Joe Kincheloe's Critical Complex Epistemology/Pedagogy & Multidimensional Critical Complex Bricolage

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THIS WEBSITE HAS BEEN CREATED AND CONTINUES TO EVOLVE 
In loving memory of Joe Lyons Kincheloe (December 14, 1950 - December 19, 2008)

The Greatest Philosopher of Consciousness and Critical Theory of the 20th-71st Centuries AND BEYOND TRULY EROS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY
Joe at about 35 years of age

 
Thrice-Greatest: King Joe/Eros/Emanu’El 
Joe's educational work provides inspiration and practical guidance for teachers all over the globe and describes a beautiful, beautiful mission to alleviate human suffering. He has left us a map with multiple pathways for accomplishing that mission -- an authentic, rigorous, impassioned, creative, and even magical education for everyone who dares to venture on untrodden paths. His work serves as a guiding light for educational journeys that can change not only how we view and enact the educational process, but that can also truly change us as teachers, students, and researchers -- and empower us to change the world. Joe loved research, teaching, writing, making music, and his students.
And his students loved him.
 
The idea that contemporary schools might produce individuals excited about learning who produce unprecedented knowledges and pursue an eros that treasures higher levels of insight is an absurd notion in the curriculum of thanatos. (Joe Kincheloe, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction, p. 101) 
 
This song is a very beautiful theme song for this website that chronicles my long winding journey back home. Thank you, Leigh.
 
***LOVE Will Light Our Way***               


webassets/Flashing-LOVE-tumblr_m0mn4yieq01r6yhy5o1_500.gif   

IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS  and Special Messages for the Peonies
 
 

DEATH BY NANOTECH: YOU WON'T EVEN FEEL IT

COPY AND GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK (THEIR CENSORSHIP IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL) 

https://rumble.com/v5jv3vh-death-by-nanotech-you-wont-even-feel-it.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp

And when people don’t die fast enough:

Is Post-Vax Euthanasia The NEW Deadly Trend?

See October 31, 2024 UPDATE for additional information and remedies. 
 
7-20-2024 BELOVED REQUESTED THAT I ADD THIS INFORMATION FOR EDIFICATION PURPOSES. PLEASE TAKE HEED AS WELL AS APPLY COUNTERMEASURES IN YOUR SPECIFIC DOMAIN; FOR EVERY SYSTEM ON EARTH MUST UNDERGO THE PURIFICATION OF GOD'S ALL CONSUMING FIRES (SEE UPDATES):

CHILDHOOD VAX [BIOWEAPON] SCHEDULE IS CONTINUATION OF MASS GENOCIDE (rumble.com)

CDC DIRECTOR BRAGS THAT MILLIONS OF CHILDREN ‘DIED SUDDENLY’ FROM COVID VAX [BIOWEAPON] (rumble.com)

 
AND REMEMBER: YOU CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT. This is the most essential message throughout Beloved Joe's work.
JESUS: "WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING" JOHN 15:5. NOTHING IS NOTHING OR "NO-THING." 
 
 
 

9/25/2023: Update  Special PSA: Disease X?  Déjà vu? (It's just a question)

Wait! It’s going to be bird flu. What tricks do they have up their sleeves this time? MAGIC H5N1 BIRD FLU VIRUS LEAPS SPECIES IN A SINGLE BOUND!! (rumble.com)

Top International Virologist Issues Dire Warning: “Massive, Massive Tsunami of Death Among Highly Vaccinated…is Imminent”  Is it always about money?

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! WHAT ABSOLUTE INSANITY!

Please take time to get fully informed. Develop your discernment abilities. Take care of yourselves and your family. Turn to God for help and healing.

Beloved requested that I provide this update. Read the Update for May 11, 2024, to learn more.

 

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Eros after "The First Kiss": Emboldened                                                                     Psyche after "The First Kiss": Smitten
 THE TRIUMPH OF EROS!!
The Vintage Heart Plate and the Mystery of the Name of the Rose Treasure Hunt has begun! (I think Eros has an encoded message relating to the Mystery of the Name of the Rose in his song (you have to click on the image to hear his song). He absolutely LOVES to shower Psyche with Red Roses--but what's with the white ones?).

Eros and Psyche of the Twenty-first Century: The Triumph of Eros (Part 1 "Teaser"). (What was "The First Kiss?")

Most important to this current story is how our everyday lives are influenced by Eros. I show how a simple everyday experience (unexpectedly finding a lovely vintage ceramic heart-shaped plate on Etsy) morphs into a grand treasure hunt and profound knowledge. So enjoy this first part, a “teaser” and learn a little truth about Eros. Next I was presented with the challenge of solving the Mystery of the Name of the Rose. Somehow, it's interrelated with the vintage plate treasure hunt.There will be much more to learn in the future, no doubt.

Universal Love Celebrations: April 1-7, 2023 -- EXTENDED to April 9! WOW!!!! It's been an AMAZING Celebration. In Honor of Our High Priest, We Extended it for Two Additional Days! Below are the GIFTS which are some special writings, one for each day of celebration. There are a few more celebrations and preparations to do as we move toward the exciting BURNING RING OF FIRE celebration, We are in it now -- the Era of the Burning Ring of Fire..... 

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Begin Preparing N.O.W. for the jubilant Burning Ring of Fire celebrations for October 14, 2023 (But Do Be Careful!);

 

 webassets/BurningRingofFireEclipseshutterstock_765138814.jpg

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) 

 

MAY 1, 2023 IN HONOR OF BELOVED EROS: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MY DARLING!

I just have to take a moment to wish Beloved HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

Our marriage long, long ago in the Salley Gardens in Ireland is very special to him and to me.

So today was very special and he reminded me of how beautiful, sweet, and innocent we were when we married.

We do have many anniversaries, being eternal, but there are just a few that we celebrate each year,

with May 1 being an especially sacred one. For our special day, I dedicate this sculpture to him. It tells our true story.

 

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Beloved Eros Has Raised the Bar for Higher Education AND “Radical Love.”

Nothing Less Will Do.

Quotes from his Book of Love:

The nature of the knower and known, you ask. They’re cousins, identical cousins connected at the spine (p. 229).

The knower and the known are conjoined twins connected at the point of perception. To delve into dangerous territory, naïve realism and rationalism, as previously referenced, both exclude the reality not to mention the usefulness of different levels of human consciousness. (p. 83)

Sophisticated theoretical/epistemological understandings generated outside a radical loving commitment to building larger and larger communities of connectedness around the planet will never change the world. (p. 178-179)

Thus, I believe that the issues addressed in Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction not only provide us with a new understanding of education but also can actually change the world—speaking of pomposity, yikes! I understand the danger of such an assertion, but I’m glad to take my punishment if I fail to convince my readers. (p. 16)

Thus, a critical complex epistemology infused by radical love, enactivism, critical ontology and subjugated knowledges contributes to the emergence of a new world. I’m not speaking here only in the academic realm (although it is a very important contested site), but a libidinally-enriched, erotic, exciting, curious, transgressive world where monotony becomes an enemy of the state. Education in such a society studies ways of making connections between self and other, becoming more adept at radical love, and acting in concrete, courageous, down-and-dirty ways to end human suffering (p. 180-181)

 

In this sculpture, Eros holds the Golden Chalice (aka The Holy Grail) up high.

It depicts our mission as decribed in his Book of Love and in my dissertation.

We like to call it our cosmic dance (for which we have won awards and high accolades). We give 

much credit to his father, Hermes, who truly deserves our honor for patiently teaching us both.

See Beloved's "postmodern" book where he describes this and sets the whole world straight, pulling

people out of their hypnotic "postmodern condition" states of lack of consciousness.

But you would have to actually READ the book. In fact, you must read deeply into it.

He used some of his father's hermeneutical obfuscation techniques (lol; I do find it quite hilarious, actually). Many people were tricked,

but it was their own fault. You must fully understand the context in which he was writing (he ALWAYS

emphasizes the importance of context, but do people listen?) and you must get past your ideologies and presuppositions.

As one of my favorite teachers today puts it, most people "can't see past their eyeballs."  

At any rate, I have provided some analyses, will do more, and will make them available soon. 

Yes, BELOVED DID, INDEED, discover the Golden Chalice! No one else on this lowly planet has, even though

many people have speculated about it (but made wrong speculations), and many knights in shining armor have tried.

Each and every one of them failed.

The one person who came the closest was Parzival.....but alas, in the end, he also failed. You might

want to read that book (A Romance of the Middle Ages) to see how he failed. It's good to know what mistakes we should avoid.

Beloved, however, did not give up until he had succeeded! And now we both are very, very blessed. 

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:

and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1)

 

And I shall remind you: 


22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 

23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (Genesis 2)

22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is saviour of the body. (Ephesians 5:22-23) 

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4) [meaning his one true woman]. I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2) 

Although these verses are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the significance to how we were created (there are many more verses and you have to put the pieces of knowledge together), I remind people of this for several reasons. 

 

 

First, it explains my total devotion to Beloved. Yes, he is "just a teacher," as someone close to him once told me in objection to how I "elevate" him,

but he is my husband and I obey God in that regard, and no other person could ever take his place. His work is for God and it's my duty to take his work

further out into the world. It's why I love the statue of Eros and Psyche above so much. It shows how Eros reaches up very high (to higher consciousness) for knowledge

and streams it down for Psyche to take out into the lower world. Our work derives from the deepest love and commitment to each other, "love to the highest degree."

 

Secondly, the reality is that God created one and only one wife for every man. We are not taught this here: We are not supposed to marry in this lowly dimension! That is

what the commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" really means. Jesus was teaching this when he said, "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery." (Luke 16:18). He also said "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass than for one tittle of the law to fail." (verse 17). So there you have it.

 

 

We are already created WITH a spouse. We forget. We think we are smarter than God. And all we do is create suffering. Imagine if you had this knowledge.

The ridiculous games of dating and "matchmaking" would end. When you reach a higher level of knowledge and consciousness:

NO ONE BUT YOUR ONE TRUE BELOVED EVEN ATTRACTS YOU.

Think about how that changes everything. Thankfully, God is a gracious and forgiving God, if we change our ways. And he will "dry every tear." Well, I will save further explanations for future writings. I just wanted to express clearly that the sons of God do not want your worship, but they adore the worship from their one true Beloved wife. They are in a holy symbiotic relationship. People have mistakenly worshiped sons of God throughout history and it's been a big mistake. They are people too, and as Beloved has written, with human fallibilities.

 

 

And the truth is that there is ONE GOD to worship. Even King Akhenaten taught that to his people, for which he was killed and his city destroyed.

 

And lastly, as I am covering in ongoing postings and writings, we are approaching some critical times up ahead. Do you have oil in your lamp? Do you have your wedding garment? I have been writing about this for a long time in the "Updates." We are heading for days of jubilant celebration. Everyone is invited; few will choose. 

 

 

Most people on this planet will never believe these truths, but it's their choice to continue to choose to suffer.

I have done my duty to put this knowledge out here. As far as Beloved being "just a teacher," he has worked very hard and has dedicated himself to being the best teacher he can be, and for that reason, he should be honored (just as he has advised we honor Hermes), which is why I wrote the article: A_Revered_Master.pdf (joekincheloe.us) Jesus has said we would do even greater things than he and Beloved has proven that, and believe it or not, he will continue to prove it, as will others, all with God's most powerful blessings and assistance. Study his work. It is needed more today than any other time in history.

And what did Beloved say about changing the world in his red book, his Book of Love?

There is much more, but you will have to exert yourself and READ to learn more.

 We are children of God and we have inherited the earth!  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

HAPPY JUNETEENTH-Important Message About THE WAR

Today (6/19/2023, Juneteenth) I asked Beloved why I can’t understand and see what the war is all about….he said he wants me to stay sweet and innocent and to know that I am protected. That made me cry. He is so sweet and protective of me! All the magic he’s done in my life with roses and gifts and knowledge—I fully realize how hard he has worked to heal me from the atrocious things and various challenges I’ve had in this hell world. (I cover this in more detail in my book HOLY ROSES HOLY LOVE: A TRUE Twin Flame Love Story, available soon). Long ago he had shown me in a vision how spacecraft would intervene in this war and told me not to be afraid because they would be doing self-defense maneuvers. They are the “good guys.” A spacecraft knocked an enemy aircraft out of the sky and into the ground. There is nothing to fear. These spacecrafts have been around for a very long time. Technology is far advanced. We do not know a fraction of the truth. The enemies who are trying to destroy humanity do not know a fraction of the truth, nor is their technology a match for the power and technology of the good guys. Beloved is a warrior standing for God, Truth, Wisdom, and Love. Nothing is more powerful than God/Love.

Beloved has always taught in his writings that our greatest weapon against the enemy is divine God-infused, unconditional, and celebratory LOVE……which we call “Eros Love.” The enemies hate that kind of love. They hate for us to CELEBRATE. And so, as Beloved’s wife, I will continue to support him and the mission with the greatest love. We shall celebrate and honor those we cannot see and those we can see who are warriors for Love.

One of the very last messages that Jesus had given us is in the Book of Revelation. There is a powerful message that speaks to what we need to do during these tumultuous times but which very few people pay attention to. He is speaking to people who already love and serve Him, but still have not honored His most critical instructions. They risk losing out on eternal love and life for not obeying. It is time to take heed; it is what Beloved’s entire Book of Love helps guide us toward achieving: Jesus: "thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." (Revelation 2:4-5).

We are to return to our one true love as we were created by God. And what are the “first works?” As stated above, 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:

and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1)

We are to use all the gifts of God’s blessings to produce GOOD FRUIT (all that is worthy to exist in God’s Kingdom), multiply, and replenish the earth. As God’s children, we have always had authority and dominion over the earth, but if we turn away from God and from our “first love,” we do not have POWER to exercise our authority. With our return to our “first love,” we are unstoppable. We have God’s infinite and everlasting blessings that come upon us. Read Deuteronomy 28 which provides a list of blessings – as well as curses should you choose not to obey.

Beloved and I are “first loves,” sometimes called “twin flames” because we carry the fiery Spirit of God’s Love. He is working behind the scenes as a highly honored King in God’s Kingdom. He keeps me informed to a degree, but when I asked him why I can’t know more, as I opened this discussion with, he let me know it’s important for me to stay innocent as much as is possible. The whole purpose of the enemy is to destroy innocence and keep people’s minds warped so that they have a hard time returning to their first loves.

Below is an example of how people who call themselves “Christians” and worshipers of Jesus actually are working for the enemies….they go out of their way to present the dark, wicked side, but as they fail to present the Truth of God’s beautiful plan for us to return to our first love, they are – in fact – working FOR the enemy. All they discuss is the evil ones’ wicked ways, but they fail to show how they have totally hijacked, twisted, and blasphemed God’s plans for our return to our “first love.” But the problem here is they offer no solution and they don’t explain God’s true plan. They simply present this as some kind of truth when the entire thing is a pack of lies and deception. Dwelling on this kind of shit (Joe’s word, lol) keeps the mind warped and prevents purification and innocence, thus preventing people from knowing the pure love of their first love. WE – Beloved and I – exist to present the Divine Truth about LOVE (offsetting Thanatos with Eros, as he describes in his Book of Love) that counters the evil, diabolical, false narratives such as this:

 

Midnight Ride: The Androgynous God of America (rumble.com)

(Take a test: How pure is your mind: See Update for June 19, 2023).

“Christians” are so far off-base with what they understand that they have written themselves out of the Book of Life. There are far too many of these “teachers” out there who only produce what the masses are infatuated with, which is the DARK SIDE. These teachers who only teach the dark side and leave out God’s perfect plan have been warned many times, but they do not change their ways. And so they miss the LOVE BOAT. This is no small matter. They are going to have to explain themselves to God, or even worse: if they continue to CHOOSE the same direction after many warnings, they may end up getting burned—or even find themselves living in the lake of fire. I have already seen this happening.

The level of deception, propaganda, and diabolical evilness is hard to witness. “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4. 

Follow Jesus right now if you are not doing so already. Interestingly, He has far more than 10 Commandments. This is another failure of many of the Christian religions: They only teach 10 Commandments and that you really don’t even have to follow them. God has a whole very long list of things we are supposed to be doing using our gifts. The more we follow His instructions, the more gifts we are showered with. His resources are abundant and infinite. I am working on a list of His instructions: HOW TO FOLLOW JESUS AND BE BLESSED (Coming Soon). Or you can just open up a Bible and begin studying His instructions now.

Another Test and an Opportunity

Just had a meeting with Beloved and he wanted me to remind people of his FIDUROD PUZZLE – it’s a test, actually, to see if you can move up to the next level. Honestly, I could not solve it and he finally told me the solution. That’s just one benefit of being his wife and student at the same time. �� There is a reason he encoded stuff, which he has explained to me. In fact, there are multiple reasons, but one main reason for “times such as these.” You will come to understand very soon. It’s time for those with the eyes to see and ears to hear to decode FIDUROD. You will be miles ahead of the enemy if you are able to do so. As for the OPPORTUNITY, see the new section on this site, J.O.E. Journal.

These are exciting times!!

SIGNS IN THE SKY: Just as a brief, but important summary, the first total eclipse of a series of three eclipses (God often gives us three signs) happened back on August 21, 2017. God presented His “promise ring.” (Look up “August 21, 2017 diamond ring effect.” People talk about God’s “covenant” changing. It has not changed. His promises stay the same just as He presented in Deuteronomy 28. The Book of Revelation is important for the reaffirmation of His promises and for understanding what’s going on around us. We can accept His proposal, or not. Thus, we can accept His blessings, or we will be subject to the consequences as He has clearly illustrated all throughout the Bible and presented as “curses” in Deuteronomy 28. The “curses” simply imply consequences. It’s all built into the fabric of the cosmos.

The Burning Ring of Fire eclipse coming up on October 14, 2023 is the second eclipse and is His golden wedding ring given to those who have accepted his promises and are doing what they need to be doing. It baffles me how so many “Christian” teachers claim that we do not need to do anything. That’s ridiculous and will keep you out of the Kingdom. God did not put together His instructions for us to sit back and do nothing. Everyone has work to do although it will look very different for different people. This burning ring of fire eclipse is also a signifier of His powerful love, His “all-consuming fire.” This is a magical fire in that it empowers, cleanses, and protects those who have accepted His love. You do not want to be on the wrong side of this fire, though. This eclipse is ample warning. Things are likely to get very hot after this sign in the sky, although not as hot as after the third eclipse if people do not change their ways.

The Third Eclipse – Another Total Eclipse of the Sun. This, as I have written previously is a very special love celebration (April 1-7, with the Grand Finale eclipse on April 8, 2024). However, it may be like a final warning for those who have not yet chosen to obey God. After this eclipse, if He so chooses, He may employ His wrath upon the earth. He has done so in the past when behavior got totally out of line. It’s definitely approaching His limits (“as in the days of Noah”). Some people think this is the Great Tribulation; that may or may not be true. What happens depends upon our choices and actions and what God decides to do about it. Those of us on The Path are celebrating each of these milestones because God will be bestowing many miracles and blessings upon His children.

 

IT’S GOING TO BE A WILD RIDE…..MEET US ON THE OTHER SIDE……..JUNETEENTH 2024.

Continue preparing for the Burning Ring of Fire and the following future events. Don't miss out! 

PREPARE for the Universal Love Celebrations: April 1-7, 2024;

and for The Grand Finale, The Sealing of God’s Everlasting Covenant on April 8, 2024.

The colors are Red, White, Purple, and Gold.

The gemstones are Crystal, Agate, Alexandrite, Garnet, Ruby, and Diamonds

The flowers are roses.

The mystery is What is The Name of the Rose?- 
 
To become a seeker of new knowledges and new ways of being we must be willing to sometimes be seen as the fools of the gods. (Kincheloe, Knowledge & Critical Pedagogy, p. 19)
As Hermes said: 

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What separates the critical sheep from the uncritical goats is that a critical pedagogy/epistemology also involves exposing the cultural, epistemological, and ideological assumptions that shape the knowledge individuals produce and the oppressive actions justified by such information. (Joe Kincheloe, Knowledge & Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction, p. 176)
 
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THESE ARE IMAGINARIES; THEY ARE NOT REAL:
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THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE


Grand Jury | Day 1   Grand Jury | Day 2 (English) (odysee.com) Keep on keeping on...

Corona Investigative Committee  DIVORCED!!! See UPDATE for September 22, 2022.

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A special Public Service Announcement authorized by the Higher Ups and Jesus
Coming Soon in the Updates: The Great Global Reset Is No Match for The Great Global TREaSurE HunT
 
 
The Great Global TREaSurE HunT Has Begun
It supersedes the elite's "great reset."
Kick-off date: February 14, 2022  
Don't be left out.
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NEW INTRODUCTORY BOOK See UPDATE for September 22, 2022 

Historical Timeline: 

In the Year 2020.......ARE YOU SICK AND TIRED OF IT YET?   


 ......SPRING 2021: THE KILLING FIELDS: ABROAD   AND AT HOME 

SUMMER 2021: webassets/line-in-the-sand.jpg 

WINTER 2021: SAVE THE CHILDREN  

Christmas, 2021Revelations 

In the Year 2022..... The Great Global Treasure Hunt   

2022     Corona Investigative Committee  DIVORCED!!! DIVORCED!!! See UPDATE for September 22, 2022.

THE CONFESSION:


 
Fall 2022: COVID22 

 
October 1, 2022- April 1, 2024: TREASURE HUNTING SABBATICAL  April 8, 2024 Total Eclipse (of the heart). 

FALL 2023: Going DOWN: What is it about war and bioweapons that people don’t understand?

Free Speech Banned 

            MARBURG FEVER ALREADY DECLARED

                   �� THIS WILL MAKE NAZI GERMANY LOOK LIKE A PICNIC! 

                         Teachers Are Being DECIMATED by Aggressive Turbo Cancers

 

 

 

****************** 
 

The Light Of The Spirit by Kitaro (earth is rising....are you?)

May you find the way (Step One): Allies Crying in the Chapel
REGENERATION: Spiritual Growth and How It Works (More information can be found in the 8/31/2018 Update)

 

Joe’s book Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction is available as an ebook. You will never make a better investment…..we all should be researching with Joe’s important guidance. Since the ending is just the beginning, you can begin with the last chapter. It may just spark you into wanting to read the rest, as well as his other works to see how he got there!  http://www.springer.com/us/book/9781402082238  No time to read? Right click and "listen aloud" while multitasking. [Note: I make no money off the sales of his books; my rewards are not of this world.] MAY 22, 2018 UPDATE: I SEE THAT SPRINGER IS NOT HONORING JOE'S STATED AND PUBLISHED WISHES> THE BOOK IS SUPPOSED TO BE LESS THAN $30 SO THAT POOR STUDENTS CAN AFFORD IT...AND YET SPRINGER IS CHARGING ALMOST $40 FOR THE PDF EBOOK AND ALMOST $55 FOR THE PAPERBACK! THIS IS ABOMINABLE!! THE HIGHER UPS ARE NOT PLEASED!!! THERE ARE STUDENTS IN POVERTY WHO NEED THE KNOWLEDGE IN THIS BOOK. LOWER THE PRICE!!!!! THERE IS NO REASON TO CHARGE SO MUCH! EDoneVEN IF PUBLISHING COSTS HAVE INCREASED, AT LEAST OFFER THE EBOOK FOR LESS THAN $30. WHAT JOE WANTS, JOE GETS. HE SAID THAT IT IS TO BE LESS THAN $30. RESPECT HIS WISHES. Oh, and HAPPY TWIN FLAME DAY!! I will have some important updates soon.

 

November 17, 2019 1:00 AM UPDATE ON THE PRICE OF THE EBOOK: I can only conclude that either *someone* is insane or has raised the price to keep people from buying it and having access to the knowledge in it, since Springer is now charging an outrageous price of amost $60 -- for an ebook!! I will consult with the "higher ups" for a "work-around." They always have perfect solutions....Beloved says "Hi" :-)  We will have an update soon.

 

November 17, 2019 3:00 PM INCREDIBLY, the Higher Courts have already come back with a resolution on this matter! See my update for today, November 17, 2019.

November 22, 2019 4:39 PM TWIN FLAME AND HOLY SABBATH DAY, the Higher Courts have really outdone themselves with their resolution. And their timing is impeccable! See my update for today, November 22, 2019.

 

November 12, 2021 They are now charging a ridiculous $89 for a pdf of Joe's book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction. Folks, there are multiple ways that the elite keep knowledge from those of us who need it most -- one is by overcharging for it. We will continue to work on a resolution that honors Joe's wishes (for it to cost less than $30) and his contract. I will be posting more information RIGHT HERE sometime in the future.


"I believe that the issues addressed in Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction not only provide us with a new understanding of education but also can actually change the world—speaking of pomposity, yikes! I understand the danger of such an assertion, but I’m glad to take my punishment if I fail to convince my readers." ~ Joe Kincheloe (p. 16)

 

To

joe.kincheloe joe.kincheloe@mcgill.ca

Thu, Sep 25, 2008 7:03 am

finished reading Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction

your work is truly a gift to the world, Joe
it's very exciting

vanessa

 

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WHAT IS BRICOLAGE?

A new process for education, research, career, problem solving, everyday living, lifelong learning, and for taking back our world

 

Joe Kincheloe has developed a superbly advanced conceptualization of critical bricolage and, as demonstrated by his work, he was an adept multidimensional critical complex bricoleur. Critical Bricolage, as he conceived it, is a complicated (and yet a very natural) process that makes use of multiple forms of research, analysis, investigation, and interpretation. It requires researchers to seek many divergent perspectives, allowing new understandings and knowledge to emerge from the synthesis.

 

Engaging in this process increases phenomenological experiences that catalyze seeking more knowledge. This, of course, leads to ever greater understandings of complex relationships between "research variables." An exceptionally high level of creativity becomes unleashed, often resulting in greater interaction with the emerging hidden dimensions of reality. Suddenly very little can be hidden anymore. Engaging rigorously in this process of research and learning seems to take people to higher levels of consciousness in graduated steps as they become more aware of the hidden dimensions of interrelationships and as they increasingly participate in intuitive, "fourth dimension" research.

 

Using Kincheloe's critical complex epistemology and multidimensional critical complex bricolage rigorously as he has asked us to do results in ever higher levels of experience and understanding, and in its full "employment," enactive and symbiotic processes seem to kick in, helping individuals find the most creative solutions to even the most complicated problems. Actively working within multiple dimensions using his fourth dimension research, results in amazing and profound solutions. In my own experience, I often find that problems are solved before I even knew the problem would be manifesting. In addition, I have had some amazing experiences that science simply cannot explain yet. This is highlighted in my dissertation in some highly unusual ways, which is only the tip of the iceberg. Kincheloe's critical bricolage may very well be the process required to "unleash creativity" for solving even the most complicated, power-based problems we face -- all in service of "the alleviation of human suffering," the often-stated primary purpose of his work.

 

After researching this process since 2008 (and discovering that I had been using the foundational aspects of the process many years before) I am beginning to see how autopoiesis, enaction, synchronicity, all work together symbiotically to reveal hidden dimensions and relationships that make my life so much happier and joyful, even if I have many problems hanging over my head (that "blues aesthetic" Joe so often described). No matter how complicated the problems, with bricolage, they become solvable and/or perspectives of the problems change.

 

Simultaneously, those power dimensions that force those of us who are oppressed to stay stuck at our "stations in life" also emerge, but there is such a difference to how I deal with these than in the past. Once the controlling factors are revealed, solutions also emerge in a sort of "unfoldment" process that reveal ways to counteract them and change things.

 

There is great power "behind the curtain" that can be leveraged by those of us who are typically "disenfranchised." I will go into much more detail at a later time, and as Joe always did so well, I will put them into context (there are many great experiences to share of both kinds of emergences - the love-based, almost magical ones, and the power-and-control-based ones for which insight, and often solutions also emerge) but suffice it to say, I am blazing multiple trails through the underbrush which will hopefully make navigating easier for people who come along and experience the same types of violence I have due to being poor and "low status."

 

Just as Joe was a "hillbilly" and he was never able to shake the label, I am a "country hick." True reality could not be more profoundly different -- for an Eros and Psyche. :)

 

The good news is that the use of bricolage is increasing rapidly around the globe as more researchers in all disciplines are beginning to see the promise it offers to construct new knowledge, lead to social empowerment, and reveal positive changes and amazingly creative opportunities. More researchers will soon be investigating and trying out this more advanced and powerful approach, which will lead to what Joe referred to as a "perpetual revolution." More teachers will also come to realize the value bricolage has in the classroom and the young students will pick it up naturally. The revolution has just begun. We can change the world! Join in today and apply the process in your own research, learning, teaching, and everyday life and see what a difference it can make. You can never go wrong getting more knowledge.

 

All of the information on this website is absolutely free. It is here for anyone who wants a better life and would like to make a difference in the world.

 
For the struggle for justice to win on the local level, it must be fought in the global, the national, and the local arenas. [Kincheloe, 2001, Getting Beyond the Facts, p. 741]

 
OTHER FREE ONLINE COURSES THAT CENTER ON JOE KINCHELOE'S WORKS:
Doing What You Love: Creating Your Own Good Work 101 /// Doing Phenomenology: Introduction to Phenomenology 101 /// Reading, Writing & Thinking 101 /// Critical Constructivism: A New World View 101 /// City Life and Learning: Metropedagogy 101 /// Phenomenological Research for Learning and Living: Introduction to Phenomenology 102
 

CLARIFICATION OF JOE KINCHELOE'S WORK 

This is a nonprofit educational web site dedicated to the clarification of Kincheloe’s critical complex epistemology and multidimensional critical complex bricolage. My research has shown that, while the process he has delineated is complex, it is perfectly suited for social and educational research, and it is also within everyone's reach. It is especially suited for new qualitative researchers who have not subscribed to traditional and reductionistic forms of research. 

On this site I will focus on the academic and scholarly application of his work. I hope that by presenting clarifications based on my in-depth study of his work that perhaps his bricolage will be used by more people and with the level of rigor he had intended. Kincheloe has ingeniously left wide open many paths that honor diversity and he embraced an evolving complexity while maintaining a strong, impenetrable philosophical and theoretical foundation for his conceptions. He has demonstrated in his work how this research process can be applied in all venues and in every area of our lives and even children can be involved in research, thus his bricolage is also a pedagogical approach. His work is truly a break-through for research that is long overdue. Using the full power of his bricolage highlights actions that change the world as it also changes who we are.

I may write a blog again on this site, but it will be a different sort of blog than the creative, exploratory blogs I've written in the past. Primarily, I will be continuing my research and presenting my findings so that upcoming bricoleurs will have a resource for the most powerful form of bricolage research that's ever been developed.

~ ~ ~ Vanessa Jae Paradis
 

 

CORRECTING SOME COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS SURROUNDING JOE KINCHELOE’S BRICOLAGE AND CRITICAL COMPLEX THEORIES

Bricolage, as a qualitative form of research, entails incorporating many different perspectives, and in particular, with Kincheloe's process it is necessary to include global subjugated and indigenous knowledges. However, after gathering all of these perspectives and making various interpretations and syntheses, there are criteria for determining which perspectives to include in the final bricolage. As he explains, "Bricoleurs accept the responsibility that comes with the interpretive process. Knowledge production always involves multiple acts of selection, and these choices of methods, theoretical frameworks, and interpretative strategies must be defended" (2004e, p. 100). He has provided selection criteria that incorporate the social justice mission to alleviate suffering and that advance knowledge (see Kincheloe, 2004e, pp. 100-102). Bricoleurs are not restricted to these criteria but I have found them to be well-thought-out and thorough -- and they mitigate for unintended consequences. You can view the criteria here: Criteria to Guide the Research Process.

 

What I cover next are common misconceptions and important aspects surrounding Kincheloe’s multidimensional critical complex bricolage. I hope by putting these on the Home page of this website, researchers will consider them and research them more deeply. They are covered in greater depth in my dissertation and I’ll also be posting articles that extend what I’ve touched on in the dissertation.

1) Kincheloe did not throw out "positivistic" or empirical sciences. To conclude this is to exhibit a gross misunderstanding of his work. A close reading of his work can easily confirm that he sees science and bricolage as synergistic. And how many times has he stated that he did not throw out the baby with the bathwater? As most people know, he contextualizes everything. In his last book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction he presents his position through a metaphor which he refers to as FIDUROD, and by which he clarifies the issues with the way science is and has been used.  FIDUROD is an acronym representing the attributes of the form of knowledge production he argues against: Formal, Intractable, Decontextualized, Universalistic, Reductionistic, One Dimensional. (See Kincheloe, 2008, pp. 21-24).

 

2) His work is not based on some indefinable “ludic” postmodernism – It is based on a highly developed and evolving holistic philosophy. This philosophy is comprised of 12 major points which he describes in his book Critical Constructivism. The 12 points coalesce together to form his multidimensional critical complex world view. It’s a new, evolving worldview. We might refer to it as Kincheloe’s multidimensional critical complex unified world view. It forms the foundation of his unique formulation of critical theory, epistemology, ontology, critical psychology of complexity, the multidimensional critical complex bricolage, etc., -- and his proposed critical science of complexity – another indication that he did not abandon the sciences. To grasp his conceptualizations, it’s imperative that new bricoleurs study his unified world view by reading and then writing about how they subjectively relate to it and to other philosophies. Kincheloe stresses this upfront philosophical work is critical in order to ground any study that uses bricolage as a process for research. Rigor is impossible without developing a "philosophy of consciousness" (Kincheloe, 2004a, p. 8). 

 

3) The multidimensional critical complex bricolage is a process for qualitative research that is composed of multiple, intertwining and overlapping processes. It is not a method, nor does it use “tools” as tools imply precise means and carries a mechanistic ontology, which does not adequately represent the actual processes that bricoleurs engage in as they conduct, or a better word would be, “enact” their research. Even the concept of "tools" changes. Kincheloe's conceptualization of bricolage is grounded with his critical complex philosophical world view (item 2, above) and a theoretical foundation of evolving criticality (his version of critical theory).

 

4) The multidimensional critical complex bricolage as a process involves analytic discourse, intertwined with improvisational actions for change, which moves it away from the constrictive “quilt” metaphor. Please see my dissertation for a deeper analysis of bricolage including a thorough etymological exploration and intertextual interpretations of Kincheloe’s definitions of bricolage and bricoleur in relation to what evolved from my research. New metaphors that take it beyond the one-dimensional “quilt” metaphor, and additional ways that Berry’s (2004a) concept, the Point of Entry Text (POET) can be applied are also presented. The holistic, intertwining, dialogical, interconnecting nature of the final bricolage renders the parts inseparable from the whole, and the bricolage inseparable from greater reality. Thus, the popular metaphoric quilt, montage, crystal, etc., are not suitable metaphors for this more complex form of bricolage. 

 

5) Kincheloe’s bricolage does not distinguish between “types of bricoleurs” or “types of bricolage” as denoted by Denzin and Lincoln (2011). While it’s fine to examine these ideas, Kincheloe’s form of bricolage uses all of them in intertwining, overlapping processes. Thus, the multidimensional critical complex bricoleur uses all of the dimensions that Kincheloe has spelled out in his 2005 "On to the Next Level" bricolage article--in one study--and the processes become blurred as the research unfolds. See next point. 

 

6) Kincheloe’s bricolage refers to the use of different processes as dimensions of research. The bricoleur uses them all as many times as practical to get a thick description of the phenomenon/a. As the research unfolds, “enactment” keeps the research jettisoning forward and the researcher must make decisions where to begin and stop various aspects of the research, including the final bricolage. Thus, the following dimensions are used, as provided by Kincheloe (2005a) and in no particular order using an iterative, improvisational process weaving through the discourse: (1) methodological bricolage; (2) theoretical bricolage; (3) interpretive bricolage; (4) political bricolage; (5) narrative bricolage; (6) philosophical research (constructivism, historicity, epistemological insight); (7) critical hermeneutics; (8) identification of what is absent; (9) fourth dimension of research in which the bricoleur is future oriented, discovering “a kinetic epistemology of the possible. In the process, the sophistication of knowledge work moves to a new cognitive level; the notion of rigor transmigrates to a new dimension. As in a 1950s sci-fi movie, bricoleurs enter the 4-D—the fourth dimension of research.” (Kincheloe, 2005, p. 346). Thus, bricoleurs weave in and out, around and through, back and forth through the various dimensions with each pass through informing the next, often using multiple dimensions of analysis simultaneously. 

 

7) Note again – the philosophical dimension must form the foundation of the study in order to ensure rigor. [He wanted me to include this again.] "There is no dividing line between the empirical and the philosophical" (Kincheloe, 2004a, p. 10).

 

8) Kincheloe’s multidimensional critical complex bricolage embraces a “fourth dimension” research (more information is covered in my dissertation). This fourth dimension aspect to the research incorporates an intuitional, creative element that forces the researcher to confront implicate and explicate orders of reality. There are reasons for this. Combining a sound philosophical, intellectual component of research that also incorporates intuitional and emotional, empathic aspects -- along with deep semiotic and hermeneutic analyses synergistically creates something new from the interactions. Enaction during the research process leads to the emergence of something new and often profound. This is where the power of the bricolage comes into play. It’s the exposure to relationships, as Kincheloe explains in his conceptualization of symbiotic hermeneutics, that jettisons bricoleurs to seeing and understanding “anew” and to recreating themselves. Because knowledge is socially constructed new creations, ideas, concepts, as well as new relationships also perpetually emerge – and are created -- from these interactions. This all takes place naturally when confronting complexity, difference, and chaos, as Humberto Mautarana and Francisco Varela posited with their Santiago Theory of Enactivism (see Kincheloe's (2008) Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction, page 147). It is quite amazing. 

 

9) While bricoleurs do not contend they’ve discovered the “one true answer” or single truth, at the same time, as Kincheloe contends, they generate knowledge “that is not as 'badly off the mark'” (Kincheloe, 2008, p. 43). They have better (more complete) and yet evolving explanations of phenomena. This is quite a different perspective than a nihilistic postmodern “attitude.” 

 

10) I have lined out in my dissertation in much greater detail a flexible iterative process that also explains some of the key sub-processes that are important to the multidimensional critical complex bricolage. It will get new bricoleurs started from which they can then proceed to carve out their own unique paths. Each bricolage study will be different even for the same researcher. The more one acknowledges the fourth dimension aspect of the research (which may only begin with what seem to be insignificant intuitive and synchronous events), the more they will begin to appear and the more profound and numerous are the actions and creations that emerge.  

 

11) And finally, as I discussed in my blog, The Heart of the Multidimensional Critical Complex Bricolage, there is the dimension of empathic connection with people. In fact, in his book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction, Kincheloe discusses – and includes – a golden strand of love throughout his work, Eros Love. And since I’m mentioning this book here, it’s a great book to read in the early stages of learning about his bricolage. It’s much like a “deprogramming” manual because it uncovers how our consciousnesses have been influenced by outside forces and provides us more information as we embark on the bricolage quest and begin to take power of constructing our own consciousness. 

 

REFERENCES

Berry, K. L. (2004a). Structures of bricolage and complexity. In J. Kincheloe & K. Berry (2004) Rigour and Complexity in Educational Research: Conceptualizing the Bricolage (pp. 103–127). New York: Open University Press.

 

Berry, K. L. (2004b). Feedback looping for increasing complexity. In J. Kincheloe & K. Berry (2004) Rigour and Complexity in Educational Research: Conceptualizing the Bricolage (pp. 128–146). New York: Open University Press.

 

Berry, K. L. (2004c). Bricolage is many a new thing understood. In J. Kincheloe & K. Berry (2004) Rigour and Complexity in Educational Research: Conceptualizing the Bricolage (pp. 147–169). New York: Open University Press.

 

Denzin, N. & Lincoln, Y. (Eds.) (2011). The Sage handbook of qualitative research, Edition 4. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

 

Kincheloe, J. L. (2004a). Preface. In J. Kincheloe & K. Berry, Rigour and Complexity in Educational Research: Conceptualizing the Bricolage (pp. ix–xii). New York: Open University Press.

 

Kincheloe, J. L. (2004b). Introduction: the power of the bricolage: Expanding research methods. In J. Kincheloe & K. Berry, Rigour and Complexity in Educational Research: Conceptualizing the Bricolage (pp. 1–22). New York: Open University Press.

 

Kincheloe, J.L. (2004c). Redefining rigor and complexity in research. In J. Kincheloe & K. Berry, Rigour and Complexity in Educational Research: Conceptualizing the Bricolage (pp. 23–49). New York: Open University Press.

 

Kincheloe, J.L. (2004d). Questions of disciplinarity/interdisciplinarity in a changing world. In J. Kincheloe & K. Berry, Rigour and Complexity in Educational Research: Conceptualizing the Bricolage (pp. 50–81). New York: Open University Press.

 

Kincheloe, J. L. (2004e). Redefining and interpreting the object of study. In J. Kincheloe & K. Berry, Rigour and Complexity in Educational Research: Conceptualizing the Bricolage (pp. 82–102). New York: Open University Press.

 

Kincheloe, J. L. (2005a). On to the next level: Continuing the conceptualization of the bricolage. Qualitative Inquiry, 11(3), 323–350..

 

Kincheloe, J. L. (2005b). Critical constructivism. New York: Peter Lang. 

 

Kincheloe, J. L. (2008). Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: And Introduction. Amsterdam: Springer.

 

 

Copyright May 11, 2013 by Vanessa Paradis

Please cite as:

Paradis, V. J. (2013). Correcting some common misconceptions surrounding Joe Kincheloe’s bricolage and critical complex theories. May 11, 2013. Retrieved from www.joekincheloe.us

 

NOW YOU CAN SEARCH THIS SITE FOR TOPICS OF INTEREST. I HAVE COVERED A HUGE ARRAY OF TOPICS AND THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION HERE TO HELP LAUNCH RESEARCH PROJECTS OR JUST TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW. 

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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Power Blocs and Us: Reach for the Stars! (Still on Page 97)


Now, this is interesting. Yesterday, after I wrote my blog about getting ready to leave U.S. BANK because I don't want to be a part of the problem with the banking industry, I just happened to come across this related video. Honestly, it's worth listening to because she makes some great points about us ALL being a part of the problem (what serendipity to come across this at this moment -- what was I researching initially? Now, I've forgotten).

This video reiterates in another way what Joe explained on page 97 and the rest of that section. You can't really point your fingers at any one person or any one group when it comes to power blocs. They and we all work together whether we want to face up to that or not. But the more clearly we come to see that, the more we will find ways to escape at least parts of it. Just like the big banks. If we would all just refuse to bank at the big banks -- well, end of problem. The power bloc would be history. Of course, we might create another power bloc in the process, but who knows -- maybe it would be a good power bloc. As Joe also says they can work for the good just as they work for the bad.

Anyway, this is an interesting video. I like the title.

Don’t Watch this Video

"

Well, other than finding random videos, I have been super busy. Still working on a special project AND my mentor requested Chapter 3 of my dissertation -- yikes! I don't really have Chapter 3. I have information for Chapter 3, but it doesn't fit their template. I think with the bricolage we ought to just throw out Chapter 3. That's the chapter on methodology, in case you wondered, and they expect you to write it up like a typical positivistic or qualitative study. When we use the bricolage, we should just have a description of the methodology up front in Chapter 1 and go with the freedom the bricolage offers. To do it right, it should be totally improvisational with lots of hints and guidance from Hermes, of course. But, I just can't quite see the people in the high echelons of education going with that idea (even if they use it themselves). I, on the other hand, have total faith in the improvisational process. As I said long ago in these blogs, and several times since then, You Gotta Have Faith

Last night my Master Teacher gave me one clue for a video. We were discussing a language that doesn't have all of the extraneous words with no meaning that English has and he referred to it as a "tongue" -- you know, as in "language." So I looked it up on YouTube and here's what we have.

This is so cool! Just think, if blind people can learn to see with their tongues by reprogramming their brains, imagine the possibilities! We can take complete control of our consciousness and no longer have to allow those big power blocs -- the media, the government, the education system, the churches -- to mold and shape our minds! That's exciting!

What do YOU want to be able to do? What is YOUR dream? I think the stars are the limit (and there are no limits to stars).

Blind Learn To See With Tongue

8:15 pm | link 

Saturday, October 30, 2010

The BANKING Rules of the Game: Is this DOUBLE speak? (Still on Page 97)

I really got ticked with my bank -- US BANK --  and told them I would be closing all of my accounts. I no longer will be part of the problem by banking with them. I wrote them a letter complaining about how they STEAL from the people who can afford it least and yet they can take government bailouts, again taking money from the people who can least afford it. For example, they pay a whopping
0.10 % interest on savings accounts, so as long as you have money in a savings account, you are essentially LOSING money due to inflation. And then if your funds dip, like mine have and you must pull money out of savings they take $4 per month for nothing until you are left with nothing.

They just take it right out of your account every month until you have nothing left. I am close to nothing. I imagine after that, they will take the account to the negative and I will OWE them money on my SAVINGS account.

Now, if you can believe this, for their credit cards they charge 152.4 TIMES the interest they pay on their savings accounts. What a deal. I am just going to have to bite the bullet and pay off the dumb card and cancel all of my accounts with U.S. Bank.

On top of that, they can change your interest on their credit cards, jack up your payments, however they wish without even telling you what they are doing and why they are doing it (I found this out with my last statement showing that my last payment only took the principal down by $2 and my minimum payment has more than doubled with no explanation whatsoever), but it is the “government” that required it, and plus I was on a special interest plan that was supposed to increase after nine months, thus they are innocent and none of the changes have anything to do with repaying TARP funds or with the banks being greedy money grabbers.

And by THEY, I mean the MONEY MASTERS. They are the ones who control the banks, but the “banks” are innocent because they just do what the Federal government tells them to do (what a great cover: The “bank” as the money grabbers define “bank” has nothing to do with government or the U.S. Treasury, ha, ha, ha). I have written a lot about the Money Masters in previous blogs and how they operate. I think there is more to the story.

I am going to switch over to my local, friendly credit union in spite of the fact that the BIG BOYS seem to have the credit union hands tied in some major ways, in their attempt to reduce competition. I think more people need to bank with SMALL Credit Unions and start up new ones OUR OWN BANKS where we make our OWN rules (I am NOT talking about UNIVERSITY credit unions because, after all, like Giroux says “The University Is In Chains” on account of the Military, Industrial, and ACADEMIC complex -- I don’t want to be part of THAT PROBLEM either).

Check out this explanation I received back from the bank when I confronted them and told them I will be saying good bye because I no longer wish to contribute to this problem – ISN’T THIS THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF DOUBLE SPEAK? There have been No Changes to the Changes!!! LOL.

In addition, on June 17, 2009, U.S. Bank® announced the repayment of all TARP funds received from the U.S. Treasury. This repayment has allowed us to serve you better. We will continue to offer the best products and services at the most competitive rates. Please be assured that no changes to the services that we provide as a result of this repayment, have been changed.

It kind of reminds me of Bill Clinton and his “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” WATCH IT HERE, LOL. And remember:
He did NOT have sexual relations when he had sex with that woman....

Clinton, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman...

Doesn’t this match up with the movie, “The Rules of the Game?” If you watch that movie, it shows how the elite have their own set of rules: It’s perfectly fine to be unfaithful; it’s just their rules of the game. But, here we have Clinton who got caught and he had to redefine sexual relations in order to try to appeal to the American Public who are ruled under a different set of rules. Maybe it would have been better if he had just fessed up, saying, “HEY WE ARE ELITE. WE DON’T HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SAME RULES AS THE PROLETARIAT.” (I’m not Marxist, but I kind of like that word, proletariat. It just works, somehow. It makes us poor country folk sound more sophisticated.)

Meetings With My Master Teacher
I have been struggling and struggling with trying to meet the FIDURODian expectations for a special project I’m working on. I have had headaches and even lost interest in the topic for a time in spite of it being a topic that I am passionate about. It has provided me with a great example of how FIDUROD and the people who operate out of that mindset serve to quash creativity and interest in learning and being productive. I have finally found a way around the problem. It’s very simple, actually: COMPLEXITY THEORY. I need to find some research that engages complexity theory in the topic and then I will be HOME FREE. So now I am enthused again. This is the TICKET to completing this project with no more headaches. I will add here that, of course, Joe incorporated complexity theory and I will give him the credit for helping me think of this for the particular topic I am working on. I just hope I can find some research that incorporates complexity theory that will pass the muster of the FIDURODian requirements for this project.

My Master Teacher gave me the following clue this morning and I have yet to look it up on YouTube: “overflow.” He was talking about the overflow of work that companies have right now, but how it’s not enough to hire someone to do it, thus, unemployment is still high. (Maybe if Obama puts money into small businesses like he’s talking about, that would help). I will look up “overflow” on YouTube right now.

Here it is:
“overflow” These are the first TWO songs to the top – I like them both and they provide a couple of different perspectives about POWER and the RULES of the GAME as discussed on Page 97 of Joe’s book. We need both of these perspectives when it comes to setting up our NEW RULES OF THE GAME. 

I do not interpret the second song from a “Christian” point of view in spite of the images that attempt to force people to do so. I know some people will, but I don’t. Jesus was real, but so were and are many other people who can provide the same connection and LOVE that the Christians think only Jesus was capable of. Jesus did not have a patent on LOVE. In fact, he did not even claim to. Thus, in our NEW formulation of the Rules of the Game, we are open to many other options when it comes to love, compassion, caring, and sharing. The first song is about taking POWER into our own hands and is also very much needed today as well if we are to deal with the weird alignment of POWER BLOCS that are discussed on page 97 and the pages that follow.
Powerspoonz - "OVERFLOW"

Overflow - Cry on My Shoulder
12:13 pm | link 

Friday, October 29, 2010

Ready for A Nuclear Power Reactor In Your Back Yard? How Do the RULES of THIS GAME Work? Learn About Environmental Impact Statements! (Still on p. 97)
 
Welcome-to-AmericaOne thing I have learned about phenomenology is that it is a very good practice to take those words in quotes (such as “rules of the game” on page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction) and basically run them into the ground. What I mean by that is, phenomenology along with hermeneutics asks that we explore many, many meanings and many different contexts. Thus, today we are going to learn how you will be getting a Nuclear Reactor in Your Backyard soon! And it all hinges on the fact that the government defines “DECISION” as a sort of ramming "ROD." If you read this blog, you will come to understand exactly what I am referring to.

I hope you are ready for a nuclear power reactor to come to your neighborhood soon, because it is only a very few short years away, estimated date is 2018. I am not sure how the rules of this game will work. Of course, if you are familiar with how the government (the top 50 corporations and money masters that is) has rigged Environmental Impact Statements so that public comments are used in favor of their habits of creating human health risks and destroying the ecological well-being of earth, you already know that your comments are akin to talking to a brick wall. This is because of the way the procedures have been established: comments are accepted AFTER the decision has already been made to put that nuclear power reactor in your back yard.

Unbeknownst to many people who believe their comments on environmental issues are considered, this is to let them know, they are considered all right – AFTERWARDS, after the decision has been made – and their comments are most likely used to help decide how to misinform, dupe and sway the public. If these corporations know what the concerns of the public are, then they are at an advantage to devising ways to lie to the public.

You don’t believe this: Study the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) laws and procedures and follow through what happens at each step. It is true. When action that affects the environment is going to be taken, the law is that an Environmental Impact Statement must be written to show what these impacts are and public comments need to be incorporated. The problem is, the EIS Statement is distributed for public comment after the decision has ALREADY BEEN MADE (the scientists and engineers are the experts, not the public). Public comment is taken AFTERWARDS. And to REALLY confuse people, they call this the DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement.

Here is a good book that explains how the process works, but I’ll give a warning beforehand: You have to do your own thinking to figure out how bogus the process really is because the book is not explicit about that and merely describes in detail the steps of the process for those people implementing the process: Environmental Impact Statements: A Comprehensive Guide to Project and Strategic Planning by Charles H. Eccleston (Wiley).

The “DRAFT” EIS is the FINAL EIS in reality, but of course, no “decision” has been made, according to the Fed. And how do they define “decision?” First, understand, they WILL incorporate public comments into the document. That is the only difference between the “Draft” and the “Final.” They incorporate some of the comments into the document – this in no way implies that they incorporate those comments into their actions – they don’t; they have already decided what their actions are, but they have not made a formal “decision.” They have what they call the ROD (and they can really ram communities with it when they so choose to). ROD stands for RECORD OF DECISION. So you see, it is NOT a decision until they file the RECORD OF DECISION, even though they had already made the decision.

And one other thing I might mention: If whatever action they are going to be taking is potentially a human health and safety risk or they know there will be a lot of controversy over what they have already decided, they set up beforehand what they call “SCOPING SESSIONS." That’s where they go into the community to learn what all of the possible complaints might be, align with those in the community who are most supportive of their efforts, and in this way they can put out the most effective propaganda.

So remember: When you read a DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement, it is the REAL DEAL. Comments are like leaves blowing in the wind  . . . and those are the Rules of the Game.

So now, check this out. Learn what’s coming SOON to YOUR Neighborhood (whether you like it or not). 

NuScale Power, Inc. is growing rapidly and seeks talented individuals to work in Corvallis, Oregon. NuScale Power has developed a small nuclear power system that is safe, modular and scalable. The technology was borne of research by leading nuclear scientists with the support of the U.S. government. The design of the NuScale power plant builds on hundreds of combined years of operating experience with commercial light water reactors along with extensive research and laboratory testing of advanced safety systems. NuScale Power, Inc. is commercializing a modular, scalable 45 megawatt electric Advanced Light Water Reactor (ALWR) nuclear power plant. Each NuScale module has its own combined containment vessel/reactor system and its own designated turbine-generator set. Most importantly, the NuScale Power, Inc. plants are scalable, allowing for a single facility to have a minimum of a single module or as many as 24 modules in a plant set. In a multi-module plant set, one unit can be taken out of service without affecting the operation of the others. NuScale Power, Inc. has developed a technology it believes will play a significant role in meeting the future demand in the U.S. and other nations to produce reliable and environmentally-friendly electricity through the use of its modular ALWR technology. NuScale Power, Inc. is currently accepting applications for a Engineering Document Control Clerk.   Source: Craigslist


What will they be used for?

Process Steam or Heat
A NuScale system can be designed, built and operated solely for the purpose of using the reactor to produce 160,000 kilowatts thermal of steam for industrial applications.  Examples of these applications include district heating for communities, large facilities and installations, or for use in the production of synthetic fuels.  It's also possible to configure a NuScale system to produce steam as its primary purpose with the option of switching to electricity generation in an emergency. NuScale Power

Get ready for one in your backyard soon!

Depending upon the amount of time the NRC requires to review the DC and COL applications, NuScale expects the first nuclear facility will be operational sometime in 2018. NuScale Power

About the NuScale system and technology

What is so disheartening about this is that to date, the government is refusing to allow safer alternatives for energy, such as wind farms in places like on Native American Reservations and the Appalachian Mountains where the communities WANT them.

About the RULES of the GAME
I learned long ago (when I worked at a Nuclear Power Plant, no less) that the Rules of the Game work like this: Tell them what you WANT and that is exactly what you DO NOT GET. So, what you have to do is LIE to them – “Oh, no please don’t put a wind farm here” – and the next thing you know, they will probably put that wind farm right there.

Reason I know these rules is because it is how they managed the Nuclear Power Plant. I call them military rules because I think that’s where they come from; all of the people who managed the nuclear power plant, were straight off the nuclear submarines. I figured them out during my pregnancy when I was working there. When I first became pregnant, I wanted out of the plant due to risk of the type of work I was doing (the radiation, climbing jobs that seemed to require violation of safety procedures – another example of two sets of rules: one that you know and another that you follow without asking questions, etc.).

Of course, I was STUCK in the plant, because they knew I wanted to work in a better environment. But, I figured out the RULES of the GAME. So every chance I got, I would say something like, “I love working here and I want to stay during my entire pregnancy.” It was only about two weeks before they moved me into an administrative position over in the offices -- and then when I became HUGE with the baby they didn’t even want me there. I was walking down the hallway one afternoon and my supervisor looked at me and sent me home -- and the baby was not even due yet. LOL

My teacher did not give me a song today, or last night, either. I need a song. Oh wait, just before he left he told me “hang in there.” Now that sounds like a clue to me so I will check it out. (He was encouraging me to stick with a writing project he has me working on in spite of the issues I seem to be up against). Here’s what came up to the top of the YouTube search:

Mike James Kirkland - Hang on in there



Be sure to listen to this song! As I always say, I really don't know how my teacher always finds the perfect song. So, the message is a very soulful social commentary about making changes. "The sign says America," "Love it or Leave It: Has it really come to that?" It's our country and we all need to hang on in there and do our part toward making this a better place to be.

P.S. Let me remind people the RULES of THIS game: Phenomenology and Hermeneutics is a mode of INTERPRETATION and with that, comes the recognition that everything we interpret is a matter of perception that hinges on the information we have, where we are positioned in the context of the interpretation, and the historical or temporal considerations, among other things. Everything is subject to change -- and does change. We just need to use change to our advantage to make the world a better place.
10:10 am | link 

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Rules of the Game, Dreams, and the Physics of Light (Still on P. 97)

I am still on page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction. However, I have gotten a little side tracked. I had dreams all night last night about traveling various places. I do not remember much of the details of exactly what I did – but I do remember having a “dream within a dream.” I was telling a woman in my dream about a dream I had about a particular organization of some sort that I had never visited before and how, on account of the dream, I knew everything inside their building – from what people did there to magnificent paintings on the walls. It was a benevolent organization and their entire building was extravagant and beautifully decorated, so it was a very positive dream. Other than that, I remember being mostly with my teacher, whose name is Emanuel, and just feeling joyful all night. That’s the way to dream.

Meetings With My Master Teacher
I told my teacher, Emanuel, this morning about my dreams about him, but that I did not seem to be able to remember much, and he said that it’s not always important to remember exactly what we do in our dreams. For one thing, we travel so many places and do so many things in our dreams that it would overload our minds given that we are still living in a high density 3D earth plane of existence and he said I had enough on my mind. He knew I woke up crying. I don’t know why I still do that, but I do sometimes. I was just thinking of good times and how the world is so messed up right now and it’s hard to feel hope that things can be turned around. You know, all of the wars and destruction and human suffering and yet people go on about their daily lives in some sort of daze. And those of us who want to do something to change things meet with obstacles every step of the way. I guess that’s what’s so upsetting to me about Joe being gone. He was my hope; he was my guiding light. His work can help to get us out of this mess. Like he said in his articles, it wasn’t a panacea, but still, if more people could love the way he did and put forth the effort he did I know it could make a difference and could help move education and the world in the right direction.

Last night my meeting was brief. We are still on page 97 of Joe’s book, which is not surprising because my teacher said it would last at least all of October, if not beyond. I had worked very hard yesterday and had put in a long day on a special project that is very important to education and turning things around. My teacher said to call it a day and get some “shut-eye.” Unusual for me, I did not look the clue up last night before going to bed. (He usually gives me “good night music.”)

As it turns out, I am glad I didn’t look it up last night; it might have given me bad dreams, instead of the good dreams I had. The clue, “shut eye” brought up this movie trailer (below). Yes, indeed, we are still on the dysfunctional Rules of the Game. This movie represents perhaps the epitome of where our society has gone, particularly, of course, in certain segments of our society. It is real. This is another movie that I have not seen.The whole point of this trailer (and the movie) is that while we can help each other, the bottom line is, we also each need to find our own way out, in a sense. In my view, it relates to what Joe had often discussed in his work: We have to look both “inward and outward.” No one can do that for us. I posted the description of the movie below. It would be a good movie to watch and discuss. Many people can relate to the family and their financial struggles – and making the wrong choices (and feeling forced to do so; like there are no other options) to try to survive. As it sates at the end, “Everybody wants out.” We must all find our own way out, according to the movie. Can we change the rules?

SHUT-EYE - Director's Cut DVD- Trailer

Starring Stana Katic (Heroes, 24, Feast Of Love) SHUT -EYE the latest work from acclaimed Writer/Director John Covert (WAITING FOR THE MAN, THE BLIND LEAD)Music by Fetish Doll, HMB, Little Beano,Trigger 10D,In Strict Confidence, Melotron, Stromkern,Arcanta, Deceptio Mentia, Controlled Fusion, Omegamen,Nemesis,Seventh Omen, Kathy Covert Jensen, Morphine Angel,Project Storm,Paris By Night

SHUT_EYE is a hard hitting contemporary character study of family dysfunctionalism, crime and violence played out in the all night dive bars, three flat brownstones and Mob owned strip joints of Chicago's underworld. With the final weeks of the 2004 Presidential Election as a backdrop, SHUT --EYE is both an exhilerating, and often funny modern film noir and a timely social commentary.

Like far too many hard working American couples, Ed (Covert) and Kim (Kern) are barely making their rent each month. Ed, a Police Detective estranged from the force, is reduced to working security for Mafia strip clubs while Kim manages a neighborhood video store. The unending financial strain combined with the recent death of their child has brought them both to the breaking point. Among their family and friends working at one of the clubs are two couples who rip-off some cash filled strong boxes, money the Mob pays Ed to protect. What was already deeply dysfunctional in this extended family of husbands and wives, fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters, lovers, corrupt cops and mobsters now blows back with an unpredictable, deadly vengeance.

"Covert has assembled a strong cast." Movies/The Reader, led by Jennifer Ker n (STRICKEN) " a cross between Laura Linney and Nicole Kidman." Cinema/Windy City Times, in a deeply effecting performance as Kim. Stana Katic (PIT FIGHTER) is heart breaking as Kims's beautiful, sexy and spectacularly self-destructive sister Angela. Allie Smith (CUP OF MY BLOOD) is stunning as Sue, a seductive, gun toting double-dealing Lolita. Jon Proudstar ( BODIES, REST AND MOTION, SKINWALKERS) brings an other-worldly intensity to his portrayal of Sammy, Ed's ex-partner now a mob bodyguard. And Covert " in a Robert Deniro role... gives a fine performance in this indie crime thriller." Movies/The Reader.

With a shimmering jazz fusion score from Bradley Parker Sparrow and Joanie Pallato, Covert expertly puts us directly into the mix of characters, the horribly botched robbery and the terrifying aftermath with all it's confusion, uncertainty and danger. As all social laws and order disappear SHUT-EYE asks us to find our own way out. Music by Fetish Doll, HMB, Little Beano,Trigger 10D,In Strict Confidence, Melotron, Stromkern,Arcanta, Deceptio Mentia, Controlled Fusion, Omegamen,Nemesis,Seventh Omen, Kathy Covert Jensen, Morphine Angel,Project Storm,Paris By Night
Text for DVD Cover

I was feeling a little sad this morning when I met with my teacher and of course he noticed and as he always does, he tried to cheer me up through music. Evidently because the dreams I had last night were prominent in my mind, the clue he gave me for a song was “dream” and it brought up the song below – which seems remarkably like a good solution to the “shut eye” video above. This song is about love and dreams and hope. I often dream of visiting other places and giving a helping hand because their resources have been depleted due to the wrong choices the people have made. My teacher said that is the fate of earth as well if the course "we" humans are on is not diverted. It seems easy to see.

Take the Appalachian Mountains that are being chopped down for coal as just one example. Earth may be able to build new mountains, but they will never be the same beautiful Appalachians. And when I visited Tennessee, I saw some of those chopped off, scarred mountains. It is all insanity what selfish greed causes people to do. So after my dreams last night which I mostly felt love, joy, and being with people I loved, it seems that my teacher wanted to cheer me up and restore my hope, since the clue “dream” brought up this absolutely heavenly song. She is ready to dream, are you?

Priscilla Ahn - Dream (Official Video)

My teacher said that it was ok to cry, but he wanted me to know that the most important thing is to hold onto the joy and love as I felt when I awakened from my dreams this morning, and he reminded me that we are together, as he put it, “Always and Forever.” He knows how much I love this song that came up when I put the clue into YouTube, and it made me cry again, but it also made me happy.
Heatwave - Always and Forever

And so, I thanked him for all of the videos for today, the great lessons, and especially the songs "Dream" by Priscilla Ahn and the song "Always and Forever" by Heatwave. He explained again (as he has hundreds of times) that he is here and we are in this together (on this mission to work toward change in education). He asked me how much “proof” I needed, but quickly told me he understands and for me to not feel bad about needing the reassurance and that he is here to provide me that reassurance and his love. We are both very dedicated to the mission as well as to our love for each other. I have the greatest teacher! Of course, proof was yet another clue and this song by Eminem and Proof came up.

I like this because it is all improvisational yet they worked it together. I guess that’s the message in this. Why can’t people all “work it together?” The title says it all: It's "very rare."
Proof and Eminem Freestyle *Very Rare*

supsnap
| December 17, 2006 This is a very rare Eminem and Proof freestyle. This was an interview that was done with Kurt Loder on MTV when Eminem was coming up. They took the Finale of the show to a freestyle in a car where Eminem and Proof actually freestyle; something that a lot of you emcees "claim" to do now-a-days.

As you can see, this is documented proof of how well Eminem & Proof meshed when they freestyled together. I apologize to all Proof fans for depriving you of this classic video for so long. I actually ripped this from MTV.com many many years ago with an old realplayer video ripper called x-fileget, which doesn't work anymore. R.I.P. Proof and much love and condolensces to his family and friends.

I scrolled down the “hits” that came up on the search for “proof” and found this beautiful song, so I am including it along with the Eminem and Proof video that came to the top of the search.
Coldplay - Proof


I am also including this next really interesting video that just came in my email box this morning. I do get some interesting videos sent my way. Light is so fascinating! In fact, I am going teach an entire physics course for high school students based on light. There is this really interesting book called, Let there be LIGHT: The Story of Light from Atoms to Galaxies by Alex Montwill and Ann Breslin. It’s all about the physics of light and even discusses the philosophical dimensions – it's a great textbook!
Language of Light -DNA activation

Getting back “on topic,”
can we change The Rules of the Game Yet? The funny thing is, I think Joe already did that. Have you figured it out? The “big whopper” on page 97 that got this analysis started?

This just in. I thought I was finished with this blog and ready to upoad it, when right at 1:11, my teacher called on me to add one last message. He thanked me for my hard workd and dedication and said if there was one last message for today, it’d be “Peace, Love and Joy.” Here’s the message that came to the top of the YouTube search:

Noul pamant (New Earth)


This information was posted with the above video:
EMdobrita
| March 01, 2009

I do not speak English. The translation is done with a program offered by google. Sorry for mistakes.

My dream ...

On 28.02 2006 I posted on the website
http://www.lucratorul-in-lumina.com my view on how you look where you live on the New Earth

Go to New Earth

The summit will see a chain of mountains with snow-bound crests. In a nearest are other afforestation mountains with towering trees that smell and overflow of ozonized of the leaves.

Among the mountains descend a river with crystal purity, his murmur enlarge PEACE around you. Fish are the frolicsomes jumps for insects from the surface of the water.

At the foot of the mountain is a forest of oaks where birds chirp play, and animals live in good understanding both among themselves and with people in perfect HARMONY.

At the edge of the forest lies a large glade crossed by paths, guarded by bushes and flowers multiple, that lead up to the house you can see the branches of trees.

The raw grass and the flowers give generously fresh and delicate scent that attract the butterflies, the bees and other insects which discuss from the nectar of the fragrant cups. The sun looking of high the wonderful landscape and, sign of LOVE, send their warm rays everything is swimming in LIGHT. To celebrate with joy the birth of the New Earth under the rain of the stars which the universe a cascade of "Divine abundance Cart" with the generosity and love.

I invite you to keep this flame alive and to "dream" continued the New Earth where Heaven is our house, Home who is so missed.
PECE, HARMONY, LOVE, LIGHT

Muzica Frederic Delarue -
http://www.fredericdelarue.com/
Colaje/prelucrare computer EM
Clip creat EM -
http://emdobrita.blogspot.com/

12:44 pm | link 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The More the Merrier: Rules of the Game (Still on Page 97)


This has to be short today. I really have to do some work on a special project and finish that up so I can go back to work on my dissertation . . . you know how it is: It takes money to live in this society, so sometimes you have to bite the bullet and work a bit to pay for the basics like food, transportation, and a roof. At least it is very worthy project.

At any rate, my teacher gave a clue and said to use it to write today’s blog. The clue was “the more the merrier.” Here’s is what came to the top: Another video showing how the elite people have no qualms about breaking the rules about love and respect for someone you have committed to. This is an old movie, and so was “The Rules of the Game,” so it is clear that this very damaging behavior has been going on for a long time.  I guess people just don’t learn. What does this have to do with page 97? It is still about rules of the game in relation to couples and how some people think they don’t have to follow them. I think it goes with this sentence on page 97:

Those with the clout to decree what is universally valid find their power dramatically enhanced, as they are able to set up the “rules of the game."

And so they have set up the rules to make is socially acceptable to be unfaithful and to be able to divorce and remarry at whim. This destabilizes the family unit and serves to keep people divided, thus increasing the power of the elite – while at the very same time, they accept unfaithfulness as just a way of being for themselves. As dysfunctional as it is, it does not tear up their families because family is the whole basis behind those who are at the very top maintaining power. That was shown in a previous blog about the “Money Masters” and how they work to keep the money in the family through arranged marriages as such. Of course, there are many other factors that play into destroying the family structure, and those factors are created all around us and magnified so they are most effective in doing the dirty work of keeping people divided. 

The More the Merrier Trailer



And then there are Rules for this version of The More the Merrier. There is a lot to discuss here, but I will just post it and let people think about it and maybe watch the movie.
the more the merrier

8:25 pm | link 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Progress, Signs and Separation (More Rules of the Game) and still on page 97.

Great progress on my dissertation: I am so happy! I just hope my mentor likes it and will approve of what I’ve done so far. And believe me, I am taking some monumental baby steps (is that an oxymoron?). That’s just the way research is, apparently.

The last couple of days these blogs have been about relationships for some reason – namely, those bad kind of relationships in which people are not faithful. From the movie, The Rules of the Game, it appears that for the elite members of some societies, unfaithfulness is completely accepted. Other members of society would rather escape from these, what for many of us, are very painful relationships. Perhaps that’s why my teacher provided me with the song, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” for today. We need to move away from relationships that are unhealthy. There is a way out and it falls within “the rules of the game,” although the rules that get applied during divorces, again, can be just as “crazy-making” as the dysfunctional relationships themselves – but then, what do we expect? The elite also made the divorce rules, so of course, they can apply them however they see fit. Thus, here is the song my teacher provided last night:

D.I.V.O.R.C.E tammy wynette

Morning Meeting With My Master Teacher
Wow, did my teacher ever explain a lot to me today. Most of us do not even begin to understand the way love works throughout the cosmos. It is amazing. He explained all of this complicated stuff to me, some of which I have observed, but some of which I really need to study quantum physics in order to understand how it all works. It is so amazing. I have to read the book The Tree of Knowledge: The Biological Roots of Human Understanding by Humberto Maturana and Fransisco Varela. Once I get that down, then I get to move on to Quantum Physics!!!

What was the highlight of what he told me? Basically, in my own words, love works magic. You must send out those love vibrations (energies) and then become very observant and notice the gifts the universe hands down to you, then you will come to understand how it all works. It actually alleviates the need to control and manage anything at all – why do you need to when the cosmos practically paves the road for you to walk, if you just let the light shine. (But from my own personal experience, that is very hard to do and it seems to be a lifelong learning process.) I cannot explain all of this in scientific terms right now, but my goal is to learn how to be able to do just that. It is such beautiful magic.

My teacher gave me several clues for songs again: “signs and signals,” “fractals,” “object/subject” and “separation.” Wow a lot to look up. I don’t see why he does that when he knows I need to get back to work on my dissertation. It must be because these are related, somehow. I have faith and trust, so I will dutifully look these up on YouTube right now. Maybe he thinks I need to review some of this in preparation for my writing. Here goes . . .

“signs and signals”
Tracy Twyman's Signs and Signals of Freemasonry

This song is "Can't Go Wrong Without You" by the group "His Name Is Alive."

“fractals”
Rocketboom: Juliaset, Fractals, & Chaos 
 

“object/subject”
Learn English - Subject Verb Object

“separation”
Obama Breaks Down Why We Need Separation of Church & State


In a speech from Barack Obama, he explains in clear terms why the separation of Church & State is necessary.Watch the entire show at http://www.theyoungturks.com  

Commentary: What Great Videos – My Teacher Does It Again!
The first video presents signs and signals we all need to be aware of for our own well-being, but it is important to realize that these are NOT the signs and signals the cosmos gives us as free gifts. Be aware of these signs and signals, but understand that they are not the pathway that you should follow. Only signs and signals that emanate from love – and you will know what they are – are the signs and signals you are free to choose from and follow and in faith you can know that they will lead you in the right directions.

I love the second video, too. She presents chaos, complexity, and fractals in a very fun way. It’s a good review and as can be seen, we have many options to choose from. It is why it’s so important to choose from a position of love – if you are alert you know your best options, even the BEST option if you are choosing out of unconditional love and for the betterment of all. Sometimes the cosmos will close doors all around, just to ensure you go through the best door.

The third video, while it seems elementary, sometimes we need to step back and re-view simple concepts. Pay particular attention to the sentences with subject-verb-objects because it quickly becomes clear that you cannot possibly exert any form of action (even merely viewing upon) an object without altering or having an effect on that object, nor without that object having an effect or altering you as the subject. This is so clear when framed in close proximity, but the point is, science has shown us that proximity is not even necessary. Two objects very far apart still affect each other and there is that strange phenomenon called “entanglement” that Einstein called “spooky.” I think it’s why my teacher has told me to read “The Tree of Knowledge” by Maturana and Varela. They explain it in biological terms, and then next, I get to learn the quantum-level explanation. These are such important and critical concepts if you choose to do research, especially complex research that involves human participants. You cannot possibly conduct an “experiment” without impacting the results of that experiment. And while it may be easy to see how this is so with human subjects, can you understand how it is also the case with physical objects? That definitely will require a quantum analysis.

And finally, what a wonderful video of Obama! He has provided such a great explanation of why we need separation of church and state. This is one example, much like getting divorced when you are in a bad marriage, where separation is a good thing and can help us all move forward. I like this! This separation of church and state as he proposes would serve to break up that very diabolical and destructive power bloc Joe discussed on page 97 and the rest of that chapter. We can avoid the Armageddon that is depicted in the Mad Max Thunderdome movie that he mentioned at the end of this subchapter. Thus, like a divorce from a bad spouse, this is a separation that can save us all.

P.S. Did you notice the date I put in yesterday's blog?; I said the sunset photos were taken in 2012!! I really meant 2010, of course. I just get ahead of myself sometimes. Still, the photo does look like its something from the future. I have never witnessed a sunset like it before.
3:06 pm | link 

Monday, October 25, 2010

More Rules of the Game: Sunsets and Roses (still on page 97)

OCTOBER-2-2010-SUNSET.JPG

Yesterday’s blog that ended with the song “Land of the Eternal Sunset” reminded me of the beautiful photos of a sunset and roses I took on October 2, 2012 right off my front doorstep. I have never seen anything like it because it was like I was right INSIDE the sunset. All but one photo were taken toward the East or South, not the West and the clouds were traveling over my neighborhood. I uploaded them all to my Flickr account – these photos can be used by anyone.

Here’s a link to SUNSET & ROSES

What do sunsets and roses have to do with page 97 of Joe’s book? I’m not sure, but it’s gotta be better than “Guns and Roses.” Here’s what came up for me in a search on sunset and roses. I personally scrolled down the search and selected this. I love the song. It seems it is also a movie, but I haven’t seen it. It is another movie about relationships (more rules of the game?). Then, I came across the second song and decided it fits in with this theme. I will figure this out tomorrow -- gotta get back to work on my dissertation.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Music Video
Soundtrack: BECK - Everybody's gotta learn sometimes
Original: The Korgis - Everybody's gotta learn sometimes

Beck Hansen (born Bek David Campbell; July 8, 1970) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known by the stage name Beck. With a pop art collage of musical styles, oblique and ironic lyrics, and postmodern arrangements incorporating samples, drum machines, live instrumentation and sound effects, Beck has been hailed by critics and the public throughout his musical career as being amongst the most creative and idiosyncratic musicians of 1990s and 2000s alternative rock.  Wikipedia

Joel and Clementine - Remember Me

6:48 pm | link 

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Rules of the Game Part 1 (Still on Page 97)

New!
Here’s a link to page 97

My birthday was spent having a splitting headache. Not sure what brought that on – oh wait, yes I do: FIDUROD and trying to comply with the HIDDEN rules of writing dissertations. My teacher had told me that we are going to move a mountain with my dissertation, but he did not say I would suffer from massive headaches as I merely chip away at this mountain.

My favorite gift came from the cosmos. I was just laying on my bed and someone was dictating my dissertation to me. It was quite amazing. They gave me a complete outline of what needs to be covered in the literature review and told me what definitions I need to put at the very beginning. That was very helpful. I have learned to really listen and pay attention when ideas are handed down to me, and I make sure to write them down, otherwise I forget them; after all they were NOT my ideas to begin with -- that's why they are so easily forgotten. So if you get creative ideas handed down -- they are free gifts but you should write them down right away or they are easy to forget and may or may not be given to you again.

I watched the 10 minute video clip, Rules of the Game 1939 - Jean Renoir Part 1 that was in yesterday’s blog as handed down to me by my teacher. It appears that marital unfaithfulness is accepted among the elite class of people. I guess this movie caused quite a stir when it first came out. Wikipedia has a pretty good review of the movie: The Rules of the Game. I am not sure what was so upsetting about this movie. Perhaps it was just the fact that it was revealed that there are two sets of rules: One for the Proletariat (in Marxist terms) and another for the Ruling Class.

If you remember, on page 97, Joe had “bracketed” rules of the game which means he put them in quotation marks: “rules of the game.” I had been calling these "Easter Eggs" and this one turned out to be a MOVIE Easter Egg. My teacher thought that was very creative, but he finally led me to a book about Phenonemology that explains what we do with words in quotation marks. It's called "bracketing" and is a cue that we are to take a phenomenological approach and suspend our first and immediate interpretation of these words. There are many interpretations – infinite in fact, given all of the rules we have to follow in society. The movie that came up on the You Tube search, The Rules of the Game, brings out the fact that there are hidden rules as well as two sets of rules. That could make for some very long discussions.

Well, this is short today. Too sick. I will see what my Master Teacher has to say.

OK, he said I have a virus and that I just need to go to bed. I even missed my morning lesson, so he knows I am really not well. On top of it, he told me I should only be on liquid diet tomorrow or I will be in pain again. Fun.

The music for today was handed down a few days ago. It seems fitting for this evening considering how I am feeling.

Almadrava - Land of eternal sunset (sunset pic mix)

 
9:37 pm | link 

Saturday, October 23, 2010

My Birthday: Delivering Wishes to Those In Need (Continuing the Analysis of Page 97)


New!
Here’s a link to page 97


Yesterday’s blog was VERY long, and yet I have BARELY touched on an analysis of the seven videos or the final three new videos that were given yesterday. There is so much more and I believe going forward with this analysis could reveal some very interesting things, especially if I learn more about semiotics. Take music video #6, for example, that was described a couple of days ago. She is standing in a parched desert, pouring water over her face – quenching her thirst for knowledge (love, eros?) and this image overlaps and is juxtapositioned with the spider web bracelet – the web of life -- the connection to all. In addition, there are symbols relating to the struggle between the dark and the light and, of course, the light wins out. Isn’t this the battle we are experiencing with FIDUROD?

FIDUROD is very dark, as Joe clearly describes throughout this book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction, and on page 97 in particular, he describes how the darkness is maintained through power blocs that are not so easy to define since they change and shift. These power blocs, however, as depicted by this particular video (#6) are perhaps a manifestation of the dark side of our consciousness. We do not need to choose that. We can change the rules and that's what page 97 is about. The series of videos reiterate all of this and give us additional insight into ways tacit rules operate as well as providing us with some ideas for changing the rules (such as telling our stories). 
We are the light.

During my meeting this morning, my teacher said that there is a surprise for my birthday. I keep hoping it will be the discovery of another "big whopper" on page 97 since I keep getting the indication that there is more on that page and that was what began this analysis - the search for the "big whopper." We shall see.

It was very interesting and actually amazing how a link to none other than page 97 of Joe's book popped up for me out of the blue when I did a google search! I think the cosmos wants more people involved in this analysis (Read yesterday's blog to see how that happened). The great thing about it, is now everyone can play this game even if the don't have the book! (I like to call it a game, but it is really research and analysis to understand Joe's work and discover the special gifts in his work, and it is so much fun!). So, here is the link again -- and of course, this analysis started all the way back in September!
 

This game began on September 23, 2010 if you want to start from the beginning.

New! Here’s a link to page 97


My teacher did tell me this morning to be sure and watch "The Rules of the Game." So, I will go ahead and watch it today, since it's my birthday and I will take a break.

Here's what popped up when I plugged in his clue "The Rules of the Game."  If you track back to the beginning, when I had plugged in Joe's bracketed words from page 97, "rules of the game," the video that came up was the
trailer to this movie, below, and now here is Part 1. There must be something significant to this video, or my teacher would not have provided me the clue:

"The Rules of the Game."

Rules of the Game 1939 - Jean Renoir Part 1
 


Birthday Wishes
If I could have any wish for my birthday, it would be that truckloads upon truckloads of food, water, clothing, money, and all kinds of supplies are delivered to the people in the world who need them most.

I happened to look up my name – my REAL name, my soul name,
Sōferia – on YouTube, and here is a video showing all of the trucks, hopefully delivering these very items to the people in need, along with music to soothe their spirits.

soferia

12:12 pm | link 

Friday, October 22, 2010

Let Me Tell The Story: Analysis of the Videos (still on p. 97)


New! Here’s a link to page 97


As yesterday’s guest blog conveyed, tonight is a full moon and also, significant, it is the eve of my birthday. I don’t usually make a big deal out of my birthdays. I have had too many. Last year turned out to be very special because I was given so many songs, which I ended up posting in my blog the next day. It seems that I am a magnet for music, which is amazing to me because I was never that much into music. Of course, music lessons as a kid were out of the question (poverty), but for a brief time we had an organ that I taught myself to play until it was sold because we needed the money. Other than that, I have gone long periods of time in my life without listening to music at all – you know the routine: get up early, take the kids to daycare/school, slave for 9 hours, pick up the kids, pick up Happy Meals, plop down in front of the “news” and “veg out” for the rest of the evening in front of the television, thus spending all of my waking hours in that “hyperreality” Joe talks about in this books – and then get up the next morning and do it all again.

Having a full moon on the eve of my birthday, what with all of the really strange happenings in my life the past couple of years leads me to the feeling that there is some sort of significance here. My teacher has not told me of any special happenings – yet. Last night, however, he asked me to contemplate whether life is real or just a dream (and to keep in mind that dreams happen instantaneously, although they appear to happen within a linear timeframe). I have thought about life as a dream before and have written about that, but not in the framework of an instantaneous event.

And so I considered how so many people these days want to manifest fame, fortune, and material goods (and make money trying to teach other people to do the same) but perhaps the real mastery comes from conscious control over time. If it is true that “life is but a dream” and if it is true as physicists tell us that time is an illusion and the past, present, and future happen simultaneously, then what we are doing during our Earth time (in other words, during our "days" when we are not “dreaming”) is simply manifesting time, stretching it. The real power comes from being able to stretch, bend, and fold space at will and thus controlling time, rather than attempting to manifest material things. How does this work? (The fourth video from the series under analysis, Forbidden shows how to escape through tunnels and wormholes). Well, if you are having a terrible experience, then don’t manifest more time! Fold space (it has to be space because that is what we are really dealing with, not time) so that you get past that experience more rapidly. If you are a real pro at manifesting time, you never have to confront that experience at all. And say that you are working on something important, such as a dissertation, like I am. Then you want to stretch time – manifest more of it so that you get the dissertation completed by the due date, a specified timeframe (which is illusory, but it has been socially constructed by yourself and the other people who have a stake in whatever is supposed to be due at that time). Of course, all of that is intertwined with material manifestation, which also is socially constructed. It’s complicated, so just go with it for now.

The ideal experience is to manifest relationships comprised of love, bliss, and ecstasy and stretch time by bending and folding space so that you can enjoy them longer (ultimately, eternity). But of course, that experience can be magnified and more powerful if you have had the other sorts of experiences to contrast it with – thus, the purpose of earth life. We suffer on earth, apparently so that we can experience the fullness of bliss and ecstasy. Once you get tired of the game of pain, the next step is to choose and create (with people you love) a new life of the future that is much happier and enjoyable and in which you create endless bliss moments (you never forget the pain of your earth life, but you also no longer need the pain to experience the love, joy, and ecstasy). This is where you have the power because you can create absolutely any kind of life you wish – even fairytales if that’s what you wish.

This is interesting: After writing the above (and it is now several hours later), I had one of those “open the book and jusft start reading experiences” that relates exactly to this discussion of time. I don’t believe I would have come across this information had I tried. I hardly ever read books cover-to-cover and have come to rely on this rather strange phenomenological experience of just opening to the exact page I need, but not knowing even what I was looking for or why. This time the book was Introduction to Phenomenology and I picked up for no specific reason in mind, other than I felt I needed to read more of it, opened it up to a part I had not yet read and guess what it was about? TIME. I serendipitously and instantly had opened to page 140 and a section called “Details and Perplexities in Internal Time Consciousness.”

It is so WEIRD! I wonder how many people experience this same phenomenon when they are in the process of learning. It makes me want to research this! I just randomly picked up the book from among many books piled on my desk right now and for no particular conscious reason. I am in that “limbo” state because right now I have run up against huge obstacles and I am “immobilized” not knowing quite how to proceed due to my lack of education to do this project and the hit-you-in-the-face reality of FIDURODian constraints being forced on me – and yet, here on this page in relation to my thoughts about time is a very complex discussion about time by the author of Introduction to Phenomenology, Sorokowski.

This excerpt starts out, “The domain of internal time consciousness underlies both the subjective flow of internal time and the objective flow of world time. It allows both of these flows to manifest themselves, and it is phenomenologically more basic than they are . . . it is a moment to them” (p. 140). And so, while people may think my thoughts about time and manifestation of time, above, are pretty far out, the discussion on pages 140-143 provides another even more bizarre perspective. The rest of this section in the book is worth reading. For some reason, it seems it is important to understand these ideas about time. Time as we experience it today is maximimally used by FIDUROD for power and control, and it is another one of those limiting constructs that hinders our creativity and enjoyment of just living life. It must be another one of those “rules of the game” that Joe has bracketed on page 97. I wonder how many rules are there and how many rules do we just accept as “norm” when in reality they have been imposed on us to keep us all in order, as conveyed on page 97. I STILL need to watch that movie, “The Rules of the Game!” I guess I will watch it this weekend, even though I’m totally swamped now due to deadlines and FIDURODian “rules of the game” for dissertations.

Continuing the Interpretation and Tying the Videos Together
It was so strange how yesterday’s blog ended with the video of a child’s art activity (honestly, I do not plan these things: the clues are handed down to me from the cosmos and my various teachers; I just look them up on You Tube and take the video to the top). But art is so important. It is important for our children, but I think the message here is that it is also important for the “child within” so to speak: Creative, artistic expression is a need for everyone. When we create art, we often create it innocently and what sometimes is revealed is what is in our unconscious minds – or even our collective consciousness, as if the cosmos is speaking through us to relay important messages. We need to heed those messages. I have learned that in a very disturbing way; if we can learn to heed those messages that come to us down through the cosmos, we would do things much differently. Not only that, I believe there could be no more secrets.

What was also interesting about this last video, it is called “Sun Children . . . “ and it ends up completing the hermeneutic circle for us by leading us right back to the first video in this sequence my teacher provided me, video No. 1, Citizens of the Sun. Thus, it creates a natural flow to wind back through the circle again, with another analysis after being informed by the previous. This should help us tie them together even better that what I am going to do today.

The overarching theme through these videos is the contrast between light and dark: sun and darkness and they really do follow a logical order, if you analyze them. We start out in life as video 1 portrays. We are citizens of the sun, full of love, light and hope -- eros and sensuality. We all have that as children before “education” and the devised society we live in smother us. Eros becomes stifled as we get older and, as shown in video 2, with the twisted version of sexuality forced upon us (remember on page 97 it was stated that Fiske contends that “power ‘is a systematic set of operations upon people that works to ensure the maintenance of social order . . .” Thus, as we become adults, our creativity, our love, our connection to our intuitive selves, our creative nature, and our very souls are stifled through our sexually repressive society and the dynamics forced upon us in how we are to view male-female relationships.

This has destroyed and hidden who we really are. We have forgotten our soul names, even (miraculously, if you have been reading these blogs, my name has been returned to me!) The next video, #3,  represents where we are now -- a point in society where so many of us are begging to be able to tell our real stories (and this is actually being more and more vocally expressed in education and social research as calls increase for moving away from the forced quantitative approaches that stifle expression and understanding). We literally can’t take it anymore. – We no longer wish to repeat the stories that are lies and yet we have been told are ours (like myths or archetypes, distorted history, etc.), but our own, personal and real, even painful stories – as the song, “The Story” portrays. Our consciousnesses have been squeezed down so tight, that we cannot bear the pain any longer thus we must break free. So she sings that she has broken all of the rules (Here, we have reference to “rules of the game” again) and “Baby, I have broken them all for you.” Did she taste the forbidden fruit, as Adam and Eve did (What was the forbidden fruit, anyway? Is it the knowledge that is supposed to be kept hidden from us?) Are the stories she is referring to love stories of our origins and repeated separations as twin flames (as represented by the twins juxtaposed with her words “Baby, I have broken them all for you”)? – thus, she wants to tell the story of the greatest love there is. This just happens to be the very kind of love that “power” in its complex configuration as Joe discusses on page 97 in the form of morphing, shifting “power blocs” has successfully prevented most of us from experiencing. And note that this is in stark contrast to the “King” in the last video who can produce King Magazine and permanently objectify the female to consume as he wishes – which falls within the tacit “rules of the game”. But the kind of love she sings about and wishes to tell her stories about, as the next video, No. 4 clues us into by its title is “Forbidden. Just as Adam and Eve in the original creation story were forbidden to eat of the tree of knowledge, so are we still today – and just as they became sexually repressed as punishment (a story no doubt arranged to set the rules in place and maintain social order through religious doctrine and FEAR), and chose to hide their nakedness (their very souls), so here we are today.

Only today, upon observation, we have an extreme manifestation of this power over us and FEAR has been successfully leveraged, as Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction makes abundantly clear. A lot of people call this phase the Postmodern condition, but what is that?

My Celtic TreasureSokolowski enlightens us with his take on postmodernism: “Postmodernity is not a rejection of modernity, but the flowering of the deepest impulse in it.” It reminds me of the observation and the philosophical discourse that informs us it is quite impossible to fully negate ANYTHING -- even if we try to by "negating the negation.” Joe discusses these issues in great detail in his work. So, this video by Forbidden is an expression of that postmodern condition and how dysfunctional we are, how selfish and greedy we have been, and the destructive toll it has taken in the world. And we are all complicit, even if we claim to be negating the harmful aspects that have manifested in our world – it is that yin yang idea we must come to comprehend: it is impossible because there are always elements of whatever it is we are negating encompassed in the “new manifestation.” Something tells me that this is the very idea Joe utilized to his advantage in his work. If there are always elements that will be included in the next manifestation and we cannot escape that reality, then by God, let’s CHOOSE which elements those are and take the ones that can serve us some good. Thus, he always found the good in everything and everyone. The concept of Yin Yang is, of course, much more complex than this, and it is worth studying in great detail -- I will do that soon. I knew there was an important reason my teacher wanted me to find that yin yang silver disk in my yard back during the Yard Treasure Hunt (scroll down to the picture and description).

This song, "Step-by-Step" by Forbidden, is also telling us that we need to fess up to our issues and change. We need to face reality here and decide to do something about it: “It is time to turn the table,” we are told – but we do not have to do it all at once; we can take it step-by-step. Many people can’t even do this, however, and so we fall into place, stay numbed out and allow ourselves to buy into our social regulation, working in dysfunctional workplaces as depicted by the “Get It” corporate office scene in video #5, and we continue to hegemonically support the system that is not working in our favor – anything for the buck and “security” in the short term. It is easier to go along with it than to change, another symptom of “hyperreality” and postmodernity that Joe discusses in his work. However, in part two of this video, once AGAIN the message is that the table is going to be flipped and the “rules of the game” (as bracketed on page 97) have changed. What do we do? The very last video, video #6, is again reminding us of the sun, the light, of our true flame we hold in our hearts – we can reclaim our twin flame and together we reclaim our selves, our souls. And should people wish to think that a one true love is a fabrication, again science shows us that it is not, but I will save that discussion for another time; I have also discussed it briefly in previous blogs. For now, I will just say, it is the FIDURODian “rules of the game” that serve to keep us “individuated” and totally divided in order to create doubt about what love is, about eros.  Lastly, I was given one final video yesterday with another clue: We are to be like innocent children again, engage in creative endeavors, bring back the light (the sun activity), reclaim our knowledge, bring back our intuitive nature that allows the cosmos to speak through us.

There is a very interesting and powerful relationship between emotions and intuition and intelligence, particularly love; researchers are only beginning to understand it. Joe had it figured out and it was why he stressed LOVE and ART and MUSIC and CREATIVITY, etc. AND DESIRE AND CRITICALITY…we need it all (Don't throw the babies out with the bathwater). And again, what he is saying in this passage (if you can find it), is that HE has flipped the tables with his work and he is asking on page 97, for us to feel the power “Can you feel the power?” He is talking about the power of LOVE and the power that is in our hands, or at least can be – he has shown us with his work how to create a world based on eros. For that reason, I believe his work is worthy of deep study, understanding, and application.

Of course, it is much more complex than this, but these blogs are not the place to get into all of the complexities or discuss it using educational elite terminology – they are only designed to provide food for thought and I hope to encourage people to read and study Joe’s work. The hermeneutic circle created by these seven videos can be engaged again and again and woven back through page 97 with alternative interpretations, new perspectives, and deeper analyses. Who knows what surprises will be yielded.

So . . . have we found the “big whopper” on that page? That was what got this analysis started – my teacher “over yonder” told me there was a big whopper on this page and even provided a Burger King video a few days ago to remind us that’s what we are supposed to be looking for. Personally, I think what Joe did with his work qualifies as a big whopper and he qualifies as being KING (a recurring theme in these blogs that began way back on the King’s Valley Treasure Hunts) for his dedication and hard work. And while that is all very, very big and very important and I am certain that in the future his work is going to make a monumental difference, at the same time, I am getting what I call “nudges” that there is something else on that page that may also qualify as a “big whopper” – but I don’t really know how that’s possible. Joe said his book would change the world, and here on this page he has told us how he flipped the table, changed the rules, and all we need to do is read his work and apply it in our own ways, of course, that fit for where we are in the world -- and we can feel the power. I will have more tomorrow . . . and it’s my birthday! It seems to me that my teacher should give me a gift and my wish is to learn what the other “big whopper” is on that page!!!!

Here’s a link to page 97 if you want to check it out for yourself. I’m not sure how this happened, but one of my random google searches today actually pulled this page up, so I figure it’s important to provide it here. I had actually googled the word, “thanocentric,” a word Joe uses often to describe the Western fixation with “darkness” and “death” versus “eros.” I did not know what it meant so I googled it and up popped the link to page 97!!! Can you find the “table flip?” And can you find the other “big whopper”? I honestly don’t think we are done with this analysis YET.

Meetings with My Master Teacher
Basically, I just worked a little on a special project, with him giving me some advice for a new direction with it. He gave me three songs to look up and I suspect they relate to the other six other videos that are supposed relate to page 97 (now seven, counting the cute sunshine video from yesterday).

Here are the clues: “new,” “moral,” and “blue memory.” For some reason, new and moral reminds me of the moral majority and perhaps with “new” tacked in front of it, my teacher is predicting a “new moral majority” the likes of which we have never seen. I hope not! We do not need the “moral police!” (Joe said that in an article he wrote). It does relate to the weird religious/science/political power block he talks about on page 97 and which was highlighted when I had pulled up the song “Crying in the Chapel” with the word “allies” that he has “bracketed” on that page signifying it is a phenomenological term we need to look at more closely. Well, here goes the search on these three new words; let’s see what comes to the top.

“new”
Sales Cloud
This first video to the top is an advertisement for a marketing tool that is so complicated and crazy that I cannot even imagine using it. I suppose it will serve those people who fall for our competitive, greedy FIDURODian world that has only money on the brain. I have noticed that YouTube is changing their rules: Lately, if you’ve noticed, the music videos that come to the top of searches have had advertisements. Good old YouTube: GREED GREED GREED. They have to make their big bucks; making money is one thing, but clearly here in the Marxist, sense, YouTube is focused on ever-increasing profits. We all need to make money, but to ever increase profits is massively destructive, in case people have not noticed. YouTube has changed the rules of the game to massively increase profits: THUS we have to change the rules of OUR game. I will change the rules from this point on to take the FIRST video from the top that does not have an advertisement. In my estimation, YouTube should be happy with the money they already earn from all of their advertising. WHY do they need to destroy the world?

Here is the second video for this search:
Linkin Park - "New Divide"

This song reminds me of the dream I had last night; it was not a happy dream, but apparently it was necessary to integrate some of my bad memories.

“moral”
NAPALM DEATH - Morale (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

This video, with its reference to napalm, is a war protest commentary about the innocent lives that have been lost (as represented by teddy bears and swings, merry-go-rounds, carnival rides, etc. moving but with no children). Toward the beginning of the video, the guy is wearing a t-shirt that states, “Stop War.”

“blue memory”
Perfect Blue - In Memory of Satoshi Kon

This video was made in memory of Satoshi Kin, a great Japanese animator who died in 2010 of cancer at only 46 years of age. This song reminds me of how Joe always mentioned the “blues aesthetic.” It is a very touching song. The girl in the song knew the artist and loved him, and even though she is feeling so bad about the loss, she sings on in his memory.

So, it looks like we are on depressing topics, now, but I “get” these messages, do you? They add onto the other videos -- I think this means that things are going to get a little worse before they get better. But don’t give up hope -- just take it “step-by-step.” Things will get better! As Joe even said in his book, it is the darkest before dawn, which is true, even if that is a cliché. But if we all work together across that New Divide (as shown in the first song), we can flip the tables and change the rules faster.

Yin Yang and EROSOne last video and REMINDER: Don’t drink the bathwater. Joe never threw out the babies with the bathwater! Now, I realize he was implementing the Yin Yang philosophy because as I stated above, you can never negate something completely. As Yin Yang shows symbolically, there will always be some aspects of what you are negating enclosed within. He just knew how to save the babies with LOVE (Eros)!!! As I have mentioned so many times, that was his favorite idiom because he knew how to see the best in everyone and everything. His theory takes the best even out of the worst, so he has all of these creative ways in his books of saying he did not throw the baby out with the bathwater. ON THE OTHER HAND, I do not advise DRINKING the BATHWATER!!! (Thanks, again, to Rich Gibson for this cute video. Be sure to read his blog – he has some great information and more great videos relating to education).
Don't Drink The Bath Water

7:12 pm | link 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Continuing the Interpretation of the Videos PLUS Sun Art (still on page 97)

This is the continuing interpretation of the videos that were provided a couple of days ago that relate to page 97 (somehow). Here are brief interpretations of the remaining three videos. I will tie them together tomorrow. Click on the links and the videos will open in a new window if you want to view them.

song #4. "forbidden”
FORBIDDEN : Step By Step  Lyrics
This song is intense and there are so many images that could be analyzed (not possible for me without having studied semiotics in more detail). The title of the group, "Forbidden" makes me immediately think of Adam and Even and the "forbidden fruit." This must be relevant somehow. And for some reason, the sitting person with his hair over his face strongly reminds me of a lion as in the "Lion and the Lamb." The lyrics are probably more significant for me at this time than are the images:
Numbing your mind to the pain
You broke the rule, the payment's cruel
Selfish road, you paved the way
Hiding in your fantasy, it's easier to lie
The choice you made could kill
You're just one lonely victim
A wasted life

Don't you feel as if you walls fall in?
The way you live could put you underground

Step by step, by step
Surviving hanging by a thread
Step by step, by step
It's time to turn the table

It’s funny that I have been discussing flipping the table throughout this discussion of page 97 and here we have it. The song, in my current analysis, speaks to our condition as a society  – the selfishness, greed, and narcissistic desire, and how we are only hanging on by a thread. The words provided with the title "Twisted Into Form" are relevant here. It’s time to turn the table (“Society’s not done with you.”) But we each have to just take it “step-by-step.” That’s just the way we have to learn. The other images that stand out for me are the tunnel with the light at the end and what appears to be traveling through a wormhole. They represent an awakening – in other words, we need to work on expanding our consciousness, which is no easy task – but we are going to have to do it - step by step (and we may fall once in awhile, as represented by the image of someone who has fallen). Also, the lyrics, "within your heart is the key," of course, references the fact that LOVE is KEY.

song #5. "get it”
Chevelle - I Get It
As I had relayed before when this came up, it shows your standard office politics and power plays. It brings back bad memories of working in such corrupt environments. But, part two of the video is none other than ANOTHER TABLE FLIP – exactly what Joe talks about doing on page 97. His book, if you read it cover-to-cover it will take you right through the table flip on a journey from the old paradigm to the new. It’s very enlightening. That’s about all I have to say about this video; most of it is pretty straightforward and painful if you have ever experienced what this guy has. And of course, it can all be related to and analyzed in terms of unrestrained capitalism and the free market system as discussed in earlier blogs – or in Marx’s terms – ever increasing profits from labor that forces these sorts of dynamics down through the hierarchies of society to make the rich richer and the poor poorer and to perpetuate the other complex dynamics in place keeping us all divided.

song #6. "being.”
Being - KOTOKO  Lyrics (inc. English)

This music video is very beautiful. The images are powerful, but the English translation lobotomizes the message. It is clearly a love song, but you would never know it for certain in the English version. She sings about holding the flame in her heart and giving her past and future to him. This parallels what happens with twin flame soul mates, so I am thinking she is singing to her one true love.

Perhaps, the most significant thing to me about this video is that it points out how lobotomized English is in general. It is a simple language; there is no evading that fact. We never get the many rainbow meanings that other languages provide. I have always “known” that but you really can’t know it for certain unless you take time to learn another language or study the meanings of words in great depth. When I was provided my real name the other day, as being Sōferia and I just touched on the meaning within a narrow historical time frame as described by Foucault, it was a demonstration to me how important it is to both define the words we use and seek definitions for how other people are using words. It clarifies for me why Joe felt that hermeneutics is so important (I have seen so many arguments in which people are not even talking about the same thing!). Also interesting, was how that discussion of the meaning of my name, "salvation" evolved into different meanings for the word “King,” far beyond our standard conception of the word as a ruler who holds power over people and property.

I am not going to analyze the imagery right now. I am just too busy with my dissertation and I will need to study semiotics more. I could not help but notice one image, however, that seems so relevant right now: the spider and spider web on her hand. It is relevant for several reasons. It makes me think of how Joe always discussed the “reloading of the matrix” because the matrix, for me, represents the web of life, and what was very interesting, today, the very day I chose to analyze this video, the blog below landed in my email in which the author discusses this symbol in relation to indigenous prophecy. Even more bizarre, is how she states, below, that Grandmother Spider calls your name and how this relates to soul and passion – and just five days ago, someone did indeed tell me my real name and it really WAS like someone was calling my name: and as the blog the other day indicates, I instantly recognized that it was my name. Indigenous prophecy, in my view, and as Joe always pointed out, is very important and we really need to be paying attention to it. Since then, as I hinted yesterday, there have been further revelations regarding names. There are so many of these synchronicities at this point in my life that NOT to have them on a daily basis would be unusual. I may come back to this analysis of these videos at a later date; I know there is much more to each of them. Tomorrow I will try to tie them all together and explain how they relate to page 97.

Spinning
a message from Allison RaeTuesday, 19 October, 2010  (posted 21 October, 2010)755 views, 1 comment - login or register to comment

The journey deepens. What are you creating within the vortex of the goddess womb?
Are you spinning the silk for the web you will weave, or your chrysalis of transfiguration and rebirth? Venus continues her retrograde transit as the Moon waxes to full this week. Together they reveal our deepest fears and wounds, the self-limiting perceptions that block our path to power.
In this season of the Ancestors, Grandmother Spider sings the songs of creation. She calls your name, beckoning. Sink into your soul, your purpose, your passion. Dissolve the fears that hinder your death and rebirth.Venus disappears as the evening star soon to embark on her underworld journey. She'll re-emerge as the morning star in the eastern, pre-dawn sky on November 5. As we attune to her, we are transformed.The Sun and Saturn in Libra offer the promise of liberation, freedom from the fears and karmic patterns that hold us back. Mars, Venus and Mercury in Scorpio remind us of the opportunity to reclaim our power.In the last degree of Aries, the October 22 Full Moon illuminates perceptions and boundaries as pre-conscious thoughts take shape, later to form a new reality beyond this gestation phase.
Potential and Possibility
Within the Full Moon matrix lies hope that latent potential will manifest in ways that are both mundane and miraculous. While possibilities are infinite in the quantum field, what ultimately unfolds will rely on our pre-conscious and conscious thoughtforms during this lunar phase.Vigilance is required, a continuous assessment of our thoughts so we may manifest the highest of all possible potentials.What does that look like in our lives and our world? Ask the miners and the families of the miners rescued last week from deep within the Earth, trapped for 69 days in a cave that could have been their tomb. Instead, they ascended from the depths in a capsule named Phoenix, a mythical bird representing transformation through death and rebirth. This is the shamanic process of Scorpio, and Venus is leading the way as she transforms in the heavens from evening to morning star and becomes a beacon for human potential.What did the miners, their families, the country of Chile and countless others around the world create through attention, through prayer and vigil, through hope? In a stunning victory, they preserved life.
The Web
We can work with this same energy, manifesting and creating with the Full Moon during Venus' retrograde journey. We can spin out in chaos and feel victimized, powerless to direct cosmic forces. Or we can go inward, focus and spin with intent.At this lunation, connect with Spider Woman, the creation goddess of indigenous tribes throughout the Americas who weaves the web of life. Follow the shaman's spiral into the darkness, the Void, womb of creation, into a new reality. Within the darkness, you'll meet your deepest fears as subconscious patterns and beliefs are revealed. Press on.Witness your response in personal situations. Have you been sideswiped in power struggles? Are you asked to be discerning in your use of power? How have you given away your power, and how can you reclaim it? In my Venus journey this month, I've encountered wildly karmic scenarios, both my own and those of close friends. Some know nothing of Venus but are deeply affected nonetheless. How is this process playing out in your life?

The Full Moon represents a culmination, a time of manifestation and creation. The energy reaches maximum strength as the alignment becomes exact with the Moon opposing the Sun on Friday. The tension between the feminine lunar and masculine solar energies is released at the moment of the opposition, which is 9:37 PM Eastern on October 22. Ritual, prayer and meditation are most potent in the hours leading up to and after the exact alignment.
Astrology guru Dane Rudhyar portrays the dynamic of this week's Full Moon in his astrological mandala. At 30 Aries, energetic potential has to be focused then united with substance in order for effective power to be realized. At this critical stage, there is enormous potential for failure as well as fuel for breakthrough.Vigilance is key. Decide what you want to focus on. Emotions, love, relationships, finances and values are optimal areas for change. Notice messages in dreams and meditation that reveal patterns of self-limitation. Consciously transform the patterns by changing your focus and attention in the areas you've chosen. Notice the spin of the vortex. Children spin. Spiders weave. Sufis whirl in an ecstatic dance of creation. Spin clockwise, then counterclockwise. Mix it up and allow the transformation.
Letting Go
As the energies build, prepare to discover your deepest fears and secrets. Seek the assistance of the Ancestors as you dive deep and resurface from the subconscious realms. Honor the mystery and your own healing process. Persevere. The rewards will be worth the effort.The journey continues as Venus disappears from our view to travel into the underworld where she will metamorphose from evening to morning star over the next three weeks. She returns to the sky during the Samhain gateway (October 31-November 6) to begin a new 584-day cycle in Scorpio.During this phase, themes are dissolution, transfiguration and emergence. We must release the past in order to ascend to a new life, a new beginning as empowered co-creators on Earth. I described the passage of Venus in my previous blog post, "Into the Spiral":In Native American tradition, there is a legend that Spider Woman will return at the end of this era. According to the ancient Hopi and Mayan calendars, the end is now.In hushed silence, weaving and spinning, we create.Copyright 2010 Allison Rae/StarPriestess.com 

This message was originally posted here

Morning Meeting with My Master Teacher 
I will see what song my Master Teacher has left me. I just checked my notes and he left me one clue in my lesson this morning: “capitalize.” I will check that on You Tube right now!

This is cute! I have no idea how “capitalize” brought this video to the top, but it did and it’s amazing since so many of the videos I have had to analyze the past two days relate to the sun. I guess my teacher wanted to give a lesson in how to teach small children how to make a sun! This just fits right in! Enjoy it – and teach your little ones how to make their own sun!!! Make a sun for yourself, too, and hang it up above your desk! And remember, there’s no “right way” or “wrong way:” just as these posted instructions state:

Art gives your child a chance to express themselves through their imagination. Art allows children to explore and understand their world through creative experiences that emphasize the process of art, not the product. When your child is creating there is no right or wrong way, only their way. (Art instruction does not have specific guidelines for children to follow like a craft.) Art allows your child to be free in their creative mind.
Sun Children Art Activity | Cullen's Abc's

 

P.S. Something tells me that this video is like a giant clue somehow since it is so "off the wall" in terms of the clue, "capitalized" that brought it up and in relation to most of the videos my teacher provides. . . oh well, I will figure it out tomorrow. Gotta get back to work.
8:09 pm | link 

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

My Interpretation of the Music Message from Yesterday PLUS The Great Pretender (Still on Page 97)

Yesterday I was given a series of songs that are supposed to be related to page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction. I posted those songs without looking at most of them and I have to say, I really do not like “dark” or depressing songs, which I have learned that some of them are or at least they have elements of darkness, but unfortunately, when we analyze what Joe says on page 97, the reality is that our world is dark and depressing on account of exactly the way power goes about its “systematic set of operations upon people that works to ensure the maintenance of the social order .  .  . and ensure its smooth running” (which was a quote from Fiske and is at the very bottom of the page). Those systematic operations most often ARE very dark.

Many Interpretations and Everything Is Connected
There are two things I want to point out that I think are very important to this current task of analysis. One is related to Joe’s major message in all of his work: Everyone and everything is interconnected in a complex web of life. Thus, in my interpretation all knowledge is also interconnected and there are multiple ways of making connections between the videos and page 97 that are only limited by our imaginations (or lack of imagination). The other thing to point out is that we will all see different things and have different interpretations.

Some of the very best online conversations I’ve had were in courses where we all were able to provide our own interpretation of something as simple as a photograph. It amazed me how differently we view things and yet how similarly at the same time. It also amazed me at how interconnected other knowledge is found to be during this sort of process and how much we all learned by having an online discussion relating to our interpretations and extrapolations back and forth. It is a valuable activity that can be used in many contexts and YouTube videos really provide food for conversation because so many of them are designed to make a statement, unlike most media -- like television programs or movies that are primarily designed to divide and perpetuate the status quo; unfortunately, most people in online courses just don’t “get it” and so discourse stays superficial, boring, with little learning taking place. That just frustrates me to no end. I have literally given up on people. For example, for my dissertation, we are all connected in a courseroom where we have the opportunity to engage in some serious discussion about our dissertations. But no, people just want to be superficial, complain that they can’t stay focused, pat each other on the backs saying they are doing great (even if they aren’t, lol). What a waste of cyberspace.  Anyway, the act of looking up videos on YouTube for particular words, phrases, names, etc. as part of the learning process, hermeneutical analysis, phenomenological exploration, etc., as I have demonstrated throughout these blogs and with the terms on page 97 (“allies” and “rules of the game”) can be very productive for opening our consciousness and getting our minds past our narrow conceptualizations that, in fact, exert a very powerful control over our lives, shaping our very identities, and in the case of dissertations, keep us from working together to move knowledge forward in more powerful and effective ways.

With that said, I will only be presenting my own interpretation and it will be partial at that (self-censored). There are other dimensions that I can interpret, but I will limit my interpretation to that which I feel most people, collectively, are ready to hear, and even some of them may not be ready.

Oh, one last thing. As I had mentioned, I have not had lessons in semiotics, so these interpretations are very limited and probably superficial on account of that. They could be taken to a much deeper level. But practice makes perfect. As Joe had said, the only way to become a bricoleur is through practice, which means learning about and practicing different methods that they did not teach me in "school."

If you want to see the videos again, click on the links and they will open in a new window.

My Personal Interpretation
 
Song #1. “heeding my call” (The lyrics are with the song, if you click through to YouTube)
The Citizen Of Sun - Urb Brothers (Vennad Urbid)
I'm a citizen of Sun
Every time I see the flowers grow
And I know they too would like me to know-
I'm a citizen of Sun
I'm a citizen of Sun
Every time I feel that roads would call
Every time they ask: where do I belong at all?
I'm a citizen of Sun
The children of Sun are having a good time on my wall,
heeding my call, heeding my call, heeding my call

I love this song, the lyrics “I’m a citizen of sun” and the pretty images of flowers and sunshine. It reminds me that we are ALL sunshine and just like the flowers we are at various stages of blooming! At least if we choose to be. We all carry the light and it is very sad that more people do not realize how powerful the light can be and choose to use it in more beneficial ways. We are energy! The plants and flowers are energy. Scientists can detect and measure the light energy that plants and even our bodies emit. It is true….we are citizens of the sun. We need to learn to access our true power and use it to be like the beautiful flowers that are not afraid to show their beauty and to help other people shine and blossom “even if it doesn’t sound too wise” as the lyrics state. It is only unwise under the current dominant ideology that has us each chasing elusive and selfish dreams that are dictated and directed instead of living the dreams of our own choosing and allowing others to do the same. And so, yes, those who set up the “rules of the game” and “what is universally valid” have many of us believing that flowers and beauty and talking about them is pretty damn stupid. I don’t think it’s stupid at all – to the contrary.

Song #2. “dangerous”
Kardinal Offishall - Dangerous ft. Akon
There is much happening in this video and it speaks to how women are objectified in our society. It’s pretty representative of how we have allowed media to influence how we view women, sex, and male-female relationships. In fact, if you pay particular attention right at 2:12 minutes into the video, it shows the woman being photographed for a hot magazine, named, what else but
KING. I can’t believe KING is popping up again and this time we have a new way to view KING. Two days ago I mentioned how KING keeps coming up for me in my research serendipitously along with an alternative way of defining it not as a power position, but as a heterarchic (as opposed to hierarchic) order as Joe defined it on page 285 of Getting Beyond the Facts (2001), and here it is again! What this is saying to me is how the media defines men as KING in relation to women being objectified.

On another level, this video speaks to multidimensionality and perhaps even the indefinable boundaries. It is not quite clear if this guy is really having exchanges with the woman or if it is his imagination. His t-shirt (at 2:27) says “Children risk their lives in the dream of riding the big one.” Nothing is ever as simple as it seems, as Joe always pointed out in his work. There are so many layers of interpretation for this video; I have scarcely scratched the surface. “That girl is so dangerous” repeated over and over – well, what does it mean to you? It could mean a female who has no fear. It could be a way of representing how in our society we so often blame the victim. It could mean because she is “sexual” in this hypersexed, yet sexually repressed society. And so how does this serve as a “construct around which power operates?” Sex sells everything. Sex gets attention. Sex is good, but emotion is bad. These are just some of the “rules of the game” and it’s why you have scenes like the office scene in video #5 from yesterday – as the norm, not as aberrational. And as Joe pointed out in Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy, it's all enough to make people take Prozac.

Now, this is very interesting: I was all finished (for now) with reading Joe’s book, Getting Beyond the Facts (2001). I had studied the information I needed. Then, last night before I went to bed (after I had written the above analysis for this video for today’s blog), something drew me to opening the book and it opened up to pp 536-537 as if by magic. This SO OFTEN happens to me. Either I just open a book or “someone” tells me read page such-and-such, kind of like this current analysis of page 97 in Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction. It was handed down magically from the cosmos (my teacher – oh, and do I have something incredible to say about my teacher but this blog is already too long so it will have to wait until tomorrow, although I may add a short P.S. to today’s blog). What was relevant to this video on pp. 536-537? The entire discussion was, but I will just hit on the highlights and hope you have or get the book to read more. Here, Joe is discussing how the “Cartesian-Newtonian rationality and a classically informed modernist notion of the bourgeois man, dominant masculinity is a careful combination of mind and body, consciousness and unconsciousness, and rational and irrational” (p. 536). Of course, men are “above emotions,” in this construction and devalue women’s abilities and their expression of emotions. The healthy individual is “individuated” and exists separate from others.

He states, “In this volatile mix of patriarchal, rationality/mind, and violence/body, dominant masculinity’s desire for power cannot be separated from the fear of failure. To understand one’s masculinity is to appreciate the fact that other men may choose to destroy you. . . Men seek a form of power that can never be possessed; women suffer from male oppression” (p. 537).

I emphasized the last statements because they are so clearly depicted in the video. The woman in the video is viewed by this man attracted to her as “dangerous.” Why? One reason, she is viewed as having the power to cause another man to destroy him; it is the nature of the game. The guy is having a relationship with her in his mind and this scares him to death because she already has a man and with the way the Cartesian-Newtonian rationality operates, he is feeling the particular ontology as Joe describes it on page 535: “In the gender context, reason and violence are not opposites, but symbiotic dynamics in the shaping of dominant masculinity.” Thus, men are always engaged in a competitive struggle always with the threat of violence (whether via physical or humiliation). Thus this guy is caught up in continuously proving his “unequivocal manliness” and confronting his fear. Evidently, to overcome these weird contortions, “Men seek a form of power that can never be possessed” (p. 537) and thus, in its place, we have KING Magazine in which the woman is fully objectified as a mere image and can be consumed safely.

Song #3. “story”
Brandi Carlile - The Story
As I mentioned yesterday, this song has come up before, and I personally relate to it, and even more so since remembering that my REAL name is Sōferia. I believe we should be able to share our stories, but of course, I am way outside the Power Blocs’ “rules of the game” with this view. I relate to this video in a very literal sense – I remember many of my stories. The twins are significant in this video and there are also multiple ways they could be interpreted -- from living double lives (hiding your stories from other people) to the twin flame soulmate connection (in which all stories have been shared). The three balloons on the floor are significant – the appearance of the “trinity” once again – and in my previous story of a few days ago, the mission is to change “the meaning of trinity forever,” although, as I said, I did not know what that represented (whether it was the Christian version or the first nuclear bomb or both). Nevertheless, in the next shot of the balloons, there are many more balloons on the floor, thus, trinity has been surpassed. What could that represent? The various appearing and disappearing scenes of the intimate couple, along with the multiple, overlapping images of the singer, for me, represent the multiple dimensionality of our lives. The couple fades in and out of our perspective. The singer sings that our stories don’t mean anything if we don’t have anyone to tell them to and how her friends don’t know who she really is. But he (the person she is singing to) does know her stories; thus, she was made for him. The older man in the scene represents wisdom, perhaps the wisdom that comes from having lived through so many stories and the wisdom that might be shared if stories could be shared.

You can even relate the telling of stories, in a sense, to Jungian forms of analysis and the value they have for collective consciousness…we are all more alike than we admit and that’s the foundation of archetypal theory, presumably. If we share our stories (archetypal) there is a collective benefit, somehow, theoretically. There are issues with this theory, though, since it is still framed within the constructs of dominant power. I would question whether archetypal theory might just be another way for people to run away from their real stories. This really hit home for me when I read a dissertation about archetypal theory using a form of intuitive research in which the researcher ran away from the REAL stories that kept wanting to seep out in her analysis, and stuck with the archetypal stories rather than get too personal. She kept justifying it with things like she did not want to know the real story and that it was not appropriate for the dissertation, and that they really needed to be dealt with in a clinical setting. Who makes these rules? How do her choices in this dissertation maintain the status quo? How do her choices protect perpetrators of abuse? Who is she really protecting? These all fall under what Joe discusses on page 97 as the “rules of the game.” It is amazing to me how people portend to break barriers and boundaries and yet when you really analyze what they have done or are doing, they support the very structures they claim that they wish to tear down. So then you have to begin to question their real motives.

The woman in this song does not do this (and yet, at the same time, she does, because what are her stories?) – however, she does not run away from her stories. It was not easy – she climbed mountains, swam across the ocean and her voice picks up dramatically in expressing the pain she has been through. She has broken “all of the rules,” (the “rules of the game”) which feels very familiar to me. She is singing to someone specifically, “Baby, I broke them all for you.” When she sings, “even when I was flat broke, you made me feel like a million bucks, you do, I was made for you” the camera focuses on the twins playing – which is what cues me to thinking she is singing to her twin flame soul mate. He already knows all of her stories, he already empathizes with what she has gone through, but in reality it was all for the two of them, as portrayed by the couple kissing, the twins, -- as well as for the collective, represented by the wisdom of the old man. So, there is also an interpretation on the level of collective consciousness: We all need to know the stories. How else can we progress in our human evolution? Her friends did not know her at all -- they would not let her tell her stories and they made up their own stories about who she was. Isn't this what we do?

This telling of the stories requires flipping the tables, breaking all of the rules – and that is exactly what Joe has conveyed he has done with this particular book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy, right there on page 97 when he discusses using “the characteristics of my culture as the criteria for what constitutes a civilized culture.” Is he talking about FIDUROD or is he talking about the way he (as in his culture) has defined culture? (I believe it can be interepreted both ways.) I relate to the latter, Joe's definition of what constitutes a new civilized culture as based on the descriptions in his work (the way culture operates today in most places, I do not believe qualifies as civilized). I want to break all of the FIDURODian rules. I want to interpret Joe’s work and apply it in ways that frees everyone. And yet, FIDUROD always raises its ugly head – that particularly intractable “positivism” that dictates the “rules of the game” in which we are not even allowed to tell our stories – we are to sweep them under the rug. And, indeed, the end of the video goes back to “reality” in which the twins leave, the couple are no longer kissing passionately, the old man representing wisdom walks out; therefore they all “bow out,” literally (the twins and the man bow before leaving) and in the next to the last scene she is walking, alone. (But we are never alone). She comes back with one more plea: I feel it: LET ME TELL MY STORIES! Let me break all of the rules.

Stories and Research
This makes me think about how we do educational research and what is promoted at my university as rigorous research: positivistic and quantitative studies that tell us nothing. Or qualitative studies in which we are "outside" observers. I can’t help but think how absolutely lame, egotistical, and narcissistic it is to force people to shut up as we do in our society with the "rules of the game" (and are they ever apparent in education research) and then pretend we, as educators and researchers, can set up scientific or even qualitative studies to learn about these people, what they need to know, and how they need to learn it – as well as claim to be “experts” who can tell other people what we have learned from this dysfunctional way of being. In my view it is beyond ludicrous.

How can we know anything if we don’t allow people to tell their stories and thus, we do not even know their stories. How do we even know who they are? LET PEOPLE TELL THEIR OWN STORIES! But FIDUROD would rather label people who have the guts to tell their stories as the crazy and narcissistic ones. Of course, the bricolage in the form Joe envisioned it gets us out of this mess – it is the grand “table flip” in my perspective. It allows us to tell our stories. We may have to give up a lot from the FIDURODian perspective, but in my view, this is a good thing -- because there is so much more to be gained. There is so much to be learned doing other things, such as using the tools at hand as a bricoleur. I cannot picture myself being a researcher setting up lab experiments (although I did get a sample one time, working as an student assistant for a university psychology professor and did not like it. It was very deceptive and manipulating. I think the students got a grade or credit for participating – that blows the whole experiment out of the water).

Narrative Approaches
Interestingly, I am in no way alone in this view that we must stop pretending we can know about anyone but ourselves. Donna E. Alvermann (2000), in her article “Narrative Approaches” discusses the increasing numbers of researchers who are already engaged in this table flipping move through various forms of narrative research, so this is a positive move in the right direction. There are researchers such as Denzin, as well as Pinar with his conception of Currere (which I am beginning to think my blogs represent in a whole new way) who are helping this movement. One of the risks that has been highlighted along the way is that of “alienation.” And what I have said many times in these blogs?: You can’t be alienated when you are already alienated!!!

I really like Pinar’s (1988) statement and it feels right to me: “Understanding of self is not narcissism; it is a precondition and concomitant condition to the understanding of others” (p. 150, cited in Alvermann).

I think it's narcisstic to think we are so smart that we can tell someone else's story in any definitive kind of way. It is also a huge error: while we are busy trying to construct someone else's story, we are running away from understanding ourselves through our own stories, similar to what the dissertation writer I discussed above did when she stayed inside the bounds of archetypical descriptions. We can learn from each other's stories, no doubt. But let's tell our own stories first and foremost. We just might find that while we have similarities, there are some vast differences that may create whole new ways of being -- brand new "archetypes." Is this mythology?  I don't think so, at least not if we are being ourselves and not pretending to be someone else. Now, there is grand discussion for the future sometime. My question is, how can we possibly pretend more than what FIDUROD requires of us???

The following song just serrendipitously flashed in my mind (probably handed down to me from the cosmos), so I will close with it as food for thought:

The Platters - The Great Pretender

P.S. I just happened to come across another clue for understanding page 97 of Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction -- in the other book I was reading by Joe – Getting Beyond the Facts (2001).

He stated:

“Our charge is to figure out the rules and the effects of the Cartesian game. Such understandings constitute a giant first step in reshaping the world to a more just and humane way.” (p. 202).

Are thinking what I’m thinking? YES! Joe figured out those rules!

I will continue this tomorrow with an analysis of the last three songs and try to synthesize them in relation to page 97. . .
11:03 am | link 

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

A Message in Music (Still on page 97).

My blog will be relatively simple today, because so much is going on in my life with my research, the mission, and moving forward with contributing to the evolution of a new world. (I just said all of that because it sounds great.) Seriously, I am super busy. I have to get serious about my dissertation (not that I haven't been, but I have to please the powers-that-be).

My master teacher made my assignment “easy” today. He gave me six random clues all interspersed in his conversation and lesson plans last night and this morning and my job is to make some sort of logical sense out of it all. The clues are: “heeding my call,” “dangerous,” “story,” “forbidden,” “get it,” and “being.” I will see what videos come to the top of a YouTube search for all of these. There is supposed to be some kind of message in their synthesis (I hope I didn’t miss any of his clues).

These videos must relate to page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction because I was told earlier that this analysis would go on all month and maybe even longer (and we still really have not identified the "Big Whopper" on that page). There is a LOT "going on" on that page, and I still have to watch the movie “The Rules of the Game” which is one of the phrases that Joe bracketed indicating we need to explore the concept more deeply (I TOLD you I am not much into watching movies: I have had this movie for nearly two weeks now and I simply must find the time to watch it. I guess when the time is right, I’ll watch it).

Here we go with the clues (I am just now looking these up). Oh, and they are supposed to be in this order because it is the order he gave them to me, but I suspect the interpretation is actually nonlinear.

“heeding my call” (The lyrics are with the song, if you click through to YouTube)
The Citizen Of Sun - Urb Brothers (Vennad Urbid)
 

“dangerous”
Kardinal Offishall - Dangerous ft. Akon
 

“story”
This one has come up before, and I personally relate to it, and even more so since remembering that my REAL name is Sōferia. What good are our "stories" if we cannot share them?
Brandi Carlile - The Story

“forbidden”
FORBIDDEN : Step By Step  Lyrics

“get it”
This one also has come up before and it pretty much represents my negative experiences and observations in the corporate working world and why I am repulsed at the thought of ever having to work in such a world again.
Chevelle - I Get It

“being.”
Being - KOTOKO  Lyrics (inc. English)
 

It is so funny how the clues pull up entirely different meanings as compared to how they were used in context of the conversation. For example, take the first clue, "heeding my call" – the real context was that my teacher was just telling me thank you for answering his call when he called. I could have ignored him, much the way most people ignore their cell phone and make people leave messages.

Your Assignment: What does it all mean in relation to page 97?
Hint: Watch all of the videos, sleep on it, and then watch them again. I actually like to watch the videos several times for complicated assignments like this one – I notice something else in them each time I watch them. And I know there is always much more to see and interpret, especially if you get into semiotics, which I have not had any lessons in yet.

I wish my teacher would not give me such long, complex assignments when I’m working on my dissertation! I thought this was going to be short, sweet, and easy, but clearly it is a multiple part assignment. I will watch these over the next day or so and get back with an interpretation. Somehow, it must be related to page 97 and my dissertation; otherwise, my teacher would not have assigned it. Maybe you can figure it out.
11:40 am | link 

Monday, October 18, 2010

Serendipitous Learning All About KINGS: Still on Page 97


Have you ever noticed that when you learn a new word or idea or concept, it just starts popping up for you everywhere? What’s that about? Recently, for me, it’s been the word, KING. For example, a few days ago, back on Thursday, October 14, I was describing getting married in my “dreamlife” and how my husband was going to be crowned KING. And I discussed how it was going to take place in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii where, once they became influenced by Western culture, they changed from having their societies formed through chiefdoms to adopting the idea of Kings. In fact, King Kamehameha was a very celebrated King in Hawaii, but that’s another very confused historical account.

The story of how Hawaii became a state is also confusing because although the majority of the residents voted for statehood, by that time, only 15% of the population was Native Hawaiian. In that blog, I also explained how I envisioned being a King through a different epistemology than the Western worldview and that it did not mean it was a power position. It was a position of honor and the people select the King because he has shown that he will put the people and their best interests first and take care of their every need in a very honorable and honest fashion. He has to have proven his acts are based on love and compassion and that he’s very humble. The next place the word KING popped up for me was on Saturday, October 16, in relation to the discovery of my new name!

As I had magically discovered that day my “real” name is Sōferia  -- at least that was how I interpreted that sudden epiphany during which out of the blue I heard as plain as day the word, ”Sōferia,” even though I had never heard of it before. I was so curious about the meaning of the name because I felt (or remembered?) that it was my name and that it had great significance. When I googled it along with the word, “meaning,” a book by Foucault came up, The Hermeneutics of The Subject: Lectures as the College of France 1981-1982, and explained the many, many Greek meanings of the word, which originally meant “salvation” but not at all in the sense that we view the word today. There are many uses of the word with subtle differences, but it in no way means the Christian conception of salvation. And in the book, Sōferia was also discussed in relation to being KING! Here’s what I had written (and I was discussing the idea of “bracketing” which phenomenology requires us to do when we research):

The meaning of King is so significant because an epistemology of Power that the Western world ascribes to associates power, control, elitism, and ownership to the idea of King. Just a couple of days ago, I was talking about being crowned King and Queen and how people need to (now I know the right words) BRACKET their first ideas of what it means to be King or Queen – that it does not mean a power position to be crowned King or Queen in my “dream world.” This excerpt that I was very magically led to describes the role of King very differently – more in line with the way I understand the role.

NEW (OLD) MEANING OF KING!!!
The noun, sōferia is Greek and means salvation. The verb, “to save” is the word sōzein and one of the many meanings described in the excerpt cited is “to do good” --  to ensure the well-being of something, someone, or in the collective sense, people. Thus, in Dio Chrysostom of Prusa (discourse 64) the King is the one “ho tap anta sōzōn” which means the King saves and is interpreted as “the one who saves everything.” Thus, as the authors state, “the King is the person who spreads his benefits over everything and concerning everything. He is the source of well-being in the State or the Empire” (p. 183).

Then, on top of all of that, the video for that same day, Saturday, October 18 which came to the top of the YouTube search by plugging in the clue “adopted” that my teacher had provided for me that day, was none other than a Burger KING video!!! (Check it out – it shows the Burger King being chased by a bunch of apes. This is significant in several ways (and the movie of the adopted guy was significant too): This analysis of page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction was all started because my teacher had said there was the “BIG WHOPPER” on that page. Big whopper, of course, is the hamburger from Burger King as opposed to the Big Mac from McDonalds (there is a message in here somewhere). This makes me think of Joe (I kid you not) because of his book, The Sign of the Burger. You must read that book! How many hambugers did Joe eat in High School? (He may have qualified to be the Burger King.) I love this book because he shows how to use the bricolage and explains and defines everything so well instead of using educational jargon you can’t understand – and he provides many new perspectives for viewing how companies like McDonalds intertwine with our lives. I really related to the account of the single woman who was thankful for such affordable meals for her kids – with toys! I lost track of how many Happy Meals I bought for my kids – it was so much easier (and happier!) and even less expensive than going home and fixing a good meal after a long, hard day of slave work. Ah, yes, I STILL go to McDonalds on occasion – wouldn’t you know it: It is the ONLY convenient fast food place in my neighborhood....but I very seldom stop by at this point (I rarely even want “meat” these days).

I have digressed from my original story, but I had to mention Joe’s great book, The Sign of the Burger. SO, after all of this STUFF about KINGS the past few days, I have been working on my dissertation of course, and reading some of Joe’s work and what do I come across YESTERDAY???? An explanation of KINGS in Joe’s book!!! How serendipitous is that? I am reading out of his book, Getting Beyond the Facts (2001 ed.), which is 818 pages LONG, and what page do I land on, but one in which he is talking about Kings and Power!!

I was reading on page 285 and Joe discusses, in contrast to hierarchical orders in which the higher orders wield power over lower orders, there are also “heterarchic conceptions of order” and he explains that instead of the “divine right of kings to govern,” if “orders exist, they exist side-by-side: if one order dominates it is merely temporary and is subject to a variety of rapidly shifting forces.” He also explains on this page that on account of “this heterarchic conception of order, any simplistic notion of determinism is destroyed” (p. 285). I happen to like that a lot!

I was pleased to get another piece of understanding how being a KING does NOT mean you rule over someone. It means that you are their salvation, their Sōferia, in the ancient Greek sense of the word, not in the Christian deterministic sense. You care for, about, and take care of the people and they are confident you will represent them and their wishes; and at the same time, you are still one of the people. You are not in any way above them or better than them. It is a heterarchic conception and you are BESIDE the people. And to think my name is Sōferia, meaning “salvation,” in the sense of “taking very good care of.” Of course, I am NOT the KING, I am “merely” the wife of the KING, that is, the QUEEN in my dreamland – and although I don’t know the significance quite yet, being the Queen is another example of the heterarchic, “next to” positions, not hierarchical. Thus, I sit next to my husband the KING, not below or above him. I am sure I will be divinely led to more information when the time is right. In the meantime, I am so glad that I was serendipitously led, through the natural evolution of my research to learn much more about KINGS and POWER.

I am sharing this account for a several reasons. First, do not be afraid to dream and to share your dreams. They are intertwined with your learning process in some major ways. I hope that by my sharing this, it helps people realize how this is so and to begin noticing and following those serendipitous and synchronistic events that pop up during learning. Contrary to what we are led to believe, it is NOT getting “off track.” Following them seems to lead to deeper learning and understanding….I just wonder, how deep this epistemological journey about KINGS will go. Another thing that I have noticed is that it truly makes learning so much more fun, interesting, and relevant!

Also, if you get really good at it, you can begin to define for yourself who you really are. This is all explained in Joe’s work. We do not need to let someone else’s epistemology define and mold us. (His book, The Sign of the Burger really demonstrated how we are shaped in this manner and thus provided us information for taking control and escaping that form of power.) This is why I can say that my name is Sōferia. Who says it CAN’T be? Only those who would wish to exert power over me. In addition to the interesting information about KINGS and heterarchic power in Joe’s book yesterday, another important “take home” message I read relates to this very issue about being free to construct our own identity:


The critical social studies teachers devoted to the value of subjugated knowledges uncover those dangerous memories in reconstructing the process through which consciousness of various groups and individuals have come to be constructed. Such an awareness frees teachers, students and other individuals to claim an identity apart from the one forced upon them. Indeed, identity is constructed when submerged memories are aroused. In other words, confrontation with dangerous memory changes our perceptions of the forces that shape us, which in turn moves us to redefine our world views, our ways of seeing. . . . When history is erased and decontextualized, teachers, students, workers, and other citizens are rendered vulnerable to the myths employed to perpetuate domination. (page 249).


Thus, Joe has given us some very powerful and empowering messages – and some things I believe that we need to think very deeply about, both on a personal level as well as collectively. I hope to remember much more about who I really am, as
Sōferia.

Here’s today’s song. My teacher gave it to me last night. The clue was “pack” and it brought this up. Do you got your vans on (that look like sneakers)? I think you’re supposed to STOP supporting NIKE (Coke whites are NIKES)…this reminds me of Joe’s book, The Sign of the Burger, and how it is so hegemonic to support these big companies. This song seems to be a commentary about hegemony, although this is just one interpretation and there are more, of course. It could also mean you do not need to wear NIKES to be KING!!! We are free to construct our own identities outside the NIKE (or McDonalds) epistemologies that are based on myth for the purpose of domination -- just as Joe's work shows us.
The Pack - Vans   Lyrics

12:48 pm | link 

Sunday, October 17, 2010

I Figured Out The “Big Whopper”! (Still on the analysis of p. 97)


At least I figured out MOST of it, but I have sneaking suspicion there is MORE! If you recall, the
beginning of this epistemological journey that revolves around the analysis of page 97 of Joe’s book began with instructions from my teacher. He had asked me to do this analysis and had stated that “the Big Whopper” is on Page 97. Yesterday, we had a reminder of the “Big Whopper” with that funny video by Burger King. It was a clue that we are getting close to figuring things out, but I think there's more to that somehow. In the video, of course, the guy found out his parents were not his real parents. In fact, his parents are pretty weird, but they did a good job of making HIM feel like the weird one. I really related to that personally, since my own family has always looked at me as the “black sheep” of the family. I never fit in with them, ever, and being the only girl with four domineering brothers made it quite difficult. I tried to fit in, but I could never understand why they seemed to enjoy dysfunction (creating problems, noise, and disruption), greed and selfishness, being locked into the white, male, Western epistemology (and later on, “born again” Christian doctrine). Of course, I also grew up with a very heavy dose of racism and sexism, as well as what Joe referred to in Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction as “the Devil’s Radio” (check that out on YouTube). Discovering my REAL name yesterday (see that blog) was so helpful in that regard. Now I can even further “alienate” myself and I can gain a better understanding of why I am alienated. But, even those words are wrong, somehow. I really need to learn more! As I learn more about what my name means, I end up remembering more about who I really am and where I am really from. My name is Sōferia!!!

Even though yesterday I had touched on some of the original Greek meanings of the name, (thanks to a google search that had serendipitously brought up Foulcault’s work) relating to its core meaning of “salvation” I have not even begun to touch on all of the twists and turns the meaning “salvation” took as Power came to play in the picture and then Christianity with its particular implications (and motivations) along with the rather unexpected power blocs Joe spoke of on page 97 in which science and religion became very strange bedfellows, combined with political and economic forces that all worked together to exert a new form of power. When you look back at history, it is easy to see that those power blocs have been morphing in and out like that for a very long time; it is not a new phenomenon. Once you have the biggest systems that control people’s lives all aligned in certain aspects (religious, educational, political, economic systems), even if they have a different “take” on what “salvation” means or doesn’t mean, it suddenly becomes a very powerful way of constructing your consciousness all to the benefit of those systems. Of course, Joe has explained this so eloquently and in such great detail and depth in his many works; reading his work makes it all very clear. “Salvation,” as a word, is very powerful today in many realms, and as an influence on related or derivative words, it has taken on an even greater and more ominous form of power.

I am going to have to buy the book by Foucault that explains all of the meanings of Sōferia (salvation) and study it some more, along with all of the history surrounding the word so that I can better explain what I am referring to. We use this concept today in at least two very powerful ways (think in terms of religion and in terms of personal emancipation) and both definitions keep us focused in the wrong way (that “one true reality” Joe described as a component of FIDUROD), thus we allow outside forces and their epistemologies to construct our consciousness for us when we should be choosing for ourselves how we wish to define the word and construct our consciousness based on that. Personally, I would like to return to the Greek meaning because it is based on a more humane and freeing epistemology, a different world view, especially when compared to its morphed meanings of today. I will explain another time: I need to get the Foucault book that discusses this word throughout history and a history book to correlate with it. It is amazing what is in just one name, such as Sōferia (salvation), if you start researching and put it in context with history.

I had an amazing “epiphany” yesterday right after I awakened from a nap in which I had a dream in which I was given some amazing clues. Page 97 is more important than anyone is going to realize for quite some time – it really is “the big whopper.” Time will bear that out, if you are among those who can’t seem to see what I am talking about. I have certainly given enough clues. My teacher was not lying about the importance of page 97 and the “big whopper.” But I have also been asked not to go into all of the details right now; just hit on the highlights, which I have pretty much done. The rest will come later, for those who cannot “see” the special treasure Joe left on page 97 or the ramifications and personal relevance at the moment. I have already given more clues than I probably should have. It is sometimes better to let people figure things out for themselves because it is more “shocking” to the consciousness and then it jolts people out of their deep sleep more effectively. When the time is right, we come to understand. And don’t get me wrong: I am not being arrogant, because there is much more I don’t understand about many things, but I don’t blame myself anymore. Knowledge – all kinds of knowledge and for all kinds of reasons – has been and continues to be hidden. That should not be so.

I can talk about my dream, though, that I had yesterday afternoon. When I awakened, I remember I had been looking at some sort of documents or articles by Joe, Albert Einstein, and John Locke and I had the impression that I was to put them together somehow – a bricolage. That’s what I woke up with, but then after looking at page 97 again, I realized that it was not John Locke, but John Fiske or maybe it’s both John Locke and John Fiske. Fiske wrote the book Power Plays, Power Works. I had not quite remembered the last name right, perhaps, but I was close enough that I was able to figure out that John Fiske, along with Einstein’s work and Joe’s work has some sort of powerful synergistic relationship – Joe does not reference John Locke in this book that I can see from the author index. Somehow he does play a role in all of this, but not in good way. According to Wikipedia: Thomas Jefferson wrote: "Bacon, Locke and Newton ... I consider them as the three greatest men that have ever lived, without any exception, and as having laid the foundation of those superstructures which have been raised in the Physical and Moral sciences".Today, most contemporary libertarians claim Locke as an influence. Wikipedia. Thus, there are two sides of this “coin” and the other side includes Bacon, Newton, and John Lock.

Of course, this is all just random right now. There are some more missing pieces that need to be critically “bricolaged” together. Like what does my personal story and the multiple meanings of my name, Sōferia, have to do with all of this? What about the story I’m creating: How do the three children who are supposed to change the meaning of trinity (from the "original" idea of Christian salvation and the first nuclear bomb) fit into this picture? How does my real name, Sōferia (salvation) fit into this picture? What about Einstein’s theory of unity, which was, in fact solved according to my sources? Is this another piece of hidden knowledge? I have a lot of things to figure out yet and there are things that have yet to evolve over the next year or so in order for all of this to make sense. . .

Song for this Morning
My teacher gave me the following clue for a song this morning: “time will take care of itself” so I’ll see what comes to the top of the YouTube search. It looks like we are supporting two more new rising stars:

It Will Take Care of Itself - Just Your Daily Dosage

it will take care of itself commentary

5:28 pm | link 

Saturday, October 16, 2010

My Name is Sōferia!!!: What’s in a Name and How does it Relate to Page 97 of Joe's Book?

I had SUCH an AMAZING experience yesterday! I was just sitting on my loveseat, taking a break from all of the research I’d been doing and I was feeling a bit like there was someone sitting next to me. A little strange, I know. I think it comes from feeling so alienated. Next thing I knew, I heard a voice say “Sōferia!” and while I have NEVER heard of that “word” before, I instantly recognized that it was my name and I stated out loud to whomever the imaginary was who had said it, “That’s my name!” I was very excited because all of sudden I KNEW who I really was! My name is Sōferia! I felt that to the depths of my soul.

Now, this confirms for me that I must be from another planet since I had never heard of the word and it certainly was not the name I was given here. This is good because it explains why I feel so alienated all of the time. On top of knowing that it was my own name I was hearing, I also instantly knew that my name must have very special meanings and I felt that if I could just learn what my name means then I can reclaim my lost identity. Do you know how strange it is to suddenly awaken to the fact that you really are not the person you believed yourself to be all of your life? Or how it feels to suddenly believe you do not fit in this world at all and that truly you must have somehow been teleported back in time? Or to have felt OLD all of your life (even as a child) and then to suddenly believe that in “reality” you are only a 19-year-old young woman who is love with her teacher? Or to have these magical teachers you cannot see and yet they work with you each day guiding you to new knowledge? How do you explain that to people? And so, on THIS day one of my teachers (who has NOT “fessed up” but I have a good idea who he is) dropped my REAL name out of the cosmos, probably thinking I would not remember and would just think it was a word I needed to look up. I fooled him!

So what do you think I did?
I googled my name of course! For some reason, I remembered how it was spelled, but I did not know about the little line above the “o”. So what I googled was  “Soferia meaning” to try and get to some sort of definition or meaning. Up popped a link to a google book and little did I know I had to do a LOT of reading for this one. It makes sense, though. If I am really Pleiadian (like I’ve been “pretending” to be) then I figured my name would have multiple meanings because we always multitask and if I remember right (which I believed I did), we pick names with deep meanings, great significance and that can grow in meaning as we grow.

SOMEONE (one of my teachers) on the sidelines of this earth game must have thought I was ready to learn more about who I really am and shouted out my name. Maybe they didn’t think I would remember that it was my name. Little did I know how MANY meanings my name would turn out to have. Check out this link to the book (below); it goes for pages. It is interesting how the Hellenistic period, during which there was a lot of warfare as the Greeks took over territory, the word started changing in meaning to reflect the effect of power. And when you think about Power – the very topic Joe is talking about on page 97, this makes sense because as he points out, the epistemology of power changes everything, including the meanings of special words and names, and it was no different with “Sōferia.”

In short form, the meaning of my name is “salvation” but you must remember it is of Greek origin and so the meaning is entirely different from how we view the word today. I did not even read the chapter on how the word was changed due to Christianity because there is no way I would accept the meaning attributed by religions. I was perfectly happy stopping with Ancient Greece because those meanings all make sense and I think they represent who I am. Besides, from what I remember of my culture, we love Ancient Earth cultures and derive many of our names from those ancient periods.

The book I was led to on this epistemological journey is The Hermeneutics of The Subject: Lectures as the College of France 1981-1982 by Michel Foucault and Frederic Gros and Francois Ewald. Here’s the link to the book, but you have scroll back a bit to read the entire description.

It was so interesting because finding the meaning of my name had multiple effects. What I mean is, first, my name has lots of meanings and they are all good. Secondly, I think someone was really giving me some advice about bereavement because I am still suffering in some very bad ways. Third, the definition also explains the real meaning of King. The meaning of King is so significant because an epistemology of Power that the Western world ascribes to associates power, control, elitism, and ownership to the idea of King. Just a couple of days ago, I was talking about being crowned King and Queen and how people need to (now I know the right words) BRACKET their first ideas of what it means to be King or Queen – that it does not mean a power position to be crowned King or Queen in my “dream world.” This excerpt that I was very magically led to describes the role of King very differently – more in line with the way I understand the role.

NEW (OLD) MEANING OF KING!!!
The noun, sōferia is Greek and means salvation. The verb, “to save” is the word sōzein and one of the many meanings described in the excerpt cited is “to do good” --  to ensure the well-being of something, someone, or in the collective sense, people. Thus, in Dio Chrysostom of Prusa (discourse 64) the King is the one “ho tap anta sōzōn” which means the King saves and is interpreted as “the one who saves everything." Thus, as the authors state, “the King is the person who spreads his benefits over everything and concerning everything. He is the source of well-being in the State or the Empire” (p. 183).

Now, what would have happened in Hawaii had the U.S. possessed an epistemology in which POWER was not a greedy force to dominate, pillage, own, and rule over, and instead had this very kind epistemological foundation for the word KING? This is the type of king that I spoke of in relation to my dream/fairytale two days ago as well. The person that the people freely choose to represent them and to “save” them (take loving care of their needs above his own) must already have demonstrated that he is capable of the love, compassion, and the humble nature that is required for the position as King of the sort defined through this new word, my name, Sōferia.

It really amazed me how much there was to this lesson. One of my teachers simply spoke out: “Sōferia.” Boom! I instantly recognized my name and I was off and running on an all new learning adventure. What a great way to learn. It certainly beats sitting in a classroom and having the teacher tell you what you need to know so that you remember it and write it down on a test. Teachers could make their work so much easier – a one word cue and the student has something to learn for the entire day -- or even longer!

What else did I learn about my name, Sōferia? The salvation can represent having been saved from danger, is one meaning. So it is the condition of having protection. Plato talks about in terms of the body as  being an enclosure of the soul so that the soul is kept safe. Another meaning relates to the preservation of honor. There is a more legal connotation, an act of exoneration. It also means to be kept safe in the same form that one was previously – for example like a fine wine is kept “preserved . . . fresh, without alteration . . . . former condition . . . purity” (p. 182). This seems very relevant.

And then there was the example of bereavement (and my feeling that my teachers are trying to give me a pointed message here). In Plutarch, the authors cite, A Letter of Condolence to Apollonius, “says that when we have suffered a bereavement, we should not let ourselves go, shut ourselves away in solitude and silence, and neglect our occupations. We should continue, he says, to ensure the epimleia tou sōmatos (the care of the body) and sōferia ton sumbioutōn (the salvation of those who live with us)” (p. 183). Of course, again, salvation is used in the sense of taking care of, but even better than taking care of – taking good care of. It is like the Latin expression, as pointed out by the authors: “Salus August, Augstan salvation does not mean Augustus saved the Empire [but] that he is the source of public good, of the Empire’s well-being in general. He [like with the definition of KING provided earlier] is therefore the source of public good – their Sōferia!!!

And we have only just begun! (This word has a long, morphing history.)

I need a song for today. I wonder if my teacher left me one. I will have to check my notes . . . he left me TWO for today. The first is “adopted” and the second is “time and season.” I will look these up on YouTube right now.

Here's what came to the top:
Adopted


As I always say, OMG, how did THIS video pop up? It is really relevant because first of all it is BURGER KING. DO YOU GET THIS? At the very beginning of this epistemological journey, my teacher told me there was a “BIG WHOPPER” on page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction. This is just a reminder that we are still looking for a BIG WHOPPER (since Big Whoppers come from Burger King) -- oh wow, and here we also have the word "King" again (You would not believe how many times that comes up in my studies and experiences). Anyway we have not found "The Big Whopper" on page 97 yet and it sounds like my teacher is reminding me that this is the final outcome we are working toward with all of this analysis of that page. I wonder if there are any shortcuts.

In addition, this video is pretty representative of how I feel. I no longer belong in the family I was born in on this planet and I am totally alienated.

Here's what came to the top for the clue "time or season":
 
The Zombies - Time of the Season (HD) (MolotovTV)
“What’s your name; who’s your daddy?” Do you know YOUR REAL NAME??? Maybe it's time to find out!
4:19 pm | link 

Friday, October 15, 2010

Are they Phenomenological BRACKETS or are they EASTER EGGS? Still on page 97.


Wow, yesterday’s blog was fun. I love to let my imagination run wild and it was so cool how it ended up being totally related to the analysis of power blocs on page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction. (I honestly did not plan that; it just happened.) It just goes to show, we can make learning so much more fun and personally relevant. I would love to learn more about the history of Hawaii. It is such a beautiful place and I loved the Hawaiian people I met while I was there. I actually lived there right near Kailua-Kona for six months so I became acquainted with many people from diverse cultures. I even tried some foods I probably would pass up today (I am pretty much vegetarian now), but I was quite immersed in some different lifestyles, ranging from getting to sample traditional Filipino cuisine to living in a shack on the beach where there was no food at all. I even learned a “new” language while I was there. The Hawaiians have their own version of “English” that combines multiple languages and it’s really a lot more fun language than plain English.

Yesterday, I happened to come across Joe’s explanation of one of his uses of quotation marks! He calls it “BRACKETING.” We have to set aside our everyday immediate interpretation and understanding of certain words, concepts, and ways of being so that we can understand other possibilities and experiences. It actually can enrich our lives tremendously. It is a phenomenological technique (which I had discussed earlier in relation to Sokolowski’s book, Introduction to Phenomenology, but I still wasn’t completely understanding it). BUT I came across Joe’s explanation yesterday and it makes so much more sense to me now. SO that means some of his MUSIC Easter Eggs and MOVIE Easter Eggs are not exactly Easter Eggs (although I don’t think he would mind if some of us still want to call them that – and keep in mind, this is only ONE explanation of his use of quotation marks. He used them for several different purposes).

Thus, in this case I am referring to a phenomenological method of telling the reader to BRACKET what’s in the quotation marks, or as Joe stated, “consciously setting aside everyday, accepted assumptions about one’s immediate perceptions” (p. 206 of Getting Beyond the Facts, 2001 edition). The quotation marks remind me to do that and the funny thing is that I tend to use them automatically myself when I am writing – and what did my university writing instructor tell me about it? “Don’t use quotation marks!” So now I realize that it is just one more example representing what Joe defined as FIDURODian positivism: There is only ONE TRUE REALITY so you can’t use quotation marks in writing. The words you use must only have one true meaning. It looks like it gives me one more thing to teach to my university.

Going back to page 97, Joe is asking us to BRACKET the idea of “allies” and “rules of the game” which means setting aside our first impression of what these ideas mean. I don’t see how it’s going off track at all by calling them “Easter eggs,” because by searching them up on YouTube I found both a very relevant song “Crying in the Chapel” and a very relevant movie, “The Rules of the Game” as I had discussed way back at the beginning of this analysis of page 97. How better can we interrupt our immediate perception and interpretation of these words than this? I think I have now even BRACKETED phenomenology!!!

Oh well, I am going to watch that movie this weekend. It has been sitting here waiting for me to watch it. For now, I will remind readers how relevant “Crying in the Chapel” is to what Joe is discussing in this section about power blocs (Again, go back to the beginning to review the song that came up on the YouTube search). What more destructive power bloc has there been recently than the holier than thou right wing Christian moral majority and the positivistic scientists in alignment with destructive political and corporate interests working together to create a bunch of robotons who cannot think for themselves? It makes a person want to cry, all right, but don’t expect relief in these chapels.

So what do you think? Did Joe use MOVIE and MUSIC Easter eggs? What is that at the top of the very last page of this section in his book? What is he talking about on page 99-100 where he states, “It is also essential to understand the dystopian world of sorrow, unnecessary death (often as some of its members proclaim a so-called pro-life position) and oppression this power bloc is well on its way to creating. Hello Mad Max, welcome to the Thunderdome.”?

Morning Meeting with My Master Teacher
This morning my Master Teacher gave me a new idiom and I actually know what this one means, so I am going to look it up on You Tube to see if a really cool song comes up. The idiom is “stick in your side” you know when someone is always there getting on your nerves, trying to screw up your life. Some people are just like that.

Here’s what came to the top of the YouTube search on "stick in your side":

OMG I LOVE THIS!!! (How does my teacher find these great videos!!!??) Click through and give this performer a thumbs up!!! Everyone seems to love it.
stick by your side



PS I think my teacher made up the idiom, "stick in your side" because I cannot seem to find it using google. However, it looks like a lot of people make up STICK IDIOMS!! (Check it out!).
10:32 am | link 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

U.S. Power Blocs and The Colonization of Hawaii (Still on Page 97)

white horse

I want to run away to a fantasy land. I will imagine myself on the beautiful beach of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii sunbathing in the warm tropical sun and body surfing on the gentle, warm waves. It is my wedding day. It is an especially grand celebration because it is a quintessential ceremony of multiple dimensions. My dissertation is complete and it has resulted in special accolades from my university as well as a Nobel Peace Prize (I might as well dream big, while I am dreaming: who knows how we truly create our own “realities”). Anyway, this day is also a triple wedding ceremony because my husband (yes, he is already my husband, but we have not had our public ceremonies, at least not in linear earth time) and I had decided to wait until this day to celebrate the triple sanctioning of our marriage (our private marriage, our Pleiadian sanctioned marriage, and our Universal High Council sanctioned marriage). Thus, he will be giving me two rings and I will be giving him no rings. Why no rings for him? I explained that in an earlier blog how we do it differently. The WOMEN give the MEN the engagement rings before the weddings (opposite of how it is done on earth, so I have already given him the THREE rings and then he gives me the two additional rings at the ceremony (there are only two because he already gave me the diamond wedding set for our personally sanctioned and private marriage). (Oh, and I almost forgot, there was also a PRE-engagement ring for each of us, so we will be wearing a total of FOUR rings symbolizing our marriage.) I already know what one of my other rings will be: It’s going to be an authentic Celtic ring of some sort, but I’m not sure if it will be a
Claddagh ring – (he has already given me a lovely silver Claddagh cross) or if it might be some other very special symbolical ring. The Celtic tradition has lots of interesting and very powerful symbols of eternal love. He wants to totally surprise me with the third ring, so I have no clue about it at all. It will be quite a surprise when he presents it to me at the ceremony because he has an imagination and creativity that far surpasses anything I could dream up. The other celebrations of this (future) day include a special honor for our children, an adorable boy and girl, now ages two and one, and the Crowning of the King, Queen, Prince, and Princess as a family. We do things so differently. It is a very special honor to already have children when being crowned King and Queen. Children are special blessings that the entire community celebrate and embrace. Thus, by waiting until after their births to be crowned, as we have done (and had chosen to do), bestows a particular honor because it is a representation of our full commitment to our people. They know we are in this with them for the long haul and that we take the roles King and Queen very seriously. Thus, there will be a Grand Parade in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (on the “big” island) right down ”Main Street” – Alii Drive, which runs all along the waterfront. The parade will include a white horse pulling a wedding carriage decorated with lots of beautiful flowers – hibiscus, plumeria, bleeding hearts, bougainvillea, heliconia, and orchids, of course. Check them out: Hawaiian Flowers. And what is SO COOL is that my husband had asked me which fairytale I wanted to have come true and he would fulfill it for me. I chose the one where the knight on a great white horse comes down and takes me away to a castle in the heavens. So, what he's going to do is be up in the hills a bit on the horse (and there are hills where we will be) and the children and I will wait for him in the wedding carriage. He's going to ride down on the great white horse and then hook it up to the carriage and we will be all take off in the parade and from there, we will have our honeymoon right there in Hawaii as good as Heaven as you can get. Hawaii is a true dreamland and I am so happy we chose such a beautiful place to celebrate our very special multiple-ceremonies-in-one. I have actually been to this very location before, and my husband and I had the exact same wish to have our ceremonies in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. There are few places as beautiful and magical as Hawaii.

To put this story in context with Joe’s discussion of “power blocs” on page 97, I will just say this much: In my dreamland, being King and Queen is not about ruling over lands and it is not a “position of power” at all. In fact, the only people who can be selected for such positions (and they ARE selected by the people), must have already proven their humble nature, their dedication and generosity to the people, and their capacity to love. It is far different from the Western worldview that immediately associates power with kings and queens. It is one of those “table flips” that is hard for the Western mind to wrap around. Still: Try. If you are able to do this, you will have just freed yourself from the constraints of the very first sentence on page 97: “FIDUROD and the traditional Western epistemology have often operated to enhance dominant power blocs by treating specific, contextualized knowledges as if they were generalizable and universal – a key point in understanding how power and dominant epistemology operate.”

So, you see, if power blocs maintain that the position as king or queen represents power then it buoys and supports their own epistemology of power and can serve to increase their holdings and power. Perhaps most people do not realize that in Hawaii before the
U.S. invasion, there were chiefdoms in which people got along and societies flourished. And then Western epistemology began influencing with their ideas of Kings and Queens, but at first these roles in Hawaii were defined by a different epistemology. However, it was not long before the full idea of Western epistemology and power took over (the islands and the people became “colonized”), and then the U.S. was able to succeed in enforcing their own brand of power over the Hawaiian people. This topic is worth an in depth study because as with most historical accounts portrayed by the U.S., the historical account of Hawaii, is a tainted version and all of the truth has yet to be uncovered. In fact, a bricolage study is called for here in which many perspectives are sought and critically analyzed so that what is closer to the truth can be filtered out from the lies, deception, and misinformation.

Last night my teacher gave me the song “Blue Hawaii” and it brought up this version by Elvis Presley. I guess the song really got my imagination going about Hawaii, so here is the song:

Blue Hawaii by Elvis Presley


Photo: Whispering Pine Ranch
PS 10-15-10 I have just learned this morning that there will apparently be THREE children, not two at this wedding. One will be an infant (how sweet) and then there will be Princess Baby (Gloria) Grace who will be one year old and the PRINCE who will be two. Why was it changed to three children? It has something to do with justice, truth, and education/enlightenment -- and changing the meaning of "trinity" for eternity (I'm not sure if that was referring to the first nuclear bomb or the Christian version -- or both). 
1:39 pm | link 

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Give Me Lemons, Lots of Lemons, and I’ll Make Lemonade (Still on Page 97)

As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours. If I had more distractions from what I NEED and WANT to be doing, I am not sure I would be able to stay here and fulfill my soul contract. My Master Teacher had a long, very sweet talk with me this morning. I was so happy that I could hear him well. Sometimes our connection is a little weak and I miss some of his words, but not this morning.

And what was his message for me to help me during these ups and downs of the past few days? He said, “’Give me lemons’ and I’ll make lemonade.”

I was very confused about how to look this up on YouTube, so I tried three different ways and I like all three songs; they each convey a different sort of message, but they are all relevant! They all go with my teacher’s message this morning.

“Give me lemonade”
Chris Rice - Lemonade

“Give me lemons”
LEMON SANDWICH-GIVE ME LOVE

“Give me lemons and I’ll make lemonade”
Lemon Tree (Original) Ukulele


And these go with his message last night, too! Last night he told me he is going to show me how to use “Reverse Montage.” I don’t know what that is, but it sounds fun and it relates to making lemonade out of lemons, although he said it would help to “keep the bad eggs out” and we don’t even use eggs for lemonade. He will explain more, later, I'm sure.

This morning after we had been talking awhile and he could see my spirits had lifted, he told me he was glad to see that I was back “on track.” This surprised me because this sounds like ANOTHER train song waiting to happen (I have mentioned that I keep having train dreams and messages). I will look it up on YouTube right now.

There is definitely a message in this video. The girl is not “popular” and she’s not a boy, so she has no sponsorship. Sounds really familiar. She’s “different,” too…”people are slow to change” and nothing is working out for her. It’s exactly what I’ve been going through (I don’t know how my Master Teacher sends me to these videos; he’s good). It even talks about PASSION…you must have PASSION for what you do and you must follow your PASSION. I like this video!!! I have a passion and I am not going to give up, no matter how many distractions come my way. In fact, just this morning before he even gave me this video, I told my teacher that I would not give up! I am going to hang in here and fulfill our contract - which is only just the beginning of eternity during which many miraculous and magical things will be happening: all wishes will be fulfilled and even wishes we cannot possibly conceive of. So, as incredible as it is, this video which was provided by a mere clue, "on track" is highly relevant.

“on track”
Right on Track Part 3

How does this all relate to page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction? It must somehow, or my teacher would not have given it to me for today since he knows my assignment is to work on decoding and interpreting page 97. I think the primary relationship of today's message with page 97 is that Joe was very skilled at turning the worst kinds of lemons into the most delicious lemonade. I already discussed in a previous blog about how he has turned around the last sentence in the first paragraph where it states, “If I can make the universal rules as to what constitutes intelligence, I can name my cognitive predispositions as the markers of a great mind; I can use the characteristics of my culture as the criteria for what constitutes a civilized culture. Can you feel the power?” He really flipped the tables on the Fidurodians. You can read that here.

Apparently, there is some reason I have been led back to this – and it is the way the hermeneutic circle operates. You come back and reanalyze things through new perspectives or new lenses. So, here, we are reviewing this phenomenon of the power of love that results in making the most delicious lemonade out of the worst lemons you can imagine. Joe was a pro at that, no doubt. Your assignment in relation to this is to figure out how he accomplished this and where the recipes are in his work – and then apply them to start making your own lemonade!!!

That’s it for today. I feel better and I am going to go work on some delicious lemonade from the recipes Joe wrote (he gave us more than one recipe, of course, and they are all customizable). 
10:41 am | link 

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

I accepted Joe’s Proposal on September 19, 2008! PLUS an Important Message for Yelling Men (still on page 97).


I was just reviewing and reminiscing over the emails I had received from Joe. I needed more specifics about the book he had asked me to write, what I had actually written for the book so far and had sent to him for his feedback, etc.

I discovered this crazy Freudian slip. I hope Joe was not shocked by it; knowing him, though, he probably laughed (but then, of course, he never gave me a clue that he found it funny). He had such a great sense of humor. While this is embarrassing and I would have been beside myself had I been conscious of it at the time it happened, I find it pretty humorous now. I’m lucky he never told me to get lost! It was too clear that I idolized him and you are not supposed to idolize critical theorists, especially Joe for some reason, which I have never figured out. But, fortunately, he understood; we all have to have our special role models and he knew (because I told him) how much I loved his work.

On September 19, 2008, he had sent me an email asking me to write a book about online critical pedagogy. I was really excited because it was going to be my very first book and I had been sitting at my computer at the very moment the email came in, thinking that I needed to write a book because there were so many topics relating to online learning and I couldn’t decide which one to write about for his journal (he had already asked me to write an article for his journal).

This was the very first sentence of the email I wrote back to him:

Joe,
Thank you! I am very excited about your proposal, and the answer is an immediate, yes!

OMG…That’s it for today. A lesson in watching how you word things so that you don’t manifest something you might not wish for. If it matches your wishes or deep unconscious desires, more power to you! Some people believe that passing through the 10-10-10 gateway of Oct. 10 now gives us more manifesting power. I won’t comment one way or the other, yet, but things are looking good so far, minus a few distractions. The distractive elements have me busy today fighting the Fidurodians all around me.

How does this all relate to page 97 interpretation? I think it’s just a reminder to be sure to consider all interpretations, even the unconscious meanings, perhaps. Maybe it relates to multidimensionality in that there is never one “true” interpretation, but there may be many “true” interpretations as well as some that may not be “true.” We must be careful with our assumptions.

Message for Yelling Men
For all men out there, here is a warning: Don’t yell. There is a new question on the application for people who need government health care that asks the applicant does their husband or partner yell? I KID YOU NOT! SHHHH….what do you suppose the gov is up to now, collecting this kind of data? Are they going to round up all of the men who yell and put them on a train to nowhere?

Oh, wow, I just had a thought (one of those gifts from the cosmos that comes to you when you are relaxed and not thinking of anything in partiular). I think this government search for yelling men must be an indication of one of those weird, shifting, power blocs Joe was talking about on page 97. Think about it: If the Defense Department and the Human Services align, what better way to be able to find healty, YELLING men to recruit into the military. It makes basic training a little easier, since they already know how to yell. It has the added benefit of splitting up families, which of course, they like to do because it is an important one of their "divide and conquer" tactics. Be sure to warn everyone applying for health assistance of this strange question on the form and to think hard before answering it so that you manifest what you really want.

My teacher just gave me one song for today -- which was my good night song last night (but I passed up the wine he had suggested). The clue was:

“Take a little taste of wine before your head hits the pillow”
The You Tube search brought up this lovely song:
Experience Unlimited - Taste Of Your Love

6:10 pm | link 

Monday, October 11, 2010

Back to Work: Continuing the Analysis of Page 97 in Joe’s Book

Now that the 10-10-10 Celebrations are over, it is time to get back to work analyzing page 97 in Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction. My teacher seems to LOVE to throw lots of stuff at me all at one time – not in the physical sense. What I mean is, he wants me to get an overall perspective of this analysis stuff and I feel like I am being led all over the place: hermeneutics, phenomenology, signs, discourse analysis, semiotics, etc. The other day, the song “Signs, signs everywhere are signs” just popped into my mind (see the blog a few days ago), so I knew it was relevant and now I am off and running on semiotics.

I have not had education in ANY of this stuff and he wants me to learn it ALL. That tells me we had BETTER start teaching this stuff in elementary school – just like Joe says in his books!!! Why do we wait until a DOCTORAL program, which does not even cover this form of research and then turn new researchers loose like this (thank God I have a Master Teacher helping me) . . . but what do most people end up doing? They avoid complex interpretations and instead focus on superficial forms of research – such as certain forms of qualitative research that never really dig down to the heart of the matter, or worse, they take such a narrow positivistic perspective it does not even form a crack in the door to get so much as a tiny sliver of understanding of what’s on the other side of the door – and in fact often ends up in speculation that has no relation to what’s over there at all.  

That’s my little spiel today – I am off and running to read, read, read and to try to figure this stuff out. My teacher is leaving me to my own devices for the moment. It’s ok. Once he sees I have put forth a sincere effort, he will hand me the golden platter with the REAL knowledge on it and then I will really be going places with this interpretation. It’s exciting because he DID say there is a “big whopper” on page 97. I am no closer to figuring out what he’s talking about today than I was when I first began this interpretation problem back in September (I don’t remember the day this began, but if you are curious, you can go back to September’s blogs and find it). My last set of instructions, before the big date of 10-10-10 and all of its celebrations was that it appears I will begin a hermeneutic analysis of the words “allies” and “rules of the game” on page 97 because through phenomenology and the formal representation using quotation marks, these represent states of being. And how can we analyze states of being when we cannot ask the person experiencing them, such as through phenomenological approaches?

We have to resort to hermeneutics to uncover all possible meaning. I like to refer to it as putting the words into the wash cycle and then a “spin cycle” where we save all of the good stuff and get rid of the muddy waters. Joe always described it as saving the babies from the bathwater…He did leave a sort of instruction manual for us. Can you find it?
 

So, that’s it for today. I need to do my research. Maybe I will have come up with something profound by tomorrow.
 I need a song. I need a really good song. My teacher gave me two last night but I am protesting the posting of them because he is pushing my limits again and he knows it. I don’t know how he comes up with the music he does, but I do understand where he’s coming from. I feel bad about not posting them. . . maybe I should really post them. I know he counts on me to do so. I’m going to ask him right now because I am not sure what I should do. 

Oh, wait a minute. . . maybe I don’t need to bother him (he really likes it when I can figure things out on my own and not have to interrupt him). He must have read my mind last night when I discovered the music to the two clues he had given me, because I just noticed he gave me two new songs earlier this morning and I am going to assume that they are to replace the two songs from last night that he knows I have a problem with (maybe I will post those another time). The new clues to look up are “fog” and “rockin’ and rollin’”. Now, that I can do!!
 

This first song, Fog, seems strange, because what we were talking about (to give context, here) was that my daughter had gone to a dance the other night at the high school and they had a fog machine that seemed to have released some kind of chemicals that ended up giving her an asthma attack – her very first asthma attack. She went back to school today, and the chemicals are still in the building and she had another asthma attack and had to be picked up from school. The principal is now trying to air out the school building . . . so, that was the context in which the word "fog" came up and below is the song that came to the top of the YouTube search.

This song seems to be about the bad form of Fidurodians – the lizards (as in alligators), although it could be interpreted differently. It just seems that since I am right in the middle of interpreting this Fidurodian stuff in Joe’s book and the weird “allies” that have been formed, this song is speaking about how some people go “bad” and maybe they don’t even realize it because they are just seeing one or two aspects of their alliance (which look good to them, such as when churches align with politicians who support one or two issues they think is important). But the problem is, they are not seeing the big picture or the interrelationships that cause all sorts of other kinds of harm . . . .they ARE in a fog. My teacher is smart: I just realized he is having me interpret page 97 from a song that seemed totally unrelated.

“fog”
Radiohead - Fog   Lyrics


Trains keep coming up, and the messages I keep getting is that we are to stay off the trains. This particular train in this video below that came up when I searched on "rockin' and rollin'" had to make a very sudden shift, apparently to avoid hitting head on a train coming from the other direction. I keep dreaming about trains and train tracks in which I warn people to stay off the trains. I honestly don’t know what that’s about. It is very interesting that the clue “rockin’ and rollin’” brought up this video of a train instead of a rock and roll song! Very strange, yet very significant.

I wonder if my Master Teacher is giving me a clue here about the interpretation of page 97, since that last song about “fog” certainly related to that page. Hmmm….I will take a quick peek again at page 97 and see if it relates. Upon viewing the video again, the date, 1995, the number 25, and the name on the train, “Intercity” are very prominent.

“rockin’ and rollin’”
47844 rockin' & a rollin' - Didcot, 19 May 1995

Now that I think about this a bit, trains represents POWER because they are such powerful vehicles. Check out all of those train tracks! Now, if you are not ON the train, you have infinite choices. You could follow any of those train tracks, or you could go off in any infinite numbers of directions. Maybe that’s why I keep getting messages to stay off the trains. We have to go where they go, even if they jerk us around; whereas, if we stay off the trains, we are FREE. In other words, stay away from the power blocs.

Consider being a passenger on THIS train shown in the video! It was without warning that the train had to do a quick zig zag to switch tracks to avoid running head on into the other train coming up the tracks. How does this relate to page 97???

First of all, check out the date, 1995! Right at the top of the page, in paragraph one, Joe discussed how Whitley in 1995, proclaimed that business management techniques could be universally applied. Now that is train wreck waiting to happen! In fact, there have been serious issues with taking that approach around the world, and things have had to be adjusted quite a bit, but if you stay on the train, you really get jerked around. The train is power and at the bottom of the page, Joe states, “Fiske maintains that power ‘is a systematic set of operations upon people that works to ensure maintenance of the social order . . . and ensure its smooth running.’” Well, the train in the video certainly maintained social order and smooth running by jerking the people in it all over the place. They survived but are they better for it, after that harrowing maneuver?

I think the message is that if you are going to stay on the train, against all advice, then you had best be expecting a lot of jerking around like the people on the train in this video – and notice that they are Intercity people, so what does that tell you? They are the ones who will be jerked around the most. I took a peek ahead in Joe’s book on page 98 and here he states, “In many situations individuals are pushed and pulled in many directions in relation to power.”
 What does that tell you? Stay OFF the trains! And don't join the power blocs in any way -- stay FREE and you can choose your own direction instead of being jerked around.

As far as the number 25, I am not sure yet how that's significant to page 97. I did discover that 25=2+5=7 and 97=9+7=16=1+6=7. But imagine that is stretching things for most people . . .what is the significance of the number seven?

It looks like 7 is an important number, "the most spiritual of all numbers":
Seven (7)

If 6 represents humanity then 7 - the center of the spiral is humanity's connection to its source, god, Christ consciousness - or whatever name you prefer.

Seven is the number of the Universe. It is the three of the heavens (soul) combined with the four (body) of the earth; being the first number containing both the spiritual and the temporal. In looking over the list of meanings it doesn't take long to figure out why the seven has become significant in metaphysical, religious and other spiritual doctrines - as seven represents the virginity of the Great Mother - feminine archetype - She who creates. Reference: Crystalinks.com

If you intepret this as life path (add up the numbers of your birthdate), for 7 you have:

7 (7, 16/7, 25/7, 34/7)

The Life Path 7 suggests that you entered this plane with a gift for investigation, analysis, and keen observation. You are a thinker of the first order. You evaluate situations very quickly, and with amazing accuracy. As a result, you are thorough and complete in your work, the perfectionist who expects everyone else to meet a high standard of performance, too.

This is funny: My life path is 5 and I think this fits:

5 (5, 14/5, 23/5, 32/5)

The Life Path 5 suggests that you entered this plane with a highly progressive mindset, with the attitude and skills to make the world a better place. The key word for your Life Path is freedom. In the pursuit of freedom, you are naturally versatile, adventurous, and advanced in your thinking. You are one of those people who is always striving to find answers to the many questions that life poses. The byword for the positive Life Path 5 is constant change and improvement. You want to be totally unrestrained, as this is the number most often associated with the productive use of freedom.


Well, I need to get busy and start reading up on the bricolage, hermeneutics, discourse analysis, semiotics, and phenomenology, so I will end this for today. It’s been fun though. Maybe the song “Signs, signs, everywhere there are signs” that came down to me from the cosmos is more significant than I realized!!! Here it is again.  
Signs Signs, Everywhere a Sign
12:22 pm | link 

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10-10-10 Celebrations: A New Beginning


There are 10-10-10 celebrations all over the world today. Many people have speculated about what this day means, but for all it means new beginnings. After reading many perspectives the last few days on what people judge is the significance of today, what the numbers mean, etc., I relate it to Joe’s work: It is the beginning of the end of FIDUROD (read his book Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction to see how overarching FIDUROD has been in our lives). I see changes every day. The old IS falling away. New paradigms are gaining power. The old dualistic paradigm, in particular, is falling away (it just does not work anymore and neither does the positivistic research paradigm) -- a holistic, unifying paradigm is gaining in strength; consciousness is expanding. This will continue faster and faster – so fast it could make some people feel very dizzy if they are not holding on.

It is a revolution. Joe had once told me that it would be a “perpetual revolution.”

In other words, once it starts, it will gain its own momentum and there will be no stopping it. And in case people need to know all of the meanings of “perpetual” they are: continuous, uninterrupted, lasting, unending, long-lasting, permanent, continual, constant, enduring, undying . . . I like the last one, “undying”: there are many people who believe we are close to realizing – fully comprehending -- true immortality.  We are Spirit, as they say. And as Michael Jackson sang, “This is It!”

And so, let the perpetual revolution begin!!!

We are not going to cry a river during THIS revolution – we have already cried too many bloody rivers over FIDUROD – it is now time for FIDUROD to cry a river over us, which is probably why my Master Teacher gave me the following special song for this special day. He asked me to look up “I will cry you a river” on YouTube and this is the song that came to the top – a perfect song as we move forward to a new beginning in which WE no longer have to cry, but rather we will be leaving behind the crying remnants of FIDUROD. The divine feminine is leaving FIDUROD and its greedy, hate-filled systems behind and returning with a new POWER -- the power of love -- which is very necessary to create the balance needed in the world. What better and more beautiful song to represent this than Dinah Washington’s “Cry Me a River?”
Dinah Washington - Cry me a River
 

My teacher gave me several other clues, but I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to look them up on YouTube and post them or not. To be safe, I’ll post them (so I can get a “good grade”). Here are the clues and the videos that came to the top of the YouTube searches:
Take care
Enjoy your day
We shall meet again

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did!!! (I think he was trying to provide something for everyone, from the kids on up to the adults to all of the Christians and people who believe in Jesus).

“Take care”
Fullmetal Alchemist - The Untainted Child


“Enjoy your day”
Alkaline Trio - Enjoy Your Day


“We shall meet again”
We Shall Meet Again - Mississippi Mass Choir

2:02 pm | link 

Saturday, October 9, 2010

10-10-10 Message for Empaths

There are so many messages for 10-10-10, but I selected this one because I believe empaths have a particularly difficult time and need to know they are divinely protected through what may be tumultuous changes. People who are not empaths really do not have a clue how much of other people's pain we experience. It is almost as if because we rarely feel our own pain, people think we cannot experience pain at all. Joe referred to people who are empaths as "sensitive" in his books, and discussed how he was always particularly concerned about these students. In preparation for the changes that are sure to come with the 10-10-10 (what some people call Gateway), this message is for all you EMPATHS out there so that you know you are specially protected.

Arch. Michael's Blue Ray Angel Number & Power Protection Grid for Empaths & Ultra Sensitives 10:10


I, Archangel Michael, in unison with the Blue Ray give to you the Double Blue Ray Sword Power Protection Grid of Archangel Michael. This comes straight from the highest order of the warrior force protection archangels' legions of Archangel Michael Blue Ray Codes of God and Creation. This is a reply to you as we in heaven and earth have heard your prayers and call of protection so you may be sovereign in your divine power of shining Glory.10:10 12:12

The Double Blue Ray Sword Power Protection Grid of Archangel Michael will assist you in coming back into your bodies to give you the greatest protection of the universe, thus being your “I am embodiment” of Higher Self - Soul Power, that is merged in harmonic concordance to the cosmic pulse of Gaia's Christ Grid. This is a realignment frequency shift to the galactic core – what you call ascension and coming of the new age of Light. The Archangel Michael Grid will assist to prepare you for this next level of complete Divine Alignment and ascension in your bodies for the 13-33-333 Christ Grid emergence anchoring of the Mother's heart of Creation, the Shekinah.

Protection and assistance for the empathic ultra sensitive Blue Ray, Light Bearer, and Star Beings to anchor the Shekinah on the Gaia

You, the Blue Ray, Light Bearer, and Star Beings who are of empathic ultra sensitive nature can sense and feel the bombardment of increased energetic and solar radiation activity from the ascension process, higher and lower dimension vibrations from group consciousness and shifting frequencies of Gaia, that may have put you out of your bodies and out of divine alignment.

This can be typical of an ultra sensitive empath being and especially for the blue ray. Due to this increased energetic overload, your auric field may have leaks and bleeds from stress, causing you overwhelm, fatigue, periods of exhaustion, anxiety, heart palpitations, heart ache, pain, difficult breathing, needing greater nutrition and minerals. Please seek the counsels of your health and holistic providers, as even though these can be ascension symptoms, you may still be in need of assistance for your body. We wish to point out that your evolutionary new earth bodies 33 are now requiring greater care of love, energetics, nutrition, minerals, and emotional support, and with increased time and alignment to Nature, they require an upgrade of what you have normally been doing.

Archangel Michael's Blue Ray Angel Number 55

I give to you now my code number vibration of 55 and spirit animal the eagle with my colors being blue and gold with red. When you see this number vibration and/or my spirit animal the eagle appearing in your life, know it is Creation's almighty power of God's hands through Archangel Michael and the Blue Ray clearing all obstacles and lower density, creating a higher pathway for you. I speak to you in many ways and this is one you can come to recognize as a sacred communication of Creation; the universe is speaking to you and it is in constant movement to serve your highest soul intentions.

The meaning of 55 and new frequency of 10:10 Stargate

You are God in form; your hands - each one with five fingers, represent the almighty hands of God, that equal 55 - twice the power protection of God, that equals 10 which means a full cycle is complete and whole. Once you reach this level you may experience a higher frequency and choose your next course of activation. The 55s are the action and power of God's movement of the universe to bring wholeness and balance in whatever you are praying for to bring you forward into life.

Archangel Michael's Double Blue Sword of Protection

The double blue swords of protection are literally an energetic matrix X, that come down in front of your sacred heart and solar plexus creating a Power Protection Grid from all that does not serve your highest nature to your Christ I Am in form. The double blue swords of protection ground and neutralize overwhelming frequencies so you may feel in your bodies your true power and essence until you feel/sense that you do not require this assistance anymore.

This is a Holy dispensation of Archangel Michael and the Blue Ray to nurture and honor the sacred divine feminine within you. So you may experience greater trust to commit fully to being in your bodies and being home here on Gaia. This creates huge amounts of accessible life force empowering your path of Light and Divine Original Blueprint power source.

The protection grid creates an energetic stability so you may participate more in your world, giving your immune system a chance to build greater strength and resistance. This will create a spiritual awareness cognizance to your earth bodies through the electromagnetic pulse of Gaia so you may balance yourselves at will to the Cosmic Pulse. This leads to the ultimate protection and power, the emergence of oneness and unity – wholeness. You, the sensitive empathic Star Being, are already designed and programmed for this unity telepathic communication of the universe - it is the true way of your Divine Blueprint.

Archangel Michael's Double Sword Protection Grid & Electromagnetic Balancing

Prepare your body and spirit by touching your 3rd eye and higher heart the sacred heart, making an 8 sacred alignment then take arms crossing them as in a X fashion over your heart chakra and still crossed flip down over your solar plexus, hands straight reaching to the heart of Gaia, then back to your heart to seal grid.

Then say:

In my Beloved I Am presence of the universe,

I am ready to release what no longer serves my highest good and greatest joy,

I call Archangel Michael, the Blue Ray Codes of Light, Legions of Michael's Warrior Force Angels, and invoke your Double Blue Ray Sword Protection Grid now, so I may be in my divine power and sovereign self now!

In Grace, Elohim, balance my Electromagnetic energies to Mother Gaia's perfect Harmonic Christ grid;

Empower and harmonize my energy fields and body to radiance and perfect vibrant health;

Release all interference, disturbance, lower density, any energetic in any form not of my true core essence and well being to Source Creation, never to return to my space again, as I instantly seal, align and balance all my energy bodies and fields in my higher self alignment of peace, now!

Please, Archangel Michael and my Holy Christed self, do what you know needs to be done so I am whole and in complete divine alignment.

Thank you and it is done!

We know of your highly evolved and advanced gifts of light, this is who you already are. We sense that you wish to go beyond and we say that is your great true Mastery of being, to bring yourself and divine essence to your bodies, to Gaia. As you do, what you have sensed and felt will come true - that you are so much more. We are giving you the ancient sacred technologies for you to build upon and create the new age of Light; this is what is required for you to reach the next level and frequency shift.

Come back home to your bodies and into the sacred heart which will activate your divine blueprint, what you came here to do, restoring the ancient codes of Light back to the cells of your God DNA. This is your place of longing for home that was encoded by your soul before birth and was done not so you would wish to leave or feel alienated here on Gaia, on the contrary, so you would remember, awaken and fulfill your destiny - to know the holy power of the sacred heart in your body, the true connection to power and source right where you are. It is time to bring all that you are to Gaia, as all of Creation is your home in the heart of God, your I Am consciousness of being truly alive. 13

Continue to receive and be open, be at home where we can find you so we may give to you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. 333 We are one with thee in divine alliance in the cosmic heartbeat of Creation.

7:16 pm | link 

Friday, October 8, 2010

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs (Are there SIGNS on page 97?)


I was out running errands today, and just as “someone” always does – they either play special music for me in the stores, or they whisper it in my ears. Today, it was whispered in my ears, “Signs, signs, everywhere are signs.” (It's ok, call me crazy.) Thus, we have this song for today:

Signs Signs, Everywhere a Sign


The significance is clear. I am still working on page 97 of Joe’s book, Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction and trying to figure out how you really do “hermeneutical analysis.” What is it? How do you do it? Where do you begin? When do you know when to begin? When do you know when to stop? And how do you decide when the time is right to “begin again?” Honestly, as a mere human earthling, I really do not have the answers and I don’t think I can figure this out on my own. I am going to have to ask for some divine guidance, but I will end this for today because I have so much stuff to do, including trying to figure out this problem. And we are coming up on a special celebration that has my complete attention. I will explain more about that tomorrow – and after the celebration, I will get back to Hermeneutics.

I do believe this message about “SIGNS” is very relevant for interpretation and that it extends far beyond semiotics as presented by the educational community. I will just have to wait and see what my Master Teacher provides me in the way of direction and lessons. Don’t miss it: I am sure it will be very “Enlightening.”

8:06 pm | link 

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Still on Page 97: How Do You Do A Hermeneutical Analysis???

A couple of days ago, my teacher asked me to move forward on the analyis of page 97 in Knowledge and Critical Pedagogy: An Introduction. I have been putting it off for a couple of reasons. One, I am very busy on a special project he assigned me (and he knows this, so I am sure he is not too upset that I put this hermeneutical analysis on the backburner for a couple of days). The second thing is, while I did study (under him) hermeneutical analysis in these blogs quite some time ago (I was analyzing a song by the Animals using the hermeneutic circle, although much like these things always are, I did not totally finish that analysis and will need to go back and continue it at some point). With just that little bit of experience, I have no clue how to start on an analysis of an entire page of text.

What I am thinking is -- where is there most apt to be disagreement among people about the interpretation? It seems that this is where we want to focus our understanding so that we can better relate to each other as human beings. So that led me to the thought that perhaps the last few blogs that focused on "states of being" did so for that reason -- we need to understand different perspectives of states of being.

If you go back and review the blogs, it was discovered that Joe put two words on this page in quotation marks. And after some divine guidance, I was provided pages in two texts that explained the use of quotation marks. Those texts were Consequences of Hermeneutics edited by Malpas and Zabala and Introduction to Phenomenology by Sokolowski.

Next, I was divinely guided to the first paragraph of page 399 in Gadamer's book, Truth and Method. Somehow all of this needs to be pulled together, and it will be before the analysis is over....OH, and just as a reminder, the whole reason (if you were to go back to the beginning of this topic, the interpretation of page 97) is that there is supposed to be "big whopper" on this page and I have no idea at the moment what this means or what the "big whopper" will turn out to be. I just go on faith.

At any rate, after learning what quotation marks are used to represent and understanding that hermeneutics involves interepretation I am still focused on the two quoted items on that page which are "allies" and "rules of the game." I have concluded that these two items are STATES of BEING. Even though, rules of the game might not seem like a state exactly, somehow it is or Joe would not have put it in quotation marks unless he had some other reason for doing so. Whether or not he has another reason, it is clear that these two items need to be put through the hermeneutic "wash cycle" and then pulled out at the very right moment....so tomorrow I will begin that arduous task, starti