See my list, #15 - Global Structures, Local Cultures by Mary Hawkins. It's an introduction to globalization. What was funniest was how, since it was written by an Australian, there were so many examples based in Australian society/culture/economics.
Yeah, it was actually really enjoyable, even for that kind of stuff. There was a lovely discussion of how modern folks tend to think of time and space as equivalent -- i.e. "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Then, she went on to explain current ideas about history and progression by discussing that question:
Quote:
In the first place, note the way in which it conflates space ('where') and time ('in five years'). Not also that it assumes the respondent has some control over the future; that steps taken in the present will inevitably lead to a particular outcome in the future. And finally, note that it all but demands a response in which the future is imagined as a development or progression for something better and brighter than the present. Certainly, a response of 'I see myself in the gutter in five years,' or 'I want to be surfing' is not the right sort of response, and is highly unlikely to gain parental praise, or employment. It demonstrates no notion of progress or development. Nor would the response of 'only God knows' or 'I will have to consult the oracle' suffice as a 'good' response...
*gigglesnort* Globalization stuff usually isn't hilarious, but this was.
I don't really need to watch the anime, simply because I've read the manga. But, there's the filler arcs, and they don't always make sense if you don't watch the whole thing.
My brother tells me I need to pick Naruto back up. I gave up on it a looong time ago because the filler was retarded, and then when the real story picked back up it was slow and meh - and then when it pretended to get interesting it was all 'mine is bigger than yours'. I just gave up.
Bleach has been sorta the same for me. I'll go marathon catch up in a month or so... but I'm in no hurry.
I loved Naruto. That was really the first manga/anime that I ever encountered. I tried to start reading it again this year, but I stalled somewhere during the story arc where the Naruto/Shikamaru/Choji etc team was trying to retrieve Sasuke. I'd love to be able to completely catch up on the story, but there's just so much of it. My resolve kind of weakens when I realize just how much I've still got to read.
Yeah, and the plot just keeps getting weaker and less believable the longer the story goes on. And to think, the author intends for this to be a multi-generational story. We have yet to see Naruto's son become a ninja....
His aim is much too big. Yes, Naruto has turned into a smash hit and still holds the attention of a sizeable audience. But sometimes you just have to know when to quit. The best stories aren't the ones that continue to drag on and on forever - They're the ones that are memorable and well planned. It's easy to tell that the longer Naruto went, the more forced the story became. And often, the harder it was to follow. If he plans on taking this longer, it needs to feel more natural.
Gah -- it would be worse than if Rowling decided to do a second-generation Harry Potter story! I've only seen enough of Naruto to realize why it's a hit, and why I never want to watch it.
Well, I love Naruto, but I think I stopped keeping up with it somewhere around when
SPOILERX
Naruto killed Pain
. I just stopped remembering to go check the latest chapter, and now I'll never find my place. xD Maybe if they come out with a Shippuden box set, I'll go out and buy it, but it'll be awhile until America catches up with the story.
True. If Nauto never ends, then naturally, America could never catch up. But since the manga-ka is only human, he will eventually pass on. And we will all pray that no dumbass attempts to make a spin-off/continuation series. So, even if it's not 'till I'm old and grey, we will eventually catch up. ^^
I gave an episode or two of Naruto a shot, and just really didn't like it. I'm feeling kind of glad I never got into it, because I've heard it's just gone on and on!
It does. xD It's like that one song... The one that never ends? And the original anime was crappy anyway. Bad art, too much filler... Bleh. The newer series is better, but I still prefer the manga.
