Exercise 4: Sensory Experience Quantified & Unclassifiable
- 10 points; 2 parts, media required for both
- due 09-Apr; on your blog as entry or page (or in D2L if preferred)
- Tutorial/Overview Video (with examples & further explanation of Prompt 1)
» Objective: in this two-part exercise, explore the range and limits of “making meaning” from experience, by articulating as information (if not necessarily knowledge).
Format: multimedia is required, for both parts (at least one instance each).
You might also compose the entire entry, parts 1 and/or 2, using media: for example, Part 1 as video.
» Part 1 prompt:
Choose a specific sensory experience, directly encountered/engaged (not mediated, cultural, narrative, intellectual, etc).
“Catalog” descriptively to the greatest extent that you can, using as many angles/categories as possible (as “thought experiment”).
Think of this document less as a typical written genre (summary, narrative, memory, discussion, argument, etc.) —
rather, more like an entry for encyclopedia or database, encoded as information and “legible” in its quantitative and objective properties.
- → consider Drucker’s term capta (Rettberg Chapter 5): capture the sensory experience and compose
database entry in place of subjective memory — one that is “legible,” both quantified and linguistic description, for algorithms (like search engine or recommendation system, A.I. / “machine learning”).
* Be sure to consider and “transcribe” from several perspectives; to “capture” the numerous properties, all empirical qualities, of the sensory experience as information.
(note: this might not necessarily represent the experience, especially visually, in any conventional way)
Consider the following angles, as well as any other “systems of meaning” you use:
- Visible, as well as perceptible with any/all other senses
Physical, material, chemical, biological
Numerical, measurements, “analytics” or “metrics”
Data captured by devices/applications (“machine vision” view), actual or imagined
Taxonomy, category, reference; linguistic, non-verbal
*omitting meanings or values social, cultural, moral, comparative, historical
— in favor of strictly objective observations.
» Part 2 (200−300 words):
Reflecting upon your “capta entry,” what is left out? Discuss any/all aspects, particularly subjective and qualitative dimensions, of the sensory experience that are not able to be documented as information — in quantified/empirical ways, as well as linguistic or representational forms. (i.e. what can’t be made visible or even put into words, possibly?)
Demonstrating advanced content knowledge and engagement, use at least one term/concept or quote from Rettberg or Knight readings.
In entire discussion, be specific, even while speculating, and avoid generalizations or simple comparison/contrast. Think of this as a separate prompt, asking you to contemplate and convey “the experience” (moment) in itself — in ways not “legible” (especially to database/algorithm) as information or perhaps even expressible in language.
→ Using a media form to express or convey the subjective dimension is a good strategy (particularly as practice for Project 3).
» The entire response should present insights about “the Experience Paradigm” through thoughtful discussion about this particular instance, discussed concisely and precisely.
Assessment Criteria (from syllabus):
Posted to personal blog (or D2L), these informal compositions illustrate attentive reading of assigned materials, progress toward project, and engagement with class topics relative to schedule.
Credit is assigned for (1) submitting on-time, with required length and media (if assigned);
(2) demonstrating attention to class topics, content knowledge, and critical thinking, particularly by describing insights and connections;
(3) providing thoughtful and relevant responses to prompts, through specialized discourse;
(4) with specific examples from personal knowledge and/or respective readings,
(5) while extending rhetorical knowledge and mastery of writing conventions, practicing efficient prose (i.e. minimizing /avoiding summary, repetition, digression, and unnecessary discussion).
» Video Notes
» WeVideo — Screen Recorder option
» other options:
SnagIt (Chrome extension = free, plus unlimited storage in Drive with CU Login)
— Tutorial video
also: Screncast-o-Matic , Jing / Screencast.com , or EZVid (upload to YouTube)