1901-2014 German Workplace

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This project was just as interesting as the one we did before. This time, we focused on the German workplace/industry. I did the slides on mining in Germany. It is always interesting to me how coal mining is done in Germany. The kind of strip mining employed by Germany is very strange when we compare it to what we know in the US. We typically do mountaintop or underground mining for coal, but not strip mining. German engineering also is very unique in the bucket wheel excavators which are used in the coal mining operation. The amount of coal they can mine in one day of operation is almost impossible to picture, but it happens during the business week, every week.

(I guess I never published this last week, sorry about that.)

1701-1900 Rules and Governments

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This project was interesting. I specifically learned about the German Confederation that lasted from 1815 to 1865. I focused on two aspects of the confederation, the industry of the confederation as well as the political turmoil in the short 50 years. The industry of the confederation was strong, but tensions between ethic and political affiliation wasn't strong. The confederation took a leap forward in industry becoming a leader close to the likes of Britain and the US. The confederation failed because of the inability for different ethic groups to coexist. Two wars in ten years caused the confederation to dissolve and the geographic region of Germany once again remained untamed. 

Berlin Calling

Berlin Calling is an excellent movie. I was engaged by it for the whole movie and it was a style of movie I hadn’t seen for a while. One thing I noticed that was different about the movie compared to what I’ve seen is the club scene. In the movie Ickarus is an electronic artist, this is a genre picking up speed in the US but we are still behind Germany when it comes to making it party music. The atmosphere seems to be similar to the US, I don’t go to clubs like the one in the movie but you often here about what happens at clubs in big cities comparable to the us and it seems like they have that in common. As far as topics in the movie something that jumped out at me was the sexual nature of the movie. Here in the US I imagine the general public would bash the movie for its sexual nature, but these same people would not wag a finger had Ickarus been in a drug deal gone bad, causing Ickarus to accrue a body count. It seems like in the US sex is off limits but violence isn’t. I was pleasantly surprised the movie didn’t have the typical drug related violence that is in our movies, it did how ever have contemporary issues like domestic abuse between Ickarus and Mathilde, so the movie wasn’t inherently innocent. It was a very good movie and the best one we’ve seen so far.

1. Drugs offer Ickarus an escape. I mean this in two different ways. Early, he uses drugs as an escape to relax. His friend comes and gives him drugs, he passes out and Mathilde wakes him up later. Drugs also offer him an escape which Ickarus thinks causes him to escape his mind and become creative. This notion of drugs amplifying his creativity isn't true because he produces his best music sober in the clinic.
2. You see his fans taking cocaine frequently. Usually they take drugs to ramp up for a party. Ickarus himself takes cocaine, his friend brings it to his apartment, and he has it in the park restroom with one of his groupies, in most cases the drugs are taken to "have a party." 
3. I talked about before how drugs give Ickarus an escape. Alot of parties and drinking happens on weekends and nights. Fans and Ickarus use drugs and parting as a release after work and so forth. Drugs let them live the fast life loaded with parting and having a good time. Alot of the users take drugs to get high which makes the parties more fun, which is what they are seeking.
4. I don't do drugs, I'll occasionally drink with friends but what happens in the movie is a pretty alien experience to me. Generally, it's the standard around my friends and myself to maintain a control on the situation, not letting yourself go to far. This doesn't happen in the movie, in the movie people go until they are forced to stop, not necessarily when they should. I feel as if that is the largest difference when it comes to recreational drugs.
5. I think that the youth growing up in the movie could experience life without trying to ground themselves, taking responsibilities and so forth. The fans are living for the moment. I was told once about a pain and pleasure system which we use to decide what to do. It's alot harder to decide to put in considerable effort to achieve success (pleasure), while it is comparatively easy to seek pleasure first, because it's what the end goal is. Choosing pleasure first leads to pain because of the time lost etc. I think this can be applied to the youth culture in the movie where they seem to have no disregard for what happens when parting is over. Ickarus learns the hard way that he has to stick through his pain of treatment and not getting high, to achieve pleasure through the success of his album. 
6. The plot of, guy has it all - guy looses everything - guy struggles to get back on his feet - guy achieves his goal and wins back the girl, is a plot I've seen time and times again. That being said I can't think of a movie that tells the story in the way that this one does, which is good.

Peculiar German Practices - Anthroposophy

The Anthroposophical Society sees themselves as <begin clip 1> "An association of people whose will it is to nurture the life of the soul, both in the individual and in human society, on the basis of true knowledge of the spiritual world."
<end clip 1 - http://www.goetheanum.org/>


Rudolf Steiner
Anthroposophy gained it's foundations from Rudolf Steiner (1861 - 1925), an Austrian Philosopher. <begin clip 2> Rudolf Steiner, recieved and education at a village school in Neudorfl. After some time he moved on to the Veinna Institute of Technology. Steiner, withdrew from the university in 1883. One year before, a professor of his suggested Steiner studied a new compilation of Geothe's work. Eight years after he withdrew from Veinna Institute of Technology, Steiner received a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Rostock. His doctorate work was on Fichte's concept of Ego.

As a child, Steiner perceived to have seen a spirit of a dead aunt. It is said that he saw her before his family even knew of her death had occurred. This experience was the beginning in Steiner's study of Philosophy. At the age of 21 Steiner had an encounter with a herb gatherer. After this experience, was when Steiner began studying the work of Geothe as mentioned above. With these two things in mind, Steiner would become a Philiospher on Spiritual Activity and Naturalistic approaches to medicine and other scientific methods.

<end clip 2 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Steiner>

Anthroposophy

<begin clip 3> Anthroposophy follows three basic steps in a process of development outlined by Steiner, these characteristics are imagination, inspiration, and intuition. Anthropology involves the nature of the human being. In this theory, the conscious and sentience of humans is housed inside the life body. Ego and self awareness represent the anchors which remind people of this connection. Anthropology aids in the reincarnation of the spirit. During the time spent on living on earth, "a complex transformation takes place between the review of the past life and preparation for the next life." this idea is closely related but independent from the idea of karma. Anthroposophy also views evolution, as an evolution of the human spirit, this idea meaning that, human beings are decedents of a spiritual being. Human evolution is suggested to be in a phase of heat, light, gaseous state, fluid, energy, and currently physical matter. Lastly there is a balance to be maintained. Good and evil are two poles and evil influences attempt to corrupt humanity and sway the balance.<end clip 3 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthroposophy>

Applications:

<begin clip 4> Biodynamic Agriculture is a method of organic farming that uses ideas from Antrhoposophy, and it was developed by Rudolf Steiner. Biodynamic Agriculture is intended to "restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." For example, 10% of the farm acreage is set aside to be used as a biodiversity preserve. This land can be a a number of natural habitats, from a forest to a swamp. Other examples is the standards of crop rotation, no yearly crop can be planted in the same plot of land for more that 2 years without rotating. There are also more taboo examples of Biodynamic Agriculture in the cases of field preperation. Such as the horm manure preperation where a mixture of humas and cow manure is filled in a horn, this horn is buried in the fall and recovered in the spring. There is also another method for the spring where a horn is filled with powdered quartz, buried in the spring, retrieved in the fall.  <end clip 4 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodynamic_agriculture>

<begin clip 5> Architecture is also a point of Steiner's Anthroposophy. These buildings contain a traditional set of architecture constraints. For example right angles are almost eliminated from building plans. The first Geotheanum (The first building to encompass ideas of Anthroposophy) was crafted by many boat builders, who were capable of making rounded hulls. Steiner employed this boat builders to create a rounded form which is significant in Anthroposohic Architecture. It is said that Steiner found these concepts of Architecture not from the physical world but through "abstract theorizing" of the spiritual world. 

<end clip 5 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goetheanum>

<begin clip> Medicine using Anthroposophy is regarded as naturopathy and it is refereed to as a an alternative medicine, which receives a lot of criticism. Naturopathy believes in vitalism, and idea that energy directs itself through the body. This idea is liken to Steiner's belief of the human spirit and its connection to nature. Examples of Naturopathy medicine is herbal and nutritional medicines, vapor therapy, and so forth. In 1921 a group of pharmacists and physicians started Weleda a company which distributes Anthroposophical medicines.  Naturopathy is a highly criticized field of medicine. 17 US states require licensee for Naturpathic doctors, while 2 states ban the practice of Naturopathy.<end clip - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturopathic_medicine>

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I found that this research was very interesting. We heard in class the practice of Anthroposophy in hospitals. I thought it would be interesting to study the man who invented it, and what are central ideas of Anthroposophy. I wanted to also research different areas of Anthroposophy to see what else it offers as  a science. I am very skeptical of this process, I do not know if I would ever use Anthropomorphic medicines. Even so, it was interesting to learn about and I wouldn't change much about this assignment. 

All Quiet on the Western Front Character Role

My name is Himmelstoss, I was an NCO, I've held authority. The war made me become something, something I wasn't, but deserved to be. As a post man I was ridiculed, ‘Himmelstoss you’re 5 minutes late… Himmelstoss this letter was supposed to come last week’ but now, I have power. I gained a sense of satisfaction out of training my men. For once I barked the orders instead of receiving them myself. I have to admit, acting as I did, did entertain me. My men hated me for my harsh conditions but it will help them realize what they will come to face. It is through my actions I hope they would respect me, I just wish I could have conditioned myself. I was scared to fight, I cowered in the trenches while we were at the line. It wasn't until the most horrifying fight that I realized where I went wrong. I tried to make amends for the treatment I gave my men. I made sure while back from the front that they were nourished and they could work with ease. I still wonder and hope that it wasn't too little too late.

I thought this was posted last week but it was never published.

All Quiet on the Western Front Review

In All Quiet on the Western Front, the theme of the Lost Generation was the most apparent. This book’s characters are ripped apart by the fighting on the Front in the war. They hadn’t even finished ‘high school’ and they were being trained to fight and kill. This reality was propagated by the very people who are instrumental in their learning, the Teacher, Kantorek. He spoke of honor and patriotism that would come to the boys who would become men fighting for their country. That honor and patriotism would only come about for those men who didn’t die to begin with. People who survived such as Paul, the narrator would have to live in agony from the horrors of war. He would come to see his friends he served with die. Along the way their innocents was lost. The men would frequently joke of death and be dehumanized by the experience. Muller for example desired Kemmerich’s boots even before he died. He was almost immune to the fact his longtime friend was going to die; he was understandingly, worried for himself in that instance. The horrors of war for this Lost Generation are also illustrated when Paul returns home on leave. Despite the praise given to him, he feels disturbed. He receives numerous gifts from curious citizens who haven’t experienced the war like he has. The most significant part of the innocents of Paul being robbed can be seen when he speaks to Kemmerich’s mother. She pleads to hear how her son died. The story plagues Paul by picturing Kemmerich’s final death throes. Paul cannot bring himself to tell Kemmerich’s mother the truth. It is something he cannot bare to do. Paul knows Kemmerich’s mother cannot possibly imagine how her son died. He saves the burden of truth from her to protect her, he pities her deeply. Throughout his interactions with citizens on leave Paul hides the horrors of war, as to not distress those around him who still retain their innocence.  

All Quet on the Western Front: Chapter 7

Part 1: [Pages 137-161] Kristine Avant

Main Characters: Paul, Leer, Kropp, Paul's mother

Plot:

Himmelstoss tries to make up with them - giving them more food and getting them easy jobs

Paul, Leer, and Kropp meet the three French women when they are swimming - later that night they take food and swim across the canal to meet with them; they obviously have a good time even with the language barrier

Paul gets seventeen days of leave. When he goes home he finds out his mother has cancer and the people there are starving. He lies to his mom about how "bad" it was out there.

Themes/Analysis:

We learned earlier in the book that all of Paul's, and most of the other men's, sexual experiences were in the brothels - by being with the French woman he is trying to gain back some of his youth/innocence (first time type of thing). He also realizes she would find him more interesting if he were going to the front - more betrayal, as she doesn't see him as a human being like he wants her to.

Part 2: [Pages 162-185] Tim Olson

Main Characters: Paul, Paul's mother, Kantorek, Mittelstaedt, Kemmerick's mother

Plot:

Immediately as Paul returns to his hometown he is greeted by a woman serving coffee, she exclaims how happy she is to give a soldier a coffee, Paul is disgusted by this notion and it sets the tone for the homecoming section of this chapter.

Paul makes it to his house where he has an awkward experience returning home, he has sensory overload and doesn't know how to react when he hears his sister's voice, he says he is home but, "a sense of strangeness will not leave me."

Paul's mother briefly questions him about what happened at the front, he dismisses the accusations of gas attacks and sieges, saying it's 'only talk.'

Paul has a run in with a Major who shames him for not saluting him, Paul is forced to march and vows to not wear his uniform while he is on leave. Despite this concealment, he is strangely humbled by the gestures of the townsfolk who offer him cigars while questioning him about the front.

Paul visits Mittelstaedt at the barracks, where he finds he is a training officer. Mittelstaedt is training Kantorek (their old school teacher), Mittelstaedt has a sense of satisfaction out of the role reversal, reciting orders once barked at him by his former teacher. Paul criticizes Mittelstaedt's pride, referencing Behm's death in war following his reluctance to fight in the war.

Paul puts off visiting Kemmerick's mother till the end of his leave. He lies to her saying Kemmerick's death was a result of a shot to the chest, which killed him immediately without pain. His mother has her doubts and tries to hear the truth from Paul. Paul defends his lie which results in Kemmerick's mother accepting it as truthful. Paul pities her and hides the truth because he feels she cannot ever know the pain he went through.

On Paul's last night his mother and him share a moment, where they pity each other. Paul's mother worries for him on the front, and he worries for her and her declining health. Paul wishes he could put his head in her lap and weep like a child.

Themes/Analysis:

The second half of the chapter continues the theme of Paul's youth and innocence. Paul and his friends joined the military together and left behind their childhood. They had no choice but to adapt to the conditions of the Front. Paul's homecoming in the second half of this chapter deals with his anguish of the war. Paul moved from a stressful environment of the front, returning to a place where he was innocent. He's become suspicious living in a hostile environment, the home he returned to doesn't feel like the home it once was. There is a metaphor in this chapter where he goes through his old things, books, insects, and other objects around his room seem foreign to him much like the overall surroundings he is in. Coupled with the stress of returning to war, and the conflict at home, the chapter ends with Paul biting into his pillow, wishing he had never come home.