As a person who finds it difficult to paint mental pictures according to the visual description when reading literature, reading excerpts from Mr. Palomar was an eye-opening experience. I found the description of Mr. Palomar’s observation of a moon in the afternoon especially beautiful, since it is an object that I frequently encounter on a regular basis but did not give much thought about. The way Calvino depicted the slow transition of the hues of the afternoon sky, and how the once pale and fragile moon gains illumination was so vivid and colorful. Reading this passage made me realize that figuring out the exact words to describe a scene could enable a person to relive and understand the scene in a more vivid way. Perhaps this is the reason Calvino is concerned about the haphazard use of language- as a person’s understanding of the world is based on language, if language is used in a loose and careless way, a person’s understanding of the world could be befuddled as well.

I agree with Ketaki’s point that Calvino’s observations in “Exactitude” from Six Memos from the Next Millennium about lack of precision in language could be easily applied to our current society, especially with the pervasion of digital media hindering people’s ability to communicate in precise language. However, I wondered if literature could be an antidote for this lack of precision if less and less people are reading literature. Reading and comprehending the exact meaning of a text requires as much practice and patience as acquiring the ability to express ideas or observations in exactitude. As Calvino stated, “We live beneath a continuous rain of images; the most powerful media do nothing but turn the world into images and multiply it with the kaleidoscopic play of mirrors.” (69) Calvino points out that people do not have to “distinguish form and meaning” or pay attention to “a wealth of possible meanings” when they observe images. However, in the digital era, people are more accustomed to images, memes, or cartoons that speak in a generic fashion, which blunts their ability to read between the lines, or even endure reading a long paragraph. I myself also feel as if I am losing the ability to focus on texts that are less plot-driven or sensational. Although literature might be the “Promised Land” of exact language, could it serve as an antidote if no one is willing to venture into that land?

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Description 1:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are mechanical objects that fly without a human on board. They are usually operated by humans in remote locations but are sometimes controlled by autonomous machines onboard the aircraft. UAVs range in size and shape and serve a variety of functions. Though originally developed for military use, UAVs are now used widely for commercial and recreational purposes.

Revised description:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which are more commonly referred to as drones, are technologically advanced devices that do not require the presence of a person onboard in order to fly. Drones are ordinarily operated at a distance by human controllers, but more advanced drones can be directed by autonomous machines onboard the aircraft. UAVs can be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or large enough to resemble a human carrying plane. The architecture of drones also varies as the devices serve a variety of functions. Though the creation of drones was initially the result of innovation for national security purposes, the unmanned objects expanded their utility to include an array of commercial and recreational uses.

Description 2:

Once serving exclusively militaristic purposes, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are now prevalent across society. They are called by a less technical name, drones, and are used by corporations and children alike. Unlike a regular aircraft, a drone does not need a human on board to operate. Instead, the control of the aircraft can take place on the opposite side of the globe. When advanced drones are equipped with autonomous machines that make real-time decisions about the path of the aircraft, human control is no longer necessary at all. Because drones serve a variety of functions, they can be big or small, modern or classic looking, and are built with amenities specific to their uses.