Podcast #3 -- "TALENTS" (or, in this case, "LAND") (and it's short!)

I wasn't planning on this, and maybe it makes no sense.  Maybe it was my subconscious working in an attempt to make up for the ridiculously convoluted stream of random ideas I presented yesterday.  This one, I think, works and is maybe even more applicable.  AND IT'S SHORT!  (I know; I said that already.)

I didn't get into the details of the parable from Matthew (chapter 25, by the way, if you're interested), but there's a lot more we could talk about.  Call it the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Call it Karma.  Whatever.  Regardless of whatever you choose to call it, though, and if you believe this stuff from one side or another, well, then, how comforting!  (And this is one of the greatest things about literature, with or without religion tacked to it: it applies to real life!)  Maybe God didn't give me much, but as long as I do my best with it, well, maybe He'll take me in when It's all over after all. 

Cheers!

Podcast #2: CHANGE

So, I understand if no one comes back to this entry, but I've got something to add.  I just finished reading Mockingjay, final book in the Hunger Games series, by Suzanne Collins, and I found a couple of paragraphs in a dialog that seem pertinent to the discussion here. 

SPOILER ALERT:

• "Are you preparing for another war, Plutarch?"
• "Oh, not now.  Now we're in that sweet period where everyone agrees that our recent horrors should never be repeated," he says.  "But collective thinking is usually short lived.  We're fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction.  Although who knows?  Maybe this will be it, Katniss."
• "What?" I ask.
• "The time it sticks.  Maybe we are witnessing the evolution of the human race.  Think about that."

Maybe the rebellion war of Panem was indeed enough to bring about the actual adaptation of the human species.  Does that mean this fictional event was bigger than the various wars we've experienced?  Because none of them--the real wars--have resulted in our permanent change, or am I really missing something?

*****

So this installment doesn't have quite the razzle-dazzle, or hype, or whatever of the last, but I hope the point comes across.  I've learned a little bit about putting these things together, including something that I need to work on more for the next time: REHEARSE; and a little bit about myself: like, man, it's so hard to hold onto a train of thought or keep things interesting (doubtful I managed) or even organized when there's no class of noisy kids sitting in front of me.  I need you guys there raising your hands or shouting out questions and comments!

 

And it's still really freaking weird watching myself like this, propless, close-up.  I need a chalkboard.

 

Oh, yeah.  This too:

 

This replaces any questions for Chapter 12.  I'll pick up tomorrow with the rest of Chapter 13.

 

part 1

 

*****

 

part 2

Suggestions Please

I looking ahead to the next two podcasts (published weekly, I'm hoping), but not sure exactly what my topics are going to be.  If you're in the book, or just remembering back to reading it in class, scan ahead and for what you think might be viable topics for a video discussion.

Post your suggestions here!

Podcast #1: MONSTERS (though not for their own sake)

So here it is: my very first podcast.  I'm sure it's clumsy.  I'm sure I'll get better with the next one.  And true to form, I'm probably way wordier than I need to be.  Pass on the feedback, the thoughts, the questions. 

Enjoy.

(Man, it's weird to watch yourself like this!)

part 1

***

part 2

The Continuum of Monstrosity,
original

(Did I always look bug-eyed while teaching, or is it just the camera angle?)

In case you can't read it on the video (and I don't know how you could):