Read Ch.3 & 4, pp.49-75
Post a response by Tuesday 5/27 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.
I have began with an example.
Richard Period 7
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 starts off with Ishmael, who has prepared a 90 minute tape to record the guy's folklore of his doomed culture. The guy gives a quick recap of evolution and the beginning of everything, starting from the big bang. The guy ends off the story with man appeared. After hearing the story, Ishmael tells the guy that the story is full of facts but arranged in a mythical way.Ishmael then tells him a different story, analogous to what just happened between him and they guy, he tells it in the perspective of an anthropologists (representing Ishmael) and a blob (representing the guy). The blob ends off the creation story with the blob appeared. The guy still is lost, confused and somewhat fuming. Ishmael tells the point of the story, why did the blob end off the story with “the blob appeared” like the guy did with “man appeared”. Ishmael states that the evolution earth was not stopped at man. They then go to talk about premise. The guy premise of his story was that the world was made for man, therefore they can do whatever they want with it, and that was what has been happening for the past thousands of years. Ishmael states, in their journey in finding out how things came to be this way, they have completed the beginning, tomorrow he wants to hear the middle. Chapter 4 starts out with the guy, telling the middle of man’s story, which is the agricultural revolution. It was the single event that allowed man to live like man, and not like the lions or wombats. This was the birth of man’s culture. Ishmael asks the guy to imagine a world without man. The guy sees a jungle. Ishmael asks what is man’s purpose. The guy says to straighten things out, so the world isn't a jungle, so it is not an anarchy. Ishmael illustrates, that when man rose, nature defied him. Animals, insects, the weather, all destroyed their crops, man could not command the elements. however, when nature does not submit, Ishmael says that man has to conquer it. Now they have two parts to the story, the world was made for man, and man was made to conquer it and the direct result of the marvels and miseries of today is the price of mankind being an enemy to the world.
In regards to biology, we hear a recap of evolution, from Earth’s broth to the amphibians that evolved million of years ago, to the agricultural revolution up till the point of man today. In short, there is a heavy amount of content on the evolution of life on Earth in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 goes onto the present day effects. Ever since the agricultural revolution, nature’s suffering has gotten worst and worst, and it is because humanity is getting better at manipulating her resources. This part of the book ends off by saying man is the enemy of mother Earth.
After hearing the beginning and middle of man’s story. I assume that the end is the destruction of the planet, or the fall of the man. The middle of man’s story probably ends off with climate or resource levels having a drastic shift that is the direct of result of the pollution and the destruction of the ecosystem caused by man. But that doesn’t sound like a good way to end a book, I’m curious to see how Quinn resolves the end of it. The book does not disappoint so far, I’m awestruck by the analysis of mankind’s history done by Ishmael.
Zack, Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 begins with the man explaining to Ishmael the story of creation in the way it is told to man. He starts from the big bang and ends with “and finally 3 million years ago man appeared.” Ishmael tells the man that what the man just told was a myth and the man doesn’t understand what Ishmael means. Ishmael then goes on to tell a story from the point of view of a jellyfish 500 million years ago. The jellyfish explains how life began and then finally ends with “and finally jellyfish appeared.” After hearing this story the man understands that the story of creation doesn’t necessarily end with man the way the takers believe but it can go beyond that. Ishmael then explains how the takers believe that the whole idea of creation and the reason the world was made was for them to inhabit. The man agrees that this is what everyone believes, no one thinks that anything more complex will become after the evolution of man.
Chapter 4 begins with the man explaining to Ishmael about how humans became the dominant animal and rose up from the monkeys and lions. He says then for 3 million years men had been hunter-gatherers and been forced to constantly migrate in search of food, giving them no time invent things and focus on other matters. But then 10,000 years ago when the agricultural revolution began humans were able to rise up from all the other animals and invoke order upon the world. Ishmael then asks the man to imagine a world without humans and the man imagines a jungle-like place where animals are just killing each other in brutal ways. Ishmael then went on to say that when man first tried to conquer the world the world rose up against him in various ways. Ishmael then says that the result of man conquering the world is a bargain, man gets control of the world but also has to deal with the burden of being resented by every other living creature.
This chapter contains a lot in relation to biology in relation to evolution. The man describes how the universe was formed and gives details about how living things evolved until men evolved.
I found it extremely interesting how Ishmael describes our idea of creation as a myth. At first, I would have said the same thing as the man, that living things evolved until man appeared and now I would probably say the same thing but I would know that humans won’t be the last living thing to evolve, there will be some other creature more complex than us. Additionally, I agree with how Ishmael thinks that humans are the enemies of the world. Before reading this I would have thought that humans are helping the world in so many ways (which they are) but now I know that humans only need to help the world because of the destruction they are causing. For example, we wouldn’t need to try and be so environmentally friendly if didn’t have cars and factories that are destroying the atmosphere. So far, I think this book is alright, I’m interested to see what happens next but I have not been completely hooked in yet.
Matt, Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 kicks it off with everyone's favorite Gorilla presenting the grandiloquent guy with a 90 minute tape, equipped with the necessary tape recording accesories. The well-loved Ishmael asks for the metagrabolized man to retell the taker's story of creation myth. The adored humanoid is incessant on calling it a myth. The fictile fellow tells the crowd-pleasing primate of how the earth came to be, and how the human race was finally formed. To show the gregarious guy the error of his ways, the cherished monkey-like creature retells the story, but substitutes t he humans with jellyfish, and the men with a anthropologist? What is that? "A person with an extensive knowledge of anthropology who uses this knowledge in their work, typically to solve problems specific to humanity" apparently. So the cheeky chap gets it, and returns the next day to tell the tale of how man progressed from the likes of Lions and Wombats (two very specific examples for some reason) to become the cultural fiends they are today. The cherished Gorilla busts his chops again, tells him something about the humans ruling the world, that they were meant to, and that this is how they can justify ruining the earth.
The first thing I picked up on that related to biology was the creation of life on earth. The guy talked about how organic matter was created on the earth's soupy broth long ago. This made me remember when we learned of the Miller-Urey experiment, where they recreated the same conditions in a confined space and received biological molecules from abiotic compounds. One thing I agreed with Ishmael in the story is how the humans, or specifically the Takers can justify ruining the earth, because they were meant to rule it. In human nature in general, people don't care how they effect others if they have dominion over them. It's only when they truly realize that their actions have consequences to themselves do they make an effort to stop. This helps me understand why many people don't make a change today, because they think it won't affect them in their lifetime. Until the people of this earth ditch this corrupt mindset and start making changes that they won't live to see the effects of, the world may never be saved.
nice word choice, buddy
DeleteAbby, Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter three begins with the man listening to a tape recorder that is to help him uncover the story of his culture. Ishmael wants him to be able to pinpoint the story that is everywhere around him and everybody. Its constant buzzing in the background of everyone's lives lets everyone ignore yet acknowledge it at the same time. The tape recording begins with the true beginning of life on Earth, the chemical broth that contained all of the microorganisms that began the evolution up to mankind. Throughout the tape recording, a creature is asked by the anthropologist to describe how the world began. He describes it and he finishes it with the appearance of jellyfish. The tape recording ends at that moment, and the man is baffled. He does not understand how everything could just end with jellyfish. So much more came after jellyfish, they were not the climax of evolution. Ishmael agrees with him and adds that Earth was created for man. It is the unspoken assumption that we were the point of the creation of Earth. They end their lesson with a new assignment. Ishmael wants to hear the middle of the story and the man leaves to go and watch Nova which will further explain the coming of mankind. Then, in chapter four, the man returns to Ishmael, confident that he can tell him the middle of the story. He uses a lion and a wombat for an example. Mankind cannot live like them, at the mercy of their environment. Man was made for more than that. The movement from hunter gatherers to agriculture's in the Fertile Crescent began our spiral towards greatness. Breaking free of our nomadic lifestyle, divisions of labor allowed us to take on our true purpose, to rule the land. We were sent to "straighten things out". Ishmael asks whether the Earth submitted willingly to the rule of mankind, and man answers that they did not. Mother culture tried to destroy all that man was creating, but we still carried on. The lesson ends that day where Ishmael and the man have turned a corner. Mankind as a culture has moved on from the leaders of Earth and will now take on the evil role.
Throughout the past two chapters, Ishmael and the man have focused on the theory of evolution and how things came to be the way they are today. They begin with the microorganisms that developed under the primitive Earth conditions and how over millions of years, organisms were able to come about. They bring up the question of what is the climax of evolution? According to Ishmael and what we know so far, he has told us that mankind is the climax. Earth was made for man and once we arrived, evolution would have been completed. We know today that this is a false statement. Mankind is simply another species in a long line of species. We are not the last to evolve and in a million years from now, we could be considered a primitive species compared to what will evolve from us after we are gone. We are not the last and are definitely not the purpose. I am growing more interested in the book because of how direct it is. To many, I feel like this book could be considered very offensive to many religious beliefs. It directly contradicts religion, creationism, and everything they know and may offend some people. I am interested to see what Ishmael's goal is to achieve with this man and whether or not the man will actually end up taking something away from it.
Maddie, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe guy comes back to Ishmael and sees a tape recorder thats set up. Ishmael soon asks the man about myths and how he thinks creation occurred. He begins to talk about the Big Bang theory and ends with the creation of mankind. Since his story consists of facts, he thinks that it is not a myth. Ishmael tells him a story of a lone anthropologist and how he asks a jellyfish about their creation myth. Like the narrator, the jellyfish ends with himself as the last thing to evolve. This proves the point that people's creation myth thinks humans are the peak of evolution. The next day, the two meet again to discuss the middle of the creation myth they began yesterday. In the early years of Earth, mankind lived like animals because that was the only way they knew how to thrive. Then the agricultural evolution came along and then mankind was able to stay in one place. When Ishmael asks why the world needs mankind, he replies that man tamed the jungle the earth used to be. At the end, they believe that mankind is destroying the earth, like deserts, oceans and more.
This related to biology because the two are discussing evolution. That was a major topic in our class and it is still discussed today. It is very controversial and like Ishmael and the narrator discussed, people think mankind is the climax of evolution, but so did the jellyfish. Also, many things have changed since the beginning of time and mankind has been responsible for many of the most recent changes.
So far, I think this is a very good read. I find it interesting how deep the conversation is when one end is a gorilla and the other is a nameless writer. I like how they address the fact that mankind thinks highly of themselves and how that can be destructive in the end product. I am curious to see how their creation myth ends.
Alexis, period 7
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 3&4 of Ishmael, the man must tell Ishmael what he thinks the creation myth of the human race is. Of course, he doesn’t believe there is a creation myth, because he believes it to be facts. He essentially tells the story of the big bang and the evolution that occurred afterwards, and it is basically what we learned during the Darwinian Evolution unit this year. However, as the man is describing it, it is easy to take a step back and realize how much it sounds like a creation myth. He ends the story with “and finally, man appeared” which always seemed like the end of the story, except that obviously the story of Earth’s evolution won’t end with just humans. When Ishmael puts our story relative to the jellyfish’s story, a lot starts to make sense with how closed-minded the man is. The man simply can’t fathom the idea that the jellyfish could think that evolution would end after its creation, when in fact that’s the exact story that the man is telling to Ishmael. Even when Ishmael keeps repeating, “So Earth was only made for humans?” it seems like the man should be saying no, but he keeps saying yes. The man (with the assistance from Ishmael) comes to the conclusion that the world was made for man and man was made to rule it. Later on, I think that Ishmael is going to lead the man to some great conclusion about mankind and his relationship with Earth, and then prove him wrong. It is going to take the man a long time before he realizes that Earth was not made exclusively for man. This was a big realization for me, because I had never really thought about the topic whether or not Earth’s ultimate goal was solely for human survival. However, after thinking about it, I think there is more to Earth than sustaining human life. After all, it happened billions of years before we came, and will probably happen for billions of years after humans become extinct, as long as we don’t destroy the planet first.
Kira Period 7
ReplyDeleteIshmael has set up a tape recorder for the man and asks him to tell the creation myth of his culture. The man argues that it is not a myth, and Ishmael says to just tell the story and he will see. So the man starts off the general story with the big bang and goes through the solar system and ends at the evolution of humans. Ishmael and the man still argue about whether this is a myth or not, and Ishmael goes on to tell his own story to show an example to the man. He talks about an anthropologist who comes across a blob of life which is a jellyfish and the blob tells his story of his culture and it is very similar to the man's except it ends with the creation of jellyfish, not humans. This makes the man realize that the purpose of the whole formation of Earth and better yet the whole universe was just so man could evolve. Ishmael brings up the Takers again and tells the man that the story the man told is the Taker's story. Ishmael challenges the man the next day to continue to the middle of the story. So the man talks about civilization and how men had to learn to stay in one place and develop agriculture to survive. Ishmael likes this story but still pushes the man to keep going deeper into his story. They talk about what life would be like with no humans and the man says it would be like a jungle with no order. Then he comes to the realization that humans were put on Earth to be rulers and keep order. Still, Ishmael insists he must go further into the story which is when the man compares it to the Takers story. The Takers believe humans were put on Earth to become rulers, however in reality, the man realizes they actually became the enemies.
There is much more biology in these two chapters such as the whole first story told by the man. This consisted of the big bang, the formation of our solar system, and the evolution of other animals and humans. Also, when the two talk about Earth with no humans, there is biology in the sense that when one main predator/destroyer (the humans) disappear, the rest of the populations below it can become overpopulated or underpopulated and order is completely lost.
This section was very thought provoking. When the man told his story I was in complete agreement, however then the gorilla questioned and argued with him and I became less sure of my support for the man's story. When Ishmael makes the man think harder and go further, I feel like I should think harder and go further too. The story-telling and conversation definitely gave me a different outlook on the creation of our Earth and the evolution of humans. I also liked the part where Ishmael asked the man to imagine the world with no humans because it made me picture and think about this scenario as well, and if it would be better or worse than Earth is now. Overall, this story has continued to leave me questioning many things I thought I already knew.
Chris, Period 1
ReplyDeleteThis section begins when the man finds a tape recorder on his chair. Ishmael then asks him to narrate man's creation myth. The protagonist, although initially confused as to what this "myth" is, proceeds to dictate what he believes to be the factual story of the creation of everything; he begins with the big bang, then with the origin of our solar system and our planet, and then with the origin of life, and "finally" ending with the evolution of man three million years ago. When Ishmael prompts the man as to what is mythical about his story, he is confused, and Ishmael attempts to make matters clearer by telling a similar creation myth, ending with the evolution of the jelly fish. The man then realizes through Ishmael's prompting that evolution is an ongoing process and that it has no end, and that it is truly a creation myth. Next, Ishmael asks the man to come up with the middle and end of the creation story. Ishmael explains following the man's response that humans believe that "the world was made for man, and man was made to rule it." As a result, mankind believes that it has the right to "conquer" nature and force it to submit to human rule. Thus, according to this myth, man was made to "rule" the Earth.
This section of the novel relates to the origin of life along with evolution. Ishmael explains that early prokaryotic life gradually evolved into more complex eukaryotes, which then evolved onto land, and through adaptive radiation, led to the species diversity that exists today. Also, Ishmael describes a parasitic relationship between man and the Earth; in order to maintain its wasteful lifestyle, mankind is destroying the planet. This relates back to the sign in Ishmael's room that reads "With Man Gone, Will There Be Hope For Gorilla?"
I think that Ishmael's take on mankind's creation myth was simultaneously provocative yet objective and logical. By comparing man's creation story to that of a jellyfish, it puts our situation in perspective; that mankind is not the end goal of evolution. As a result, Ishmael's belief that man was not created to "conquer" and domesticate the Earth becomes more rational and our practices like burning fossil fuels for personal benefit less so. I am intrigued as to how Ishmael will attempt to enact change through the man.
Before I start with my analysis, I have something to say. You see, I haven’t been entirely honest lately. The cover of the book says that it is “An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit”, heavily implying that in order to get the most out of the book one must take psychedelic drugs, much like the author did. I have taken none, so it may detract from my interpretation of the story. Thank you for understanding.
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 starts off with Dummkopf being instructed to recount the story of man to the gorilla’s tape recorder. To the untrained eye, it would appear that the recording is 90 minutes, as some may say, but to me, a first year undergraduate student studying liberal arts at my local college, I can see that the author had a deeper meaning buried in the text. Ninety-minutes is, in fact, the capacity of the tape recorder, not the amount recorded. It’s also not relevant to anything. Anyway, Dummkopf tells the evolutionary story of how humans came to be and is then smugly questioned by the gorilla. “What’s wrong with this picture, eh buddy boi? :^)))” he seems to ask. Dummkopf guesses that the gorilla didn’t like his usage of the word “appeared” to describe the evolution of humans, but the gorilla pretentiously states that he is not “quibbling” over a word. And if we read a few pages ahead? Yep, turns out this ninny is quibbling over a word. He is displeased with the word “finally”. Goddamn pretentious, hypocritical gorillas… The shyster uses a jellyfish analogy to show that humans aren’t necessarily the end of evolutionary progression, as Dummkopf implied. Dummkopf has an oddly difficult time understanding this and throws a short fit as his feelings of superiority come crashing down. Reveling in Dummkopf’s pain, the gorilla goes on to say that man believes that they own the world and it’s their job in instill order in a primeval world. Anything bad that happens along the way is just the cost of order.
Yeah so there’s some biology when Dummkopf mentions the dates of when certain major evolutionary events happen such as the spawn of life, when the “slime” moved onto land, and the agricultural revolution, if that counts.
I don’t really see what the problem is with thinking we are the superior species as long as we are not pretentious like these two “bustas”. That is, we can’t roll around in our super cool, super sciency Hummers without having a plan for how to stop the resulting environmental problems. Unfortunately, no one actually wants to pay up because they’re busy playing agar.io or buying stocks or staging a coup. There are enough problems going on without the environment to worry about. Despite this, I don’t think I really want significant attention to be diverted to the environment. Granted, I don’t really know anything about the severity of or resources put towards the issue, however I am just hoping some scientists will gradually discover multiple inventions that will alleviate the problem and prevent the heightening of other problems through the diversion of resources.
Aaron, Period 1
DeleteAaron are you okay? Do you need us to make another shrine for you?
DeleteGerard, Period 1
ReplyDeleteThis section begins with the man, whom we still DO NOT know the name of, returning to Ishmael's office and finding a tape recorder. Ishmael tells the man to record the myth of the creation of the earth. The man tells Ishmael that it isn't a myth but Ishmael strongly disagrees and explains why after he records his story. The man tells the story of the Big Bang and of earth vaguely up until the creation of human and then Ishmael tells him this is a myth. To explain his point, Ishmael tells a story about an anthropologist and a jellyfish. The anthropologist asks the jellyfish to state his creation myth. The jellyfish, then, says a similar story to the man's except it ends with the emergence of the jellyfish. Ishmael tells the man that, though he is stating facts, he has arranged them in a way that the pinnacle of evolution was the creation of man. Ishmael then returns to the Takers and Givers theory and says that the Takers believe that the purpose of the earth is to support the existence of the man. Part $ begins with the man returning to Ishmael's office after doing the homework that Ishmael assigned the man in the previous part. The man was supposed to explain the middle of the story of creation. The man goes on to explain that the middle is the point when man were hunter gatherers, and for the man to achieve its destiny it must find a way to not run out of food without moving around, therefore forming agriculture. Ishmael becomes impressed but asks the man to explain more. He asked him why man had to create agriculture and he tells him to imagine the world without man. The man states that it is just jungle and the world was at the mercy of the animals who are on the top of the food chain. This pushes the man into the idea that men were put on earth to conquer it. Ishmael pushes the man to think even more. The chapter ends with the man realizing that the man isn't conquering the world, it is destroying it.
The biology in this chapter consists of the creationism versus evolution theory on a whole different level because the way man presents the topic of evolution is that it is finished and that the pinnacle was the creation of man which it wasn’t. Evolution is still occurring and will keep occurring forever.
I am really enjoying this book a lot and it is very intriguing. These past 2 parts have really taken me into the book and it was very hard to put down. It is a very good read and the book is very very thought provoking. I really enjoy how Ishmael claims that our version of evolution is really a myth and it is just fact in a specific order so that it seems the world was created for man.
Griffin Wyckoff, Period 7
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 starts with the guy back in the room and Ishmael has prepared a tape recorder. The man tells him the story of creation as he starts with the big bang. He finishes off his story with man, only about 3 million years ago. After the story is finished, Ishmael tells the man that the story he told was a myth and not. The man is confused because he stated facts that had been known to the people, like life on earth began 4 billion years ago, yet Ishmael is not pleased with his story. Ishmael then retells the story that the man told except he substitutes man for jellyfish. He makes a comparison with eh stories and tells the man that evolution does not stop with man. Ishmael then asks the man to recreate the middle and end of the story. The man comes back with the middle; he explains that the middle of the story is during the fertile creasing, when man learned to settle down. He explained that they did not have to hunt and gather anymore they could just farm. Ishmael then makes the man realize that man was meant to rule the earth.
This chapter relates to bio because it starts the topic of evolution. It explains that evolution will never truly come to an end. Bio is also seen in the man’s story when he talks about the origins of the universe, organisms and man.
I like how Ishmael explains that the earth was made for man. Most people think it is for man and we all think that every organism has stopped evolving to pave the way for man. We just have not been on the earth for too long, the animals will keep changing unless humans do something to effect their evolution.
Ryan Beier, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe next two chapters focus on the narrator's description of creation and the purpose of man. It starts out with Ishmael wanting to record the narrator's description so he can hear it back to him. The narrator starts to describe the big bang, formation of the solar system, and evolution, stating that humans are the pinnacle of evolution. Ishmael then points out how he only says what his culture finds acceptable. They next converse over the purpose of man and how the entire universe, solar system, and planet have all been created for the purpose of man. Then chapter 4 starts out with the next step in human history which is the agricultural revolution. They something about how the agricultural revolution led to this, which led to that, and how that one event gave humans the idea that they could manipulate any environment to their advantage. The next step would then be to conquer everything on earth, all wildlife, and oceans, then the universe. I could be confusing a little bit of this with chapter 5. Oops.
Biology is definitely relevant in these two chapters, much more so than the first two. They talk about the formation of earth, evolution, they even go into detail about each step of evolution until you get to humans
They talk a lot about how man is the pinnacle of evolution in these two chapters, and how everyone seems to accept and believe that. But I've never believed that, mostly because everything I've learned about evolution ever led me to believe that. Evolution is still happening, and humans have clear flaws that can be fixed through evolution. Maybe I have a different thought about this than everyone else or it could be the difference in times where the book was written and I am reading it.
nice
DeleteKunal Sengupta period 7
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 begins with the narrator finding a Ishmael’s tape recorder and asking what it’s for. Ishmael then asks the narrator to tell him the myth of creation of man. He starts with “ten or fifteen billion years ago,” when the universe began. He then discusses when the solar system was born and when Earth was born. Later he gets into microorganisms evolving into more complex organisms, amphibians evolving into reptiles and so on. Then Ishmael stops him and they discuss how this story of how man came to be is a myth. Ishmael says, “It’s full of facts, of course, but their arrangement is purely mythical.” Then, Ishmael tells a story of an anthropologist telling the same myth to a creature. What Ishmael was trying to convey was that the story was told based on the creatures point of view and that the story the narrator is telling is based of man’s point of view. At the end of Chapter 3, the narrator gets to the core argument that the world was meant for man to live in. This is what Ishmael wanted the narrator to get at the entire time. In Chapter 4, the narrator describes the middle of the myth which was the turning point of man. The middle section of the myth describes up until man discovers how to farm and evolve away from the hunter-gathering culture. This, in turn, allowed man to begin ruling the Earth. Then he goes on in saying how man would be just like any other creature if it weren’t for the agricultural revolution. The first 2 parts of the story are finally complete: the world was made for man, and they made man to conquer and rule it, which they did.
There is a lot more biology in these chapters as it discusses evolution of man in great detail. It starts with the creation of the universe, then the solar system, next the Earth. On Earth, first came the simple, unicellular organisms, then complex multicellular water-living organisms. After one thing led to another, humans came onto the Earth. These two sections were very insightful as it made the reader think about man’s style of life for the past thousand years or so. Ishmael’s perspective on man’s creation myth is very interesting as it questions man’s place in the world. It presents the reader with the question of “are humans greater than every other animal on the planet or are we equal to every other animal on the planet?” I am excited to see how the end of the myth will play out.
Sarah, Period 7
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 starts with the man listening to a tape recorder that has been set up by Ishmael. Ishmael then asks the man about the myth of creation to which the man tells him that he does not in fact believe it is a myth. The man then proceeds to talk about the Big Bang Theory. In response, Ishmael tells the man a story about the evolution of jellyfish. The man sees the two organisms (jellyfish and human) line up because in both stories, the organism being discussed is the last one to evolve. The next day, Ishmael and the man meet up and Ishmael convinces the man to go to the middle of the story. The man then brings up the Agricultural Revolution and its importance in society. The two then go on to talk about what a world without humans would be like. They eventually come to the conclusion that the purpose of humans on the planet is to keep order. Ishmael still has his mind set on digging even deeper into the story. The man then goes on to compare humans to the Takers, similar to how Ishmael compared humans to jellyfish.
There is a lot of biology in these two chapters, much more so than the first two. First, Ishmael and then man continue to discuss the theory of evolution and creation. Evolution is the driving force in biology. In addition, both the man and Ishmael compare the human species to other species’ which is something that is often done in biology. Finally, the Agricultural Revolution is mentioned. We discussed in class how this revolution was a MAJOR turning point in society, and also in the study of biology.
I think the book so far is very interesting. When Ishmael is encouraging the man to dig deeper into the story, I find myself thinking with the man and digging into the story myself. This is forcing me to think in a completely different way because my brain is being prompted to think about things that I don’t normally think about on a daily basis.
will period 7
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of chapter three, the narrator finds Ishmael with a tape recorder. He tells the man that he wants to record him telling him about the myth of evolution. They argue about whether or not evolution is a myth, and eventually Ishmael proves to him that it is. Ishmael talks to him about the perspective of the story of evolution and how it is focused on man. People believe only what they have been told about evolution and don’t think for themselves. Ishmael tells him how “Takers,” like people, think that the earth was made for them and that everything on the planet revolves around them. Ishmael has the man write a paper and find out why man has to be in charge of the earth and more significant than the other animals. His findings were mostly about the agricultural revolution.
I find this all really relatable because I have the same sort of beliefs. I care a lot about the environment and I am very into the outdoors. I feel like very religious people generally believe that god created the earth for them, and that everything around them in nature is for them to take. I was once talking to a man about bog turtles, an species of turtle, and he was angry that farmers could not use areas that they inhabited. I told him that the turtles where something worth protecting and that it was not worth destroying a species for a farm field. The man just did not understand, and he talked about how god put the things on the earth for a man to take and that a man’s success farming is more important than the turtles. I disagreed with the fact that an individual’s success in life is somehow more important than an entire species of turtle, just because he is a person. In another situation, I was talking to a man during a car ride about how concerning it was to me that they were developing the nearby woods. I talked about how once people take something away from nature, they could not put it back as intricately as it was before. The man asked why it mattered that we take away the woods. He said that he was a humanist and that he only cared about the success of the human race. He asked me, “Why does one plant species, or one animal species that has no effect on humans whatsoever even matter to keep alive?” I responded by saying that all the animals in the system where connected and that they are somehow connected to us. This is partially the truth, but why do we need a reason to save a species, other than that it is something special? This shows how selfish people are, and how inconsiderate they are of other animals in the world.
Owen, Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapters 3 and 4 begin with Ishmael giving the man a tape recorder and wanting him to recount man's creation myth. The man begins with the big bang, then explaining the slow process of evolution of bacteria, amphibians, mammals etc. He concludes the "myth" with the evolution of humans, what many believe to be the pinnacle of evolution and the central event in history. However, Ishmael explains that humans are not where the story ends, just where humans choose to leave it. He discusses that humans believe the world to be their's, that it was created for them and how they do with it what they please. This is a concept the man slowly begins to understand. Chapter 4 explores man rise from just another species living in the world, to becoming the "owners" of it. The man then further expands upon the idea of man conquering the rest of the world as it mankind's destiny, to end the chapter.
Biology becomes much more prominent in these 2 chapters as they talk about how the Earth came to be, as well as the evolution of several organisms. It is also mentioned that evolution is something that will not simply end with humans, it is something that will continue on forever.
I find Ishmael's views on humans to be very interesting. It is true that as humans, we think that the world is ours and that we can do whatever we want with the world as it is ours to conquer. And as a result we are destroying the earth in the process. It was also intriguing when Ishmael brought up the fact that evolution will continue on after humans, as I never really thought about humans evolving and changing.
Grace Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe man returns to Ishmael where there is a tape recorder waiting for him. Ishmael asks the man to start the tape recorder and tell the story of his creation myth but the man seems to think that it is not a myth but fact. The man then starts the story of the big bang theory and how things evolved from little itty bitty things in the ocean all the way until humans were evolved which according to him was when the story ended. All of evolution led up to the creation of man. But then Ishmael tells a story of how jellyfish though the world evolved and how they thought it all led up to them which obviously is not true. Then Ishmael says that the Takers just think that the purpose of earth is to support man. The man’s homework was to explain the middle of the story of creation so then he returns to Ishmael with his homework done. The man explains it as the hunters and gatherers and the creation of agriculture. Ishmael asks why there was agriculture and what the earth would be like without man. The man says that it would just be controlled by the animals at the top of the food chain so the man thinks humans were put on earth to rule it. At the end the man realizes that the humans are destroying the world.
The biology part of these sections are is the story of evolution told by the man. These sections really make you think because Ishmael tells the story of the talking jellyfish and it’s all about perspective. The man also realizes that we are destroying the planet not making it better or conquering it so that’s just a real punch in the face because he thought man was all powerful but really earth would be a lot better off without us.
Patrick Moriarty Period 7
ReplyDeleteThis mysterious man goes back to Ishmael and and listens to a tape recorder. This tape recorder tells the story of humans and life on earth. The Gorilla and the man get into an argument about the recording. Ishmael says evolution is not real, however the man says Ishmael is real. Ishmael eventually wins over the man and the man is assigned homework. I have no idea why this man would ever due homework that was assigned to him by a Gorilla but I guess he did. The man comes to a conclusion that humans where put onto the earth to RULE THE WORLD however he later realizes that man is actually destroying the world. The man comes to the conclusion that man is destroying earth and that this beautiful earth would be better without humans and with just animals who do not know how to perform agriculture. Agriculture lead to the dominance of man because instead of a hunters and gatherers community people began forming civilizations where they could communicate and learn new methods of survival and further improve their brains.
I forgot to include that this pertains to biology because it explains evolution and Mr. Darwin would definitely approve because he loves evolution.
DeleteAlso I am not interested in the book because, well... I just do not like to read things in general, however if I enjoyed reading things then I would definately love the book
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnna Period 1
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 3 and 4, Ishmael gives the guy a tape because he wants him to record him telling the myth of evolution. The guy and Ishmael argue on whether or not evolution is a myth. The guy discusses the big bang theory and then Ishmael tells him the story on the jelly fish and human. The middle is when humans no longer became hunter-gatherers. Then Ishmael then proceeds to discuss how humans are not the end but that humans must determine when to leave it.
Compared to chapters 1 and 2, this section is much more relatable to biology. Jellyfish and humans are discussed. More prominently, evolution is thoroughly discussed and debated in these chapters. Ishmael and the guy discuss that evolution will not necessarily end with humans because it is never ending.
Personally, I believe that Ishmael's view on humans to be very interesting. As humans, we generally believe that we have control over Earth and the universe. However, Ishmael teaches the guy that evolution will continue and the human race with continue on despite us. It puts the human life in perspective.
Clare Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe next time the narrater visits Ishmael, the gorilla has a tape recored with him. He records the narrater explaining the creation of Earth and eventually humans. He claims the story of the creation of the Earth is not a myth; Ishmael disagrees. Ishmael imagines an anthropologist interviewing a blob of life on early Earth. The blob claims evolution had reached its climax at the creation of jellyfish. Through Ishmael’s explanation, the narrator realizes that the Taker’s culture is that Earth has been created to support human life. He also says that the middle part of the story of the Taker culture is when humans had to develop agriculture to survive. Ishmael claims the next part of the story is that humans have been put on Earth to rule it, but have actually destroyed it and become its enemy.
This relates to biology because it ay explain why humans have destroyed our environment: because we do not think of other organisms or the Earth that has been created.
I agree with Ishmael when he says humans have destroyed out planet. (ex: burning fossil fuels)
Awesome Aissa, Period 1
ReplyDeleteQuick Recap (incase you have forgotten where we left off): The guy=Wido. Ishmael=The Huge Gorilla That Likes Bamboo And Is Disconcertingly Smart , or THGTLBAIDS for short.
At the beginning, Wido proved to be a disappointment to his forefathers as he couldn’t think of a creation myth. However, after a lot of prompting from THGTLBAIDS, he finally realized that “no creation story is a myth to the people who tell it. It’s just the story” (Quinn 50), and talks about the scientific theory of evolution, ending with the creation of man. Big no no. Immediately, THGTLBAIDS tells him off for being conceited and simple minded, and points out that mankind falsely believes that we are the final product of evolution and that the world was made for us to do with what we will. In the next chapter, Wido is challenged to expand on the mythology of mankind, using the idea that the earth was made for man as the ‘ultimate creature’. After watching Nova (a show that started in 1974 and is STILL ON PBS!), Wido comes up with a pretty elaborate continuation of the story of evolution, in which man was forced to become agriculturalists in order to develop into a position of power compared to all other creatures who are living “at the mercy of the world” (Quinn 68). Once again, THGTLBAIDS pulls an Inception on him and takes things 1 level deeper, as he challenged Wido to think about what this would mean for the Destiny of Man. That’s when THGTLBAIDS drops the real bomb, and states that the new hypothesis is that the world was made for man, and man was made to conquer and rule it. BOOM! MIND=BLOWN! Only Wido is too much of a loser to appreciate his teachings and is creepily stoic about the whole thing because he secretly wants to be Elsa from Frozen (conceal don’t feel, don’t let it show~)
These two chapters were chock full of references to biology, mainly to the scientific theory of evolution. As Wido correctly states, “life appeared in the chemical broth of our ancient oceans” (Quinn 51). Throughout the chapter, he talks about the big-bang theory, an outdated theory called the “steady-state” theory (which states that the universe has no beginning and no end, and looks the same at all times), and the formation of the solar system, atmospheres, and, eventually, life itself.
I found these chapters infinitely more appealing than the first two, probably because we’re finally starting to get to the meat of the plot. Also, I have been reading it for so long that i’ve managed to essentially forget the fact that THGTLBAIDS is telepathic, which helps me take the story more seriously. One example I really liked was the story about the jellyfish’s version of evolution (“Man’s appearance caused no more stir than the appearance of a jellyfish” (Quinn 57)). I thought that was a really interesting way to word an idea that, I suppose, I had always been aware of, but had never really stopped to consider before. Also, THGTLBAIDS subtly mentioned that Wido is a writer, which completely took me by surprise. With his cynical, “I hate everything" persona, I find it a bit surprising that he is an author. Maybe he’s like Edgar Allan Poe and he only writes dark gothic stories and plans to marry his 13 year old cousin as soon as he turns 26.
really
Deleteis this a joke?
Deletethis is something you are submitting to a teacher
think about what you are doing
Aaron shut your face. My entry is a classic for the ages.
DeleteChris Heckelman Period 7
ReplyDeleteSo the narrator returns to his condescending telepathic gorilla teacher and finds that he has set up a tape recorder for him. Not sure how, seeing that Ishmael is behind glass, but I guess I can't complain because he is a magic gorilla. Also the tape would only play the narrator talking to himself, which doesn't help my whole schizophrenia theory for him. Then they have a discussion where Ishmael asks a series of leading questions and nitpicks all of the narrators statements to make himself feel smarter. This is all about the "Takers" theory of creation, because apparently the "Leavers" are too smart for humans. Then all of a sudden the narrator has a Jimmy Neutron brain blast and suddenly realizes that the world isn't made for him, and that cutting down and destroying the Earth is bad.
In these chapters there is quite a bit about evolution, seeing how one chapter is the narrator retelling his same theory while Ishmael sat smuggly telling him he was wrong.
In the first couple of chapters, I recognized the potential for greatness in this novel. It has not lived up to expectations. Let's start off by talking about how condescending the author is. Daniel Quinn sees himself as Ishmael, and us as the narrator. He doesn't even bother giving us a name. He assumes that every reader selfishly believes the world was created for them, and that evolution has stopped now that humans exist. He also takes offense at humans trying to control their habitats, because apparently apex predators shouldn't survive. This books seems as if it were written after this guy got into a heated debate about religion, went home, and while taking a shower or something a couple of weeks later thought about all the questions he should have asked that would have totally schooled his opposition. Do I disagree with what the author writes? No. Do I disagree with how he writes it? Yes. It shouldn't take a magic telepathic gorilla to teach people that destroying the Earth is bad.
Jess, Period 1
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 3-4 Ishmael asks "the guy" to tell him about the myth of creation. The guy insists that there is none, but as the chapters go on he realizes he is really wrong. I would also like to point out that Ishmael is quite condescending for a gorilla. Ishmael condescendingly asks him to try again at telling the creation myth, and this time the guy actually tries. Ishmael tells him that all he is doing is spouting what "Mother Culture" says (condescending) They delve into stories where man is the sole reason for the universe. Even though this gorilla is rather rude, I do agree with him. Man is just a small part in the universe, definitely not the pinnacle.
In relation to Biology, they talk quite a bit about the big band theory and what it entails. They also talk about evolution, something that we have covered in our class.They finish chapter 4 talking about the end of the "story", how man swooped in and "saved" the world, or so they thought. The chapter ends with Ishmael saying that the story casts man as the enemy of the world.
Overall I am enjoying this book, but I really am not a fan of a telepathic gorilla. Now I agree with almost everything that is being said, but a telepathic gorilla? Even a gorilla that could talk would make more sense, I just feel like I'm being lied to. Other than that, I did enjoy these two chapters much more than the first two, mainly because I forgot the gorilla was telepathic and for some reason that made the book better.
As I look through the comments I am seriously thinking of writing a letter to the Daniel Quinn about our hatred of telepathic gorillas.
Kate Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 starts off with a new day of teaching. The narrator walks in to a tape recorder on the chair in the room and Ishmael tells him that is to record the narrator's creation myth. The narrator says it is not a myth, but continues with the explanation of the big bang theory, and ending with the formation of humans. Then the narrator and Ishmael argue as to whether or not it is a myth. Then Ishmael tells his own creation myth which is almost the same as the narrator's yet this story ended with the formation of jellyfish as opposed to humans. The narrator learns that his creation myth revolved around humans and that that was the basis of the Takers' culture: earth was created for humans.
In chapter 4, Ishmael begins his lesson the next day with the hunter-gathering period of humankind followed by the discovery of agriculture and civilization. He questions the narrator as to why humans needed to conquer the world. The narrator then notices that the Takers thought they were put on Earth to fulfill their destiny of conquering everything, but really they destroyed everything.
These two chapters correlate to biology and the theory of evolution, because it provides a deeper understanding and viewpoint of why it has mapped out this way: the humans are a major reason for the extinction of many species because of its craving to rule over everything.
For me, this novel is progressing slowly and I prefer more fast-paced novels. However, this story is unlike anything I have ever read and at some points it is very interesting. For example, the thought that humankind's selfish acts will cause the destruction of the world.
Savannah Period 1
ReplyDeleteIn chapters three and four of Ishmael, they explore the human creation myth much more. The man comes in not being able to have discovered a creation myth, but eventually accounts the beginning of the story into the tape recorder. This includes the birth of the universe and planets and life. Life began to evolve until eventually, man was created. Ishmael then points out that this evolutionary theory is a myth, using the analogy of a jellyfish. The jellyfish accounts the same story as the man did, but the evolution ended with the jellyfish. This points out that men's creation myth is that the humans were the end of all evolution, which is in fact, false. Nothing stopped within its evolutionary tract with the creation of humans, as Ishmael points out. He then goes on to state that the universe was created for man. This was the myth set up by humans. The man then goes on to tell the middle of the story. This states that man began as any other wild animal, but then realized he could take advantage of its environment. Then, all beginning in the Fertile Crescent, man began to expand its technology until we created science and trade and commerce and literacy. The "big moment" at which man noticed agriculture, was the creation of culture. After a very long time, the man is able to notice that man's destiny is to conquer the world and he realizes he hears this multiple times a day. This comes together to show that man has to fulfill his destiny and conquer the world around him. This makes mankind the enemy of the world.
This relates to biology as it shows the theory of evolution. These chapters involve a lot of description of our theory of evolution, including the creation of life and what not. It also includes the evolution of man.
This section of the book really started to get me interested. I have really begun to look into the environment around me. It got me thinking about what man was doing to the earth and has already changed me a bit. I am starting to care more about the environment around me, not just in relation to mankind. I used to think of everything in relation to man and to the environment and the world in relation to what man is doing to it. However, after reading this book, I realize that man is not the sole provider of the universe and, although it is elementary, the world does not revolve around man. This book has really got me to think already and I am very excited to see what happens next and learn more about how to change my point of view.
Ryan, period 1
ReplyDeleteMy previous comment got deleted and I have no idea how, but here's try number 2:
In chapters 3&4, the guy and Ishmael meet again, this time with a tape recorder in place. Ishmael tries to convince the guy that his entire culture's idea of creation is just a myth. Ishmael uses an entertaining tale about a jellyfish. The jellyfish describes how the world was made for the jellyfish, and everything evolved beforehand was meant to precede the jellyfish, and there would be no more creation after the jellyfish. Ishmael finally gets the guy to understand. After getting the man on board with this theory, Ishmael shamelessly delves into more complex ideas such as the fact that man believes the world was created for men and we were meant to rule it. The world is seen as our oyster; humans can do whatever they want to do with earth because it was created for them. The guy slowly becomes accustomed with the idea that man's idea of creation is a myth.
There's a lot of biology in these two chapters. It covers evolution in that prokaryotes evolved before eukaryotes. These chapters allude to the evolution of man from hunter gatherers to farmers. The agricultural revolution was discussed for a little. It was the starting point for man's conquest.
I like the book so far. It has a lot of truth in it. It's weird to think of how we see the world, and realizing that everything we know is basically a myth. I believe it. It makes sense; Ishmael is already making a great deal of sense in only four chapters. These two chapters really can open a reader's eyes. I'm pretty excited to read more.
Patience Period 7
ReplyDeleteThis is my short summary of chapters 3 and 4 due on Tuesday May 26
Basically what happens in these chapters is that the talking gorilla educates the unnamed man on why evolution is a myth not a fact. When the unnamed man first returns to the talking gorilla he finds a tape recorder and is asked to record their discussion. When Ishmael mentions that the creation theory is but a myth, the unnamed man becomes oppositional and claims that evolution is a fact and that everything has led up to mankind. Ishmael explains that when jellyfish evolved and adapted they could have thought that evolution had led up to their existence and that that was the purpose of evolution. This shows the unnamed man how how mankind believes itself to be the peak of all things living and that there is no other purpose for organisms to evolve because obviously nothing is better than man. The man then realise that evolution never ends and that the myth is that it is never over. The next day they discuss how man believes that mankind was made for earth and that earth was made to be ruled by man. the myth in creation myth is that man is the purpose of evolution and now that man exists it is man's duty to rule the Earth. A mankind empire by way of evolution is a myth.
We finally got some biology in this section because it discusses evolution. I was afraid that this would be one of those school books that has nothing to do with class but is simply a teacher's favorite so we are forced to read it. I am relieved to find out this book makes sense to be read in biology class because of its connection to using scientific data and understand to theorize on evolution.
I would not say I’m interested in the book simply because I do not like reading and avoid it at all costs because of chronic migraines that are triggered by reading. Although if someone were to summarize this book in about 5 minutes I would say I would most likely not walk away.
Sam, Period 7
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 begins with the narrator arriving at the office for another session with Ishmael. When the narrator arrives, a tape recorder is out to record his account of the creation myth. The narrator describes the birth of the universe and the big bang, the formation of the solar system, as well as the evolution of life on Earth, ending with the evolution of man. After telling this story, Ishmael tells his own version of the creation myth, however instead of humans he ends with the evolution of jellyfish. Ishmael then tells the narrator that the takers' culture says that the Earth was made for the humans. Finally, the narrator realizes that there is never an end to the creation myth and that it is an ongoing process. Ishmael then tells the narrator to come up with the next part of the taker culture. In the following chapter the narrator returns to the office and describes the next parts of the taker culture and describes the periods where humans were hunters and gatherers and when they learned the secret to agriculture. After hearing this, Ishmael challenges the narrator to keep describing the myth, until the narrator realizes that the humans are destined to conquer and destroy everything in the world. The humans are the worlds greatest enemy.
This section of the novel relates to biology and the theory of evolution because the narrator and Ishmael talk about the formation of the universe and the solar system, and evolution and the build up to the present humans.
Throughout the first four chapters, Ishmael and the narrators discussions on the topics of evolution as well as human nature have opened my eyes. For example, it is in our nature to believe we are the center of the universe and everything should revolve around us, however we are very very insignificant and the Earth will not stop spinning when we die off. When you look through history, it is marked with the conquering and destruction of vast civilizations. Although many people would like to change this, it is in our nature to cause destruction. This outlook on the world can be applied in the past, present and future when evaluating the decisions of civilizations.
Kate Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 opens with a tape recorder. This tape recorder, brought by Ishmael, is there to record what the guy offers as the creation myth that he was assigned to find in his last meeting. What makes this chapter different it that the conversation is less one-sided, and more active teaching than telling a story. The guy tells the story of how the planet Earth came about 10-15 billion years ago, and 4 billion years ago life formed, and 3 million years ago humans evolved. And that was it. According to the guy, the story ends with humanity. Everything, as he describes it, leads up to the development of people. This is the basis of the culture of the takers. This is exactly what Ishmael takes issue with; the story of the Earth does not end with humans. To explain this truth, Ishmael tells the story of an anthropologist who interviewed the Jellyfish, before humans even came to be. The jelly fish thought that the story of creation ended with the jellyfish, which was obviously not so. Thus, the guy’s creation story was in fact myth written by mother culture. In chapter 4, Ishmael gives a lesson on the changing forms of humankind since their creation: From hunter-gatherers to civilized beings who support themselves through agriculture. At that point, humans rose up, dominating other animals, to become the ruling life form. Ishmael questions, why do humans feel the need to conquer the earth? Unfortunately, there is a bargain involved. In return for dominance, humans have to shoulder the burden of the resentment of all other animals.
At this point, biology comes into play while discussing the creation of life and it’s evolution. The book mentions the time periods in which the earth, life, and humans were created. This would remind any biology student of how cool it is that life formed from abiotic molecules. The book also talks about the dominance of humankind. This is due to the fact that humans have no real predators, and few limiting factors.
My favorite part so far is chapter 3.The idea that the story of earth does not begin or end with humankind. There is much more to come, and much has come before us. That being said, it’s a little dry. Humor could be added.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKatie, Period 7
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 3 and 4 the Man and the Gorilla further explore our culture's "creation myth," which they conclude is the theory of evolution told in such a way as to place man at the top of any hierarchy in the universe, and pit him against all other living creatures, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that is hurtling us toward doom. Ishmael points out the biases inherent in all our most sacredly "objective" beliefs and suggests that one hurdle to our figuring-out-life is our refusal to consider that we may have something in common with, something to learn from, the (rest of the) animal kingdom. He says we're not exempt from the laws of gravity or aerodynamics, so why should our special-snowflake-ness render the secret of life (as discovered and practiced by other, "lowly" animals on the food chain) irrelevant to us?
The "story of how things came to be this way" has begun to involve a lot of biology, such as the "primordial soup" (or something) that he described the primitive earth as, or the evolution of complex life forms and speciation and food webs.
I am really digging this book because it's really interesting and insightful; I must say I find it kind of condescending at times, but this is a fault I'm willing to forgive considering this is all supposed to be coming from a telepathic zen gorilla guru.
Oops I guess this was actually chapter 6
Deletechris d period 7
ReplyDeleteOk so, chapter 3 starts with the guy walking in and a tape recorder is just sitting out on the desk. So Ishmael tells him to tell him his creation story but the man didn’t really understand at first, but then he got it. The man basically explained the whole story from the beginning of the universe to when man is created. And now Ishmael tells him the same story but ends with a jellyfish instead of a human. So now the man realizes that the worlds story keeps going past man. So then the next day, Ishmael gets him to describe the culture of the takers and basically the takers just want to conquer the earth because it’s their purpose, but while conquering it they are destroying it. Then at the end of chapter 4, Ishmael basically drops the mic, saying that man is the worlds biggest enemy.
So these 2 chapters relate to bio because they talk about evolution and the creation of humans and other species. And how we got to our current day world.
I think its really interesting because it really makes you think about how self-centered and ignorant humans really are. All they think about is themselves but really, they are just another species of animals. We aren’t any more special than any other animals, if anything we are worse cause we destroy anything in our path. Like dogs are just happy little animals, they don’t litter, they don’t cause climate change, they just wanna play and be happy.
The next two chapters were largely about what the narrator thought of creation. Ishmael points out a difference between fact and myths as the narrator describes man-kinds purpose in the universe and how the world came to be what it is. Again Ishmael guides the narrator by telling a story about the jellyfish's evolution and comparing it to humans myths on their evolution and recording what the narrator has been taught by culture about the creation of man-kind and its purpose.
ReplyDeleteThese chapters spoke a lot about religion verse evolution and what caused the planet to be the way it is and what would happen if other species thrived instead of humans.
It is a thought provoking book but these chapters felt a little repetitive and convoluted.
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters, the gorilla explains to the man why evolution is a myth rather than a fact. However, the man disagrees and says it is a fact. Ishamael uses a jellyfish as an example of evolution not being real. Then, they discuss that man thinks they rule the Earth and the Earth was made to be ruled by man. The biology used in this section talks about evolution. It relates to everything we learned in the evolution chapters and uses vocabulary words that we know such as evolution and creationism. I like this book. I think it brings up important points that challenge everything that we’ve learned this year.
Betsy Ellison, Period 1
ReplyDelete(I'm also rewriting this paragraph)
Ishmael asks the narrator to tell his version of the story of creation. The narrator is baffled. He proves Ishmael's point by not believing that his understanding of history could be anything but the facts. He also believes wholeheartedly that the entirely of history has been leading up to the evolution of the human. Ishmael tells him the story of a jellyfish in the beginning of time who also believed itself to be the pinnacle of evolution, but to the narrator, this doesn't seem to be getting through. What Ishmael means is that "Mother Culture" has been feeding the guy a lie about civilization, and that his understanding of his place in the world is entirely wrong. In chapter 4, the narrator tells the story of the universe again, on a tape recorder. Again, he ends with the birth of agriculture and humans. Ishmael explains to the narrator that the humans/Takers see themselves as constant;y having to conquer their world, and believe that that is their destiny-- that the world will be ruined, Ishmael doesn't believe this is true, and that this is a result of the errors of human culture.
Evolution is a major theme in these chapters-- the evolution of the universe is core to biology (duh). However, Ishmael talks more about the philosophical rather than scientific side of evolution, which is interesting, because in class we stuck to the facts more. Ishmael also brings up anthropology, to a slight extent
Again, I've already read ahead of these chapters, because I'm rewriting this now. But here is when the book starts to get a little convoluted. The narrator has always bothered me-- I find him excruciatingly boring and slow. But Ishmael himself is taking on a very superior tone, and uses a lot of words to say very little. Even if i don't necessarily believe what he is saying, i can appreciate that we're pushing our boundaries by reading this, as this isn't the kind of book you would read in English class. The ideas are interesting, whether or not you buy into them. But I'm not a fan of the style of the book.