Movie Response #1

[Tanya Voytus]

Before Thursday, 10/20, reply to this post with a good paragraph about
I <3 Huckabees so far. If you have something else you want to
discuss, create your own new post!

I look forward to reading these.

Ms. V.

[Tanya Voytus]

Here's an idea. If you can't think of something to post about, write
about what happens in a meadow at dusk. You can choose "everything" or
"nothing" as your answer, but you need to support it with a good
paragraph.

[Tanya Voytus]

So Dylan asked me an interesting question that might be helpful to
several of you, so I'm choosing to post it here. Thank you, Dylan.

He asks, "Could you explain the difference between what the E-
detectives philosophy and then the other guy who seems to go against
it "the other"......"

So we don't know too much about the second philosophy just yet, but
I'll explain what we've learned so far. The Existential detectives are
supporting of view of life where everything is One, everything is
connected. The "coping method" that they want Albert to use includes
calming himself down, and realizing that whatever is making him angry
is, or was, at some point, part of his energy as well. It is much
easier to cope with something we feel we are in conflict with if we
can connect with it in one way or another. If we can transcend this
idea of separateness, we will better be able to be involved and enjoy
the world we live in.

The second view is the opposite. Instead of everything being
connected, nothing is, and so how we act and what we do and how we
interact with our world doesn't matter. In the movie, we don't know
where Tommy (Marky Mark) is getting these ideas from yet. He read
something out of a book while his wife was leaving him, but we don't
know who wrote that book or where it came from. Basically, the book
shows evidence that we (as human beings) are such a small,
insignificant part of the world scientifically, and that what we are
is so disconnected from the rest of the universe (of which we know so
little) that our actions become meaningless. We talked about this type
of idea a little bit in class when we discussed Nihilism, and this is
what one of the Existential Detectives calls it during Mancala hour.

For someone going through an existential crisis, these are two
opposing ideas that are easy to get caught up in. We WANT to believe
the first, because it indicates that our lives have meaning and that
we can connect with other humans and the rest of the universe which,
generally, is what people want out of life. However, the second
version is much easier to wrap one's head around - scientifically,
everything NOT being connected makes a lot more sense. Also, it is
easier to live this way because we don't have to constantly be
assessing our actions and their subsequent impact on the world.

I hope this helps any of you that were having questions. If you have
more, please feel free to post and I'll do my best to answer them by
tomorrow.

REMEMBER: You need to reply to this post and write a significant
paragraph before tomorrow's class!!!

Have a great night, and I hope to hear from more of you!

Ms. V.

[Stephen Fischer]

So far, Albert meets Tommy at the Existential Crisis Detective Agency.
Tommy, who is obsessed with anti-petroleum measures, is also a
firefighter. As we see in the movie, Tommy goes with Albert to the
"Open Spaces Coalition" where Albert is displaced nonchalantly. Tommy
stands up for Albert, where Brad just wants them to leave immediately.
The movie is great so far, I'm intrigued as to how the movie is going
to end. Oh and - I just wanted to add that the character Mark Wahlberg
portrays in the movie is amazing.

[Tanya Voytus]

Thanks for the summary, Stephen! What do you think about the philosophies that have been presented so far? Do you sympathize more with the blanket idea or the idea that nothing is connected?

[Nethera]

I really like this movie, it's funny and interesting. I like the 2 men goig through their crisis, especially the one who thinks everything is worth nothing. This movie kinda got me thinking about my own life; I wonder what they would find about me if I hired them.

[Tanya Voytus]

That's a good thought, Christine. Movies like this should make you assess your own life and think about how these things are applicable to do.

Great post.

[Jeremy Haug]

I like the movie so far, it covers a very general battle between
a lot of philosophies. Such as "everything is something versus
everything is nothing." It's good in a way that makes people laugh and
think at the same time, but I personally don;t always like movies,
it's a weird personal thing. Anyways, the actors a good choice and in
general it's a great movie. Helps me introduce new ideas into my life
like locking myself in a dark space and letting all my thoughts come
at me. it works, don't knock it till you try it. Oh man, that scene
where Jude Law has boobs. Still haunts me. Can't get it out.. oh
god...

[Kendall Pauline]

The Movie:D

I liked the movie because it is realistic and explains what
existentialism is well. It is funny in a few scenes such as the first
time that Albert went into the black bag. He thought of many different
scenarios, and how he reacted to them made me laugh. I would love to
know other words that I can relate to such as ''existentialism.''
Albert reminds me of my self because we both analize things. I was
happy when Albert and his friend stopped seeing those nut cases with
the silly blanket. They actually started to annoy me and he must of
felt the same way. The one thing I would change about the movie is,
actually I really don't know. I believe that Ms. V is an amazing
teacher, not only because she just is, but also because she teaches us
the subject of philosophy very well. For example, she uses other
scources to help us understand the material, such as the move ''I
Heart Huckabees.'' I am very pleased and feel better about philosophy
class then I did before!

[Lexie]

So far I really like I <3 Huckabees. I feel like I'm basically Albert.
I don't know, he just reminds me so much of myself. In the beginning,
where you can hear his thoughts, that's how my thoughts sound when I
think too much. I wish I had an existential detective, because I could
really use one. I totally relate to his feeling out of control of some
of the issues that he's passionate about. I feel that way all. of.
the. time. I think the movie's really witty and odd, and I really like
it.

[derpface]

i like this movie so far it has kep my inrest very well witch for a
movie we are watching
in school that goes towards a grade that is unheard of this movie has
helped me understand some more
about the depth of philosophy so far

[Tanya Voytus]

Jeremy - The idea of locking yourself in a dark space and letting your
thoughts come at you - how does this help you? What does it make you
think of? Do you think it's similar to meditating? The traditional way
I've been told about meditating is more emptying your mind of thought.
Which do you think is more difficult? More helpful?

[Tanya Voytus]

Interesting perspective, Kendall.

What is it that bothers you about the Existential Detectives (the nut
cases with the silly blanket)? What about their philosophy do you not
agree with?

I'm glad that you're enjoying philosophy more now; I told you you
could do it!

[Tanya Voytus]

Lexie,

I'm glad you're enjoying the movie! I think it's a great
representation of the existential crisis. I hope that this class this
year will help you sort through some of your issues, or at least
become better at expressing them.

Are there any specific questions that often run through your head that
you'd like to have a discussion about in class?

[Tanya Voytus]

PJ, I'm glad you're liking this movie, and that it's helping you
understand philosophy better. That was the idea when I put it on! What
about philosophy has it helped you understand? Which side of the fence
do you feel that you're on - everything is connected or everything is
meaningless?

[Jeremy Haug]

Ms. VEEY

I, rather than a dark space, put on a blindfold. I've tried meditation and a clear head brings too much when I start thinking again. Much like getting hit in the face with a ball. However, with allowing waves of all my thoughts come at me either negative or positive, it lets me process them. Helping me keep what is left of my logical sanity.

[Tanya Voytus]

Do you ever try writing your thoughts? I know it's a daunting task, but sometimes I find that if I write through my thoughts, solutions arise. Maybe it's the same for you and thinking. Either way, I'm glad you're exploring your philosophical mind.

I told Lexi this too. If there is a question you'd like to explore further, let me know and I can integrate it into the curriculum this year.

[Jeremy Haug]

I've written my thoughts down before. But I don't like doing it
because it gets "violent" I start ranting and my thoughts are too dark
to handle. I think it's because all of my feelings see a single outlet
and it becomes a traffic jam to get out. Maybe.. It's a theory.

On Oct 20, 10:12 pm, Tanya Voytus <ms.voy...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Do you ever try writing your thoughts? I know it's a daunting task, but
> sometimes I find that if I write through my thoughts, solutions arise. Maybe
> it's the same for you and thinking. Either way, I'm glad you're exploring
> your philosophical mind.
>
> I told Lexi this too. If there is a question you'd like to explore further,
> let me know and I can integrate it into the curriculum this year.