Comments on: Building Character for 2009 http://www.onelittlecog.com/2009/01/02/building-character-for-2009/ Making a Difference that is Greater than the Sum Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:10:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ehren http://www.onelittlecog.com/2009/01/02/building-character-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-434 Ehren Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:07:21 +0000 http://www.onelittlecog.com/?p=562#comment-434 That's a really insightful comment Melanie. It'll give me something to ponder about over the next while :) I do agree that the hipster thing does seem prominent but at the same time, I have a sense that youth culture today is gravitating towards function -- or rather ... how does such and such benefit me? Thanks for pointing out MT Anderson's Feed -- I will definitely check that out over the next while. These aren't really characters that inspire me ... those tend to be slightly different and they are like catalysts that energize me to take action. The characters I listed out here are more so ones that cause me to ponder about various issues or ideas :) That’s a really insightful comment Melanie. It’ll give me something to ponder about over the next while :) I do agree that the hipster thing does seem prominent but at the same time, I have a sense that youth culture today is gravitating towards function — or rather … how does such and such benefit me?

Thanks for pointing out MT Anderson’s Feed — I will definitely check that out over the next while.

These aren’t really characters that inspire me … those tend to be slightly different and they are like catalysts that energize me to take action. The characters I listed out here are more so ones that cause me to ponder about various issues or ideas :)

]]> By: Melanie http://www.onelittlecog.com/2009/01/02/building-character-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-433 Melanie Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:46:44 +0000 http://www.onelittlecog.com/?p=562#comment-433 What an interesting group of characters. I can see their appeal. Of the ones you listed, I'd have to say I really identify with M1k3y. While I had a few issues with the novel (it was a bit didactic in places and might have functioned better as one part story, one part handbook - in fact, he should have published a "handbook" separately with real tools/services listed like TOR). But M1k3y represents a spirit of freedom, inquisitiveness, critical mindedness and dissent that seems largely absent in youth culture today. In fact, I'd go so far as to say there seems to be a general absence of dissent among this current generation. The hipster thing seems more prominent - a culture of emptiness, cool and consumerism (however faux indy and "street" it's packaged). Another great novel you should check out is MT Anderson's Feed - it's along the lines of Little Brother but deals with another set of issues. It's first person unreliable. you'd love it. It's the best YA novel I've read in *years*! As a teacher who is currently in the process of transitioning from teaching college aged students to secondary students, I'm keenly aware of the need for characters that are relevant to today's young people. They have a very different and unique set of challenges than any other generation - along with all the usual stuff. I've been meaning to write something about YA novels in my own blog and this reminds me that I should :) As for characters that inspire *me*, mine are largely from real life :) What an interesting group of characters. I can see their appeal. Of the ones you listed, I’d have to say I really identify with M1k3y. While I had a few issues with the novel (it was a bit didactic in places and might have functioned better as one part story, one part handbook – in fact, he should have published a “handbook” separately with real tools/services listed like TOR). But M1k3y represents a spirit of freedom, inquisitiveness, critical mindedness and dissent that seems largely absent in youth culture today. In fact, I’d go so far as to say there seems to be a general absence of dissent among this current generation. The hipster thing seems more prominent – a culture of emptiness, cool and consumerism (however faux indy and “street” it’s packaged). Another great novel you should check out is MT Anderson’s Feed – it’s along the lines of Little Brother but deals with another set of issues. It’s first person unreliable. you’d love it. It’s the best YA novel I’ve read in *years*!

As a teacher who is currently in the process of transitioning from teaching college aged students to secondary students, I’m keenly aware of the need for characters that are relevant to today’s young people. They have a very different and unique set of challenges than any other generation – along with all the usual stuff. I’ve been meaning to write something about YA novels in my own blog and this reminds me that I should :)

As for characters that inspire *me*, mine are largely from real life :)

]]> By: The Gift That Keeps On Giving | cProsperity - Change Your Life http://www.onelittlecog.com/2009/01/02/building-character-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-432 The Gift That Keeps On Giving | cProsperity - Change Your Life Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:30:24 +0000 http://www.onelittlecog.com/?p=562#comment-432 [...] Building Character for 2009 January 3rd, 2009 in Law Of Attraction, Personal Development | tags: Business, Law Of Attraction, Society and Culture, Trust [...] [...] Building Character for 2009 January 3rd, 2009 in Law Of Attraction, Personal Development | tags: Business, Law Of Attraction, Society and Culture, Trust [...]

]]> By: Erin W http://www.onelittlecog.com/2009/01/02/building-character-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-431 Erin W Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:19:45 +0000 http://www.onelittlecog.com/?p=562#comment-431 Little Brother is on my Y/A reading list :) Little Brother is on my Y/A reading list :)

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