Philosophical Musing

I wanted to publish part of my paper on Michel Foucault's discussion on challenging societal norms and the common discourse. These are some of the ideas from a class that really impressed me and shaped my graduate experience.



For thousands of years man has struggled to define the world and human experiences within it. Greek philosophers were some of the first to theorize about human relationships and attempt to view the world though logical reasoning. In the 16th and 17th century, scientific objective interpretations of the world were emphasized by the Enlightenment thinkers. Objectivism is defined as viewing the world in a fixed way with a universal truth that is waiting to be discovered through empirical means. Postmodern theory was developed as a counter to the modernist objective notions of the Enlightenment. Postmodernists refuted binary categories and objective viewings of truth and knowledge, stressing subjectivity and defining truth by its historical constructs. Popularized by Michel Foucault, postmodern theory provides differing ways to view the world and finding plural forms of truth.

In this paper, I plan to first further define postmodern theory. Secondly, I plan to examine how postmodern feminism that derived from postmodern theory contributes to modern day social work. As social work moves further away from only based in scientific research and practice it is necessary to be creative and recognize our role in removing dominant discourses at work in our society. To be effective in social work today, we must find alternative ways of knowing and learning so that we can stand up to dominant norms and provide new resources that may advance social justice.

Postmodernism theory is becoming well established as an alternative approach to social work applications. Modernists viewed human relationships in a categorical binary or fixed lens. Postmodern theorists argued that this view is limiting and ignoring the complexities of human relationships over time. Postmodernism aims to remove categories and therefore engage in a more comprehensive study of a human being and the diverse self. It seeks to open up possibilities and offer new perspectives on traditionally held beliefs.

Michel Foucault was one of the first established postmodern thinkers of the 20th century. He founded new ways of understanding power through relationships and discovered applications for the social work field. In Reading Foucault for Social Work, Irving argues that Michel Foucault believed that the postmodern lens didn't immediately provide guidance on the conduct of social work but believed that radical questioning and fearless thinking could lead to a deeper understanding of the world (Irving, 1999). Unlike scientific objectivism that in the age of Enlightenment led to viewing the world in a fixed empirical manner, postmodernism thought engages in varying discourses, as Foucault calls them, that attempt to posit uncertainty of what may be considered as absolute truths. By that definition, everything in life is subjective and fluid vs. objective and stationary.

Another major component in defining postmodernism is to understand that history is shaped by context and constructed by language and invented by the participants. Postmodernism theory postulates that there are no known truths and this idea was first introduced by Friedrick Nietzche. Nietzche questioned the modernists of the Enlightenment by stating that all knowledge was created and not permanent. Knowledge can constantly be changing based on the situation and therefore it is important to fully understand a person's condition before making statements that assert your knowledge about a person in a particular environment.

Defining Foucault's notion of power is an integral concept of postmodern thought. Foucault saw power as not located in economic or political structures but rather as being spread out over a whole social system. Power only existed in the form of relationships (Chambon, Epstein, Irving, 1999). Power does not necessitate domination over a particular object but can regulate possibilities for changes in structure. Power also requires resistance in some form, or as Foucault theorized, wherever there is power there will be resistance. Resistance was also thought to have a multitude of forms as it was to be understood that without multiple forms, power and resistance may fall into the binary categories that Foucault attempted to dismantle in society.

My understanding of postmodernism based on the readings is that binary categories lead to understanding the world in a very fixed manner and aim to control a person's way of being. Our view of individuals as argued by postmodernists should emphasize multiplicity and diversity. We should recognize that in order to truly examine someone we must look at the social and cultural constructs that are acting on them. Postmodernist thought gave way to Postmodernist Feminism and allows for approaches to treatment of women to represent their varied interests.

Postmodern feminism evolved as a counter to the essentialist notion that considers gender to be a fixed biological trait. Postmodern feminists argue that gender and sex are not natural but socially constructed. Especially the third wave of feminism sought out to celebrate diversity and recognize that we cannot use one specific term "woman" for all women but need to delegate the term to other forms; middle-class women, African-American women, poor Latina women, etc. Postmodern feminism holds an ideal to remove the binary categories that often oppress women and make direct comparisons to men. It seeks to celebrate the diversity of women yet unite them into a political fight for equality and social justice. As referenced by the lecture on Postmodern Feminism, "women's oppression is produced by patriarchal capitalism" (Nylund, 2010) and within that patriarchy more women are subjected to prostitution, domestic work and marriage/childcare. In order for women to be rid of these categorical roles--opposite of traditional men's roles, the dominant discourse must be challenged.

Discourses, as defined by Foucault, "are structures of knowledge and systematic ways of carving out reality that characterize particular historical moments. The embodied acts of discourse, or discursive practices, provide parameters for what can be known, said, and thought" (Chambon, Epstein, Irving, 1999 p. 272). The common discourse on women in the 19th century is they were not analytical enough to understand politics to be able to make an informed decision to vote. In the middle of the 20th century it was stated that a woman's place was within the home and taking care of the children. The postmodern feminism movement has aimed to change the dominant discourse perpetuated by a patriarchal society so that women can be defined in a multitude of ways that transform the dominant ways of thinking.

Postmodern feminist theory provides a basis to alter the power relationships that are created by the language within the dominant discourse. For example, it may be important to reconstruct the idea that women are dependent either upon welfare services or men. Language can thus be reconstructed to challenge what Foucault called regimes of truth or dominant norms. It has been argued that "language and discourse, as socially constructed, can be politically contested and interrupted in service of emancipatory change". In order to make the changes in the discourse, society must reflectively examine the regimes of truth at work and provide diverse approaches to alter the current models in social work. Postmodernism feminists provide an opportunity for social workers to contribute to social change.....

McClure Meadow

As part of completing my personal life list of hiking objectives and to honor the memory of our daughter Maren Louise Somers, I hiked the entire John Muir Trail in Sept 2010. Nancy hiked the first three days from Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows with me. We buried some of Maren's ashes at Cloud's Rest near Half Dome in Yosemite NP. Nancy re-supplied me at Red's Meadow and I then continued south where I met my cousins Patrick, Laura, Sheila and their good friend Jeff. We all summited Mt. Whitney at 14,497' on Sept 23, 2010. I spread some of Maren's ashes to the winds from the summit of Mt. Whitney.

It was a challenging and exciting adventure. I met many nice people on the trail and we all had fun. I especially had a great time at Muir Trail Ranch and highly recommend it to any JMT hiker who can get a cabin there - wonderful food, company, and hot tubs....well worth the fees. Thanks to my cousins for bringing me a re-supply in over Kearsarge Pass to help me complete the last portion of the trail. I will likely repeat it again in the future - anyone want to join in a repeat?

Summit Trail to Mt. Whitney

Maren is gone

Now that Maren is dead, we will have to carry on without her. She started this blog to bring us all together. I hope we will continue to use it and share our journeys and adventures through life with each other. I'm going to work on inviting other Somers to join in as well. It seems I am the only one who actually posts much and not that often.

Nancy and I are still very sad about our lovely daughter but there is little we can do now. She apparently took her own life on June 18, 2010 by drinking a KCN solution that she prepared from chemicals she obtained from the lab where she was pursuing her graduate degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois. We don't have the final coroner's report yet, but the final analysis and autopsy reports are due soon.

Getting Ready for Winter

Here's the first installment on keeping Nancy warm this winter - 5 or 6 more piles of this nature will be required!

Thankfully we recently (last year) purchased a hydraulic splitter - it is awesome! You can split pieces of wood that were previously left in the forest; those knots have a high heat content due to the resins and density - love to burn them - just hate to try and split them with an 8# maul!

Wonderland Trail - Completed

Nancy and I walked around Mt. Rainier in 11 days and 10 nights - > 90 miles. It was a gruelling, demanding, gorgeous, spectacular, awe inspiring hike. The elevation changes were the greatest challenge - usually up 2500-3000' each day and down about that same amout (what goes up has to come down!).

You can see more pictures of our adventure at: http://www.earthscapesphotography.com/

Come join us on the next adventure?

Wonderland Trail

OK - we have a permit for two for a 12-day adventure circumnavigating Mt. Rainier. We'll be spending the next 3 months getting in shape and getting equipment together. We will send two food caches ahead so we won't have to carry so much food. The maximum number of days of food carrying will be 5 to 6 which is a normal hike for us.

Maren couldn't make it this year on our hike - she is going to spend 3 months in Africa! She is planning on being back for Mike's Wedding.

Mike and Erin won't make it this year either - hey - they are getting married at the end of August - plenty for them to do until then!!!

This will be as much a mental challenge as physical; getting up every morning and walking all day long - through some of the most beautiful scenery in the west.

Here are some links to trip reports from others who have hiked the trail:

http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/rainier/

http://www.freeyourheel.de/tripreports/rainier/wonderland.htm

http://lonerunman.blogspot.com/2008/09/wonderland-trail-around-mt-rainier.html

Thanks to everyone for the nice shower at Peggy's - great food, family and fun!

See you at the wedding!!

Recent publication

Maren's boyfriend, Vikram, recently published the following article - his first publication!

http://scitation.aip.org/vsearch/servlet/VerityServlet?KEY=JCPSA6&ONLINE=YES&smode=strresults&sort=chron&maxdisp=25&threshold=0&possible1=jadhao&possible1zone=author&bool1=and&possible2=quantum+dynamics&possible2zone=multi&OUTLOG=NO&viewabs=JCPSA6&key=DISPLAY&docID=1&page=1&chapter=0

Photos of trips

Most of the pictures from our trips can now be viewed at:
http://www.earthscapesphotography.com/

Where is everybody?

Why isn't anyone posting to this blog? We need to get it updated and keep each other informed - too many things have happened in the past year to even begin to try to iterate them here and now.

A couple of important items 1) Mike Somers is now engaged to Erin Robinson from St. Louis, they still live in Sacramento 2) Maren is in grad school at the UofI in environmental engineering (finally got her degree in civil) and lives with Vikram Jadhao from India. We all went hiking in the Sierras 2008 starting in the eastern Sierra and hiking up into the sawtooth range near Matterhorn Peak via Mule and Burro Passes....great hike albeit physically challenging. The eastern Sierra approaches are a bit steeper than coming in from the west, but we still enjoy it.

Where is everybody?

We had a great trip to the Grand Canyon. Participants: Peter, Nan, Maren, Sara, Lucy. We spen two nights at Toroweap out on the Arizona strip and then drove over to the trailhead for the Thunder River trail (after stopping at Jacob's Lake for breakfast and to fill up on water). We headed down the Bill Hall trail - a very rugged north rim hiking trail that takes you into the bowels of the canyon via Thunder River - a spectacular waterfall shooting out of the side of the canyon. The first night we camped on the Esplanade and cached water for the return trip (a new concept and challenge for us). We hike to the waterfall on day two. We laid around the waterfall for a few hours (until it cooled off a bit) and the went on down to Upper Tapeats Creek and found a campsite and spent two nights there. Then, it took us another two days to hike out. It was quite challenging, but we all made it safely. There was a point on the Bill Hall where we had to lower our packs with rope and downclimb about 15 feet of cliff face!!! We all did fine.

September will be a traverse of the Minarets in the Sierras. For more details check out Sierras Trail Branch Page: http://www.accesscom.com/~ddonehoo/sierratrails.html

To see more pictures check out the smugmug web gallery of this trip: http://www.hikindoc.smugmug.com/gallery/2961411#160104549

Big South Fork

Nan and I took an autumn trip to the Big South Fork. We had wanted to go there on several occasions and just decided to go. It was quite interesting. We put in some miles hiking there and it was nice without backpacks for a change. This is a horse lovers paradise; lots of trails available to ride on - we took our mountain bikes but were a bit disappointed at the trails for them. The best hiking trails with the most interesting formations did not allow horses, so that was good. This picture is of one of the twin arches - fascinating formations.

Going Back

We're headed back to the Sierras for another great hike. We have about 30 miles planned. Hiking out of the Mineral King area - one of the supposedly gorgeously fabulous areas in the Sierra Nevada range of light.

Mike and Erin will be going as well as Lucy. We are just about packed and ready! We have been working out everyday to get ready to cross the mountain passes. We're still working on the exact route, but we'll put it up to the group to decide exactly which way we'll proceed. That way everyone will be vested in the adventure.

Stay tuned for our next adventure in Hiking America!!!

Awesome Adventure!!!

We hiked down the south Kaibab trail with Lucy, her daughter Mary and her friend Ian. It was a gorgeous morning and we had a marvelous time. By the time the afternoon came, most of us were at the Bright Angel Campground. By then, Nan's knees and legs were fried. I went back up into the red limestone formation and doused her with water and took her pack. It was 105°F at the bottom, but the Bright Angel Creek was spring fed - cool and refreshing. Our planned trek out to Clear Creek was put on hold and we convinced the ranger that we needed to stay put at the Bright Angel campground - they agreed and we had two fabulous days of day hiking and cooling off in the wonderful spring fed waters. It took us two days to hike out the north Kaibab trail via Cottonwood campground. The scenery was beyond description - you just have to experience it to understand it. We both found the north Kaibab trail as we had experienced it in the year 2000 with Mike and Maren - wonderful, scenic, and challenging. We were all awe inspired for another few months until the trail will call us back for more scenic adventures. Join us! It will be in the Sierras in September - Mineral King area.

We're going back

Its been five years since Nan and I ventured down the South Kaibab trail in the Grand Canyon. We have done two other major trips to the GC since then, but this year we are going back to do the entire Kaibab trail - rim to rim. We're going to start on the south rim and head to the north rim with a 9 mi detour out to the clear creek drainage on the north rim. Our friend and extraordinary hiking partner Lucy (from Montgomery AL) is going with us. Her daughter and her friend Ian are also going to join this hiking troop. It should be a fabulous time in the GC. We've never been there in May and we're looking forward to it. Temps on the rim are running 70 day/30 night; at the Colorado river it is more like 90/60°F. For those of you who have not been to the GC, you better get your butts there - its a magical mysterious place full of awesome scenery that you cannot describe to anyone - you just have to 'experience' it and the best way to do that is to wander down into the bowels of its inner canyon. There are Vishnu Shists (rock types) there that are 2 billion years old - some of the oldest rocks on the planet - this is one of the few places on the planet where you can actually touch, see, and experience the wonder of geological time and space. We're already talking about a repeat of the Hermit trail for next year. If you want to get in on this fun-filled adventure - you'd better let us know. These permits are some of the most difficult that we have to plan and plan for so that we can get the back country permit trips that we want. The number of people that want these permits is truly phenomenol. I faxed our request Jan 1 2006 at 0700 a.m. this year - thankfully it was early enough - but, I have to admit I fell asleep and thought it might be too late!!! People from all over the planet want to hike the Grand Canyon and once you've been there you know why.

Proposed hikes near Mineral King CA Sept 2006

OK - Here are two (of thousands!) hikes I have researched and full descriptions with pictures are posted on this website: http://www.sierra-trails.com/sierratrails.html

One is much shorter - 20+ miles might take 4 days, maybe less. We would probably have time to go visit Yosemite valley after or before this hike.

The other one is longer 40+ miles might take 6 days or less. Profiles are provided too.

Feedback is encouraged. Do some research and make a proposal for other hikes in the high Sierra. The goal for us is to get above treeline and enjoy the magnificent views of the Sierra Crest, Great Western Divide etc.

Cancun

We had a great trip to Cancun in February. We even went to a bullfight. It was very interesting; informative and interesting. It was funny to see the gringos who volunteered try to fight a small 150# bull. The bull won - no doubt about it. When the real bull was let out most everyone's eyes were as big as silver dollars. It is a deadly dance - no matter who gets killed.

Grand Cayon: rim to rim in May. Permit is full so if you want to join us on a hike, you'll have to wait until Sept when we head back into the high Sierras - Mineral King area....maybe Deadman Canyon Loop.

Somers Travel?

What is this, the Somers travel blog!?

Well - I have been crazy busy since about September trying to prepare for a project site assessment in Western Africa. I am coordinating a team of about 30 engineering students for Engineers Without Borders to develop a sustainable water source for a community of about 10,000 in Enugu State, Nigeria. Six of us are planning to travel for a week at the end of March, as well another 5 or 6 for a couple weeks in May to determine various design parameters and options for a solution that will work for this specific community.


EWB is an interesting organization that attempts to implement sustainable humanitarian engineering solutions through non-sustainable means: flying kids accross the world to solve problems in a completely foreign environment. There are benefits: the students have access to funds the community can't even imagine and the fact that people from another country are willing to help out creates morale within the village to organize themselves to create the changes they wish to see.

Ultimately, I hope to study alternate methods for technology transfer to rural communities, but for now, I'm going to continue working on these projects for at least another year, until I graduate.

Nan and I are headed back to the Mayan Riviera in a couple weeks. We're really looking forward to another fantastic trip. It is such a relaxing get away in the middle of winter; great fun to go swim in the Carribean Sea, play in the pool, visit the Mayan ruins, dive the reefs, and not worry about a thing.

City Scapes

We decided to check out some of those city scapes ourselves! We wandered through the concrete and steel with Pat and Traci for a couple of days - Maren, Nan, and Peter. We had a great time - ok we admit - concrete and steel can be fun sometimes too!

Welcome Winter!!

I hope everyone had a good 2005. I'm dreaming of hikes in the mountains and canyons yet to come in 2006. Trips planned are rim to rim at the Grand Canyon plus another trip to the Sierras or Wind River Range, WY. If you want to come along, just let me know. Nan and I have enough gear for four now albeit some of it is of the heavier style equipment, but still works well and will get you in good condition!

Now that winter is here I thought I would post a pic to remind us of the warm summer days with good music and good times.

Street musician in Baltimore, MD.

....

Fighting for Peace is like.....

Fucking for Virginity!!!

More pictures from Kings Canyon NP

Jacob - glad to see you on board man! Stay in touch. We want to hear all about your parties, adventures and other pursuits.

Here are a couple more pictures from our trip to the high Sierra in Sept. This was a wonderful hike in the backcounty of King's Canyon NP. My friend Lucy met us in Fresno along with Mike and we all hiked 46 miles with 14000' of elevation change in 5 days. It was physcally demanding, but we all did pretty well.

The first two pictures are a couple river/stream crossing we had to negotiate. Some of these were quite interesting to say the least. None of us fell in, fell off, or were injured thankfully as we were a long way from civilization - 2 day walk minimum!

The next picture is the trail leading to the Rae Lakes and namesake of our trail (Rae Lakes Loop). You can see findome in the background a very popular and often photographed granite dome. Our camp was right across the lake from fin dome - elevation 10,500'.

This was truly an inspiring hike and if you've never been to the high Sierras - it is one place on the planet you should try to visit. It is not difficult to get there and should be on your life list of things to do and places to visit. We're going back next year and hike out of Mineral King - the road to Mineral King is notorious for its switchbacks - some 600 or something crazy like that. It will be interesting!

The next pictue is the crew slogging up the trail from Rae Lakes to Glen Pass at 12000'. It was only 1500' up from Rae Lakes, but had to do that in 1.5 miles - so a bit of a grade there - not to mention the air getting noticeably thin above 9000' feet! Glen Pass is just above the small snow field in the picture!!!

The next picture is Mike sitting on a large granite boulder at the Rae Lakes campsite; just enjoying the view and doing a bit of reading. What a place to contemplate the wonders of the planet and enjoy them while they last!!!

Well - that didn't seem to come out - maybe I've run out of space? If not - I'll upload my favorite pic from the trip - a panoramic shot of Nan, Mike and Lucy on top of Glen Pass at 12000'. The wind was fierce and somewhat frightening. You felt as if it would blow you off the mountain!

Not sure what is going on - pics not wanting to upload - must have exceeded some memory limit. Will try some other time...blog you later.

The World Can't Wait

Nan found this interesting web site. I'm sure some of you will appreciate it. I only wish there were millions of people signing on and writing off the Bush regime. When you read the encapsulated summary of what this idiot has done and will continue to do to the planet it is very sad. So many people have worked so many years to try to encourage the world to reach toward a quality of life for all the world citizens and here comes the idiot who seems to have been given a christian religious mandate to destroy all of the good that has been cultivated in the world. He reminds me of a retarded Sauron from the Lord of the Rings. He's really not intelligent enough to influence the world so critically himself, but his evil cronies, henchmen, and religious zealots are.

Read some of the things on this web site and admit that his crusades against the planet earth will have dire consequences for years if not decades to come.

Why not work toward world peace, reduce overpopulation, and improve quality of life for all citizens instead of war mongering, raping the planet's resources (e.g. ANWR, Iraq), degrading other religious and political ideologies? Because he is of a selfish and self serving mindset that wants to control and rule the planet. They don't care about what the quality of life is. Their religion tells them to produce quantity - "go and fill the earth" - just because a few million have to starve every year doesn't really matter. Its the production that matters. More production, more profit for those that have. Let the 'others' eat cake as has been said before!

When will the people of this country wake up and shout to impeach this fool?

John Muir Trail

Just wanted to post this picture of Nan, Mike and myself at the junction of the John Muir trail in Kings Canyon NP. It was a sentinal event for me as I had been reading about and wanting to hike on the JMT for several years now. One day my plan is to hike the entire trail from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney. If any other Somers are interested, let me know because it will take a couple years of planning and getting ready. The trail is approximately 220 miles and goes through the most spectacular alpine scenery in the world. It shares many miles with the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) which runs from Mexico to Cananda through CA, OR, WA; it is about 2500 miles or so. I don't really have any desire to spend 5 months hiking the PCT, but I think I can do the JMT in three weeks.

Music we are listening to

We recently discovered Matt Pond PA and are really enjoying this adult alternative music style. His melancholy innovations have classical undertones and very easy to listen to. I haven't delved into the words yet but will get the cover out one of these days and follow along.

http://www.mattpondpa.com/

The other great musical treatise we have put on repeatedly is the new Santana "All that I am". Is this guy spectacular or what? He is really an inspiration to musical artists. He has to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His recent collaborations seem to represent the best of how music performance can be shared as well as with consumers. I never seem to tire of Santana's last three albums. Michelle Branch does another great job on her collaborative song too. I may have to look into purchasing one of her CDs.

http://www.santana.com/

What are the rest of you listening too? Maren came home at Thanksgiving and was listening to Pink Floyd! Quality music is timeless - hey?

OK - time to go cut some brush and get the bush hog out one more time before winter really puts an end to this type of work!

Members

I'm eating Mom's vegan pumpkin pie for breakfast, man is it good...

Anyway, Dad asked if I was going to invite *ALL* the Somers family to the blog. The only other member I invited was Mike. I pondered over inviting extended family, but I don't have any other Somers email address! So Dad, I made you (and Mom) admin, so you have full capabilities.

Invite away!

If you want help with HTML if you want to change things like the template, just let me know.

Maren

Testing - pictures?

Ok - now I see the control panel - didn't find it with previous test. Here goes.

Seems to work. Let's mess with some fonts....

Bold

Italics

Color changes

Some colors not so visible

How about this darker red...not bad.

Add to note after published? Let's try....

As you might have guessed - I am playing with the blog editor. I downloaded the plugin for Word, but it won't let you upload pictures, so I probably won't use it. I want to be able to put up a pic or two when I blog. As the aphorism says - a picture is worth a thousand words! I hope this turns out to be a productive and intersting forum.

Maren - I invited some of the other Somers family members - not sure I have e-mail addresses for all of them. If any other Somers join, they can tell you and have you invite them. Hear that Somers family? Maren is running this blog for now so send her your suggestions for invites to other Somers family members. I know I don't have an e-mail address for Marty although I suspect he has half a dozen or more!

OK - I'm signing off - Nan and I are going to the Yellow Moon Cafe in Cobden to listen to Shady Mix play....blog you later.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey guys -

Well we're a family in a globalized world: separated by land, brought together through technology.

Since we don't get to meet very often, I thought we could share thoughts, news, and a little bit more of our lives this way.

What do you think?

~The daughter.