"Comrade Laski, C.P.U.S.A. (M.-L.)" by Joan Didion by Virginia Fitzgerald https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski Upload the audio (or video if you're feeling frisky) of your 10-12 minute conversation on this short essay from Slouching Towards Bethlehem. en-us 2016-10-24 15:33:49 UTC 2023-01-27 00:20:08 UTC hello@padlet.com Group Members: vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132745591 Trevor Horn
Geoff Downs]]> 2016-10-24 15:44:33 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132745591 Okay, clearly these are members of the infamous group The Buggles, who you are no doubt familiar with. No? Well anyway, I just wanted to show you how to format your audio. So, on top, put your group members, and on the bottom, upload the audio of your discussion. You should be able to record using an iPhone's "voice memo"; then, you can email to yourself and upload to the padlet. If you have an easier way of doing this SHARE YOUR GENIUS. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Didion's essay! vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132751080 2016-10-24 15:57:08 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132751080 Didion Discussion 10/24 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132833972 Laura Shi, Xiaoying Zheng, Kara Hadden, Nadine El Nesr.]]> 2016-10-24 19:19:46 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132833972 Thanks Laura, Xiaoying, Kara, and Nadine. As a group, you managed to touch on so many interesting points in this brief essay from Didion (and with such genuine enthusiasm!). I especially love how you delved into the idea of finding purpose in life and connecting to how that drive can take on an anti-establishment or rebellious form at times (whether sincere or not; or, at times, perhaps condescending). As well, connecting these ideas to current political figures (Bernie Sanders) takes this essay from 1967 to 2016. Amazing job ladies - this was a sophisticated, intelligent conversation to listen in on. Great work! vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132846424 2016-10-24 20:09:55 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132846424 Didion Discussion 10/24 caschultz18 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132868560 Carly Schultz, Becca Furgal, Katie Stassis, Halle Chase]]> 2016-10-24 22:47:50 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/132868560 Thank you Carly, Becca, Katie, and Halle. Great to hear each of your voices and your important insights into the text! Your conversation helped to clarify the characterization of Comrade Laski and ultimately Didion's perspective in the piece. The phrasing "paranoid", "delusional", and "compulsive" that came up in your conversation feels very accurate in Didion's portrayal. I appreciated how that discussion on characterization led to an even deeper foray into a person's sense of self, and the significance of purpose. Particularly, the idea that Didion's interview with Comrade Laski somehow emphasized the importance of them both - both of their purposes/selves forever immortalized in writing. Just awesome. Oh yes, and I wanted to make sure to note your observation on Didion's generalization of people, or, rather - categorization of people and the notion that she finds comfort in figuring these types of people out. As you mentioned, Didion sees the "underlying thing" in everything. Great job! vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/133061730 2016-10-25 15:54:52 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/133061730 Didion Discussion 10/24 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/133773006 Jack Gingrich

]]> 2016-10-27 21:05:11 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/133773006 Didion Discussion 10/24 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/ComradeLaski/wish/133855913 Alex Chen
Nick Ding
Tyler Zhang
Andrew Gao

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