetters then Marcus will just have more evidence against him for the DHS to use.
Marcus should be more careful wit Mosha. As readers, I agree with Joe we want her to be part of the "good guys" but it is very possible that she is and infiltrator to the XNet for the DHS.
I think that the DHS does know whats going on. Like in 1984, the government knew everything that was going on with Winston, but they let him go along with it and caught him when he was at his highest. I think that is going to happen in Little Brother too.
I don't think all of these parallels being drawn between 1984 and Little Brother are true. The government in 1984 was in charge and everyone knew it, the government in Little Brother seems to be getting pushed around by a kid. Marcus is a completely different breed of rebel than Winston was. Also, I realized that there is Winston in 1984 and w1n5t0n in Little Brother.
I agree with Maria. The DHS is strict on their policies and warned Marcus and his friends that they were aware and watching them at all times. They are now marked men. The threat Marcus is causing to the American government would definately spark the interest of the DHS, and I think if they were aware of the identity of M1k3y, they would definately capture him again.
Because we are comparing 1984 to Little Brother, I think that the story line is the same but the way things are performed is set in modern time. You could say that at this time sex is degraded and disregarded compared to how it used to be. This could be the reason why sex is not as powerful in Little Brother as 1984.
I have a pretty strong feeling that the DHS knows who Marcus is and knows what he is up to using Xnet. Like Rheanna said, if this book is like 1984, the DHS must know, like O'brien knew about Winston. I think it is only a matter of time before he is busted again.
Thinking about when Marcus got suspended...do you think the substitute teachers works for the DHS? What implications does that make for their classroom learning and environment?
@mmoritz-- I doubt that the teachers are working for the DHS, a paid employee can switch sides, instead I think they were carefully selected by the DHS, for their views, bust that they work for the schools.
I think the government feels so threatened by teenagers using the Xbox because, like earlier in the book, Marcus did use it to create gatherings and have secret chats with friends that the government did not know about.
I do think that this book is much more effective for our generation because everything is more geared toward us and we know that all of this technology does actually exist.
I think that the substitue teacher works for the DHS because she said that in the event of terrorism the Constitution doesn't matter which is exactly what the DHS did when they were questioning Marcus.
I agree with Cloe, our society is not far from the one shown in Little Brother. We have the technology, we have the government, and if we're not careful our lives could someday be like that of Marcus and his friends.
@M. Mortiz, I defenetly think that the substitute teachers works for the DHS. If this is anything like 1984, there are spies everywhere, and spies in a school seems incredibly reasonable
I think the subsitute is definately influenced by the DHS. The classroom would become a place for propaganda rather than learning the facts and studying different points of views. Different opinions would be frowned upon and I think this influence would decrease diversity in thought to prevent ideas of terrorism. Do you think the subsitute is there to track actions of possible future terrorists?
I don't think that Little Brother is as effective because it is just a parody of 1984 and it was written AFTER a time where society is already aware of the negative effects of technology. Doctorow decided to make a modern version of 1984, but major aspects were still left out. Sure it may be easier for people to understand because it is dated, but for someone to have predicted such a dreadful future in 1984 and for it to actually come true makes it more effective.
@mmoritz-- The teacher may or may not work for the DHS. She obviously believes in shat the DHS believes in, but maybe she was brought in by the school in a time of terrorist crisis.
@mmortitz-- i think that the thought of a substitute teacher coming into our classroom, working for the government or an agency like the DHS would terrify me! the control that the government has, in the classroom and out of the classroom, is just insane.
I think Little Brother is scarier than 1984. The modern technology and the home setting make the warning more real. We, as the youth of America, can relate more closely to Marcus and his situation. This makes the book more of a real possibility in my mind.
The substitute teacher seems to hate Marcus. She could be part of the DHS. She didn't want to hear what Marcus had to say. She was quick to throw him out. She seemed like she could be working for the DHS to get Marcus in trouble.
I agree with Cloe. Our world today is really not that far from the World in Little Brother. We don't know a lot what's going on, we are scared and look to the government and security, and are willing to give up our own freedom to stay safe just like in Little Brother.
Marcus says "I've always loved just learning stuff for its own sake. Just to be smarter about the world around me. I could do that by just walking around the city". Do you agree with that. If so, why are you in school???
I believe that Barbara is going to betray Marcus. I think that when she publishes her story that she will somehow find a way to exploit Marcus and the Xnet.
@mmoritz-- I do not think that I could teach myself just by walking around-besides street smarts. We are not only in school to learn, but also maintain human connections and learn from other people. That is one way home schooking could be crippling.
@mmortiz-- i honestly do not agree that you can just be smarter then the rest of te world by walking around on the streets. sure, you would learn how to be "street smart", but you need to go to school to get the basics of education and outsmart the typical person.
I really don't believe that in our society you can learn as much in the city as in the society that Marcus lives in because we don't just go around in the city and I can't imagine that ever happening. Really though that is why we have school now, to learn more than we would on the streets.
@mmoritz- I do agree with that. But, it does not mean that we don't need to go to school. I believe we go to school to learn to be successful in our jobs and future. I also believe that 'walking around the city' and learning things on our own is good to help us 'cope' with the rest of our lives outside of our jobs and apply what we learn to everything else.
We are in school to experience different opinions, and diversity. I can learn most of the same stuff from a computer, or walking around the city, but I wouldn't have as many kids my age learning from them.
I personally am more scared by Little Brother. Each of us can manipulate our technology to do whatever we want. Then it becomes if we trust the people that are figuring out these new ways of using technology. They can use it help us they can use it to destroy the way we lead our lives. Also I dont think that talking about this so hypothetically is taking away from the meaning. Everything in this book could happen tomorrow.
We are in school to learn the fundamentals to function in our society. We need these skills and this common knowledge to be aware of how the world works and worked previously. Learning in school allows us to be aware of our society's functions and ideas that it supports. By walking around town, you gain world knowledge through personal experiences. Both are important and both are used in different situations of life.
@Cassie I don't believe that the parents will turn Marcus in just because their entire life revolves around him. Like when his dad thought that he was dead he got deep wrinkles from worrying and the amount of anger he showed when Marcus told him the truth. They love him to much to do anything harmful to him.
@kaibino-- I don't think this is what our world has become yet--not to these extremes. 1984 did implement technology etc. so it was a warning, but I don't think our security has reached the point where the DHS is like an omnipotent God/king/ruler.
I agree with Peter, something has to be done with the Darryl situation. However I don't think it will be in favor of Marcus because he would be way to far behind the hole scheme.
@mmoritz- I’m in school because of the learning aspect although I do agree with Marcus. I love learning for my own sake however I cannot motivate myself to learn in certain ways. For example, if I was in charge of teaching myself I would focus mostly on math and less on history. Although they are both important I find math easier so I would spend more time on that. The result would be that my education would be imbalanced
I agree with Macy, 1984, was defenently made to scare the readers of communism, because communism was so close to coming true in that time. But really Little Brother isn't really made to scare but is for a story, because well we don't really have anything pressing on us. We have no communism really pressing in the world, no war really efecting the average people. Yes, there is some scary aspects in this book but it really wasn't made to scare the readers like 1984 was written for.
To me, Little Brother is more scary than 1984 because it's closer to home and more relatable. We are aware of this technology and this way of life, whereas in 1984, the technology and the over supressing nature of the government is somewhat foreign.
Lord of the Flies was about loss of innocence. At the end, they realize what they have done, and Ralph cries for loss of innocence. In Little Brother, I feel that Marcus has already lost his innocence. He is aware of what he has done and what he is doing.
@ mmoritz, I think that there are two different types of "intellect." One type is a general common sense smart and it has to do with basic everyday survival, but there is also a type of smart that includes what you learn at school. Anyone can have "street smarts" but it takes an education to be smarter than the average person.
The DHS would have blown up the bridge, but its not likely. The society was sent into chaos and millions of dollars were lost in car wrecks, missed work time and other things.
I don't think there is any possible way that the DHS could've blown up the bridge, because why would the want to hurt their own people? They said that thousands of people were killed in the bombing, and even though the DHS is twisted I don't think that they would've gone to that extent.
I really don't think that it matters what the ending of the book really matters. What matters is what we have seen in the book. We need to focus on the fact that this really could happen in our society. For me the reality of that is really scary. What is even more scary to me is that we don't know 100% for sure that all we know is true. The U.S. might already be drifting toward this sort of society.
@maria, I agree with you when you say we have not gone to such extremes explained in Little Brother, but that does not mean that we are not capable of doing so. There is that type of technology out there but in America people freely express and fight for their freedoms so it would be difficult for the government to implement such security.
How could blowing up the bridge be an accident?it was obviously planned by someone for some reason.and i agree with cloe- why would someone automatically assume that a kid being stabbed on calling for help on the street mean that they were terrorists or up to no good?
What if the points of the book isn't to scare us into turning away from our current situation, maybe it will have a happy ending to give us hope that we don't have to become like Marcus.
It would make total sense if the DHS did blow up the bridge. It strikes fear into the people, giving them more power over the people and the government because when people are afraid they are willing to give up almost anything even their own freedom to keep themselves and their families safe.
I think that sex is just a way for people to rebel, just like in 1984.
ReplyDeleteI really think that the only purpose of sex in this book is for Ange to give Marcus a little motivation for his actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kate. I don't think it's really a way to rebel but more to just come together and become a more modernish book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kate and Cloe. In 1984, sex was a huge part of the rebelling of the system, but in Little Brother sex is just an appeal to teenagers and as Kate said, that it was showing how the two people rebelling coming together.
ReplyDeleteIn Little Brother, sex is just Marcus being a teenage boy. It doesn't have any symbolic relationship like in 1984.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the sex in Little Brother doesn't have anything with Marcus and Ange rebelling like in 1984.
ReplyDelete@Joe, I think that Cory Doctorow is trying to replicate 1984 in a modern version. This is why I believe "sex" is such a large theme. Not because he is trying to obtain the attention of an adolescent audience.
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ReplyDeleteI think that the sex in “Little Brother” is more just to show that they are normal teenagers. The point of the book is to show that normal teenagers can also change the world. Many parts of the book are to show that Marcus and Ange are normal, they just have a cause worth fighting for.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Kate when she said that in 1984, sex was an act of rebellion, whereas in Little Brother it's the unity of two rebels, who not necessarily are doing it to rebel against the government. Also, the governments in both books are different, where different things are frowned upon. So they rebel in different ways
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Marcus and Ange are rebelling by having sex. They are just being teenagers.
ReplyDeleteNow that he has given the story away, I think that Barbara will publish something that he may not necessarily want published. It will be the XNet coming out totally exposed.
ReplyDelete!!!!!!!! Could Barbara maybe be the next O'brien ?????????? Think about it.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the sex in Little Brother is not as meaningful, symbolic and significant as the sex in 1984. Marcus and Ange and Winston and Julia have two completely different relationships. Although Marcus and Ange obviously have a mature relationship, Winston and Julia were far more connected and committed to eachother while they were having sex. i can see how Winston and Ange having sex brings them closer and strenghtens their relationship though.
ReplyDeleteI think the role Barbara plays is going to be a very important aspect later down the road. When she publishes her story it will make people like Marcus's dad to realize their government isn't all it's made out to be.
ReplyDeleteI think that because Marcus is completely all out against the DHS, and that whatever Barbara puts out in the media, he will agree with.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the growing technology, it is impossible for someone to be invisible, and that is symbolic of the telescreens in 1984. Even though things may seem private and secure, there are always going to be loopholes and ways for people to find out things you don't want them to.
ReplyDelete@Troy--Security by the government even in our society is not as secret as you say. The telescreens in 1984 were just intimidation, just like the DHS is in Little Brother.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Troy. Although we can’t see the cameras or don’t know they are listing to us, the government still is there, watching them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Troy. We defenently have "telescreans" in our daily lives today. We talked about this in class the other day. We have video cameras in our dressing rooms, schools, streets, and almost every where we go.
ReplyDeleteI think that this book is more like 1984 than the inner circle is making it sound like. You just have to think about what is behind the main story. Sort of the general plot.
ReplyDelete@Kate, that is a really good point and it would follow the plot of 1984. I believe that the government could completely aware of what Marcus is doing, but they want to catch him at the right time.
ReplyDelete@Maria-- the security, is a form of intimidation, however, it also serves the purpose of catching people like Marcus. Not just intimidating them.
ReplyDeleteI feel like 1984 was kind of drastic compared to our world today. However, I agree with Cloe. I think that Little Brother is a more modern, possibly real, book about our world today. I think our world is closer to Little Brother than 1984.
ReplyDeleteI think that the government is going to end up catching Marcus in the act, and have the same lame ending that 1984 did.
ReplyDelete@Garret I feel like Barbara could be like O'Brien but it seems kind of far fetched considering she has published other stories that told the truth to the public.
ReplyDeleteGiven the brutality of the DHS, I think they would have captured Marcus and taken him back to jail because that would destroy the XNet.
ReplyDeleteI think the DHS understand what Marcus is doing to an extent. They could of predicted that he would try to rebel and thus could more easily find out he was involved. However I think that they don’t know that he is M1k3y.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Little Brother is as simlar to 1984. In Little Brother, the people have a little more freedom. The kids don't really rat out their parents, and people can get away with a lot more
ReplyDeleteI also agree with troy. There are tons of things in our world today that are symbolic of the telescreens in 1984. All of the things that we have learned this semester, such as how our privacy is violated and taken away, there is tons of evidence as to how teh government watches us in ways that many people would not be okay with if they knew exactly what was going on behind the scenes and all of the information that basically any educated or experienced person can access.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that the DHS knows who he is. Did anyone else notice that he gave out his age at the conference on the Xnet? I thought he said he wasn't going to give away his info. Who do you think might be an insider luring in Marcus?
ReplyDeleteIf this book is like 1984, then the DHS must know. O’Brian knew what Winston was doing and didn’t arrest him right away. So the DHS must know what Marcus is doing.
ReplyDelete@ Katie F- yes, i agree with you 100%. The world we saw in 1984 is different from Little Brother in many ways. But one has to consider the fact that the books are set in two totally different time era's. Things today are much different and more advanced in our society then a 1984 society. The thought of a kid turning in their parents to the government is really abnormal.
ReplyDeleteI think that Masha is one of the government's tools that they use to seek out the jammers. If Marcus did create something big with the Xnetters then Marcus will just have more evidence against him for the DHS to use.
ReplyDeleteMarcus should be more careful wit Mosha. As readers, I agree with Joe we want her to be part of the "good guys" but it is very possible that she is and infiltrator to the XNet for the DHS.
ReplyDeleteI think that the DHS does know whats going on. Like in 1984, the government knew everything that was going on with Winston, but they let him go along with it and caught him when he was at his highest. I think that is going to happen in Little Brother too.
ReplyDeleteI don't think all of these parallels being drawn between 1984 and Little Brother are true. The government in 1984 was in charge and everyone knew it, the government in Little Brother seems to be getting pushed around by a kid. Marcus is a completely different breed of rebel than Winston was. Also, I realized that there is Winston in 1984 and w1n5t0n in Little Brother.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Spencer, there are all those DHS guys working in Clockwork Plunder, so it's pretty likely that Masha is on the side of the DHS.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maria. The DHS is strict on their policies and warned Marcus and his friends that they were aware and watching them at all times. They are now marked men. The threat Marcus is causing to the American government would definately spark the interest of the DHS, and I think if they were aware of the identity of M1k3y, they would definately capture him again.
ReplyDeleteIf there are so many people from the DHS on Xnet, then how come they don't know that M1k3y?
ReplyDelete@Amanda- I completely agree. The more Marcus does, the more he builds up for others to use against him.
ReplyDeleteBecause we are comparing 1984 to Little Brother, I think that the story line is the same but the way things are performed is set in modern time. You could say that at this time sex is degraded and disregarded compared to how it used to be. This could be the reason why sex is not as powerful in Little Brother as 1984.
ReplyDeleteI have a pretty strong feeling that the DHS knows who Marcus is and knows what he is up to using Xnet. Like Rheanna said, if this book is like 1984, the DHS must know, like O'brien knew about Winston. I think it is only a matter of time before he is busted again.
ReplyDeleteWould you say Masha is compared to Julia? Or O'Brien?
ReplyDeleteThinking about when Marcus got suspended...do you think the substitute teachers works for the DHS? What implications does that make for their classroom learning and environment?
ReplyDeleteWhy does the government feel so threatened by a bunch of teenagers using and Xbox?
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ReplyDelete@Katie--I think Masha is more of an O'Brien because she has the potential to be a traitor. Ange is more like Julia.
ReplyDelete@ mmoritz, it means that everything is manipulated by the government and what they perceive to be justifiable.
ReplyDelete@ Katie F- I think she is more like Julia because she would seem like an enemy at first, but she says she is against the system and Marcus trusts her.
ReplyDelete1984 was the modern day story when it was written. Little Brother is our modern day example of an overwhelming government.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher basically says "the Constitution doesn't matter"
ReplyDelete@mmoritz-- I doubt that the teachers are working for the DHS, a paid employee can switch sides, instead I think they were carefully selected by the DHS, for their views, bust that they work for the schools.
ReplyDeleteI think the government feels so threatened by teenagers using the Xbox because, like earlier in the book, Marcus did use it to create gatherings and have secret chats with friends that the government did not know about.
ReplyDeleteI do think that this book is much more effective for our generation because everything is more geared toward us and we know that all of this technology does actually exist.
ReplyDeleteI think that the substitue teacher works for the DHS because she said that in the event of terrorism the Constitution doesn't matter which is exactly what the DHS did when they were questioning Marcus.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cloe, our society is not far from the one shown in Little Brother. We have the technology, we have the government, and if we're not careful our lives could someday be like that of Marcus and his friends.
ReplyDelete@M. Mortiz, I defenetly think that the substitute teachers works for the DHS. If this is anything like 1984, there are spies everywhere, and spies in a school seems incredibly reasonable
ReplyDeleteI think the subsitute is definately influenced by the DHS. The classroom would become a place for propaganda rather than learning the facts and studying different points of views. Different opinions would be frowned upon and I think this influence would decrease diversity in thought to prevent ideas of terrorism. Do you think the subsitute is there to track actions of possible future terrorists?
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Little Brother is as effective because it is just a parody of 1984 and it was written AFTER a time where society is already aware of the negative effects of technology. Doctorow decided to make a modern version of 1984, but major aspects were still left out. Sure it may be easier for people to understand because it is dated, but for someone to have predicted such a dreadful future in 1984 and for it to actually come true makes it more effective.
ReplyDelete@mmoritz-- The teacher may or may not work for the DHS. She obviously believes in shat the DHS believes in, but maybe she was brought in by the school in a time of terrorist crisis.
ReplyDelete@mmortitz-- i think that the thought of a substitute teacher coming into our classroom, working for the government or an agency like the DHS would terrify me! the control that the government has, in the classroom and out of the classroom, is just insane.
ReplyDeleteI really disagree with that 1984 was more scary. This is much more scary to me than 1984 because it is so much more close to actually happen.
ReplyDeleteI think Little Brother is scarier than 1984. The modern technology and the home setting make the warning more real. We, as the youth of America, can relate more closely to Marcus and his situation. This makes the book more of a real possibility in my mind.
ReplyDeleteThe substitute teacher seems to hate Marcus. She could be part of the DHS. She didn't want to hear what Marcus had to say. She was quick to throw him out. She seemed like she could be working for the DHS to get Marcus in trouble.
ReplyDelete@Troy. This book seems more realalistic because we have actually experienced terrorism, but in 1984 the society seems fictional.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Matt and Peter, Little Brother isn't really that scarry, it almost mirrors our current society. Whereas 1984 is meant to scare.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cloe. Our world today is really not that far from the World in Little Brother. We don't know a lot what's going on, we are scared and look to the government and security, and are willing to give up our own freedom to stay safe just like in Little Brother.
ReplyDeleteMarcus says "I've always loved just learning stuff for its own sake. Just to be smarter about the world around me. I could do that by just walking around the city". Do you agree with that. If so, why are you in school???
ReplyDeleteLittle Brother was written to scare us of what our world could become.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Barbara is going to betray Marcus. I think that when she publishes her story that she will somehow find a way to exploit Marcus and the Xnet.
ReplyDelete@ Maria, Little Brother was written to explain what our world HAS become, while 1984 was a warning.
ReplyDelete@mmoritz-- I do not think that I could teach myself just by walking around-besides street smarts. We are not only in school to learn, but also maintain human connections and learn from other people. That is one way home schooking could be crippling.
ReplyDelete@mmortiz-- i honestly do not agree that you can just be smarter then the rest of te world by walking around on the streets. sure, you would learn how to be "street smart", but you need to go to school to get the basics of education and outsmart the typical person.
ReplyDeleteI really don't believe that in our society you can learn as much in the city as in the society that Marcus lives in because we don't just go around in the city and I can't imagine that ever happening. Really though that is why we have school now, to learn more than we would on the streets.
ReplyDelete@mmoritz- I do agree with that. But, it does not mean that we don't need to go to school. I believe we go to school to learn to be successful in our jobs and future. I also believe that 'walking around the city' and learning things on our own is good to help us 'cope' with the rest of our lives outside of our jobs and apply what we learn to everything else.
ReplyDeleteWe are in school to experience different opinions, and diversity. I can learn most of the same stuff from a computer, or walking around the city, but I wouldn't have as many kids my age learning from them.
ReplyDeleteI personally am more scared by Little Brother. Each of us can manipulate our technology to do whatever we want. Then it becomes if we trust the people that are figuring out these new ways of using technology. They can use it help us they can use it to destroy the way we lead our lives. Also I dont think that talking about this so hypothetically is taking away from the meaning. Everything in this book could happen tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWe are in school to learn the fundamentals to function in our society. We need these skills and this common knowledge to be aware of how the world works and worked previously. Learning in school allows us to be aware of our society's functions and ideas that it supports. By walking around town, you gain world knowledge through personal experiences. Both are important and both are used in different situations of life.
ReplyDelete@Cassie I don't believe that the parents will turn Marcus in just because their entire life revolves around him. Like when his dad thought that he was dead he got deep wrinkles from worrying and the amount of anger he showed when Marcus told him the truth. They love him to much to do anything harmful to him.
ReplyDelete@kaibino-- I don't think this is what our world has become yet--not to these extremes. 1984 did implement technology etc. so it was a warning, but I don't think our security has reached the point where the DHS is like an omnipotent God/king/ruler.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Peter, something has to be done with the Darryl situation. However I don't think it will be in favor of Marcus because he would be way to far behind the hole scheme.
ReplyDelete@mmoritz- I’m in school because of the learning aspect although I do agree with Marcus. I love learning for my own sake however I cannot motivate myself to learn in certain ways. For example, if I was in charge of teaching myself I would focus mostly on math and less on history. Although they are both important I find math easier so I would spend more time on that. The result would be that my education would be imbalanced
ReplyDeleteI agree with Macy, 1984, was defenently made to scare the readers of communism, because communism was so close to coming true in that time. But really Little Brother isn't really made to scare but is for a story, because well we don't really have anything pressing on us. We have no communism really pressing in the world, no war really efecting the average people. Yes, there is some scary aspects in this book but it really wasn't made to scare the readers like 1984 was written for.
ReplyDeleteTo me, Little Brother is more scary than 1984 because it's closer to home and more relatable. We are aware of this technology and this way of life, whereas in 1984, the technology and the over supressing nature of the government is somewhat foreign.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Spencer that we expect certain endings due to trends in literature and human emotions.
ReplyDeleteLord of the Flies was about loss of innocence. At the end, they realize what they have done, and Ralph cries for loss of innocence. In Little Brother, I feel that Marcus has already lost his innocence. He is aware of what he has done and what he is doing.
ReplyDelete@ mmoritz, I think that there are two different types of "intellect." One type is a general common sense smart and it has to do with basic everyday survival, but there is also a type of smart that includes what you learn at school. Anyone can have "street smarts" but it takes an education to be smarter than the average person.
ReplyDeleteLast thoughts--shut down--put away
ReplyDeleteWhat if the bridge blowing up was an accident?
ReplyDeleteThe DHS would have blown up the bridge, but its not likely. The society was sent into chaos and millions of dollars were lost in car wrecks, missed work time and other things.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is any possible way that the DHS could've blown up the bridge, because why would the want to hurt their own people? They said that thousands of people were killed in the bombing, and even though the DHS is twisted I don't think that they would've gone to that extent.
ReplyDeleteI really don't think that it matters what the ending of the book really matters. What matters is what we have seen in the book. We need to focus on the fact that this really could happen in our society. For me the reality of that is really scary. What is even more scary to me is that we don't know 100% for sure that all we know is true. The U.S. might already be drifting toward this sort of society.
ReplyDelete@maria, I agree with you when you say we have not gone to such extremes explained in Little Brother, but that does not mean that we are not capable of doing so. There is that type of technology out there but in America people freely express and fight for their freedoms so it would be difficult for the government to implement such security.
ReplyDelete@Rheana like and electrical cord caught on fire?
ReplyDeleteHow could blowing up the bridge be an accident?it was obviously planned by someone for some reason.and i agree with cloe- why would someone automatically assume that a kid being stabbed on calling for help on the street mean that they were terrorists or up to no good?
ReplyDeleteWhat if the points of the book isn't to scare us into turning away from our current situation, maybe it will have a happy ending to give us hope that we don't have to become like Marcus.
ReplyDeleteIt would make total sense if the DHS did blow up the bridge. It strikes fear into the people, giving them more power over the people and the government because when people are afraid they are willing to give up almost anything even their own freedom to keep themselves and their families safe.
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