Okay, story time for the CT boards.
In English 9 Intensive, we are reading Ray Bradbury's Farenheit 451 (among many, many other books). I rather like it, too.
As those who are familiar with the piece of literature are aware, it denounces....a whole ton of things. It is one of the most anti-media, anti-government, anti-a whole lot of stuff books I have ever seen. But focus on the government and media are particularly strong. Oh, and Parlor televisions, too. Giant, 3d, totally-immersive televisions that you are INSIDE of. They are portrayed to be quite bad in the eyes of Montag.
If you are a bit dense, Parlor = TV = Media.
So, anyway, we are reading it in class. The teacher tells us to get into pre-arranged discussion groups (about 6 people in size). This is our third discussion of the book, having one per week. This is also the last one.
My group was filled with sort-of competent people. Like, C-B grades. I think I was the only person in the A-range in my group (another one of the groups was most of the really smart people, minus myself and about two others). That's nothing to really complain about, though. The past two times our groups met, they sort of discussed things, and maybe a good idea or two was brought forward (by someone other than myself [omg narcissism]) in total.
But THIS time was much, much different. I guess the more talkative group members, whom I will call Sarah McIntyre and Emily McEvoy for their personal protection, did not really feel like discussing the Bradbury novel's high points (NOTE: oops, I think I actually used their real names. Sorry). Okay, fine I've dealt with worse.
Well, I spoke too soon.
The English teacher came to our group after about a minute to prompt discussion, as nobody was really talking about anything relevant at this point. Okay.
So he asks us to discuss (as a group) how the media is portrayed in the book, particularly in the Parlor setting.
And these two girls start TALKING about their FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOWS.
Oh, I shit you not.
They say things along the lines of "Oh, this reality TV show is so wonderful! It's on at 8:30 on channel (x) on wednesday nights!" They then proceed to write said things down on their hands.
The situation I was viewing could NOT have been more ironic. Or sickening/saddening.
Uuuaaaagggghhhhh.
And after about 2 attempts to get them to get themselves back on track (failures both), I give up. Then group discussion time ends (right before I was about to join discussion with the smart group, damn!), and I shuffle back to my regular seat.
Ugh.
God.
Please tell me that this is an isolated incident, and that most of the world is NOT that STUPID.
I hope it is. Those two kids are usually not remarkably dumb, and are rather tolerable at most times.
But oh, my god, what a day.
In English 9 Intensive, we are reading Ray Bradbury's Farenheit 451 (among many, many other books). I rather like it, too.
As those who are familiar with the piece of literature are aware, it denounces....a whole ton of things. It is one of the most anti-media, anti-government, anti-a whole lot of stuff books I have ever seen. But focus on the government and media are particularly strong. Oh, and Parlor televisions, too. Giant, 3d, totally-immersive televisions that you are INSIDE of. They are portrayed to be quite bad in the eyes of Montag.
If you are a bit dense, Parlor = TV = Media.
So, anyway, we are reading it in class. The teacher tells us to get into pre-arranged discussion groups (about 6 people in size). This is our third discussion of the book, having one per week. This is also the last one.
My group was filled with sort-of competent people. Like, C-B grades. I think I was the only person in the A-range in my group (another one of the groups was most of the really smart people, minus myself and about two others). That's nothing to really complain about, though. The past two times our groups met, they sort of discussed things, and maybe a good idea or two was brought forward (by someone other than myself [omg narcissism]) in total.
But THIS time was much, much different. I guess the more talkative group members, whom I will call Sarah McIntyre and Emily McEvoy for their personal protection, did not really feel like discussing the Bradbury novel's high points (NOTE: oops, I think I actually used their real names. Sorry). Okay, fine I've dealt with worse.
Well, I spoke too soon.
The English teacher came to our group after about a minute to prompt discussion, as nobody was really talking about anything relevant at this point. Okay.
So he asks us to discuss (as a group) how the media is portrayed in the book, particularly in the Parlor setting.
And these two girls start TALKING about their FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOWS.
Oh, I shit you not.
They say things along the lines of "Oh, this reality TV show is so wonderful! It's on at 8:30 on channel (x) on wednesday nights!" They then proceed to write said things down on their hands.
The situation I was viewing could NOT have been more ironic. Or sickening/saddening.
Uuuaaaagggghhhhh.
And after about 2 attempts to get them to get themselves back on track (failures both), I give up. Then group discussion time ends (right before I was about to join discussion with the smart group, damn!), and I shuffle back to my regular seat.
Ugh.
God.
Please tell me that this is an isolated incident, and that most of the world is NOT that STUPID.
I hope it is. Those two kids are usually not remarkably dumb, and are rather tolerable at most times.
But oh, my god, what a day.
Comment