My Second Life Experience
The experience of playing Ralph Waldo Emerson in Second Life gave me a better appreciation for EmersonÕs life and his leadership abilities. Through Second Life, I gained more motivation for this assignment, I learned techniques that will improve my reading and writing, I acquired more knowledge about Discovery Learning, and I attained a deeper understanding of leadership, diversity, and the Sympathetic Imagination.
Ralph Waldo Emerson n
I chose Ralph Waldo Emerson as my role model because of his Òliterary
contributions and his pivotal role in creating the Transcendental movement.Ó [1]
Emerson has many qualities that I find worthy of emulating, such as his
leadership, his deep intellect, his ability to understand nature, and his
refusal to conform [2] to the norm.
Ralph led many other revolutionary thinkers, including Herman Melville, Emily
Dickinson, and Walt Whitman, in their work to create a new American
literature. I am especially
inspired by the bravery Emerson displayed when breaking from the Unitarian
church to become a writer. Even
though his father was a Unitarian minister and Ralph had just begun his career
as a minister, he chose to spend his life working on what he believed in. I think it shows great boldness to
separate yourself from your church and your family, and it is this boldness
that I would like to acquire.
Working
[3]
with the Second Life application gave me more motivation than simply writing a
paper about my role model. Being
given the opportunity to become Ralph Waldo Emerson encouraged me to
investigate him even more deeply than I had when writing my first paper. Creating my avatar required me to
understand the time period during which my role model lived. I found it difficult to correctly dress
him according to what Ralph Waldo Emerson actually wore because Second Life
lacks the pieces I needed from the early- to mid-nineteenth century. For
example, I really wanted to give my avatar a dress tie, but I ended up settling
on a ÔChippendalesÕ bowtie. Actually seeing the avatar that I created helped to
motivate me because it made the experience more life like. I was able to not only dress my avatar
accordingly, but I also got to change his physical features to better resemble
my role modelÕs. I gave my avatar wrinkles and grey hair to emphasize EmersonÕs
work ethic and long life.
Participating in the Second Life conversations further drove me by
allowing me to experience what life could be like as Ralph Waldo Emerson. When
I was engaged in conversations in Second Life, I was able to fully ÔbecomeÕ
Emerson. Now I can look back on
the time I spent in Second Life acting as Ralph Waldo Emerson as motivation for
this project and future projects.
Through Second Life, I learned that writing and reading are both active functions. Really being able to read and write requires one to not blankly read or write words on a page, but to intently think and respond while doing so. Second Life required my classmates and me to write while reading other peopleÕs comments; we could not just write what we thought without reading other peopleÕs contributions. This active style of reading and writing is more difficult that merely writing a paper because it compels us to listen to what other people have to say rather than just giving our own thoughts and opinions on a subject. I think that this is a very important lesson; effective reading and writing is the mixture of listening to otherÕs views and comparing them to our own. Compared to writing Project One, I think that now I can write while thinking about what I learned from Second Life and incorporating those lessons into my own views.
Second Life is an effective tool of Discovery Learning. It is a system Òof instruction that causes al students to think and work more creatively and to accept responsibility for their own learning.Ó [4]At first my experience in Second Life was very frustrating; I could not move well and I did not understand how to change my avatarÕs appearance. However, after I spent more time in one the U.T. Island in Second Life, I learned how to fly, jump, turn in all directions, and change the clothes and facial features on my avatar. Once I fully understood how to control my avatar I was able to enjoy the experience and have fun in Second Life. Part of my frustration while I was learning about Second Life came from having to figure it out on my own. I am not particularly good at video games or computer technology, so it was difficult for me to even get the application onto my laptop. After I was able to complete the download, I had trouble working with my avatar and often found myself wishing I had a manual that told me everything I needed to know about Second Life. However, when I look back on my experience, I am glad that I was not told step-by-step what to do in Second Life; most of what I learned came from discovering what I could do on my own.
A
second frustration that came from working with Second Life was the actual
conversations we were required to engage in with other avatars. It was [5]
difficult to keep a chat
going over a computer screen
because we lacked facial expressions and body language that is such an
important and vital part of every day communication. Also, since it was a simple text chat instead of a voice
chat or a live discussion, it was sometimes difficult to discern which avatar
was speaking; I was constantly rereading to see who was talking and where the
conversation was going. Another
problem that I found with the Second Life conversations was that a lot of the
avatars were supposed to be from different time periods. We were directed to stay in character
the entire time while we were in Second Life, which often led us to pretend to
be confused when someone from a more recent time period began discussing
technology that we were not supposed to be familiar with. For example, during the first
discussion that I was involved in, the avatar Catherine Chesnokov brought up
how people often use technology in a way that it was not created for (i.e.
online hacking), Ò[12:31] Catherine Chesnokov:
in my time, technology did have great influence, but some people use it in the
wrong way.Ó [6] I had to
pretend to not know what the Internet is, because there was not even the idea
of the Internet during EmersonÕs lifetime. It would have been much easier to carry on a conversation if
all the avatars included were from the same time period. I think that the chat in Second Life
was an effective way to learn about our role models and their ideas about
leadership, but I also think that it would have been more convincing if the
conversations had occurred in real life with all students dressed as their role
models.
Snapshot of Group 2, Discussion 1
The first discussion in Second Life taught me about
many different ways to
view
[7]
leadership. Catherine Chesnokov,
the avatar for Catherine Crier, viewed leadership mainly through actions. As a state judge for Texas, Crier found
leadership opportunities through the law.
She used her place as a woman in Òa male dominated field; the field of
law,Ó [8]
to inspire women and other minority groups. For Catherine, leadership is about understanding other
people and bringing justice to the world around her. This is different than the view of leadership that avatar
Yukiyoshi brought to the conversation.
As a martial arts teacher, he views leadership as the ability to teach
his students the ultimate goal of martial arts, Òthe preservation of life and
the avoidance of violence.Ó [9]
Yukiyoshi uses his skills to lead his students so they will know that violence
is the absolute last resort when conflicts arise. Wayne Boozehound, the avatar for Leonardo da Vinci, brought
still another view of leadership into the discussion; he said Òit is
appreciation for the small things and the makeup of the world around us that
should be important.Ó [10]
Wayne understands leadership to be the ability to recognize and understand the
significance of even the Ôhuman foot.Õ
Through my conversation with these avatars, I was able to learn more
about leadership, and I now understand that it goes beyond a single personÕs
idea of leading.
Snapshot of Group 2, Discussion 2
The second conversation as an avatar in Second Life
helped me to appreciate [11]
that to be a leader, a person must be able to understand diversity and appeal
to different groups. As Ralph
Waldo Emerson, I stressed the importance of knowing that although we are all
different, every person is connected on a spiritual level. The avatar Jessica8 IWish brought up
the adversity she encountered because of her physical disability. She taught me that while it can be
difficult to be discriminated against for something like a disability, a leader
will rise above the discrimination and Òprove them wrong.Ó[12] The avatar Yukiyoshi emphasized his
ability as a leader to teach people Òfrom all walks of life.Ó [13]
This is an important aspect of a leader; we must appeal to a wide base of
people, not just those who are like ourselves. I think that to be a leader we
have to not only understand the basis of diversity but also celebrate the
differences in people around us.
During
my time spent in Second Life as Ralph Waldo Emerson, I learned a lot about the
Sympathetic Imagination and how difficult it is to understand fully where
someone else comes from. I was to
Òpenetrate the barrier of space and actually enter into the objectÓ [14]
to grasp the views of my role model.
At some points it was difficult to ÔbeÕ Ralph Waldo Emerson. When our discussion turned to current
technology I found it difficult to remove myself and try to view the discussion
in EmersonÕs eyes because he would not understand words like ÔinternetÕ and Ôonline
hacking.Õ At other times I thought
it was fairly easy to act like Emerson because I agree with a lot of his views
and the way he thinks. For
example, when we discussed the attributes of a leader in our first
conversation, it was easy for me to use many of EmersonÕs famous words because
I have a lot of his most famous quotes memorized. I learned that using the Sympathetic Imagination really
depends on your likeness to the person you are trying to understand and your
ability to relate to the other person.
It was fairly easy for me to relate to Emerson, but I think some of the
other students may have had trouble ÔbecomingÕ their role models, if they chose
people extremely different from themselves. Overall, I found that the Sympathetic Imagination can be
applied to many different situations, and was encouraged to use it more often
outside of the classroom; if I could understand Ralph Waldo Emerson I can
surely understand someone from my own generation.
Snapshot of My Avatar
The
use of Second Life has helped me to understand my role model, Ralph Waldo
Emerson, and has taught me about leadership, diversity, and the use of
Discovery Learning in the classroom.
I think that creating an avatar and pretending to be Emerson has given
me a deeper appreciation for his work and his leadership abilities, and has
shown me [15] many
different aspects of leadership. I
will be able to apply what I have learned from Second Life to my own life
because now I better understand the Sympathetic Imagination and I can also
integrate all of the leadership views I learned about into my own leadership
vision.
Word
Count: 1834
URL:
http://301discussions.blogspot.com/2007/10/project-2.html
Group
One, First Topic
[12:05] Wayne Boozehound: Hello
[12:05]
Catherine Chesnokov: what do yoll think?
[12:05]
Wayne Boozehound: I believe that a true leader is someone who strives for
perfection.
[12:05]
Pose Ball: Yukiyoshi Takaaki, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show.
Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[12:05]
Pose Ball: Yukiyoshi Takaaki, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show.
Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[12:06]
Pose Ball: Yukiyoshi Takaaki, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show.
Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[12:06]
Catherine Chesnokov: for example, I used to be a state judge in the state of
Texas. As one of the leaders in the field of law, I wanted to bring justice
there
[12:06]
Wayne Boozehound: Has all colleagues joined us yet?
[12:06]
Pose Ball: Yukiyoshi Takaaki, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show.
Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[12:06]
Pose Ball: Yukiyoshi Takaaki, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show.
Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[12:06]
Catherine Chesnokov: perfection.. hmm.. no one is perfect though
[12:06]
Catherine Chesnokov: of course, as a leaders, they try to be as perfect
[12:07]
Wayne Boozehound: Yes but it is what we all strive for, though it can not be
reached it is the process we go through which defines us.
[12:07]
Catherine Chesnokov: i agree
[12:07]
Catherine Chesnokov: so what defines us in your opinion?
[12:07]
You: Defines us as leaders?
[12:07]
Catherine Chesnokov: yes
[12:08]
You: What efines us as leaders is the ability to trust ourselves
[12:08]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: What defines us as leaders... hm.
[12:08]
Wayne Boozehound: We are all leaders indivdually but we are all composed
differently.
[12:08]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, everyone is a leader to a different degree.
[12:08]
Catherine Chesnokov: we are leaders in different fields
[12:09]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: A leader can be on a very small scale, such as the leader of
a boy scout troop, all the way up to the leader of a nation, such as the
President of the United States
[12:09]
You: Either way, to be a leader, one must be a non conformist
[12:09]
You: whoso would be a man must be a non conformist.
[12:09]
Wayne Boozehound: I would like to ask who is all of you and what is your
profession?
[12:09]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: While I agree that to be a leader it is possible to be a
nonconformist, I do think that there are many mainstream leaders too though.
[12:10]
You: I am a philosopher and a writer
[12:10]
Catherine Chesnokov: I am Catherine Crier, a former state judge in Texas, a
anchor on TV, right now i am an author
[12:10]
Wayne Boozehound: Philosopher a true trade and a noble one.
[12:10]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: My profession? I sold antiques in San Jose, California while
teaching my family's classical martial art until I got cancer and died in 2002.
[12:10]
You: Yes it is, I am one of the founding members of the Transcendental
movement.
[12:11]
Wayne Boozehound: Ah, I see an author, words are the art of the intellect, I
myself wrote many journals.
[12:11]
Catherine Chesnokov: philosopher, so how will philsopher be a true leader in
the world?
[12:11]
You: nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of ones own mind.
[12:11]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Many others achieve some sort of level of immortality
through their work.
[12:11]
You: We lead the world to different ideas.
[12:11]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: authors*
[12:11]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: What ideas do you believe are most vital in a leader?
[12:11]
Catherine Chesnokov: different ideas. will these ideas make changes in the
world?
[12:12]
Wayne Boozehound: Ideas, they are very powerful, also to find the inner
workings of things is a true mystery.
[12:12]
Wayne Boozehound: It is the process of finding these things out that is so
important.
[12:12]
Catherine Chesnokov: be a leader, I have to have passion for issues, a desire
to understand thw rold
[12:12]
Catherine Chesnokov: world*
[12:12]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: That is a very ambitious desire, Catherine.
[12:12]
Wayne Boozehound: Ah yes Catherine I agree entirely.
[12:13]
Catherine Chesnokov: well, as leaders, we have to have ambitions, right?
[12:13]
You: As so I
[12:13]
You: do*
[12:13]
Wayne Boozehound: That is true young Catherine.
[12:13]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I agree, leaders are often ambitious, however, I don't think
ambition is found in all leaders.
[12:13]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Some leaders are simply those that are naturally born to
take control of situations and have the charisma to be followed by others.
[12:14]
Catherine Chesnokov: maybe not ambitions, but at least desires
[12:14]
You: My ambition has been to break apart from traditional ideas of my time and
form new ideas about spirituality in individuals and in nature
[12:14]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: You interact with people every day who are leaders in their
own right and you may follow them without even knowing.
[12:14]
Catherine Chesnokov: thats right
[12:14]
Wayne Boozehound: Desire is true to a leader, if you do not have desires or
passions then what is important in what you do?
[12:14]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, you must have a desire to do something, Catherine, I
agree.
[12:14]
You: Not just desire, but the confidence to do something about your beliefs.
[12:15]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, that's a valid point, Ralph.
[12:15]
Catherine Chesnokov: yes confidence
[12:15]
Catherine Chesnokov: confidence is building on what?
[12:15]
You: You must trust yourself. every heart vibrates to that iron string.
[12:16]
Catherine Chesnokov: trust, which means we must believe in ourselves
[12:16]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Care to elaborate?
[12:16]
Wayne Boozehound: I once said that something as simple as a human foot is an
artistic masterpiece and an mechanical marvel, it is appreciation for the small
things and the makeup of the world around us that should be important.
[12:16]
You: yes!
[12:16]
Catherine Chesnokov: "make up of the world around us" I like this
point
[12:16]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: The human body is a fascinating thing.
[12:16]
Catherine Chesnokov: we make up this world, and make it better
[12:16]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I devoted my life to learning how to use it in the most
efficient destruction of others.
[12:17]
You: in what way does it fascinate you, Yukiyoshi?
[12:17]
Wayne Boozehound: Yes, everyone should take the time to appreciate the things
around them.
[12:17]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Not that I am especially violent or wish death upon others,
but it is a cultural tradition that has been handed to me over the course of
many generations in my family.
[12:17]
Wayne Boozehound: Only after destruction, does one have the power to rebuild.
[12:17]
Catherine Chesnokov: rebuild?
[12:17]
You: I do not look to violence to make my points be heard
[12:18]
Wayne Boozehound: Yes, rebuild your character, your values.
[12:18]
Catherine Chesnokov: building character is what I am really concerned
[12:18]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Sometimes, though, a swift kick to a vulnerable place gets a
point across.
[12:18]
You: Yes, but I choose to always use the power of the pen!
[12:19]
Catherine Chesnokov: i choose to use the power of law
[12:19]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: The ultimate goal of the martial ways, though, is the
preservation of life and avoidance of violence. The power to "choose to
spare life" is really only a power when one actually HAS the ability to
take life. Does that make sense?
[12:19]
You: Yes, you are a very smart man.
[12:19]
You: maybe you should become a philosopher!
[12:19]
Catherine Chesnokov: avoidace of violaence, yes i make sense to me
[12:19]
Wayne Boozehound: The power of the pen, I chose to use art, science,
mathematics, engineering, and also the pen to display my feelings.
[12:20]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: You have a very wide range of scholarly interests, Wayne.
[12:20]
Wayne Boozehound: Man should have many passions (and women)
[12:20]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: And Ralph, I look forward to reading more of your writings!
[12:20]
You: You definitely should, one of my most influential is "self
Reliance"
[12:20]
Wayne Boozehound: All people should have passions i mean
[12:21]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I agree.
[12:21]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Life is much more dull without them.
[12:21]
Catherine Chesnokov: passion is wat im talking about
[12:21]
Wayne Boozehound: Has anyone here ever viewed art before?
[12:21]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: So many people drift through life and come to the end
without ever feeling fulfilled.
[12:21]
Catherine Chesnokov: as i said, we need to have passion for issues
[12:21]
You: Yes, I am very inspired by art in nature.
[12:21]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Those with passion and drive, oftentimes natural leaders,
live much more fulfilling lives, I think.
[12:21]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Do you think the art of leadership can be taught?
[12:21]
Wayne Boozehound: Yes, nature can speak to so many deep in their hearts.
[12:22]
Catherine Chesnokov: passion can actually help us achieve our personal
satisfaction
[12:22]
Catherine Chesnokov: nature, human nature?
[12:22]
You: I think everyone has the ability to be a leader.
[12:22]
Catherine Chesnokov: yes
[12:22]
Wayne Boozehound: All these things we are discussing make us leaders in our own
ways.
[12:22]
Catherine Chesnokov: "in our own ways"
[12:22]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I think to be a leader, one must be a good listener... just
throwin' that out there.
[12:22]
Wayne Boozehound: Catherine, I notice you find more importance in people rather
than nature, why is this so?
[12:23]
Catherine Chesnokov: i have to more interact with people then nature
[12:23]
You: Yes, but nature can teach us a lot about people.
[12:23]
Catherine Chesnokov: because as a judge, i have to understand them in their
points of views
[12:23]
Catherine Chesnokov: only in that way, i could make the right judge over any
case
[12:24]
Wayne Boozehound: Do you have passion in your profession, do you wish that you
could do something different?
[12:24]
You: I am very passionate about what I do. I do not think that I am cornered
into one certain profession.
[12:24]
Catherine Chesnokov: i made a decision that shock both legal prefession and the
journalism world
[12:24]
Catherine Chesnokov: even tho, i decided to be a anchor on TV
[12:24]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki is Offline
[12:25]
Catherine Chesnokov: but my passion did not change
[12:25]
Wayne Boozehound: So your break from the norm and in that way do you believe
you are a leader for others?
[12:25]
Catherine Chesnokov: "passionate about what i do", that what a leader
should always do. I agree with you Ralph
[12:25]
Catherine Chesnokov: wayne, i am not a perfect leader
[12:26]
Catherine Chesnokov: but i believe in a male-dominate field, the field of law,
i was a leader
[12:26]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki is Online
[12:26]
Wayne Boozehound: Wayne? that is only a pseudonym, you may call me Leonardo da
Vinci
[12:26]
You: Yes, I think that the most important thing a leader does is inroduce new
ideas to the people around them, to lead them in a new direction than what they
already know.
[12:26]
Pose Ball: Yukiyoshi Takaaki, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show.
Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[12:26]
Pose Ball: Yukiyoshi Takaaki, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show.
Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[12:26]
Catherine Chesnokov: new ideas, and new ways of make these ideas work
[12:27]
You: For example, I was a Unitarian minister until I realized that I am not
interested in strict religious ideas that are imposed on us.
[12:27]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, technology has really made it interesting in the
application of new ideas.
[12:27]
Wayne Boozehound: New directions, yes a leader should lead others down a path
untraveled and I believe we have all done this in a way.
[12:27]
You: Therefore, I began exploring spirituality in nature and in people.
[12:27]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Sounds like you like to walk the path less travelled, Ralph.
[12:28]
You: Yes, yes I do Yukiyoshi!
[12:28]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: You can call me Yukio.
[12:28]
Wayne Boozehound: Technology, What A Marvel!! I myself am an inventor and
appreciate the workings of all around me.
[12:28]
Catherine Chesnokov: technology
[12:28]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, too bad you didn't leave in the 20th and 21st
centuries, leo!
[12:28]
Wayne Boozehound: Is anyone here scared of technology?
[12:29]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Wow, you really would be amazed at what has come.
[12:29]
Catherine Chesnokov: technology did make changes in the world
[12:29]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I think technology is a great tool that can bring power to
the weak and I pray it is not misused in the future.
[12:29]
Catherine Chesnokov: but because there are leaders in the field of tech, we can
have these cool techs and make changes by using them
[12:29]
Catherine Chesnokov: yes, they are tools
[12:29]
Wayne Boozehound: Yes, I am a man of the 14th century, the Renaissance and the
start of modern history.
[12:30]
Catherine Chesnokov: in 14th century, tech is not advanced at all
[12:30]
Catherine Chesnokov: so you makes changes in the world by arts?
[12:30]
You: Neither is it in my time.
[12:30]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: No, but Mr. Da Vinci did much to further it.
[12:30]
Catherine Chesnokov: anything else?
[12:31]
Wayne Boozehound: Yes not much technology wise during my time but it was an age
of learning and art.
[12:31]
Catherine Chesnokov: in my time, technology did have great influence, but some
people use it in thw rong way
[12:31]
Catherine Chesnokov: wrong*
[12:31]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: How so, Catherine?
[12:31]
You: Mine as well. I used technology to print off my newspaper, The Dial
[12:31]
Catherine Chesnokov: online heckers
[12:31]
You: online? whats that?
[12:32]
Wayne Boozehound: Yes, please elaborate on this so called, "online"
[12:32]
Catherine Chesnokov: like they use technolody to steal other people's password
[12:32]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I was a simple man and technology was never a huge part of
my life, but now my students carry on my tradition and most of our new students
hear about the style via word of mouth or the internet, which is really a
fascinating thing.
[12:32]
Catherine Chesnokov: ok, without these technology
[12:32]
Catherine Chesnokov: how can we also make changes in the world?
[12:32]
You: You people of the 21st century.....you need to get back to nature and
explore your own spirituality and your individuality.
[12:32]
Wayne Boozehound: what is this "internet" you speak so much of?
[12:32]
Catherine Chesnokov: as leaders, we cant always depend on technology
[12:32]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Oh, I was a very spiritual man, Ralph!
[12:33]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Most people did not know that i was a Shinto priest.
[12:33]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Do you all know what Shinto is?
[12:33]
Catherine Chesnokov: internet...
[12:33]
You: No, Yukio, please explain!
[12:33]
Wayne Boozehound: A Shinto, I am not familiar with the term, please explain.
[12:33]
Catherine Chesnokov: i dont understnad "shinto" neither
[12:33]
Wayne Boozehound: I would love to learn of all of your cultures.
[12:34]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Well, Shinto is the native religion of Japan, having existed
long before the introduction of Buddhism. It focuses on the worship of nature
and the idea of cleanliness and spiritual purity.
[12:34]
You: I am very inspired by Buddha.
[12:34]
Wayne Boozehound: I see, very fascinating.
[12:34]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: In my style, Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu, many Shinto
rituals are a part of the training.
[12:34]
Catherine Chesnokov: cultural differences make us different leaders
[12:34]
Catherine Chesnokov: agree?
[12:34]
Wayne Boozehound: Agree highly.
[12:35]
You: Yes, however, we are all the same in spirit. God is immanent in us all.
[12:35]
Catherine Chesnokov: God, different people have different beliefs
[12:36]
Catherine Chesnokov: so "god" is diffenret in different cultures
[12:36]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, in some there are many gods and deities, but
ultimately, they are all the same, I believe.
[12:36]
You: Yes, but my peers and I believe that the spirit of whoever 'god' is exists
in all of us, and in everything in nature.
[12:36]
You: It is waht bounds individuals to nature.
[12:36]
Catherine Chesnokov: do you think "god" is also one kind of leader?
[12:37]
Wayne Boozehound: Yes everyone should find worship in something.
[12:37]
Catherine Chesnokov: god inspires us to set our goal and help us move forward?
[12:37]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I think many draw from god as inspiration and that is a very
noble thing, but some miscontrue his name and status for not so noble purposes.
[12:37]
Catherine Chesnokov: thats wat a leader will do right? inspire people?
[12:37]
You: I think god transcends the individual and the individual belief, and that
'god' binds the world together.
[12:37]
Catherine Chesnokov: i agree, Ralph
[12:38]
Wayne Boozehound: I find contempt in the study of things and through my work I
display the beauty of God's world, I have done religious pieces and I hope to
portray a hope and a higher being.
[12:38]
You: Bye all!!
[12:38]
Catherine Chesnokov: nice talk
[12:38]
Catherine Chesnokov: :)
[12:38] Wayne Boozehound: Thank you all for this
indepth convo.
_____________________________________________________________________
Group
2, Second Topic
[12:41]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Oh my old, aching bones.
[12:42]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: How is everyone feeling today?
[12:42]
Jessica8 Iwish: pretty good. just a little stressed
[12:42]
You: Me too.
[12:42]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Stress is a pain.
[12:42]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I often see people stressed because they feel discriminated
againsts.
[12:42]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Due to the immense diversity in the world.
[12:43]
Jessica8 Iwish: That is true
[12:43]
You: Yes, however, diversity is a very good thing.
[12:43]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Diversity is a great thing and allows us to learn a lot, but
how is it related to leadership
[12:43]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: ? *
[12:43]
Jessica8 Iwish: Diversity is all around us and as leaders we have to accept it
and embrace it
[12:44]
You: Although we may have been discriminated against in the past for our
differences, as leadrs we must move pasts that discrimination.
[12:44]
You: Do not be a slave to your own past.
[12:44]
Jessica8 Iwish: Exactly
[12:44]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: If I may ask, where are you two from?
[12:44]
You: I am from Boston. I was brought up by my father, who was a Unitarian
minister.
[12:44]
Jessica8 Iwish: I am from Dallas
[12:45]
Jessica8 Iwish: I am a student at the University of Texas at Arlington
[12:45]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: So a southerner and a Yank, heh.
[12:45]
Jessica8 Iwish: yes sir
[12:45]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: There is much diversity between those that live simply on
opposite ends of the same country.
[12:45]
You: Yes there is, but we are all connected.
[12:46]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I came to the United States in the 1950s from Japan, having
escaped during World War II.
[12:46]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: My father and grandfather were killed during the war.
[12:46]
Jessica8 Iwish: Too bad everyone doesn't think that way
[12:46]
Jessica8 Iwish: oh really. I'm sorry to hear that.
[12:46]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Being a Japanese in U.S. was a hard thing in those days.
[12:46]
Jessica8 Iwish: I bet
[12:46]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: And it took a lot of effort to succeed.
[12:47]
Jessica8 Iwish: Many people have tried to put me down but we just have to learn
to rise above all that
[12:48]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: How have you risen above?
[12:48]
You: A lot of people are ust misunderstood. Ant because of that they are
discriminated against.
[12:48]
Jessica8 Iwish: I have a disability and people tried to make me think that I
could never be successful in college but I proved them wrong
[12:49]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: You must stand out and be a leader in your community.
[12:49]
You: Thats really good. I bet you were just misunderstood by those around you.
[12:49]
You: But I think that to be great is to be misunderstood.
[12:49]
Jessica8 Iwish: I have learned not to judge other people and just accept them
for they are
[12:50]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: That is one of the problems of diversity.
[12:50]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Is people judge what they do not understand.
[12:50]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: So it takes a leader to be above that an be able to unite
different groups.
[12:50]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: be it race, religions, or whatever.
[12:50]
You: I think people just need to understand that others' pasts do not make them
who they are.
[12:50]
Jessica8 Iwish: I have had a lot people not wanting to be around me just
because of my disability
[12:50]
You: what lies behind us and what lies before us is nothing compared to what
lies WITHIN us.
[12:51]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: that was deep.
[12:51]
You: Thanks Yukio. I try.
[12:51]
Jessica8 Iwish: haha
[12:51]
You: I think that to be a leader, we must not only accept diversity, but
celebrate it
[12:51]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Anyways, I was the headmaster of a classical japanese
martial school
[12:52]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: My students are an incedibly diverse range of people.
[12:52]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: To be able to lead them and be able to continue wat was
given to me by my family was immensely difficult.
[12:52]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: The Japanese told me I couldn't do what i was doing. It was
ridiculous to come to America and teach Americans!
[12:53]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: But I continued to do so because i believe the arts were
dying in Japan, had turned to just pretty dancing, and the Americans were more
zealous students.
[12:53]
You: That is very inspirational Yukio.
[12:53]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: It has brought together people from all walks of life.
[12:53]
You: We must not go where the path may lead. We must go where there is no path
and leave a trail.
[12:54]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: A trail is something I think everyone wants.
[12:54]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Many people fear death, but to be remembered is to be
immortal.
[12:54]
Jessica8 Iwish: Since I am working as a social worker, I have seen a large
group of diverse families but most of them have the same problems. We all need
to learn that we all have something in common
[12:55]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, we really do.
[12:55]
You: Yes, we must all strive to be ourselves in this world and not let our
differences stifle our uniqueness.
[12:55]
You: ÒTo be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something
else is the greatest accomplishme
[12:55]
Jessica8 Iwish: We have to look beyond the exterior
[12:55]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, absolutely.
[12:56]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: sadly though, I dont feel like racism and ignorance is
something that can ever be fixed
[12:56]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: For as long as there are different types of people, there
will exist stereotypes and prejudices.
[12:56]
Jessica8 Iwish: I don't think so either
[12:56]
You: But that cannot be an excuse for not succeeding.
[12:56]
You: Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.
[12:58]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, I am a big believer in affecting and helping those
directly around you and hope they continue that. The whole "pay it
forward" idea.
[12:59]
Jessica8 Iwish: As leaders, we hope to make an impact on other people an
hopefully they will make the same impact on others
[12:59]
You: Yes, and me must think outside the box in order to inspire other people.
We have to not be consistent in our ideas.
[12:59]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Consistency can be a good thing, Ralph.
[12:59]
You: Like I always say, foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds
[12:59]
Jessica8 Iwish: Yes broaden our horizens
[13:00]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Foolish consistency is the key word though.
[13:00]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Foolish, rather.
[13:00]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: It is hard to be consistent in your ideas sometimes though
when we, as humans, are always changing.
[13:00]
You: Yes, but always thinking the same was is foolish. We cannot be leaders if
we have nowhere new to lead people to.
[13:01]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Thats right.
[13:01]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: And as we grow we must adapt and modify our ideas.
[13:01]
You: Yes it is, but as diversity increases, as leaders we must also change with
the times.
[13:01]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, this was a big part of my life.
[13:01]
Jessica8 Iwish: Adapting is an important quality of a leader
[13:01]
You: We must always reemember though, on the spiritual level, we are all the
same, god is immanent in us all/
[13:02]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: The martial arts in japan and their leaders were dying
because there was no vitality, no life, in the arts because they were no longer
being used. The techniques were becoming practiced poorly and watered down. I made
sure that did NOT happen with my style.
[13:02]
Jessica8 Iwish: Yes nobody will follow you if don't have new, exciting ideas
[13:03]
You: that is true. we must lead people in directions they are not used to.
[13:03]
You: Heroism works in contradiction to the voice of mankind.
[13:03]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Sometimes you must revisit old directions though.
[13:03]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: So old they are new.
[13:04]
You: Yes, we must learn from people in the past.
[13:04]
You: I am inspired by Plato, Goethe, and Buddha.
[13:05]
Jessica8 Iwish: We must all learn from our mistakes and others so that they are
not repeated
[13:05]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, we must.
[13:05]
Betty Questi shouts: Very nice, Shakespeare!
[13:05]
Jessica8 Iwish: Improving on ourselves is another important attribute of a
leader
[13:06]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: It is a pity that the level of ignorance surrounding
different types of people, though, is still so great.
[13:06]
You: yes it is, that is why my friends and I have been working to explore all
types of new ideas, and share them with everyone around us through lectures,
newspapers, and essays!
[13:07]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: I think the key for the next generations is for leaders to
be able to unique different groups, social, religious, economic, and more, and
be able to show people what we have in common.
[13:07]
Jessica8 Iwish: Yes communication is the key.
[13:07]
Jessica8 Iwish: We must enlighten others so that they don't become ignorant on
diversity
[13:08]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, communication is crucial.
[13:08]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: (Irony in the silence).
[13:08]
Jessica8 Iwish: haha
[13:09]
You: haha. yes, i think that People do not seem to realize that their opinion
of the world is also a confession of character
[13:10]
Yukiyoshi Takaaki: Yes, this is a very accurate and telling statement.
[13:11]
Jessica8 Iwish: We just all need to interact with others and unite
[13:11]
You: Yes, and we need to keep growing and learning from other people
[13:11]
Jessica8 Iwish: We will be stronger that way
[13:11] You: Unless you try to do something beyond
what you have already mastered, you will never grow