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I have been fascinated with Complexity Theory and Complex Systems Science for some time now. The chemist Ilya Prigogine , a Nobel Laureate, is credited with pioneering research into this discipline and in 1971, based on his research, he applied his theories to vehicular traffic flow in his book Kinetic Theory of Vehicular Traffic .

" Nothing can injure a man's writing if he's a first-rate writer. If a man is not a first-rate writer, there's not anything can help it much. The problem does not apply if he is not first rate because he has already sold his soul for a swimming pool. INTERVIEWER Does a writer compromise in writing for the movies? FAULKNER Always, because a moving picture is by its nature a collaboration, and any collaboration is compromise because that is what the word means-to give and to take. INTERVIEWER Which actors do you like to work with most? FAULKNER Humphrey Bogart is the one I've worked with best. He and I worked together in To Have and Have Not and The Big Sleep. INTERVIEWER Would you like to make another movie? FAULKNER Yes, I would like to make one of George Orwell's 1984. I have an idea for an ending which would prove the thesis I'm always hammering at: that man is indestructible because of his simple will to freedom. INTERVIEWER How do you get the best results in working for the movies? FAULKNER The moving-picture work of my own which seemed best to me was done by the actors and the writer throwing the script away and inventing the scene in actual rehearsal just before the camera turned on. If I didn't take, or feel I was capable of taking, motion-picture work seriously, out of simple honesty to motion pictures and myself too, I would not have tried. But I know now that I will never be a good motion-picture writer; so that work will never have the urgency for me which my own medium has. INTERVIEWER Would you comment on that legendary Hollywood experience you were involved in? FAULKNER I had just completed a contract at MGM and was about to return home. The director I had worked with said, "If you would like another job here, just let me know and I will speak to the studio about a new contract." I thanked him and came home. About six months later I wired my director friend that I would like another job. Shortly after that I received a letter

Sorry this interview is rather long, but I posted it because Faulkner talks about his books/stories being made into movies and how he feels about it. This is another example that makes me think it would be good for both classes, EMAC6300 and DigitalText.

I thought this dictionary definition might help us with understanding what Determinism is. I thought the key would be the form of determine, but I was wrong. When I am determined to fix my broken sink, is not the same as determinism which is a theory or doctrine.

Ok, just another definition on another segment, Constructivism, we are to focus on this week for our class reading. Seeing the definitions really helps me understand so much more. Hope it helps others as well.

Welll, I was looking at the 2nd definition, but Yah, after I posted this and did some more of the reading, I realized it wasn't quite the right definition either. Sorry! :) I like your link much better! Although, it doesn't seem so clear cut to me. If I understand it correctly a person/s can construct something that is controlled and by society or culture but not necessarily by nature? Like making a robot puppy instead of having a real one? THe robot is more controlled. right? So is there a difference between Constructivism and Constructionism? Or are those just two words meaning the same thing? Sorry for the questions, just kind of typing and saying outloud to make sure I got it. :)

No need to apologize. In technological terms, it means that technologies develop in response to social conditions (vs. determinism which suggests that technologies determine social conditions). That is a reductive definition of both terms but gives you an idea of how the binary operates. But as we read in the Williams piece, it is actually a complex interplay of both. Constructionism vs. Constructivism depends on the field. I admit to being a bit sloppy and probably using them interchangeably, about which I will try to be more mindful. In theories of education, there is a difference where Constructivism refers to what I'm describing above whereas Constructionism is the theory of learning through applied methods (making, or constructing, things). And then to complicate everything even further, we have social constructionism. This is a pretty good explanation of technological determinism vs. social constructivism http://www.slideshare.net/JonathanSmith122/social-constructivism-technological-determinism-technological-momentum

I wanted to share this great documentary with everyone. I watched it right before deciding to apply for the EMAC program and I honestly credit it with helping me make my decision to apply. I hope everyone can find something to take away from it.

The digital programs look groovy. Some were even developed by graduate students. I plan to use a couple of them in my work.

It's groovy that digital humanities scholarship is getting some serious money.

It is possible.