READINGS

BRAINWASHED MAN!!!!  WOAHHHHHH!

       For this weeks blog assignment, we had to read Seth Godin's "Brainwashed" which can be reached at http://changethis.com/manifesto/show/66.01.Brainwashed .

    The reading talks about acknowledging the lizard.  The reading was a little confusing at first but the lizard is basically code for something that is called "the resistance".  What is the resistance?  The resistance is the voice in the back of one's mind that tells one to "not do that because it is wrong" or to follow instructions without thinking outside of the box.  It can enhance our creative freedom and the moment fear strikes our mind, and we worry about not doing the right thing, resistance occurs.  It can be a serious barrier for those who can't look past it and there is really a lot of truth behind this.   The article talks about the importance of acknowledging this barrier, or obstruction, the lizard.  We must acknowledge when the lizard becomes a problem in our genius of making art, so that we can dismiss it, and move on with whatever needs to be done.

   Another important part in the reading was about failing. We must prepare ourselves to fail, especially in public.  Failing to some, is terrifying, and something that ruins oneself.  But, it is absolutely necessary that one fails, and gets used to it in society today.  It is also important that we prepare people for failure, and show people how to react and know what to do in failure.  It should not be looked at as a negative but rather a positive or something to build on and work at.  Life demands that we fail with grace.  There are a few examples of failures, with the idea of explaining how failure is common, and like the article stated, necessary.  However, people may still be scared, its just something to work on.

   Now to talk about my take on this article and what I think it means to have a lizard.  As frustrated as I can sometimes get while composing what seems like blog after blog I understand its a process.  A process in which I am able to unlock my creative freedoms.  I think that it is definitely necessary to make these blogs, because it has forced me to learn how to use various parts of the internet, powerpoint, garageband etc..  I enjoy learning how to use computers, it expands my knowledge on a broad basis of technology that i probably wouldn't have taken the time to learn on my own.  I think this kind of stuff should be required for everyone, not just media students, especially in the age of computers.   Its a media oriented generation, people are creating content everyday.  Some of its doing well, others are not, but its more important that people learn the process.  Failing, retrying, and overcoming barriers, that really creates a more dynamic member of our society today.