Sharing is Not Only Caring

Humans are bombarded with interaction at almost all times of the day. Some consider this constant input to be overwhelming and stressful, while others thrive off of another person's energy. Whatever way humans view the interactive world around them, most people fail to truly appreciate the value of a shared moment. Since people are in constant contact with each other, by way of technology and work settings, there are many spontaneous moments that one experiences with another stranger. As shown in the TED talk with Charlie Todd, some people remain initially closed off to the idea of sharing an absurd experience with a stranger. The "no pants" subway prank featured a girl who was being filmed, unbeknownst to her. When this girl first encounters the unusual experience of seeing various men without pants in a public setting, she is confused, and perhaps a little bit scared. Initially, she made no effort to acknowledge that others in the subway car were sharing the same experience as she. But, the girl eventually noticed two other men reacting to the strange situation with laughter. After seeing this reaction, the girl laughed at the absurdity of the situation along with the men. The girl shifted to being uncomfortable viewing the spectacle alone, from finding a certain humor when she shared the experience with those around her. Perhaps if humans make more of an effort to acknowledge the strangers around them, and seek to share spontaneous experiences with them, people will be happier. They might be able to make laughter out of discomfort, just like the girl, by simply sharing an experience.

unchained and strange

Once an old lacross team captain from some public school in the nowhere-land of Croton on Hudson said that the best coaching tactic is to tie teams together with hatred. Charlie Todd’s improv projects seek to bind strangers together through truly absurd experiences. His work includes the annual no-pants subway ride and the “Movies in Real Life” series. Some say these are ridiculous, inappropriate, and foolish. The playful exaggerations and odd occurrences add a little spice to an everyday routine. Ordinary bystanders are brought together by laughter under the comical episodes. The modern world is too focused on to-do lists and having a proper reason for each and every action to realize that such set ideas are not necessary. As children we are taught that play is a good thing, and Todd asks why that has to change with age. In today’s era, that which is not accepted is deemed strange. Todd poses the essential question: why?

Just for No Reason

Spontaneous things that happen without reason may be better than things that do have reasons behind them. When something happens for no reason, people tend to search for, or even make up, stories, justifying what they don't comprehend in order to satisfy their uneasiness. However, people only search for reasons when they are uncomfortable. Improv Everywhere shows plenty of great situations where people's absurd actions make other people happy. During the first experiment, the women on the train seemed to be wondering why the man was in his underwear, but after a while she found it funny and didn't seem to be looking for a reason as to why the men on the train had forgotten their pants. This is a strong way to reach the idea of absurdism to an audience of all ranges, because comedy is very appealing to a wide age range of people. Charlie Todd is very persuasive when he shows, through example experiments, that absurdism can lead to beautiful things, just for no reason. 

A Common Goal

In this article, both Kingsnorth and Stephenson argued their points of view with stubbornness, until they reach a somewhat forced agreement. It seemed that neither made a great effort to think of the issue of the environment from the others’ view. While their viewpoints are incredibly different in some ways, they fail to see the fairly crucial connection between their values and thought processes. Stephenson’s main argument is based on his belief that humans should do all possible to limit other species’ suffering, but more importantly, keep the human species alive. Kingsworth believes that by giving up “hope” that it is possible to live the same lifestyle will leave humans time to prepare for a new way of life. If global warming is indeed past the point of no return, and the environment will never be the same again, the only way humans can survive is by modifying their lifestyles.

The Stranger Reading Quiz #2

Vocab:

____________________(adj) (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little

____________________(v) to dispense or allot justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment

____________________(v) clear (someone) of blame or suspicion

____________________(n) excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures

____________________(n) the killing of a parent or a close relative

____________________(v) talking unnecessarily at length

____________________(adj) extremely dirty or unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty

____________________(adj) triumphantly happy

____________________(n) communication or cooperation that facilitates a close relationship between people or organizations

____________________(n) a solemn procession, esp. for a funeral

WORD BANK:

taciturn

mete

vindicate

debauchery

parricide

palavering

squalid

exultant

liaison

cortege

30 Second Questions:

What was often brought up during the trial?

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What is one thing Meursault does to distract himself after he is sentenced?

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What were two things that Meursault often thought about?

_________________________________________________________________

What does Meursault compare the jury to?

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What did Meursault do when he didn’t want to talk to someone?

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5 Minute Questions:

Why does Meursault accept his imprisonment?

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What is Meursault’s reaction to his execution, and what does it reveal about him?

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Essay Question:

How does Meursault’s captivity resemble his outlook on human existence?

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The End

People are like tanks, killing what’s around them and never stopping. People may try to interfere and get in the way of these tanks to stop the destruction but are only able to delay them. Behind that one tank that a person may try to stop is a whole army of tanks waiting to tear down what keeps them alive. The environment lies upon its deathbed.  Paul Kingsnorth, an English writer and environmentalist, wrote an article explaining that there is no solution to save the planet from what's happening. Climate change, pollution and mass killings of animals are only increasing. No matter how hard one tries to stop these disasters, there are unavoidably going to happen one day or the next. This doesn't mean that Kingsnorth is going to sit back and watch things happen. He takes action to preserve the environment, keeping in mind that there is no way to save it, because there is nothing else to do. In his article, Kingsnorth exhibits an attitude similar to Meursault’s. Meursault continues to live life and be happy, knowing that he is going to die one day or another. He says that after you're dead no one remembers you and it's like you were never there. Kingsnorth and Meursault have the same attitude because they understand that the world is not bound to their rules and wants and one day everything will vanish. 

cartography

Sustainability is not the fight for the Earth’s survival, but the battle aimed towards preserving the lifestyle we find comfortable. This is Paul Kingsnorth’s opinion. He wants to find a way to save the world we will live in, while not necessarily keeping the modern one. As Kingsnorth states, “my view is that humans are no more or less important than anything else that lives.” Often labelled “ecocentric,” Kingsnorth’s ideals often make others uncomfortable. This is for good reason: people are not used to the realization that humanity is not the top priority. In the world we have created, homo sapiens means wisest, most humane, least monstrous. Most people think that the species most in need of protection is mankind, which is an opinion exhibited by Wen Stephenson when he says about saving the world, “It’s a humanitarian imperative. It transcends environmentalism and environmental politics.” There are innumerable extinct and endangered species that deserve conservation more than we do. Humanity is the embodiment of brutality and savagery, veiled by the meager excuse that history has brought civilization to the wilderness. It is human nature to believe oneself superior to every landscape and every inhabitant. This is an idea that will prove fatal, not only to ourselves but to every other living, breathing organism calling this planet home. The globe may have been mapped by humanity but we did not create it.