Read Ch. 11-12 pp. 211-254
Post a response by SUNDAY 6/14 midnight. Identify yourself by first name only and period. (ex: Ryan, per. 7).
Your response should include a summary, how what you read relates to
what you have learned in AP Biology, and an opinion. You will be
graded, so write thoughtful, well-written responses.
Richard, Period 7
ReplyDeleteChapter 11 starts off with an issue of time. The guy wants to know the Leavers [Abel’s Story]. Ishmael though it is not a waste of time, it doesn’t inspire him to tell the guy. They go on to talk about how pre agricultural revolution life was ugly and miserable. Ishmael asks if the guy would trade his life for this one. The guy says no, but the Leavers would. Ishmael tells him that the Leaver life has the most leisure time, the best fed people on Earth, a man has no predators. The guy finally gets a name, Bwana, Ishmael wants Bwana to tell him why life sucks for the Leavers, Bwana gives all assumptions and Ishmael successfully disproves each one of them. Bwana argues that they have no control over their food supply. If a drought happens, asks the Bwana, what now? Then Bwana has an awestruck moment when Ishmael says “You will plant more than you need”. Bwana says “When you have more food then you need the gods have no power over you”. Man puts their life in their own hands, not relying on the gods for food. Bwana states that he thinks the hunter gatherers are in a constant state of anxiety about tomorrow. However, Ishmael says otherwise, they have far less anxiety than the Takers. They come to a conclusion. Takers know good and evil and Leavers are those who live in the hands of the gods. Chapter 12 starts off with Bwana trying to purchase Ishmael from Art Owens, no luck. Ishmael and Bwana agree that people who live in the hands of the gods evolve. Ishmael says the Taker story ended with man, meaning, that the Takers will destroy the Earth before any new species come to life. Bwana says he needs something inspiring a vision. Throughout environmental efforts there have only been vision of doom. Bwana asks how he could get civilized people to belong to the world. Ishmael tells him it has nothing to do with being civilized, he tells Bwana being civilized means you should be the leaders of the community of life who follow the laws such community. Bwana, asks the fundamental question about Ishmael’s ad, how does he earnestly save the world. Ishmael lays out the entire program: Cain must stop murdering Abel, Leavers are endangered species that are essential - because they can show the destroyers that there is no one right way to live, and spit out the fruit of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of who shall live and die on the planet. Bwana says, won’t people say he is suggesting to be hunters-gathers. Ishmael responds, the Leavers are not about hunting and gathering, it’s about letting the rest of the community of life live, agriculturists can do that too. It is actually not stepping back, it's stepping forward. Ishmael tells Bwana to invent such a plan. Lastly Ishmael talks about a prison, and how most of the power is in white males, but not a single person has the key to unlock the gates. Humanity must break out of that prison. However, the problem with today, Bwana says, is that people don’t give a damn if the prison is destroying the world. Ishmael tells Bwana, he is finished with him, Bwana feels as if a knife has been shoveled in his stomach.
In terms of biology, it's a lot of metaphors of prisons, the lifestyle of the Takers and Leavers. Food supply distribution can be one biological factor considered in theses two chapters. And Chapter 12 goes onto talk about the environmental action we have to take, it must inspire not fear through visions of doom. Ishmael illustrates the most important difference between the Takers and Leavers, the Leavers let the rest of the community live.
Chapter 12 really ties everything together, it’s much more interesting in Chapter 11. Chapter 12 gives an outline of everything at once, it's a good synopsis to the story so far. Ishmael has given all the ideals and course of action the guy must take. Bwana must teach others, and then the others will teach others. Unfortunately, we find out the Ishmael has nothing left to give to Bwana. However, I am completely satisfied with everything Ishmael has taught us. Now it is up to the guy to apply that knowledge.
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Deletedude why you're so early WHY
DeleteIn this section of the book, Ishmael concludes his teachings with a powerful message about the differences between Taker and Leaver lifestyles: Taker culture dictates that they live outside the hands of the "gods," and it is this lifestyle that is destroying the world. Ishmael explains that Takers have exempted themselves from evolution through the belief that man is better than nature, and that the gods are incompetent. Now, according to Taker beliefs, it is up to man to be his own god. This contrasts with the beliefs of the almost extinct Leavers, who believe that man is no more important than any other animal in nature. These fundamental differences in philosophies are why it is so difficult for Takers to see why Leavers live as they do. Ishmael concludes with a grand scheme that man is not the end goal of evolution, but is only the first form of truly intelligent life; in this way he is like a kindergarden teacher. The way that the man can make a difference is by teaching 100 people who can all teach 100 people and so on. Then, tragically, Ishmael dies from pneumonia, leaving the man virtually broke - but enlightened. Finally, the man discovers the back side of Ishmael's poster: "With gorilla gone, will there be hope for man?"
ReplyDeleteAs these chapters relate to biology, Ishmael talks a lot about how man is not the end goal of evolution, but that evolution is an ongoing process. He also talks a bit about ecology as it pertains to communities, and how man is destroying the world through pollution, CFC's, etc.
I thought that this was a pretty good ending. Even though Ishmael dies, the man now knows what to do and his life has purpose. Also, Ishmael died respecting the man and knowing that he was a successful teacher. My only qualm with this book, is that I wish that Quinn could have made his point earlier and more concisely. Also, I wish that Ishmael could have had a bigger role for the man to play in changing Taker culture.
^spoilers I guess Ishmael dies but we aren't supposed to know what it happens in chapter 13 but this is only up to chapter 12^
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DeleteMatt, Period 1
ReplyDeleteThe man is amped up about learning the story about the Leavers. First, Ishmael forces the man to think about why he is so excited about this. So he does. Then Ishmael talks about the agricultural revolution, and everything the man thinks he may have known about it is completely wrong. It was a cultural thing, not just a mere technological advancement that changed the course of life on this planet. That is why it is important to focus on the culture of it.
Chapter 12 gets weird. The man comes to meet Ishmael, extremely eager to learn more about whatever they were learning about, but Ishmael wants to talk (or think) about something different. The man notices that something is dragging on Ishmael. He can't get anything out of him. A character actually shows an emotion: empathy! What? He struggles to find out what is bothering him, and in the end he chalks it down to being locked in a cage. This is interesting, because Ishmael has technically been locked in a cage this whole time. When he returns to the hotel after his fruitless meeting, he discovers that his ad from chapter 9 (or maybe 10 idk) had been answered. It was actually a previous student of Ishmael, and he was contacting the man to tell him about what he had learned in the past. The man tentatively agrees to meet this new man. This new man is a mover-van driver by day. They converse about the lessons Ishmael had taught both of them. The NewMan had heard up to the Abel and Cain story, but that was when he stopped taking lessons. The man inquires about why the NewMan decided to quit being a student, but the NewMan is reluctant to share the details. Nevertheless, the NewMan and the CurrentMan drive to the carnival the next night to attempt to break Ishmael out. The NewMan stays behind to keep his truck running and keep watch, while the CurrentMan breaks into the circus and with the keys he swindled from the bribed security guard, unlocks the cage of the sleep-deprived Ishmael. He signals him to come, but Ishmael refuses. The man realizes that Ishmael was there on his on accord. This was meant to be a lesson for the CurrentMan. That material matters on this earth is what is holding the takers back. The CurrentMan would have to let go of Ishmael if he ever wanted to truly learn. He didn't need a teacher. He just needed to learn. this is what Ishmael was trying to teach him. The man knew this would be his final lesson. So he and the NewMan drove away from the circus, and the CurrentMan prepared to deal with a life without a teacher again.
Oh wait, scratch that. Nothing in that^ chapter 12 actually happened. That's weird, it must've been taken from a story with an storyline. Huh. So here's the actual chapter 12.
Chapter 12 gets weird. Just kidding it's exactly the same. The man is trying to get Ishmael out of his cage (yeah he's still in there). He fails. He goes in the middle of night to force Ishmael to teach him more. Ishmael gives his final lesson, that takers are being distracted from the world, and that is their downfall. The man says he'll come back the next day.
Not a lotta biology again. The same common elements occur, like populations and evolution and all that.
in terms of how this chapter affected me, I can honestly say it didn't. The final lesson that Ishmael taught really didn't do anything for me. I was left grasping for something big to happen, but nothing did. Considering this is supposed to be the last time the man ever sees Ishmael, it was really underwhelming.
--so I just read Chris Kelser's summary, and he says Ishmael dies. gotta mark that with a spoiler tag bud, this is a 11-12 summary, we're not supposed to know that yet.--
Zack, Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter 11 begins with the man wanting to know the story of the leavers. Ishmael begins by asking the man what the point of the agricultural revolution was. The man doesn’t completely understand it at first so he and Ishmael act out a scenario where Ishmael is a leaver and the man is a taker. Ishmael wants the man to convince him why he should adopt a taker way of life and the man comes up with a whole bunch of answers until he eventually says to free humans from being at the mercy of the gods. The man then realizes that takers have exempted themselves from the laws that govern all living things while the leavers adhere to them. Chapter 12 begins with the man asking if he could buy Ishmael back from the carnival but he fails. Then Ishmael and the man continue their discussion and Ishmael asks what happens to leavers that doesn’t to takers. They eventually conclude that leavers undergo evolution while leavers do not. Ishmael then asks the man to think about the next part of the leavers’ story and then they debate the issue of civilization. Ishmael says civilization is not the problem with takers, the problem with takers is that they think the world belongs to them no the other way around. Ishmael then says that the man needs to become a teacher to spread his knowledge that Ishmael has shared with him. Ishmael says that his other students gave up at this point because they didn’t think such drastic change was possible. The man remains energetic about the topic though and says he’ll become a teacher. Then, before the man leaves Ishmael gives him another life lesson and then the chapter ends.
In this chapter there is biology in regards to evolution and how takers are destroying the environment.
I felt these two chapters were just like every other chapter...boring and repetitive. I feel like Ishmael had already talked about all these things in different chapters but used a different metaphor for it. Also, I think it’s really stupid how Ishmael is being held at a carnival. But, the one thing I did like about this chapter was that the man has finally figured his life out and will be doing something more productive in his life than just listen to a gorilla.
Kira Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe section begins again with more lessons from the takers and leavers. While they usually focus on the takers, this time the man wants to talk more about the story of the leavers. He has a slightly difficult time understanding Ishmael so they take on the roles of leavers and takers and try to act it out. When the man tries to explain why leavers should follow the takers example his main reason is that takers are independent from the wrath of the gods. This is because the law that governs (almost) all living things applies to the leavers and not the takers. The takers and leavers continue in the next chapter when the man wants to know the difference between the evolution of the two. The final answer is that leavers experience it while takers do not. They go on to discuss civilization and how the takers' real problem is their outlook on how they fit into the world. The chapter ends with Ishmael telling the man that this knowledge is what needs to be spread to people and he must start becoming a teacher at this point. Ishmael's past students always quit here because they stopped believing in the changes.
This section includes biology in the destruction of the environment and once again evolution in a general sense.
At this point, the new ideas don't feel very new and everything is sort of blending together into one general theme that everything I know is incorrect. I don't know if I like that or not anymore because you can't just change everything I learned in 16 years with 12 chapters of writing. However, I give the author credit for thinking so creatively in sharing his opinions on our culture and story.
Owen Period 1
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 11, Ishmael wants the man to figure out why he wants to know the leaver's story, now that he know the taker's story. The man answers by saying that he wants a new story to enact. Next they move on to the Agricultural Revolution. Ishmael explains that the takers believe that life before it was terrible and that they could not continue to live that way. After this Ishmael wants the man( a taker) to convince him(a leaver) that his way of life is better. As they converse the man realizes that the takers live their life independent of gods and rules, and do what they want, while the leavers abide by these rules. In chapter 12, the narrator tries unsuccessfully to buy Ishmael from the carnival. After, he comes back at night to resume his lesson. Ishmael and the man discuss the idea that the takers believe that humans are the end result of evolution and will not continue to evolve since they believe that they do not follow the the rules. The man then realizes that man is just one small step in evolution. He also come to understand that humans should not be a ruler. but more of a role mode. Ishmael then discusses the fact that civilization is no the problem, the problem is the civilization's attitude toward the world. They think that the world belongs to them, which causes problems. Next he informs the man that this is where most of his other students gave up because they did not think that a change of as big as this would be possible. The man still wants to change the world and Ishmael tells him he must teach people what he has been taught. Before the man leaves Ishmael reiterates the idea of captivity and the importance of breaking free from it.
As far as biology goes, the same common topics are brought up again. They talk a lot about evolution and its progression, as well as some ecology.
While these chapters are rather repetitive and similar to the rest. I am still interested in what Ishmael has to say. However, I feel like his time with Ishmael should have ended with more of an impact then it did. I do like that his point has been made and that the man will now go out and change the world with his teachings.
Abby, Period 1
ReplyDeleteThroughout chapter 11 of Ishmael, Ishmael wants the narrator to truly understand why he is telling this story. In short, he wants to be convinced that everything he is doing for the narrator is not a complete waste of time because he is starting to think that the narrator just sits down and zones out while Ishmael tells his story. They talk about the evolution of agriculture and how we evolved from hunter gatherers to the Takers. The narrator believes that it was just an event that was part of history. However, Ishmael strongly disagrees on that. He believes that this was a tragic event that hurt the rest of mankind. They do a role play to explain this idea further. Ishmael is a Leaver and the guy is a Taker. Ishmael wants the guy to convince him to adopt the guy's way of life. They argue for some time until the guy finally says by adopting this way of life, he would be freed from the power of the Gods. The guy now understands that we want to be free of the Gods and believe that we are destined to live outside of their realm. They conclude the chapter with the idea that the leavers were those who lived within the Gods realm. Chapter 12 begins with them back at the Carnival where Ishmael is being held and the guy attempts to buy Ishmael off of his owner. His owner says that what he is offering is not sufficient for the purchase of the gorilla. Now the guy waits until everyone else leaves from the carnival on the Friday night. Once everyone leaves, they continue their story with the good and evil who/who do not live in the hands of the gods. They discuss the difference between the Takers and the Leavers. The leavers believe that they were destined to be the final product of evolution and they were the "point" of the whole evolution of everything else. They hold themselves higher above everything else because in their mind, they are superior. They continue to discuss the differences between these two "groups" and Ishmael says that instead of humans seeing themselves as the superior species, they should see themselves as role models for the others because in terms of evolution, scientifically, many other species will come after them and will increase their complexity as a species and will soon replace humankind. As opposed to being discouraged, the guy says that this can be used as inspiration for the rest of mankind to make a change and better themselves. Ishmael is impressed because he says that this is where all of his past pupils have given up because such a large scale change starting with one person seems nearly impossible. Ishmael is now finished teaching the guy, but the guy says that he will be back the following day.
In terms of biology, there is again a large focus on the evolution starting with bacteria in the warm pools of the ocean that have now led to mankind and will eventually move on and will create a new species. I am unfortunately no longer interested in what Ishmael has to say because frankly, it has all mushed together in my mind and I can no longer really differentiate all of the different lessons he has taught because they all end up sounding the same. The author is making very bold statements in his writing, but I find that often the way they are presented is monotonous and boring for the reader to read because there is such a lack of action and emotion. It sometimes just feels like words on a page or someone just reading a pre-written script.
Jess, Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter 11 starts with the guy and Ishmael resuming their talk. Ishmael asks the guy why he wants to know the story the Leaver cultures enact now that he knows the Takers' story. At first the guy isn't able to supply a real answer, but he realizes he is worried about the destruction of the world. Ishmael then asks the guy what Mother Culture would say the Agricultural Revolution was about. The guy says it is a purely technological development, whereas Ishmael believes it was more. In order to help the guy better understand the Takers' dismissal of the Leaver lifestyles, he takes on the role of a Leaver and asks the guy to be a Taker. After going back and forth a few times, the guy realizes the point of the Taker culture is to live outside the hands of the "gods". They do not want to be subject to the rules that others must live by.
In chapter 12 the guy approaches the owner of the carnival to ask if he will sell Ishmael to him. Later that night he returns to see a sleepy Ishmael and they continue on. The guy, with the help of Ishmael, discovers that evolution is what happens because Leavers remain within the community of life. Through their conversation on evolution, the guy sees that man is but one step in evolution's tendency toward increasing complexity and self-awareness in life-forms. He suggests that man was put here to be somewhat of a model and they have a positive story which will encourage others to change. Ishmael then asks the guy about chapter two of the Leavers' story. He asks what world change would look like and he helps the guy understand that civilization is not the problem, but the attitude that civilized nations have toward the world is the real issue. He then reflects on his former students and tells the guy that this is the point that most of them gave up. He then tells the guy one last point, he reminds him of the metaphor of captivity. That everyone is trapped and the world just has a way of distracting them. For the Takers, this distraction is consuming the world. Ishmael also brings up that it is important to focus on freeing themselves instead of making their trapped environment nicer. The chapter ends with Ishmael telling the guy that he has finished instructing him and he goes to bed, the guy insists that he will come back tomorrow.
Now if we are looking at the science side of this, there is really only evolution, which repeats itself over and over again in this book.
At this point in the book I believe that it is dragging along just a little bit. I think that something is wrong with Ishmael because they kept hinting that he was very tired. I am interested to see what the last chapter has to offer.
Gerard Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter 11 begins with the guy (you know what, I DONT EVEN WANT TO KNOW HIS NAME) and Ishmael picking up where they left off in chapter 10. Ishmael asks the guy why he wants to know the story. At first the guy doesn't know what to say but he realizes he is worried about the inevitable destruction of the earth and humans. Ishmael then asks the guy what Mother Culture would say the Agricultural Revolution was about. The guy says it is a only a technological development, but Ishmael believes it was more. To help the man understand the Takers attitude toward the Leaver lifestyles, he pretends to be a Leaver and asks the guy to be a Taker. After going back and forth, the man realizes the point of the Taker culture is to live outside of gods hands. They do not want to have obey the rules that others must live by. At the the beginning of chapter 12, the man approaches the carnival owner to see if he will sell Ishmael to him. Later, he returns to see a sleepy Ishmael and they continue on about the takers and the leavers. Through their conversation, the man sees that man is but one step in evolution's tendency of increasing complexity and self-awareness in different life-forms. He suggests that man was put here to be a model and they have a positive story which will encourage others to change/evolve. Ishmael then asks the man more about the takers and the leavers. The chapter ends with Ishmael telling the man that he is done him and he goes to bed, the guy insists that he has to come back the next day.
These chapters has little bio, except evolution as usual.
This book is really dragging on and I'm getting really bored and tired of it. Speaking of tired, there is something wrong with Ishmael, i dont know what it is, i guess ill read the last chapter to find out.
Katie Period 7
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters the narrators seeks to better understand the story of the leavers. He and Ishmael act out the story of the Takers and the Leavers, and the Guy plays a Taker who is supposed to convince Ishmael - a Leaver - of his way of life. Through their discussions, the Guy understands that Ishmael is worried about the fate of the Earth and begins to share this fear. He initially thinks that the Agricultural Revolution was an incidental leap forward brought on by advances in technology, but Ishmael shows him the underlying conceptions in the evolution of Takers. The narrator realizes that the object of Taker culture is to exempt them from the laws of god or nature that govern everything else. In a later conversation we get a dose of Biology in the realization that we are just one step on the tree of life and that other life forms will inevitably outsmart us (literally) by evolving into even more complex creatures. The Guy is encouraged by this and they decide that he must became a teacher and Spread Da Word. This is supposedly his final lesson with Ishmael. I still like this book, and I thought Chapter 12 wrapped things up/tied things together in a very satisfying way.
Aaron, Period 1
ReplyDeleteSo there’s some stuff that happens in this chapter. According to Ishmael, the Leaver life is actually pretty swanky and not too dangerous or anything. He and Dummkopf perform some little forensics act to teach what the point of agriculture is in the first place. Ishmael refers to Dummkopf as “Bwana” for the purpose of the act, which feels a little racist but whatever. Agriculture allows humans to secure their life in their own greasy, little banana-hands so they can die via playing Russian roulette with a pistol rather than by the occasional drought. Ishmael says that, while this has stalled our own evolutionary progress and has given us the immense power to “screw shit up”, it has also given us the power to raise an army of anthropomorphic beasts, or furries. Ishmael leaves Dummkopf to tell the 7 billion other people in the world that they’re living the wrong way. I have complete faith in him given his pompous attitude. Also Ishmael has ebola or something so he’s probably done for.
Ishmael mentions evolution and how it has been stalled for humans due to their exclusion from the world’s ways.
Well, it’s clear to me now that the Leaver lifestyle is the best. I’m probably going to run off to the great wilderness of Zimbabwe once the school year is over. If anyone else wants to join, shoot me a PM. We can come up with some badass name for our clan and maybe order some matching uniforms. We could probably be roaming the open savannah in under two weeks hunting bison and performing some freestyle rap in under two weeks if we’re quick about it.
Sabrina, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThis part of the book starts with another one of Ishmael’s lessons about the takers and leavers. Ishmael asks that the narrator understands why he is telling his story and its real purpose. They speak about how the man believes that the evolution into agriculture of the Takers was just another section of history. Ishmael disagrees and says that the Agricultural Revolution made living conditions better and that mother culture describes it to be positively life changing and that nobody could ever go back to living the way they did before it. The man finds it difficult to understand what Ishmael says about the Leavers so they act it out as a Taker and a Leaver. Ishmael convinces the man that the taker way of life is the better way of living while the man finally says that it was to help mankind become independent on gods. The man is then able to come to the conclusion that Takers have freed themselves from the laws that all living things follow, allowing them to do whatever they want, meanwhile the leavers still follow these rules. The next chapter continues when the man asks the owner of the circus if he can buy Ishmael from the circus and he does not agree to this. They talk more about the Takers and Leavers and the man wants to know the real reason about how they evolved differently. Ishmael speaks about civilization and how the problem with takers is that they don’t experience things. They think that the world belongs to them. Then, Ishmael talks about how the man must follow in Ishmael’s footsteps to share these stories and all this knowledge with the world. He then discusses with the man that his past students each gave up their learning because they had no belief that what they were learning could change the world. The man is still hopeful at this moment and says that he will continue to spread the knowledge as a teacher. Ishmael says he’s done teaching but the man insists he will return the next day to spend time with him.
I still don’t see a lot of biology in this book, but the theme of evolution is ever present in all of the chapters. It is constantly repeated and seems as if the entire story is based on evolution. There is some talk of the environment.
These two chapters were pretty boring; it seems now that everything that is said is just being repeated from the beginning. I’ve pretty much lost interest in the book, but am glad that it Ishmael has told his whole story. Although, I feel a little disappointed in how Ishmael’s big plan to save the world ended. I am hopeful to see how the man will go about teaching this knowledge.
The main focus of chapter 11 is for Ishmael to ensure that the guy knows exactly why he is piecing together this story. They continue to talk about the evolution of agriculture and Ishmael believes that when this event happened it actually hurt mankind. In order to explain this further to the guy he says that he is a leaver and the guy is a taker and the guy must convince Ishmael to adopt his way of life. After a while the guy says that if Ishmael adopts his way of life than he will be free from the Gods. The guy then realizes that humanity wants to be free from the control of the Gods and they don't feel like they should be in the same realm. In chapter 12 they are at the carnival again, but the guy tries to buy Ishmael from the owner, but isn't able to. So then in the dark they continue their story. They discuss the difference between the Takers and the Leavers. The leavers believe that they were destined to be the final product of evolution and they were the pinnacle of evolution. In their minds they are superior. Ishmael then says humans should see themselves as role models for the others because in terms of evolution because other species will increase their complexity replace humankind. The guy then says this should be inspiration for humanity to improve themselves. Ishmael is impressed because this is where all of his past pupils have given up because such a large scale change starting with one person seems nearly impossible. Ishmael is now finished teaching the guy, but the guy says that he will be back the following day.
ReplyDeleteConcerning biology, throughout the book and in these chapters there was a large focus on evolution, but that was the only major thing I found.
At this point, I think the philosophy in the book is great and it really has pointed out some amazing things. However, it is getting repetitive and I'm just picking out the major ideas. It is still interesting though when he unveils another major flaw in humanity.
Griffin Wyckoff, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe chapter starts off with the man and Ishmael acting out the story of the takers and leavers. Ishmael realizes that the man is worried about the inevitable destruction of the earth and humans. He then notices that the point of being a taker is to live outside of god’s hands. They do not want to obey the rules that they must live by. He then asks the carnival owner if he would like to sell him Ishmael. After that he returns to find Ishmael sleeping and they go on to talk about the takers and the leavers. They then talk about how man was put on earth to be a model and to benefit others to evolve. The man still wants to change the world and Ishmael tells him he must teach people what he has been taught. Before he leaves, Ishmael reminds him to break free from captivity one last time.
Again the only biology in these chapters is evolution and other common topics.
I can tell that there is going to be a twist ending, Ishmael and the man have been talking for a while on several topics. Ishmael is going to die and the man is going to be the only teacher left.
Alexis period 7
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 11 and 12, Ishmael and the man make a lot of progress. The man starts by expressing why he wants to know the Leaver story because Ishmael doesn’t understand why (or pretends not to understand so that the man has to think a little bit). They begin on a quest to discover what the “Taker revolution” was and why humans feel the need to continue it. The man is advancing a lot; he comes up with his own analogy without any help from Ishmael and it essentially shows that the hunter-gatherers don’t live a good life because their only purpose in life is to stay alive. They then do a roleplay type thing where Ishmael calls the man “bwana” (???) (wait I just googled it and it’s an East African word for “master”) and basically the conclusion they come to is that living in the hands of the gods is bad because you have no control over your life, but when you have more food than you need (such as the agriculturalists), the gods have no power over you and you are capable of living your own life. On the other hand, people who live in the hands of the gods are capable of evolution. The next point I thought was really cool. Humans really are achieving their goal of stopping creation with the creation of man because they have taken themselves out of the hands of the gods and therefore out of the cycle of evolution. Furthermore, Ishmael compares the human lifestyle to a prison and says that in prisons they have programs and activities to keep the inmates busy, and the human parallel to this is destroying the world. In other words, we are destroying the world to keep ourselves busy and pass the time. Lastly, it can be said that takers think the Earth belongs to man while Leavers think that man belongs to Earth. Ishmael says he is finished with his student but he is offended and says he will come back tomorrow. There have been a lot of foreshadow-y details about Ishmael being sick and he’s super old so I don’t think he’s going to make it much further into the book.
Kunal Sengupta, Period 7
ReplyDeleteIshmael and the narrator begin talking again. The gorilla challenges the narrator to think of why wants the Leaver culture to take precedence over the Takers culture. To begin explaining the Leaver culture, Ishmael asked the narrator what “Mother Culture” would say about the agricultural revolution. It was much more than a technological revolution says Ishmael. It created an unfair world. The narrator wants to buy Ishmael so he asks the owner of the carnival if he could buy him. He doesn’t allow it so instead, the narrator helps Ishmael escape from his prison. Ishmael then continues talking to the narrator.
There isn’t much bio in these chapters besides evolution of culture. The book is getting quite repetitive but it enforces the key concepts that everyone should understand.
Betsy Ellison, Period 1
ReplyDeleteA lot seems to have changed in the dynamic between Ishmael and the narrator. The narraotr is no longer afraid or intimidated by him, for one thing, and wakes up a reluctant Ishmael from his sleep. Ishmael poses a question-- how did man become man? The narrator reveals his perspective on Leaver culture-- he sees it as a constant, ceaseless, terrifying struggle, always on edge between life and death. Ishmael explains that this could not be further from the truth. Then, through a Q&A type of exchange, the narrator cries out that the whole point of civilization is to take control of one's life, and to be able to rid oneself entirely of the control of the gods. They determine two new names for the Leavers and Takers: those who live in the hands of the Gods, and those who know the difference between good and evil. If you remove yourself from the hands of the gods, as the Takers did, you stop the cycle of natural selection-- thus, humans achieved their goal of ending evolution with the evolution of man. However, this will almost certainly end in disaster. The narrator returns to the question of the Garden of Eden, how once mankind decided to take on a godlike role, they became shunned from the evolutionary cycle. The narrator struggles to find a way to express how he wants to inspire people to create a change, to stop themselves from being wiped out and leaving a bad legacy behind, instead leaving a good one. But how? Ishmael recommends he write a book.Ishmael then compares the human story to a prison, keeping the Takers busy but imprisoning them within a destructive culture. Finally, Ishmael tells the narrator he is done with his lessons forever, but the narrator does not accept this. he says he'll be back the same time tomorrow.
As with previous chapters, Ishmael and the narrator discuss evolution and anthropology.
I'm starting to like a book a little better. Quinn is breaking his irritating habit of having the narrator be the dunce to Ishmael's wisdom, and the two actually have some interesting discussions. While it's still not my favorite book, it's definitely getting better as it goes along.
Chapter 11 begins with the destruction of the world and how the narrator is afraid for it.
ReplyDeleteThe narrator talks about pre-Agricultural Revolution and he realized that the Taker culture still believes that it was a horrible way to live. Then, they play a simulation in which Ishmael represents the Leaver culture and the narrator represents the Taker culture, and the narrator has to try and convince Ishmael to adopt the Taker lifestyle. In the end, the narrator comes to the conclusion that the point of the Taker culture is to take matters into their own hands instead of leaving it up to fate for the availability of their food supplying other necessities. Chapter 12 starts off with Ishmael trying to buy Ishmael and free him from his cage. When that temporarily fails, the lesson takes off from the previous day. The narrator sees that the Taker culture thinks that they are the end to evolution. Ishmael suggests that humankind should not see itself as the ruler of the world. They wrap up by the narrator asking Ishmael what world change would look like, and Ishmael responds with the idea that civilization is not the problem, but the attitude humankind has towards it is. Ishmael tells the narrator that he must become a teacher because people must be informed before any real change can happen.
Evolution and the environment is the reoccurring theme of biology in these last chapters, as well as the rest of them.
Again, Ishmael hates on humankind way too much. First of all, he says that humans think that they are the last things to evolve, which is definitely not true. We know that everyone will continue to evolve, including us, and there is a good possibility that something more advanced than us will evolve in the future. Secondly, humans are still relying on fate for most of their lives, and the availability of food is a huge problem for humans as well, so it is not like there is an abundance of food for every human on earth. Ishmael is ignorant and I can't take him anymore. :)
Sam, Period 7
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of chapter 11, the man arrives at the office wanting to learn more about the leavers and their history. To begin the story, Ishmael talks about the agricultural revolution. TO better explain his point because the narrator doesn’t understand, Ishmael describes a hypothetical situation where the narrator is a taker and Ishmael is a leaver. Ishmael then asks the narrator to try and persuade him to join his way of life as a taker, but they eventually come to the conclusion that the reason why Ishmael should become a taker is so that humans aren't the only species at the mercy of the gods. This is because humans have disobeyed the laws of nature, which every other species abides by. In the following chapter, the narrator asks Ishmael if he wants to be bought back from the carnival, however he doesn’t. They then continue the previous discussion they were having and they focus on the differences between the takers and leavers, which is the leavers undergo evolution and takers do not. Ishmael also adds that the real cause of peril for the Earth isn’t civilization, it is that they think the world is at their mercy. Ishmael then tells the narrator he must spread the vast amount of wisdom he has learned and become a teacher, and that others who have gotten to this point stopped because they didn’t believe change was possible. The man then becomes a teacher.
The biology in chapters 11 and 12 included evolution and the destruction of the environment.
The ideas presented at this point in the novel have been repeated since the very start of the book and I have not found any information presented very eye opening or interesting.
Clare, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe narrator asks why he wants to know the Leaver story. They try to discover the Taker story and why it still is happening. The narrator says that the hunter-gathers’ only purpose is to continue living. They say that living when people have an abundance of food, they have control over their own lives, and the gods cannot interfere with it. But, if you live according to the gods, that population can evolve over time. Ishmael says that people are abusing the planet to pass time. It is concluded that Takers think they basically own the world, and leavers believe they just inhabit it, and are not the most important things in the world. After Ishmael dismisses the narrator, he says that he will come back the next day. I like how this chapter includes some biology. They said that when food is abundant, there will be little to no evolution. This can be correct because there will be no survival of the fittest when it comes to competing for food.
Kate Period 1
ReplyDeleteAt the start of this section, Ishmael talks about the history of takers and leavers, starting with the agricultural revolution. Ishmael acts this out by creating a situation where the man is a taker and Ishmael is a leaver. The guy has to try to convince Ishmael to join his way of life as a taker. They conclude that Ishmael should become a taker so that humans aren't the only species at the mercy of higher beings. Additionally, they conclude that the Taker culture is to choose to act for themselves to do what they want instead of leaving different factors up to fate. Next, the guy tries to get Ishmael out of the carnival by buying him, but that does not work, so they continue to discuss the Taker/Leaver history. They focused on the differences between the takers and leavers. Ishmael explains that Leavers undergo evolution; takers do not. Ishmael explains also that the issue on the planet is that humankind thinks that the world is theirs for the taking. Ishmael says that the guy is ready to become a teacher, if he properly uses the lessons he has learned
Evolution again takes a prominent role in this section. It is what is supposed to differentiate between Takers and Leavers.
I have another issue with Ishmael’s lesson. He makes sweeping generalizations about humans, or “takers”. I am not under the impression that we are the end of evolution, which Ishmael is saying that humans are. I am, however, in the opinion that humankind plays a very important role in history; our species is so drastically more advanced and different than others and shouldn’t be taught as if we are the same as every other animal (that would be sort of naive). Protecting out planet is extremely important, but I don’t think that Ishmael has all the answers.
Grace Period 7
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning they talk about the Takers and the history Leavers so Ishmael talks about the agriculture revolution. They make a scenario where Ishmael is a Leaver and the guy is a Taker. The guy is supposed to persuade Ishmael to become a Taker but the guy in the end says that he should join the culture so that humans are not the only animals at the mercy of god and that they are in control of themselves instead of abiding by the laws of nature. The guy tries to get Ishmael out of the carnival but can’t so they just keep talking about the Takers and Leavers and their differences. Then the man becomes a teacher after Ishmael’s approval.
The biology in this section is Evolution. Ishmael just keeps talking about the same thing and there aren’t really any new ideas so it is not very interesting in my opinion. I’m happy for the man though, that he is now a teacher.
Chris period 7
ReplyDeleteWe learn more about farming, Takers, and Leavers. More stupid analogies that food that food isn't hard to get in the wild (spoiler alert: it is. I've seen bear grylls try to survive out in the wild. No way I'm gonna try that). Also people aren't under the control of Gods (which is ironic seeing as people are the only ones to believe in Gods) but animals are. And I guess people don't evolve, which is stupid because we do. This entire book is stupid.
The biology in this section is evolution.
This book is stupid and I'm glad I don't have to write any more.
The agricultural evolution is the start of human dominance on earth and man begins being stupid and begins destroying the earth. They don't abide by the law of nature.
ReplyDeleteBiology is included because there is a talking Gorilla!
i hate the book because reading is dumb :(
Will Period 7
ReplyDeleteIshmael talks about the history of takers and leavers, starting with the agricultural revolution. Ishmael and the man act this out by creating a situation where the man is a taker and Ishmael is a leaver. The man must try to convince Ishmael to join his way of life as a taker. They conclude that Ishmael should become a taker so that humans aren't the only species at the mercy of higher beings. Also they find that the Taker culture is to choose to act for themselves to do what they want instead of leaving different factors up to fate. Next, the man tries to get Ishmael out of the carnival by buying him, but that does not work, so they continue to discuss the Taker/Leaver history. They discuss differences between the takers and leavers. Ishmael explains that Leavers evolve, and takers do not. Ishmael explains also that the issue on the planet is that humans think that the world is theirs for the taking. Ishmael says that the guy is ready to become a teacher, if he properly uses the lessons he has learned
Evolution is present in this section. It differentiates the Takers and Leavers.
This chapter raises an important question of whether or not the huma race is equal to the other living things on the planet. I think to a certain degree we are equal to all other living things on the planet. On the other hand, one might argue that people are more complex and advanced than other creatures. Either way, humans have no right to destroy other life forms that are “Inferior”.
Sarah, Period 7
ReplyDeleteChapter 11 begins with the man asking to know the story of the leavers. Then Ishmael and the man begin to talk about the Agricultural Revolution. They discuss the fact that the revolution was actually a cultural thing and it is important to recognize the culture behind it, instead of just thinking of it as a technological advancement. Chapter 12 starts out with the man asking Ishmael if he could buy him back. The two then continue discussing leavers and takers. Ishmael asked about leavers who don’t take, which prompted a new branch of their conversation. They then begin to discuss where the story of the leavers and the takers is going to go from here. This causes a brief argument. Ishmael brings up the idea that the problem with the takers is that they are controlling and think they own everything. Then, after their civilization debate, Ishmael tells the man to become a teacher. He tells him that this would be the perfect way for him to share all of the knowledge that he has acquired through his conversations with Ishmael. The man then tells Ishmael that he will become a teacher.
There was a little biology in this section. The Agricultural Revolution was brought up, yet again. Also, evolution was discussed with the mention of the takers and leavers.
I feel as though we have already read things like this in the novel thus far. Ishmael and the man always seem to go back to the topic of the takers and the leavers. Also, the Agricultural Revolution was mentioned yet AGAIN. I did not really enjoy this section because I felt as though I have already read this.
Chapter 11 begins with the destruction of the world and how the narrator is afraid for it.
ReplyDeleteThe narrator talks about pre-Agricultural Revolution and he realized that the Taker culture still believes that it was a horrible way to live. Then, they play a simulation in which Ishmael represents the Leaver culture and the narrator represents the Taker culture, and the narrator has to try and convince Ishmael to adopt the Taker lifestyle. In the end, the narrator comes to the conclusion that the point of the Taker culture is to take matters into their own hands instead of leaving it up to fate for the availability of their food supplying other necessities. Chapter 12 starts off with Ishmael trying to buy Ishmael and free him from his cage. When that temporarily fails, the lesson takes off from the previous day. The narrator sees that the Taker culture thinks that they are the end to evolution. Ishmael suggests that humankind should not see itself as the ruler of the world. They wrap up by the narrator asking Ishmael what world change would look like, and Ishmael responds with the idea that civilization is not the problem, but the attitude humankind has towards it is. Ishmael tells the narrator that he must become a teacher because people must be informed before any real change can happen.
Evolution and the environment is the reoccurring theme of biology in these last chapters, as well as the rest of them.
I really really do not like this book
Savannah, Period 1
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of chapter 11, The Man is worried about the destruction of the world. They talk about the pre-Agricultural Revolution and realizes the Takers are awful. They play a game where The Man has to convince Ishmael to adopt Taker culture. Eventually, The Man realizes the point of Takers are to take control of fate instead of letting it control them. (really? It took eleven chapters? Its not that hard to figure out). In chapter 12, The Man realizes the Takers think they are the end to evolution and Ishmael says humans shouldn't think of themselves as so great (WOW interesting its coming from you you PORTENTOUS TELEPATHIC GORILLA) and they decide that civilization isn't the problem, but man's attitude. Ishmael then says The Man has to become a teacher, too.
Evolution and the interactions between animals has been in all the chapters.
Mostly what I've gotten from this book is people suck and The Man whose name WE STILL DON'T KNOW is pretty dumb. Like I figured all this stuff out in like Chapter 3. Ishmael's a fine teacher but The Man doesn't know like anything. But anyway, I've learned we're too portentous but I would rather not learn that from Ishmael, the, yet again, PORTENTIOUS TELEPATHIC GORILLA.
Sorry, Ms. Vitale. I like the book, I just don't like the characters.
In theses parts the laws of nature is discussed further and why takers reject these laws is explored. The takers put their life into their own hands with agriculture and out of the gods. By doing this they arent following the laws of nature that balance an ecosystem to be healthy for everyone involved. The narrator attempts to free ishmael by buying him from the carnival but is unsuccessful. Then they speak of how the takers dont follow the rules of nature and how it causes them to be excluded from evolution. Ishmael tells the narrator why the attitude of civilized people toward the world is a problem. Then ishmael sends the narrator out into the world to be a teacher himself and chagne the world.
ReplyDeletebiology: evolution
that is cute that the narrator will be a teacher himself.
Chris D Period 7
ReplyDeleteSo in chapter 11, they talk about stuff before the agricultral revolution. Then they talk more about how takers are basically playing god and chooseing their own fate and stuff like that while destroying the world around them. They talk more about how takers don't follow rules and how mans way of thinking is what makes them bad. Then Ishmael asks the guy to become a teacher and he says yes
So bio is here cause of evolution and all that stuff they've been talking about.
This chapter didn't really introduce many new ideas, mainly just further explaining the old ones but it was pretty cool