The Seven Da Vincian Principles: Sfumato (“Going up in Smoke”)- A Short Essay

“O men of Athens, that God only is wise; and in this oracle he means to say that the wisdom of men is little or nothing; he is not speaking of Socrates, he is only using my name as an illustration, as if he said, He, O men, is the wisest, who, like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing.”

Socrates, Apology

(Painting by Leonardo Da Vinci)

Michael J. Gelb introduces the Da Vincian principle Sfumato as an approach to uncertainty where one takes that feeling of uncertainty and turns uncertainty to a quest for knowledge. Throughout the chapter, Gelb mostly explores how Da Vinci used this feeling of uncertainty as part of his drive to learn everything. For example, Da Vinci was fascinated with people who had facial disfigurement and, unlike the people of his time, he was drawn to them and sketched them. Da Vinci’s innate desire to embrace uncertainty can also be seen in his painting “Mona Lisa,” where her smile is purposefully ambiguous and leaves the observer wondering about the woman in the portrait.

Socrates, in Plato’s Apology, espouses a similar appreciation of the unknown, aptly pointing out that true wisdom comes from an understanding of the unknown. Socrates asserts that those who think they are wise are never truly wise; only by acknowledging that there are many things that you do not know can you open your mind and allow yourself to truly be wise.

Both Socrates and Da Vinci’s understanding of the unknown, that it should be embraced in order to truly understand the world, is a powerful concept. It is the reason why ideas and fears stemming from fear of the unknown, such as racism, fail the test of logic. It’s why thinking that you know the answer sometimes leads you to miss what is truly important. Sometimes the answer to your problem lies in first acknowledging that you do not know the answer. Clearing up your mind past assumptions and preconceived notions can clear the path to the right answer.

Post Submitted by: Jesse Chiang

Monday Money: There’s no right answer. Just a well argued one.

In the spirit of my Da Vinci post this week, I encourage students to embrace the lack of a definitive answer when writing any sort of paper. Yes, there are guidelines to your paper (centered around the prompt) and of course there are tips that will help you write a better paper (check the other Monday Money posts). However, tips and “rules” do not lead you to one argument and one answer. Some questions have more than one answer. What your “correct answer” is depends on your interpretation of the evidence and your personal perspective. Thus, it is not a matter of finding the right answer or finding what your professor wants to read; writing is about presenting a well-rounded argument.

Take the above picture for example. Is the picture a rabbit or is it a duck? If you look at the picture from left to right, chances are you are going to say, at least initially, that the above picture is of a duck based upon the initial recognition of the duck’s beak. If you look at the picture from right to left, chances are you think the picture is a rabbit, based upon the initial recognition of the rabbit’s face from that perspective. As you can see there really is no right answer to what the artist of the above picture wanted to portray.

There are however ways to prove your point. For example, if you looked up the artist of the “duck or rabbit” and discovered the artist was American, you could argue that the picture is meant to be read left to right just as any American text would be read. If you wanted to argue that the “duck or rabbit” picture is a rabbit, you can argue that it is art and not a text. Therefore, the picture is not subject to reading standards from the artist’s country of origin. You could argue that the “knot” in the back of the head of the duck is clearly a mouth and therefore, when given the choice between a genetically mutated duck (with two mouths) and a regular rabbit, the odds favor the artist intentionally drawing a rabbit.

Either way neither answer is particularly better than the other. It is more about how you set up your argument, how you write your paper, and how well you understand the primary substance you are analyzing. Often times your professor is not asking you to solve world hunger in five pages or explain the life of a man in ten pages. Your professor just wants to see how well you understand the content and if you can connect the material to a broader question the course seeks to answer.

In the end there is not right answer, just a well argued answer.

Post Submitted by: Jesse Chiang

Daily Word: manifest

manifest
–adjective
clear or obvious to the eye or mind : the systems’s manifest failings.

–verb [trans.]
display or show (a quality or feeling) by one’s acts or appearance; demonstrate : Ray manifested signs of severe depression.

• (often be manifested in) be evidence of; prove : bad industrial relations are often manifested in disputes and strikes.
• [instrans.] (of an ailment) become apparent through the appearance of symptoms : a disorder that usually manifests in middle age.
• [intrans.] (of a ghost or spirit) appear : one deity manifested in the form of a bird.

SYNONYMS: (verb) display, show, exhibit, demonstrate; (adjective) obvious, clear, plain

Free Speech Friday: State of the Union Address 2011

One of the most recent speeches I had the opportunity to listen to was President Obama’s State of the Union Address for 2011.  Below are two links, the first being a summary of the highlights of his speech, and the second being the actual speech, which is around one hour long.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2011/01/22/VI2011012203303.html

President Obama’s strong speech delivery skills are inspirational, especially for those who are well-versed in public speaking or are striving to gain those skills. It’s interesting that I came across this speech because at WSP we just learned public speaking skills (shout out to Sahra Nguyen and Miqi Cos!) and improvements, so it was great to see the skills put into action.

Hope you enjoy!

Post submitted by Casey O’Neill

Daily Word: populist

populist

–noun
a member or adherent of a political party seeking to represent the interests of ordinary people

• a person who holds, or is concerned with, the views of ordinary people
• (Populist) a member of the Populist part, a U.S. political party formed in 1891 that advocated the interests of labor and farmers, free coinage of silver, a graduated income tax, and government control of monopolies

–adjective
of or relating to a populist or populists : a populist leader

Daily Word: narrative

narrative
–noun
a spoken or written account of connected events; a story : the hero of his modest narrative.

• the narrated part or parts of a literary work, as distinct from dialogue
• the practice or art of narration : traditions of oral narrative.

–adjective
in the form of or concerned with narration : a narrative poem.

SYNONYMS: account, chronicle, history, description, record

Thursday Take-Off: Team Supreme?

The sports world is often a buzz about who will win MVP, Rookie of the Year or the coveted Championship Ring. I have recently had the privilege of attending a few NBA games and I wonder what prize is most important to me. Lebron James and his friends showed that they believe that the Championship Ring would mean more than anything when they moved to Miami. Blake Griffin is doin’ his thing with a team that hasn’t won a Championship Ring in decades, but he is the star player of the Clippers (fans argue about whether to chant “MVP” or “Rookie of the Year” every time he steps on the paint). Would I rather be a part of a team certain to win even though my talents will be lost in a group of equally talented players? Would I rather be the star player of a lower-ranked team? This question may apply to folks applying to grad school programs, professional schools, or new jobs. What do you think?

Posted by: Tiffany

Wednesday Word: Tiger Mom

Amy Chua’s child rearing tips are the talk of the town.  Her article in the Wall Street Journal is just a small glimpse into her methodologies and practices as a mother.  Her new book entitled Battle Hymns of the Tiger Mother is a conversation starter.  Chua is a professor at Yale who is raising two daughters.  Her daughters are straight-A students who win music competitions.  She claims that this is no accident.  Instead she credits “Chinese motherhood” as the reason behind her daughter’s achievements.  The Chinese Mom she describes is strict and does not allow her children to attend sleepovers, to be involved in school plays, or to question why they are not allowed to do these things.  The Chinese Mom she describes accepts nothing less than the best, without question of why being the best matters.  Chua sites loose Western parenting as the reason why so many children in America are underachieving.  Her comments have sparked differing opinions from critics and supporters alike.   Whether or not you agree with Chua, we can all agree on one thing–the controversy surrounding Chua’s article reflects the growing anxiety in the face of China’s rise to power.

Here is the original Wall Street Journal article written by Amy Chua:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html

Post Submitted by: Layhannara Tep

Daily Word: Precocious

Precocious

–Adjective
Exceptionally early occurrence or development: The young man had a precocious puberty and developed beard far before his peers even had whiskers.

• Displaying mature characteristics at an exceptionally early age: The precocious child had an innate self-awareness that is rare in children.

SYNONYMS: inopportune, early, premature, unseasonable, untimely

Daily Word: derive

derive
–verb
obtain something from (a specified source) : They derived great comfort from this assurance.

• (derive something from) base a concept on logical extension or modification of (another concept) : Marx derived his philosophy of history from Hegel.
• [instrans.] (derive from) (of a word) have (a specified word, usually of another language) as a root or origin: The word “punch” derives from the Hindustani “pancha”.
• (be derived from) (of a substance) be formed or prepared by (a chemical or physical process affecting another substance) : Strong acids are derived from the combustion of fossil fuels.

SYNONYMS: obtain, get, take gain; originate in, stem from, descend from

Tuesday Title: Apology

For this week’s Tuesday Title I point you to a classic, available free on the internet, titled Apology by Plato. In the piece Apology, Socrates is put on trial for speaking ill of the gods and corrupting the youth through atheism. Without giving too much away, the piece revolves around a truly fascinating battle between Socrates with his eloquent logic and the ancient Greeks who with their corrupt judicial system. Throughout the piece, Socrates takes apart the case presented by his accusers through a stunning display of logic and rationality. By taking apart the case, Socrates provides the readers with a unique perspective and simultaneously points out the hypocrisy in the “advanced” greek society. This is a must read to not only understanding the logical mind of a brilliant man but also this reading provides for many theoretical and ideological considerations from one of the world’s greatest thinkers.

Enjoy the brilliant piece!

Post Submitted by: Jesse Chiang

Daily Word: eclectic

eclectic

–adjective

deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources: Her music tastes are eclectic.

SYNONYMS: wide-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive

Monday Money: Every Writer Has Rhythm

It’s 1 in the morning.  You’ve tried out all of WSP’s Monday Money tips yet you still find yourself in a rut facing the Goliath of all literary evils–writer’s block.  You had a great start and burned through 4 pages of your 7 page English essay, but somehow it seems like all your creative juices have gone dry.  Does this scenario sound familiar?

Montage of great classical music composers. From left to right: first row - Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven; second row - Gioachino Rossini, Felix Mendelssohn, Frédéric Chopin, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi; third row - Johann Strauss II, Johannes Brahms, Georges Bizet, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Antonín Dvořák; fourth row - Edvard Grieg, Edward Elgar, Sergei Rachmaninoff, George Gershwin, Aram Khachaturian

One of the ways I like to remedy problems like this is to open up my iTunes and play a tune that sort of reflects the mood or aura of my essay.  For example, if I’m writing something on Shakespeare or on authors of the 18th or 19th century, I tend to play music by Beethoven or Tchaikovsky.  If I’m writing a creative piece for the WSP Blog, I like to listen to soundtracks from animated movies such as Pixar’s Up or Ratatouille (see my blog piece on Music Therapy: “Review: Music at the Movies“).

When you listen to a song, it’s easy to adapt to the mood or the emotion that the singer or composer is trying to convey.  Let’s say, for instance, you decide to play some Jay-Z on your way to your next class.  You hear the bass reverberating against your ear, the arrogance and high-mindedness in Jay-Z’s voice, the unrelenting mash-up of eclectic beats and harmony…you’re starting to feel pretty high and mighty now, right?  The music energizes you and leaves you ready to hustle through your 12 o’clock lecture.

The same applies to how you feel when you write.  Many of us, however, prefer absolute silence when writing our essays.  So for those who prefer peace and quiet but still need a little assistance, try taking a 15 minute break to zone out.  Find a song that either inspires you, energizes you, or mirrors the themes found within the work you are analyzing.  Close your eyes and let the music stimulate your brain and hopefully you’ll start formulating ideas again!

Still a little skeptical?  Fair enough, but take the time to research how much your brain is being stimulated when listening to music.  [From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Music and the brain"]  When we hear a certain pitch, our auditory cortex is activated.  When we notice or bob our heads to a song’s rhythm, the left frontal cortex, left parietal cortex, and right cerebellum are all activated.  When we hear unpleasant melodies, the posterior cingulate cortex–responsible for controlling emotional pain–activates.

[Read: "Music moves brain to pay attention, Stanford study finds"]

So many aspects of our brain are stimulated when we listen to music!  Treat it as a great tool to get your creative juices flowing again.  Thanks for checking in on this week’s Monday Money!

Post submitted by Crystal Maranan

American Sign Language Workshizzop!

Next Tuesday (January 25th), join your good friends from WSP for our American Sign Language (ASL) Workshop! We will be exploring ASL as a communication and an expression tool that we, as writers, can’t wait to share with our friends.

When: Tuesday (January 25th) 5pm-6pm

Where: Student Activities Center Basement, Room 4

Why: Learn about ASL and Deaf Culture!

Posted by: Tiffany

Daily Word: vestige

vestige
–noun
a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists: The last vestiges of colonialism.

SYNONYMS: remnant, fragment, relic, echo, indication, sign, trace, residue

Free Speech Friday: Sarah Palin and her Hypeman

Although I’m not sure why Sarah Palin takes the time to tell us so much about her husband during this speech, I was especially intrigued by the beginning of her speech. John McCain circles the stage and waves to adoring fans. To be honest, if I were him, I’d do the same. Even if the audience isn’t necessarily there to hear me deliver a speech, they’ll still clap for me? I’ll take it!  I love that from rappers to politicians, the “hypeman” element effectively changes the landscape of speeches. With John McCain behind Sarah Palin, Diddy behind Biggie, and Yuri Kohiyama behind Malcolm X onstage it often seems that although the mouth that the speech comes from is the main focus, it doesn’t hurt to have your number one fan standing behind you. Who’s job is cooler, the speech-giver or the hypeman?

 

 

Posted by: Tiffany

Short Essay: Curiosity and Strategy

“…it is also a very good plan every now and then to go away and have a little relaxation; for when you come back to the work your judgment will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose the power of judgment. It is also advisable to go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it taken in at a glance, and a lack of harmony or proportion in various parts and the colors of the objects is more readily seen.” - Leonardo da Vinci

Documents about Leonardo da Vinci are particluarly insightful because not only is he the champion of curiousity, but records that we have of his work also show that he adamantly used his inquisitive nature strategically. While some of us fortunately have retained or rediscoverd our curious tendencies in the college setting, taking this curiousity a step further can be enhanced by viewing our curiosities from many vantage points. Da Vinci often drew pictures of flowers from multiple angles, readily accepting that there are infinite ways of beginning to ask questions about the flower’s life.  Sometimes one can take it for granted that like-minded people are like-asking people. That is to say, just because someone thinks like you doesn’t necessarily mean that she will ask questions concerning your shared thoughts in the same way that you do. In this case,  despite like-mindedness, your questions will elicit different answers. By playing that game with his own curiousities, Da Vinci was able to be one of our greatest thinkers. In brief, it seems that our capacity to maximize our curiosity potential lies in an ability to re-ask our questions strategically depending on our surroundings, audience, or purpose.

 

Posted by: Tiffany

Review: How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci was a revolutionary thinker.  Rather than accept the facts presented to him, he questioned everything in order to come closer to the truth on his on terms.  What is interesting about Da Vinci is that his quest for knowledge is not a quest for absolute truth, but rather a quest to further understand through looking at concepts, ideas, and objects from different vantage points.  Da Vinci was not someone who sought the “right” answer, but he was someone who sought deeper answers, even if the answers simply led to more questions.

One of the main principles of thinking like Da Vinci is cultivating and practicing curiosity.  The author of this book suggests that adults are taught to become less and less curious the more and more they are shunned throughout their lives for questioning.  Instead, Da Vinci remained curious throughout his life.  As an exercise, the author suggests that we begin to question again.

Two of the most fascinating exercises the author suggests are 1) creating 100 questions and 2) keeping a journal and writing uninhibitedly.

In the first exercise, we are asked to write 100 questions non-stop.  Whatever questions come to mind are valid.  Repeats are valid, even welcome.  Afterwards, we are asked to group questions that are similar and to select the top ten that we may want to begin to explore.  This is an effective exercise because it suggests that Leonardo valued a very personal approach to the cultivation of knowledge.  Rather than base our learning on a mainstream curriculum, Da Vinci is a proponent of self-directed discovery.  The process of learning what your own mind seeks to understand is revelatory.  Self-directed exploration and reflection can help us better understand ourselves, those around us, the world around us, and the connections therein.

Da Vinci’s style of daily journal keeping is also enlightening.  Da Vinci felt it was important to write whatever comes to mind, without fearing logic, order, or sensibility.  Through his practice, he reminds us that in order to achieve an effective process of self-directed learning, it is important that we do not self-censor our thoughts.  Da Vinci is not a proponent of repressing thoughts and feelings.  This is revelatory for me because I always hinder my personal and creative process by censoring my thoughts.  I constantly believe that what I write must be significant, which stops me from writing and stifles my growth.

Practice these exercises to re-initiate your curiosity.

Post Submitted By: Layhannara Tep

Thursday Take-Off: What are the ramifications of the ethnic studies ban in Arizona?

Effective as of January 1, 2011, the ethnic studies ban in Arizona has ripple effects within and beyond the borders of Arizona.

Many site the ban, along with the series of anti-immigration legislation in Arizona, as a contributing factor to the  hostile environment in the state.

The question I pose today is, “What are the ramifications of the ethnic studies ban in Arizona?”

This question brings up many other questions:

1. What is the purpose of relevant education?

2. What would our world be like without relevant education?

3. What are the arguments for the ethnic studies ban in Arizona?  What are the arguments against it?

4.  What are the intentions behind the ethnic studies ban in Arizona?

I received an email from my former Asian American Studies Professor, Professor Omatsu, just yesterday about some of the impacts of the combined forces of Arizona’s ban on ethnic studies, the budget cuts, and the hostility toward immigrant communities.

Below is the article enclosed in the email:

The Ban Plays On: Two California Universities Ax Ethnic Studies

by Adriel Luis January 18, 2011

Looks like California’s celebration of Martin Luther King Day took a turn for the… Arizonian. This month students and faculties from two California campuses are fighting the demolition of their ethnic studies programs: Asian American Studies and Cal State Los Angeles and American Studies at the University of California Santa Cruz.

Late last year Dean James Henderson at CSULA offered students and faculty a grim holiday gift – notification that he had decided to suspend Asian American Studies, indefinitely. To date, the only explanation Henderson has offered is lack of faculty, student, and community support – which he announced at a November 29 meeting to a roomful of concerned faculty, students, and community members. Since then, a grassroots movement in support of retaining the program has been swelling both on and off campus (check out Immigrant Rights blogger Gabriel Garcia’s post on it).

CSULA is located in the San Gabriel Valley, which holds one of the largest Chinese populations in the country. Asian American Studies – which was just established in 2005 – failed in the Dean’s eyes to meet enrollment numbers. However, the decision of a Dean to dismantle the program without prior discussion with students and faculty is a threat to more than just one department on one campus.

“Cutting AAAS is an attack on the university’s diversity and threatens the already tenuous support of the campus’ Chicano, Latin American, and Pan African Studies programs as well,” explains a grassroots website launched in opposition to the suspension. In light of Arizona’s recent ethnic studies ban, CSULA’s decision is another threat toward the demolition of valuable ethnic studies programs throughout the country – and this isn’t just a theory.

Just last week, UCSC announced its suspension of American Studies, citing budget restraints. As the only UC without an ethnic studies program, American Studies was the only major that offered somewhat of a substitute – since Community Studies was suspended last year. On Monday students and faculty met to express disappointment that, like CSULA’s suspension, the decision had been made without student consent.

This issue hits home for me personally – I graduated from UC Davis with a minor in Asian American Studies. Throughout my years in college, the faculty and staff at the department were vital not only in guiding me academically, but also in catalyzing in my involvement in social progress – which leads me to Change.org today.

Contrary to the claims that led to Arizona’s ban, ethnic studies is not about promoting anti-Americanism or inflammatory hatred. Rather, it’s a vital platform for students to explore issues and histories that are often overlooked in traditional courses. Please take a moment to sign both petitions by copying and pasting these two web addresses   http://www.change.org/petitions/view/save_asian_american_studies_at_cal_state_los_angeles and http://www.change.org/petitions/view/save_american_studies_at_the_university_of_california_santa_cruz.

Winning this and similar campaigns depends on our ability to quickly call on thousands of supportive folks like you. After signing the petition below, please click  http://www.facebook.com/humanrights.change.org?v=app_6009294086 to help us win!

 

Post Submitted By: Layhannara Tep

Daily Word: prod

prod
–verb
1. Poke (someone) with a finger, foot, or pointed object:  He prodded her in the ribs to stop her snoring.
2. Stimulate or persuade (someone who is reluctant or slow) to do something : He has been trying to prod the White House into launching an antipoverty program.

SYNONYMS: poke, jab dig, elbow, butt, stab; spur, stimulate, stir, rouse, prompt