This novel focuses on one basic, yet hotly debated question: are there animals that have a conscious being with complex thoughts such as the ones that humans have? In order to answer this question, the author of the book goes to various different places throughout the world, conducts many different experiments, and draws conclusions based on his data. There were several different facets of this novel that I enjoyed, such as the wide variety of experiments conducted, the in-depth biological information that the reader is given to digest during each interview with respected biologist in each of their fields, and the elaborate imagery used by the author while describing his ventures in so many different places. I enjoyed the wide array of experiments that Dr. Jeremy Narby conducted because it kept the book interesting, as well as providing a more stable basis for his hypothesis. I also enjoyed the dialogue that the author included from his discussions with the experts in their respective fields. At times it can be difficult to take in, but it is worth reading over an extra time if necessary in order to grasp the point that the author is presenting. I found that more often than not, the information is an accumulation of several people's career studies. The imagery used is just as fascinating as the information that is presented. One event that sticks out vividly in my mind is when the author is talking about his experience with a group of biologists studying macaws. Dr. Narby describes the macaws as they jump off of the edge of the cliff, then glide down in a massive flock to eat the clay at the bank of a nearby river. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy nonfiction books and learning about animals.
Questions:
1. How has reading this book changed your opinion of a certain person or topic?
Before reading this book, I had a conservative view on its subject. However, it opened my eyes to the possibility that many of the animals that we share this planet with might not be as "stupid" as we think. It is quite possible that they make conscious decisions based on previous experiences. One of the experiments conducted in the book is a test aimed towards proving that butterflies actually see in color. The scientist interviewed in the book and who is accredited with the discovery has experimental data that supports his theory that the butterflies make conscious decisions based on the color of the flowers (i.e. whether to pollinate). If it is possible for butterflies to be "intelligent", then why wouldn't it be possible for many other animals to be so as well?
2. If the author is writing on a debatable issue, does he or she give proper consideration to all sides of the debate? Does he or she seem to have a bias?
Throughout the book, the author makes an apparent effort to maintain his objective view of the topic. In order to do so, he explains the "classical" views shared by many previous scientists, and even scientists of today that will be skeptical until there is concrete proof that his hypothesis is correct. He also explains their rationale, but respectfully refutes it and supports his own views. There is no apparent bias in my opinion.
Word Count: 503
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Book Blog #3: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
This epistolary tells the bitter-sweet story of a middle-aged man who is given a chance to become average, possibly even above average in intelligence after being mentally retarded his entire life. There were several aspects of the book that I enjoyed, such as the format in which the book was written, the conflict that was the plot of the book, as well as the foil that is created by the main character at the beginning of the book and who he turns into. I enjoyed the format in which this book was written because it not only gives the reader a visual representation of the progress that the main character makes after the operation- it also gives a depiction of his condition before the operation. The transition is fascinating. The main characters goes from knowing little to no grammar to writing a scientific theory in a matter of months. The conflict that emerges approximately half way through the book between "old" Charlie and "new" Charlie is tragic, but adds much more depth to the story. Charlie views himself as a completely different person after the operation, and tries to completely shut out the person that he once was. This gets particularly depressing when the effects of the operation begin to wear off, and he begins to regress. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story, but I would warn them of an impending emotional roller-coaster.
Questions:
1. Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their perdicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?
The characters in this story do seem real, even though the events of the story are not yet possible. I can relate to the situation that they are in in that I have experienced failure through experiment when it seemed as though the results were promising. The scientists in the story remind me of what I expect my future to hold, in a sense. Much of what can be considered success in science is gained through trial and error, very much like what happened in this story. The experiment was a failure, but, through that failure, the scientist gained a better understanding of their study.
2. How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?
This novel is centered on the metamorphosis that is experienced by the main character. He is subject to an experiment in the beginning of the story that is supposed to make him permanently more intelligent. The operation is very successful at the beginning, and continues to work until the middle of the story. At this point in time, the main character undergoes another transformation (not literally, but morally). After the success of the operation, the main character becomes cold and distances himself from the people who once cared for him when he couldn't care for himself. When he realizes that the experiment has gone wrong, he also realizes what he has done to the people that are important to him. Eventually at the end of the story, the final transformation takes place, and Charlie regresses back into his mentally retarded state.
Word Count: 486
Questions:
1. Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their perdicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?
The characters in this story do seem real, even though the events of the story are not yet possible. I can relate to the situation that they are in in that I have experienced failure through experiment when it seemed as though the results were promising. The scientists in the story remind me of what I expect my future to hold, in a sense. Much of what can be considered success in science is gained through trial and error, very much like what happened in this story. The experiment was a failure, but, through that failure, the scientist gained a better understanding of their study.
2. How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?
This novel is centered on the metamorphosis that is experienced by the main character. He is subject to an experiment in the beginning of the story that is supposed to make him permanently more intelligent. The operation is very successful at the beginning, and continues to work until the middle of the story. At this point in time, the main character undergoes another transformation (not literally, but morally). After the success of the operation, the main character becomes cold and distances himself from the people who once cared for him when he couldn't care for himself. When he realizes that the experiment has gone wrong, he also realizes what he has done to the people that are important to him. Eventually at the end of the story, the final transformation takes place, and Charlie regresses back into his mentally retarded state.
Word Count: 486
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