Writing Project: GT VS. UGA as a metaphor (I need every Stingtalker's advice)

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RespectTheWreck

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My fellow tech fans,

Long have I lurked on this board, gleaning knowledge of both the program and football itself.

I admit that I rarely post, in an effort to leave the discussion to those who actually know what is going on behind the scenes or otherwise.

But I have bled White and Gold since my dad sat me down as a baby and taught me to say "Go Jackets!"

I'm 21 now, and have will be graduating from GA State as a film major/journo minor in May.

And my dad didn't go to Tech either. I think I'm part of an extremely rare breed, but I can't be sure. I have no overt connection to Tech or UGA, other than my love of the former and my hatred of the latter.

But to get to my point, for my final project in my editorial/critical writing class I have chosen to write a sports column detailing how I think GT vs. UGA in many ways, even if only tangentially, acts as a metaphor for a wholly different battle - the old south vs. the new south, agrarian vs urban, etc.

I want to discuss that point and frame the story around the lives and stories of tech fans/alumni/players. I want to inform and provide a sort of rallying call for tech fans and even the uninitiated who need an up and coming team to cheer for :biggthumpup:.

Growing up a sidewalk Tech fan in Lee county made me feel a bit like a leper, but I was somewhat proud to be outcast from the average leg humper lunch table. The fact that Tech is viewed as 2nd tier in our own state has endeared me to them even more somehow.

But I digress. I guess I'm basically asking what all of you think of this idea, and if you have any particular insight or interesting anecdotes that relate to the topic.

I know you arent my personal army, but any help at all would be greatly appreciated, properly quoted and sourced, and I will post the finished product after I've turned it in.

Thanks for your time,
Zachary Justice
 
Dude you've bit off a mouthful. I think I see what you're saying though and will try and help but I'm gonna have to pray over that. Don't expect much.
 
If you read any of these boards....

RespectTheWreck said:
I admit that I rarely post, in an effort to leave the discussion to those who actually know what is going on behind the scenes or otherwise.

But to get to my point, for my final project in my editorial/critical writing class I have chosen to write a sports column detailing how I think GT vs. UGA in many ways, even if only tangentially, acts as a metaphor for a wholly different battle - the old south vs. the new south, agrarian vs urban, etc.

I want to discuss that point and frame the story around the lives and stories of tech fans/alumni/players. I want to inform and provide a sort of rallying call for tech fans and even the uninitiated who need an up and coming team to cheer for :biggthumpup:.

Zachary Justice
Click to expand...

long enough, you will see that knowledge/understanding is NOT a requirement for participation!;)

Seems like an interesting topic...have you thought about using these boards as a source for materials? (this board and the Hive for Tech, don't know what the Ga. board(s) are but I am sure they exist). You can gather enough quotes from each that will show and support the stereotypes that each group has for the other. (not sure that if a message board would be considered credible sources for an academic paper but people who are typing anonymously are perhaps more direct and reflective of their true, unfiltered perspectives on things. For example, there are things posted here about coaches, fans, players and other posters that would NEVER be said in a face to face environment)

I attended both schools (started @ Uga, then transferred to GT after 2 quarters) so I can speak to actual academic/social experience @ each school. Not going to type it all out here but if you would like further detail PM me. I'm always glad to help another GT fan!
 
refrigeratormover said:
Man I'm confused!
Click to expand...

I suppose I shouldn't have written all that out at 4 in the morning.

What Im trying to say is that GT and UGA are diametrically opposed in almost every way. UGA is a traditional liberal arts sort of place whereas Tech focuses more on mathematics and engineering. Tech is in the big city and UGA out in the middle of a pasture. Tech integrated peacefully vs UGA requiring a court order. And Tech is simply more modern, founded in order to educate southerners about new technologies that would become and still are the driving forces in our state/national economy.

To me, Tech represents a sort of sloughing off of the old south image to create a newer, more capable and progressive southern identity.

Tech - UGA embodies the resistance many may have toward that sort of change...at least, thats what I'm gonna try and argue.

Hope that maybe cleared things up. Probably not though.
 
Maybe a good starting point would be Henry Grady's article about a funeral in which he describes various physical aspects of the funeral ,shovel, coffin,granite marker,as having come from the north, while all the South supplied was the corpse and the gravesite. Supposedly it was part of the impetus for the legislature founding GT.
 
You've hit the nail on the head, that's really brilliant. I was thinking the same thing as goldeagle about Grady's piece.
I think part of it is the general truth that progress is great as long as the old guard can control it, but as soon as it starts running ahead of them, they hate and curse it. Case in point, GT and U(sic)Ga. GT was originally supposed to be a satellite campus/technology wing of Uga, but when they decided to make GT its own entity the folks in Athens went nuts, and have hated us ever since.
 
minority vs majority
white collar vs blue collar
urban vs rural
technology vs liberal arts
etc
 
I think one thing that should also be noted, as it is something I've always found interesting. While obviously the state of Georgia has the most Tech grads, you can pretty much travel to anywhere and find Tech grads, usually working in good jobs. By contrast, Georgia grads will tend to not only stay in the South, but will stay in Georgia period.

Off topic: For fun, I wanted to see if there was a local mutt club in the area I live in now. Sadly, there is, and they meet in this terrible dive of a bar.
 
I was in Albeeny this week. Never saw so many 'G' stickers on so many plumber's pickup trucks.

It got me thinking. A 'G' decal (on a pickup) is for a redneck like the polo logo is to a preppie!

It's like a 'G' decal on a redneck's truck says to the world, "I never finished Cairo High; I'm a drywall hanger; I live in a double wide and avoid the child support authorities; but because I have a 'G' on my truck and bark for the DOGS then maybe people will think I went to school there and am not really this stupid."
 
RespectTheWreck said:
I suppose I shouldn't have written all that out at 4 in the morning.

What Im trying to say is that GT and UGA are diametrically opposed in almost every way. UGA is a traditional liberal arts sort of place whereas Tech focuses more on mathematics and engineering. Tech is in the big city and UGA out in the middle of a pasture. Tech integrated peacefully vs UGA requiring a court order. And Tech is simply more modern, founded in order to educate southerners about new technologies that would become and still are the driving forces in our state/national economy.

To me, Tech represents a sort of sloughing off of the old south image to create a newer, more capable and progressive southern identity.

Tech - UGA embodies the resistance many may have toward that sort of change...at least, thats what I'm gonna try and argue.

Hope that maybe cleared things up. Probably not though.
Click to expand...

It looks like an interesting argument that I would not like to have to make before any kind of jury. Have at it and I hope you get an A+.

I do have one request if it would fit in with your goal. Please do not let Tech types appear to be elitists or even nerds in your paper. I'd rather be known as a plumber in Albenny than as an elitist or nerd, and frankly, I think plumbers are more useful.

The kind of engineer Grady had in mind was relative to his time...you know, the "hands on" kind who could go to work immediately and productively the day he graduates. Furthermore, the workmen on the factory floor could relate to and understand engineers in those days so any feelings of mistrust and alienation were less than I suspect they may be today.

Things have changed. People have changed. Atlanta has changed. Tech has changed. So has Georgia - the state and the University - but at a more leisurely pace, me thinks.
 
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Sounds like a good project. Indeed GT is the New South growing out of reconstruction with Scarlet O'Hara vowing to never grow hungry again. UGA is the wistful nostalgia at Tara for a day that is gone with the wind.

There is a greater distinction in the very mission of the school between these two rivals than in most intra-state rivalries.

Good luck!
 
I go to UGA, but bleed white and gold.

Whatever I can help you out with, let me know.
 
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