Amanda Pratt
Professor Gayford
Paper 2
March 20, 2004
[PC1]
Seeing things through their eyes:
An intimate discussion of Fellow Writers
[PC2]
The world is only as we perceive it. Luckily I[PC3]have the opportunity to see how others perceive these same things. Although some of our thoughts, feelings, and passions may be somewhat opposite the [PC4]ability to grasp another’s concept helps me to determine whether or not my own system of justification is valid[PC5]. Colleagues such as Carrie Wolcott , Jenna Webster , and Mike LaWall have intrigued my curiosity in this department[PC6].
Carrie Wolcott [PC7]takes me through a journey of self-exploration. In her writing it seems to be apparent that she has grown to be a person that I wasn’t aware was there. Carrie always seemed- key word seemed- to be the type of person that was very sure of the world around her and created an aura of comfort to live in. I now see through her writing that she is indeed just like me. Questioning everything around her. I feel as though Brian Greene would commend her on these efforts and say something to the effect of- how glorious a time when one discovers things are not as they seem.
I guess I thought that there were more absolutes in life. Now
I realize that life has absolutes but I may not know all the facts
and therefore I may need to alter my viewpoint...I knew that there
were(absolutes) because they were drilled into my head on a regular
basis. Right is right and wrong is wrong– period.(Wolcott 2)
In a time where the world is raging with certainty of certainty I am consoled to see that she is uncertain. Carrie quotes Cole saying, “ In fact, everything we know is only some kind of approximation, because we know that we don’t know all the laws yet”(1). We know that we don’t know. How beautifully disturbing! I suppose for those of us that have been intrigued- Jenna Webster- with the term oxymoron, that would be one: disturbing beauty. The word disturbing means to destroy the peace or tranquility of something. I believe that is exactly what happens when one comes to the understanding that ‘what if’s’ become a necessary force in decision making. When one is educated about the indecisive nature of the world it is humbling yet disconcerting.
Jenna Webster sums up the true reason for why we bother to spend our time reading and pushing ourselves with her very first sentence, “I have come to realize that we are not searching to find answers but are searching to learn”(Webster 1). Again I can’t help to throw yet another catchy phrase in with this mix. Jenna’s statement is overwhelmingly simple. It would be amazing if the world posted this statement in every single answer key on the planet. Simplicity seems to be the downfall for many things. Greene would agree with me here. The beauty of the unknown is often bottomless. Although the world is complex it is somewhat to be the blame of thick wording. Large words and difficult pronunciation seems to be ‘no-entry point of science’ for many people. Anything that has been proven to be a point of failure for others, shy’s away potential candidates. It doesn’t seem to be about the big picture anymore, the focus is now on the smaller plots. “ This is also human nature, and I see many classmates struggle with this concept of ‘needing to know’ along with myself”(Webster 1). I feel as if part of the problem may be that it’s not what we know it’s the simple fact that we know something. Content has lost the battle.
These books are gifts from people that were blessed with
the intellect and time to analyze things in the universe, when
other people are too busy working overtime to pay the rent,
or running around with their children to the infamous soccer
practice( LaWall 1).
Contributions from the scientifically sanctified have opened the doors to a new layman understanding of what goes on in our world and how we- as commoners- can participate in this great conversation. We then have to ask the question of what make us participate in this exchange. “There is no point in looking for the truth unless what it is makes a difference [ a noticeable change or affect]” (Cole 72). Thinking of science as searching for the reality of which we are all somehow unaware exists forces one-or possibly just me- to think that once we know as much as we can we will one step closer to completing a lost part of our history as humans. Closing some chapters and explaining a small part of the misunderstood.
[PC1]Your MLA format is very good here. Instead of ‘Paper 2,’ though, you should have the Class designation: ENG102.49
[PC2]I like your title. Do make sure to capitalize all major words in it.
[PC3]You could use a comma here.
[PC4]Again, you could use a comma here. Consult with me about this if you have questions, and consider comma use throughout your paper.
[PC5]This is a very intelligent position to take.
[PC6]This, too, is a very pleasant sentence.
[PC7]You mentioned her first in the previous paragraph, so it is good that you are starting with her.