911 threw the US into an unforeseen frenzy. For one, the sheer severity of such an attack killed thousands and showed the world the mortality of the US. The government clearly had much to deal with; a military reaction, helping those affected by the attack, and finally ensuring such an event doesn't repeat itself. The war on terror affected immigration policy for years to come, and now draws comparison to Trump's immigration policies. One could argue Trump expanded on what was in place from 911.
For one, the Department of Homeland Security emphasized that new policies buff border protection, through the CBP. The site specifically states acting against criminals, drugs, but also terrorists. The ICE and USCIS were also introduced at the time, both providing foundations for Trump's presidential policies.
Compared to today, immigration standards have evolved. The 911 policies are counter-threat, but today policies point to immigration through certain qualifications. For example, through educational and employment qualifications. Though the line may not be very direct between 2001 and today, it shows how the reaction to 911 has built upon itself, and policies have come back to being for the homeland.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Title Change: The Machine Stops
"The Machine Stops" is already a fitting name for the story itself. Since the Machine is at the core of humanity, the end of the story is caused by the Machine. However, in the ashes of the Machine's downfall comes the return of those exiled out of the Machine's realm. Those who stayed tied to the Machine met their end, but the rest didn't. Therefore, another worthy title for the "Machine Stops" would be "A Short Pause on Humanity".
This name accounts for various occurrences in the story. For one, the Machine is known for feeding off the ideas of humans, to the point where the regurgitation of ideas is the norm. Nothing is new, and everything is grey. This lifestyle was so systematic and irregular, that one could say humanity lost its course. Though people such as Vashti accepted this life, their acceptance only came as a consequence of the numbness the Machine created. This time period is accounted for by the "pause on humanity". "Pause" symbolizes the seizing of normal human practices, those done by the characters' ancestors. Anything that could resemble what we see today as human -- consciousness, deeper thinking, and individuality, has much less of a presence in the pause on humanity. However, with such a "pause" comes a "resume", in this case, the end of the story. The rise of exiled peoples by the destruction of the machine allows humanity to return to its past form and to resume itself.
This name accounts for various occurrences in the story. For one, the Machine is known for feeding off the ideas of humans, to the point where the regurgitation of ideas is the norm. Nothing is new, and everything is grey. This lifestyle was so systematic and irregular, that one could say humanity lost its course. Though people such as Vashti accepted this life, their acceptance only came as a consequence of the numbness the Machine created. This time period is accounted for by the "pause on humanity". "Pause" symbolizes the seizing of normal human practices, those done by the characters' ancestors. Anything that could resemble what we see today as human -- consciousness, deeper thinking, and individuality, has much less of a presence in the pause on humanity. However, with such a "pause" comes a "resume", in this case, the end of the story. The rise of exiled peoples by the destruction of the machine allows humanity to return to its past form and to resume itself.
First Person Shooter and Covid-19
When it comes to current events, some ideas that pop up in "First Person Shooter" can be related to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Today, we are all forced inside. We are in circumstances that no one as ever seen before. As the virus spreads, more and more become susceptible to its reach. This is where the comparisons begin, and "First Person Shooter" sheds new light on the ongoing crisis. The story gives me similar revelations to the crisis.
"First Person Shooter" brings out the humanity in unusual subjects, such as the zombie in the market. The understanding the main character develops for the situation the zombie is in is remarkable. He even begins to ponder adopting zombie-tendencies. The epiphany the narrator has is what brings us to Covid-19. When observing the zombie, he describes it such that, "she started off tonight excited for a date, and then she comes in here and sees this game, and now who knows what’s happened to her self-image, to her picture of the world". The narrator is hereby introduced to a complete other view of his world, one that is flipped around. In the video-game, zombies are killed, but what about being the zombie? In the same way that the narrator has his world turned, Covid-19 changes ours. They are both intertwined by the power of perception, how a view of the world can change. For some of us, that means remaining indoors for unusually extensive periods at home, mainly away from others. For me, I get to reflect on how much my connection to others meant to me-- I took it for granted. That said, "First Person Shooter" and the Covid-19 crisis both give bizarre perspectives, yet end up teaching something new.
"First Person Shooter" brings out the humanity in unusual subjects, such as the zombie in the market. The understanding the main character develops for the situation the zombie is in is remarkable. He even begins to ponder adopting zombie-tendencies. The epiphany the narrator has is what brings us to Covid-19. When observing the zombie, he describes it such that, "she started off tonight excited for a date, and then she comes in here and sees this game, and now who knows what’s happened to her self-image, to her picture of the world". The narrator is hereby introduced to a complete other view of his world, one that is flipped around. In the video-game, zombies are killed, but what about being the zombie? In the same way that the narrator has his world turned, Covid-19 changes ours. They are both intertwined by the power of perception, how a view of the world can change. For some of us, that means remaining indoors for unusually extensive periods at home, mainly away from others. For me, I get to reflect on how much my connection to others meant to me-- I took it for granted. That said, "First Person Shooter" and the Covid-19 crisis both give bizarre perspectives, yet end up teaching something new.
House of Usher the Movie
As we know, "The Fall of the House of Usher" has an eternally dreary setting. So much so, that it was difficult to find actors and actresses that I could imagine in these roles. Since the story's dark setting was such of such magnitude, I finally decided to reflect on movies that made me feel the same way. I reflected on the history of the Usher family -- the uneasiness it brought me, the mystery, and the panic. Immediately, the numerous films of Alred Hitchcock I've seen in the past came to mind. Vertigo, Pyscho, The Birds, and Rear Window were still fresh in my mind. The suspense and progression of these Hitchcock movies lined up well with the suspense of "The Fall of the House of Usher"; they had an extensive "build-up", ending with a revelation, or twist. If this movie were to have a director, Alfred Hitchcock would be the one. To this day thinking of these movies gives me shivers (I suggest watching them).
The 3 main characters in the story are Madeline, Roderick, and the narrator. The choice for Madeline was straightforward. Kim Novak, who played Madeleine (coincidence indeed) in Vertigo matches well with the story. Her character was unsettling all the way through, going from suicidal with bizarre tendencies, to being the main piece to a plot-twist. Her performance was well-tied to the role, a role that I believe would be similar in The Fall of the House of Usher: The Movie. For the narrator, I chose Lex Barker. I know him from Winnetou, a series about the wild-west, back when cowboys and Indians were uber-popular in Germany. He played the role of "Old Shatterhand", a friend to Winnetou whom he closed a very close bond with. Though the series may look different to me now, "Old Shatterhand" remains the same honest and helping character, who remains objective in times of chaos, and stays calm. Thus I decided to make him the narrator because such a role requires consistent neutrality, because the narrator would often observe and not always intervene. Finally, Roderick would be played by Rhys Ifans, who played Xenophilius Lovegood, a peculiar character in the Harry Potter series. He would match Roderick's tense character and pessimism.
The 3 main characters in the story are Madeline, Roderick, and the narrator. The choice for Madeline was straightforward. Kim Novak, who played Madeleine (coincidence indeed) in Vertigo matches well with the story. Her character was unsettling all the way through, going from suicidal with bizarre tendencies, to being the main piece to a plot-twist. Her performance was well-tied to the role, a role that I believe would be similar in The Fall of the House of Usher: The Movie. For the narrator, I chose Lex Barker. I know him from Winnetou, a series about the wild-west, back when cowboys and Indians were uber-popular in Germany. He played the role of "Old Shatterhand", a friend to Winnetou whom he closed a very close bond with. Though the series may look different to me now, "Old Shatterhand" remains the same honest and helping character, who remains objective in times of chaos, and stays calm. Thus I decided to make him the narrator because such a role requires consistent neutrality, because the narrator would often observe and not always intervene. Finally, Roderick would be played by Rhys Ifans, who played Xenophilius Lovegood, a peculiar character in the Harry Potter series. He would match Roderick's tense character and pessimism.
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