"All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace" by Richard Brautigan

The poem "All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace" by Richard Brautigan can be perceived as either anti-technology or pro-technology depending on how we interpret the tone and message of the poem.  One of the reasons why this poem can be considered as anti-technology is because it mentioned "and all watched over by machines of loving grace".  Even though Brautigan used the words "machines of loving grace", it still makes it seem like the machines are starting to take over the world, making it a bit more like a dictatorship, by showing how everyone's actions are being watched.  Another reason is that when he used the words "I like to think (and the sooner the better!)","I like to think (right now, please!)", and "I like to think (it has to be!)", he is illustrating how nature and technology does not have peace and harmony right now but it is just his imagination of the future.  It also shows that he is desperate for change because he does not like how nature and technology is not in harmony right now.

Another point of view for Richard Brautigan's poem is that it is pro-technology.  For the most part of the poem, it talks about how computers, electronics, and machines can benefit us in the future.  An example is shown in the line "of a cybernetic ecology where we are free of our labors".  The words "the sooner the better!" and "right now, please!" shows how Brautigan could not wait for technology to further advance to the point where technology could be a part of nature, displayed with his descriptions of cybernetic meadow, cybernetic forest, and cybernetic ecology.  He also talks about how even though humans will eventually die and be joined back to nature, the machines would still be there and would not perish, bringing our history with them.

I think the anti-technology's side is more convincing because right now, there is a conflict between nature and technology, on how sometimes the more technology we make, the more we destroy nature.  There is also no guarantee that what Brautigan is talking about in the poem, the machines having feelings and the harmony with nature and technology, can actually happen in the future.  It is also scary to think about how nature and human beings will eventually perish but machines can usually last longer, giving the possibility that technology might be the one controlling us.

casabianca interpretation

Imagery:

·         boy stood on burning deck

·         flame lit around him

·         born to rule the storm

·         proud, tough childlike form

·         flames rolled on

·         he would not go without his father's word

·         father's voice no longer heard

·         boy asked if his task is done

·         father is unconscious

·         boy asked father if he can go again

·         looked from that lone post of death

·         brave despair

·         boy asked father if he should stay again

·         the wreathing fires made way

·         they wrapt the ship in splendor wild

·         caught the flag on high

·         streamed above the gallant child

·         a burst of thunder sound

·         noblest thing that perished there was that young, faithful heart

I chose the poem "Casabianca" by Felicia Dorothea Hemans because it has several strong images that can represent many things depending on how the reader interprets it.  This poem is about a boy on a burning deck asking for his father's permission to go but his father could not reply because he is unconscious so the boy eventually perished in the fire.  In this poem, Hemans kept on repeating the imagery of the fire consuming the ship, the boy asking his father whether he can go or if his task was done, and death.  In my interpretation of this poem, the battle they are in is like life, which always has its ups and downs.  The result depends on whether the person gives up or does something about it.  The flame that is consuming the ship are like the tough times and challenges in their life.  Both the father and the son might be going through a tough time in their life to a point where the father might not have been able to handle it, with his dreams and goals being crushed represented by death.  At first the boy was just surrounded by the fire but then instead of doing something about the problem, he just stood there and did not do anything.  Even though the boy is being obedient to his father, he chose not to make his own decision which resulted in his own death.  This shows how there is some point in our lives where we need to start making our own decisions and stop relying on other people to decide our fate for us.  Even though the boy was brave and faithful to his father, his lack of experience revealed to us by using the word "childlike" caused him to not survive the tragedy.  The flag can also represent someone surrendering or being able to accomplish something just like how some people used to put their flag in the territory of the people they were able to defeat.  In this case, the flag was consumed by the fire showing how both the father and son were not able to overcome their challenges. 

Why kaizen my life?

The reason why I chose kaizening my life as my blog title is mainly because of the word kaizen.  While pondering about what the title of my blog should be, I considered relating it to my goals for this year, to improve my skills, overcome my fears and live a better life.  Suddenly, I remembered my friend from work who told to me about the meaning of kaizen and I decided to use it not only as part of my blog's title but also my life.  Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy meaning constantly improving or making things better.  Even though this term is usually used in businesses, I believe it can also apply to everything we do.  Everyone can improve on something in their life no matter how rich or good they are because no one is perfect.  Although living a perfect life is impossible, I still would like to keep on improving every aspect of my life such as my relationships with my family and friends, communication skills, or even how to be more efficient when I do things.  It might not be easy to improve on everything but I am willing to "sacrifice the lollipop today for the bike tomorrow " just like what my friend said.  This inspires me to keep on moving forward and not give up no matter what challenges I have to face because in the end, I know that I would be happy I went through it, learned something from my experiences and from there, I could further improve my life.