Crash Course Mythology - Week 15 Extra Credit

Creation and Destruction

Ragnarok
Thor

Humans and Nature and Creation

This video explored the original creation story in the Bible as well as the Biblical story of the creation of animals in which man has control over creatures and naming capacity for them. The stories tell of a strict hierarchy in which man is dominant and at the top. In contrast, Native American myths look at the role of animal as collaborative and in some stories, animals were required in order for the creation of the world to happen. These two types of myths are The Emergency Myth and The Earth Diver Myth. Animals within these types of myths are thoughtful, plan, and have emotions unlike the Creation Myths in the Bible where the animals are dumb and just waiting to be named.

The Apocalypse

The video discusses the Apocalypse which simply refers to the end of the world. Most of these stories come from religious texts and all fit the definition of myth, which is a significant story that has been important to many people for a very long time. Many cultures have stories involving the end of the world. These stories are not about individual death but supernatural powers that intervene to put an end to humans. Most apocalyptic stories have two components: General Destruction and Judgement & Punishment. The video explores both stories from the Western World but also Islamic myths.

Ragnarok

Wow! This video plays like season 8 of the Game of Thrones. Ragnarok is the basically the Norse Apocalypse story. It is a prediction story in that it is script for something that is yet to come. The myth if the Thought Bubble is long, confusing, complex, and has many, many characters. In the end, or end before the new beginning, the earth sinks into the sea. However, there is a silver lining - water remains. From the water, earth will rise again. Some gods survived the battle and live to create a new Pantheon. Unlike the Biblical story where only the righteous live, in this story, the rebirth is for everyone.

Wikipedia Trails Week 14 From Succubus to Crop Circles

Crop Circles
unmuseum

Succubus

Succubus - Wikipedia

A succubus is a demon in female form, or a supernatural entity portrayed often in folklore. The succubus appears in dreams and takes the form of a woman in order to seduce men, usually through sexual activity. The male succubus in called the incubus. Religious traditions hold that repeated sexual activity with a succubus may result in the deterioration of health or mental state, or even death. Modern day representations take the form of a highly attractive seductress or enchantress however, in the past they were considered frightening and demonic.

Cambion

Cambion - Wikipedia

In late European mythology and literature, a cambion is the offspring of an incubus, succubus, or other demon with a human, or of an incubus and succubus. Merlin, the legendary wizard, alchemist, and teacher/advisor to king Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is a well known cambion, it being the source of his power. In the Encyclopedia of occultism and Parapsychology the cambion is said to be the direct offspring of the incubus and the succubus, foregoing any need for human involvement. The same incarnation retained the absence of breath or a pulse until seven year of age, but was said to have been incredibly heavy  and to have cried upon being touched.

Mooncalf

Mooncalf - Wikipedia

A mooncalf is a monstrous birth, the abortive fetus of a cow or other farm animal. The term comes from the once widespread superstition, present in many European folk traditions, that such malformed creatures were the product of the sinister influence of the Moon of fetal development. It is also used as a derogatory term indicating that someone is a dullard or fool. Also found in the Harry Potter series. Mooncalves perform dances in the moonlight and are apparently responsible for crop circles.

Crop circles

Crop circle - Wikipedia

A crop circle or crop formation is a pattern created by flattening a crop. Crop circles have been described as all falling “within the range of the sort of thing done in hoaxes” by Taner Edis, professor of physics at Truman State University. Although natural causes or alien origins of crop circles are suggested but lack scientific evidence - all crop circles are consistent with human causation. The number of crop circle has increased from the 1970s to present. Most formation occur at night however, some have appeared during the day.

Wikipedia Trails Week 15 From Poseidon to Ozarks

Giant Catfish
Catfish

Poseidon

Poseidon - Wikipedia

Poseidon was one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek religion and myth. He was the god of the Sea and other waters; of earthquakes; and of horses. His roman equivalent is Neptune. He was the protector of seafarers, and of many cities and colonies. He was a major civic god of several cities; in Athens, he was second only to Athena in importance, while in Corinth and many cities he was the chief god of the polis. He was seen as creating new islands and offering calm seas. When offended or ignored, he would strike the ground with his trident and cause chaotic springs, earthquakes, drowning s and shipwrecks to happen. Sailors prayed to Poseidon for a safe voyage and would sometimes sacrifice to him by drowning a horse. Poseidon was said to have had many lovers of both sexes. His consort was Amphitrite, a nymph and ancient sea-goddess. Together they had a s on named Triton, a merman.

Trident

Trident - Wikipedia

A Trident is a three-pronged speak. It is used for spearfishing and historically as a polearm. The trident is the weapon of choice for Poseidon, or Neptune, the God of the Sea. It has been used by farmers to remove leaves, seeds, and buds from the stalks of plants such as flax and hemp. In Greek, Roman, and Hindu mythology, the trident is said to have the power to control over the ocean. Poseidon use his trident to create water sources in Greece and the horse.

Gigging

Gigging - Wikipedia

Gigging is the practice of hunting fish or small game with a gig or similar multi-pronged spear. Commonly used to hunt freshwater suckers, saltwater flounder, and small game such as frogs. A gig refers to any long ple which has been tipped with a multi pronged spear. The gig pole ranges in length from 8-14 feet for fish gigs and 5 to 8 feet for frog gigs. A gig typically has three or four barbed tines similar to a trident however, gigs can be made with any number of tines.

Suckers

Catostomidae - Wikipedia

The Catostomidae are the suckers of the order Cypriniformes, with about 78 species in this family of freshwater fish. They are not usually fished recreationally as they are not highly prized in North America for their flesh. They are a popular target for spear fisherman, and in some areas, such as the Ozarks, they are a common fish that is eaten. The mouth of the fish is located on the underside of its head, with thick, fleshy lips. Most often found in rivers, they can be found in any freshwater environment. Their food source ranges from detritus and bottom-dwelling organisms, to surface insects and small fishes. They are caught by gigging or angling and prepared as food by being smoked or fried.

Ozarks

Ozarks - Wikipedia

The Ozarks, also called the Ozark Mountains or Ozark Plateau, is a region of the United States in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and extreme southeastern Kansas. There are two mountain ranges within the Ozarks - the Boston Mountains of Arkansas and the St. Francois Mountains of Missouri. Buffalo Lookout, the highest point of the Ozarks, is located in the Boston Mountains. The Ozarks cover nearly 47,000 square miles, making it the most extensive highland region between the Appalachians and Rockies.

Crash Course Myth: Flood Stories Week 14

The Ark
ancient flood

This flood video explores several flood stories that were told. In considering all the ways that the gods sought to destroy the earth, many cultures had flood myths. One of the reasons for this is the that many of the cities were built along rivers and other waterways that would flood in ways that were unpredictable and definitely not favorable. There also exists a common theme among primordial waters - water brings life and water can also bring death. The video tell the story in The Epic of Gilgamesh, where the gods flooded the earth. They sent 7 days of storms and only the only human to survive are Utnapishtim and his family in a boat.  It involves a dove, a swallow and also a raven. The god Enlil is shocked that Utnapishtim survived and makes him immortal. The story is similar to Noah’s flood story - boat, dove, but different in terms of length - 40 days versus 7 and in terms of Noah having received more detailed instructions to build the boat. Noah was not made immortal, but Noah and his sons were told that they would replenish the earth. Two other myth stories are told - one of Yima who takes two of each species in a mountain castle from ancient Iran. The creator God in this story needs a new beginning, suggesting that prior to the flood, beings were immortal. The other story is Jupiter’s flood story where he seeks to destroy humans for sins. Jupiter joins with Neptune to cause floods. Only two survivors from whom life continues. The apparent similarity could be that they may have influenced each other. The flood story represents a tragedy, and in seeking a meaning in tragedy, humans give meaning through story.

The second video explores more myths about floods. In China,  real flooding is a big deal. Floods caused destruction, social unrest and destroyed the food supply. Some believed that the floods meant that the gods were mad. To prevent floods would mean to be a hero. The character Yu tamed the flood and was given the title of emperor. Yu was the model of selflessness for 13 years he did not see his wife and family. Yu built levees and dikes to shift the waters out to sea. He called on a dragon, a black turtle, and the god of the river to assistant him. His wife also helped him and she worked to find ways to help. A story was told whereas the Yu’s wife, who was 9 months pregnant is told by Yu to bring him food when she hears the drum. Yu transforms himself into a bear and steps on drum by accident. The wife brings him food, but he doesn’t see her, she  is shamed by Yu being a bear and runs away. As she runs, she is changed to stone. Yu asked for the baby to which she cracked open and presents the baby through the north side of her body, while remaining stone. Unlike stories from the previous video, these floods don’t kill many people or are not caused by the gods to destroy humanity. It is noteworthy that the character, Yu, is righteous but through intelligent is successful. Devotion to duty makes him a model human being and emperor. Yu is a pristine model of life and rule.

The third video looks at three stories from the Inca, the Maya, and the Aztec Empire. Although at different times, the stories have some similarities. Unlike the earlier two videos, whose chosen characters to survive were loyal, the characters in these weren’t, especially in the Aztec myth. All three evoked themes of the gods making a mistake with humanity and desiring to start over. The Inca myth featured giants and is very similar to Noah’s flood story. A single couple survived by floating in a box. The Maya story is from the Popol Vuh and involves wooden people. The wooden people did not have minds, souls, or hearts. The creator desired to start over and make a people that knew him. The wooden people were turned into monkeys. He made a man from cornmeal with nine kinds of liquor. The Aztec tale is about the Old One telling a man to plant a cedar seed and a carpenter to buildh a canoe in order to escape the impending flood.. The man does as he is told and then the canoe floats and the man and his family survive. The Old One tells the man not to make fire, which he does. The Old One makes the man into a howler monkey. Why the man who survived was chosen? It is interesting to note the Monkey transformation theme,which could give evidence of shared stories between the Mayan and Aztec cultures. Flood stories usually focus on punishing humanity for transgression.

Learning Challenge: Unread Book: Just Read! (Bruno Mars)

Winnie the pooh
Pooh

I love the guy who plays the librarian in the video (Adam Kalma)...he cracks me up! The main chorus repeats“It’s Saturday night and I’m in my seat...don’t believe me just read...don’t feel guilty just read.” To fully appreciate the full scope of the contents and purpose requires both watching and listening to the video as well as reading Lyrics of the song. The books that are highlighted throughout the video provide a walk through childhood, the AP book list, and the list of best sellers. The cast within the video includes Bilbo Baggins, Katniss Everdeen, Ms. Frizzle, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Voldemort, Winnie the Pooh, Pippi Longstocking, Gone Girl Searcher, and Juliet. Although I identified many of the characters within the video, I discovered more within the credits at the end of the video. I also like how Adam Kalma’s character is called “Guybrarian.” This is a lighthearted journey into remembering childhood favorites and classics and perhaps also remembering the joy of reading. The video made me smile and made me remember that reading is a lifelong activity that involves many people and adventures that can be very fulfilling. I should challenge myself to read more for pleasure.

Learning Challenge: Empathy: The Human Connection

Heart shape
Heart

4:23 of pure mind blowing realization...EVERY.BODY.HAS.SOMETHING! The scenes and the music are heart warming and made me reflect. I thought about people I know who recently had a horrible diagnosis or those that I know that are continuing to battle health problems. The video begins with the viewer seeing what the patients are going through, but then the video adds the unspoken stories of the health care workers. Most importantly, all of these people exist beyond the walls of a hospital. All people have problems that are not just health related...financial problems, family problems, hunger, mental health issues, the list goes on and on. These unspoken stories and experiences are inherent in every person, everywhere. My challenge is to remember that I may never know the stories or experiences, but it is up to me to treat all people with respect and dignity and to understand that EVERY.BODY.HAS.SOMETHING!

HEART

EXTRA CREDIT

Learning by H.E.A.R.T Challenge

Deskercise: 17 Exercises You Can Do At or Near Your Desk - Small …

girl
excersizing

I have spent the better part of today catching up on homework and attempting to work ahead in a few of my classes. That being said, I have been hunched over and in a sitting position for too many hours. My body hurts, my head aches, my shoulders are tight, and my fingers are stiff. I could use a brief break. After pursuing the H.E.A.R.T extra credit options, I thought I would give the 17 exercises a try and see if I could release some tension from my shoulders and get a much needed energy boost to get through the evening.  I must admit that the first deskexercise made me laugh, but also gave me confidence in my ability to fulfill this challenge. Fidget. I am a constant bundle of wiggles, either my knee shakes or my legs swing; I guess I am better at this desk exercising thing han I thought I would be. After completing 16 out of the 17 exercises (I didn’t do the shadow boxing exercise, yet). Here are my favorites:

Exercise 4 is the Active Arm Stretches. I am amazed by how could this feels on my inner wrists. It also helps release some tension in my shoulders.

Exercise 5 - Shoulder and Neck Stretches - doing these felt AWESOME. It is very similar to the yoga stretch where your head turns one way and while keeping your shoulders on the ground, you twist you back, hips, and knees in the other direction. This exercise keeps you from getting dirty, though.

Exercise 10 - Shake it Up - wow, wow, wow...this gets your blood moving in your fingers and feels extremely energizing. I added my arms to this shakefest and felt invigorated!

Exercise 15 - Jumping Jacks - a definite cardio increase! It seems to improve my concentration and clear my head.

I really enjoyed doing these deskexercises. I feel like the small break has given me some needed energy to continue with my work.