Project Icarus Journal #2 Data & Information Gathering

Data & Information Gathering:

Created in the Bronx, NY around 1973, Bboying or breakdancing is a extremely fun, yet difficult dance that bboys and bgirls participate in. It takes it's own steps from the foundations of the first bboys, and then the dancer adds whatever they want to their dance. It's a tool for self expression, creating visual art, and a lot of fun. Watch the video for guidance as you follow the steps, as the moves are better demonstrated visually than through words.

One of the first things any bboy should learn is the difference between "breakdancing" and "bboying". Bboying is the first term made to describe the dance; it's usually the term used when in the community. The term the general media uses to describe the dance is breakdancing, which was conjured up by a reporter back when the dance was gaining recognition.

Learn the Basic Moves These are critical to becoming a good breaker and should not be glossed over carelessly. Working hard at the basics will allow you to become a better beraker than if you went straight for the harder and more impressive moves.

Learn how to toprock, or the stand-up part of the dance. This is where you can really let loose and enjoy yourself. It's this part of the dance that you can play with the music a lot.

Learning the freezes is very essential being a successful breaker. This is the traditional way to finish your throwdown (a throwdown is what we call it when you visit the floor to take your turn) The basic freezes to learn are: Baby freeze, turtle, shoulder, side chair. These are the most fundamental freezes and it is very important that you learn them early on as a lot of other moves build on them.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Breakdance

Reflection questions chap 2-3

1. Describe the areas the Orpah and Elie Wiesel visit in Chapter 2 & 3.  A.  The areas they visited were the gas houses and the other areas that many jews were killed within the camps.
2. Why do Oprah and Elie Wiesel refer to the camp as a "death factory"? how was it "industrialized"?  A.  Oprah and Elie Wiesel refereed to the camps as death factories because majority of the jews brought to the camps were killed, and the somewhat fortunate jews that were able to work became their slaves.
3. What is the significance of the hundreds of labelled suitcases? of the baby clothes? of the shoes?  A.  The significance was that many of jews, poor and rich were brought together and received the same fate.  As for the babies, those babies could have been someone that found a cure for cancer, or become the next president, and so forth.
   
4. How is this video different in video technique and style from most videos or movies that you are used to seeing? (think about your answers to question 2 on the previous reflection)? Do you think the difference in style was effective? Why or why not?  A.  This video is different in style because Oprah and Elie Wiesel are talking as if the camera were not there.
   
5. After watching the video and reading the book, what is your impression or response to this thing called the Holocaust? How did the experience of watching the video differ from that of reading the book for you?