The World Theatre XII – Degrees of Approach

People are very surprised when I tell them I do not like to travel, I never liked it. I guess what gives travel me is not worth the discomfort that going to a faraway place provides. Especially for someone with bad orientation, little sense of adventure, with flat feet and who hates walking.

When I ask instead to people why they like to travel, they say 'oh, it's nice to see new cultures and lifestyles.’ So the act of traveling is exposed as a means of personal enrichment. That's when provincial easygoing people like me must defend us. To do this I developed my own theory, which allows me to counteract that injury. It is a theory which shows that, in my way, I am a traveler too.

    

 Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The World Theatre XI - The harshness of air

In many sixteenth and seventeenth centuries treatises of alchemy there is a nourished description of the work of nature in the generation of metals. Reading them is very inspiring, full of devout and poetic images. It is a reading that I recommend to those interested in less academic literature of the period, but equally spiritual and deep.

 

Those treatises, describe how nature cooks in her uterus, in the cavernous depths of the earth, that primal substance, that shapeless mineral from which all metals are born. From that deep darkness minerals emerge gradually, rocked by the wise hand of the mother, which provides the point of temperature, humidity, cooking, and pressure to mutate them in their scale of perfection. For all metals, in their creation, have the ability to be perfect, that is, to turn into gold.

The World Theatre X - The Time Machine

As I get older, I notice that the days go by without hardly noticing. If I have to listen to those who are older than me, this effect will worsen more and more. So I find myself in a painful situation where I not only feel the days, weeks, months, go by like a quick dream, but they do increasingly faster. I see myself in a state of senile prostration in just a couple of blinks.

 Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have been documenting and reflecting on the phenomenon, to try to remedy it. But I have not yet found a satisfactory explanation. I am pondering some assumptions, namely:

• The perception of time accelerates as we stop our learning: all these eons of waiting when you're a kid (minutes actually) appear only because our infant heads are hungry of stimuli all the time
• The lack of a Zen attitude, causes us alienation and we live a present moment stolen by our headaches, lack of attention and undisciplined mind that wanders to and fro, over twenty topics at once
• Our lives become more and more routine, always doing the same thing the same way, without the ability to surprise or anticipate

In any case I have no doubt that this problem, so to speak, is found only in our heads, and that only we have the key, if not to stop, at least to slow this machine that rapidly consumes the moments of our short lives. I still have not found that key. Have you?

The World Theatre IX – Headless dog

When technology surprises us, something within us is shaking. I do not mean intellectual surprise when, after all, scientific speculation and science fiction allow us to imagine possible futures, but something more primal, more animal. It's as if our minds had certain atavisms that go beyond our present culture.

This is what happened to me with the headless dog.

Some time ago I was truly amazed to see a video of a product from the U.S. company called Boston Dynamics (http://www.bostondynamics.com/). Robotics and biomechanics experts who are creating prototypes of robots that can navigate different terrains with payloads. Forget the humanoid that salutes with its hand, or even plays the violin. The effect was stunning. I had a dog without its head before me, powered with distressing organic movements (more distressing still if we add the audio to the film). Helplessly, I doubted whether it was a hoax, some images composition or alike, and sought the head of the poor animal everywhere.

It's funny when something like an organic movement, when not associated with the living being we expect, creates such a paradox. Frankly, I do not know why something like this has not had much more resonance because it is bound to affect our collective unconscious. Here is the video for you to enjoy and check if you get surprised as well.



I also leave a humorous video, with which I was laughing for a time. Enough said. It is up to you to discover. Just note that humor helps us to assimilate culturally conceptual shocks that our society encounters, proof of what I have been saying about the headless dog.

The World Theatre VIII - Somaticizing stress in an original way

Over the years I've done (I think) interesting discoveries about myself. This was based on carefully listening to me, both psychological and physiological. Although this practice led me to some unpleasant hypochondriac episode in my young age, has generally proven to be of some use. After all, no doctor spends so much time with me as myself, so although I lack knowledge to remedy my woes, at least I am a good judge of my symptoms.

It is said that one of the greatest diseases in the last century (and this, by extension) is stress. I do not know who, maybe you could remind me, stated that a person is now subject to the same stress in one day as a person did in the Middle Ages during one year, or was it ten years? I'm not sure of this claim. I guess that to expect to be assaulted by wolves in the middle of a dark forest or to receive a raid by foreign invaders should not be negligible. Well, I care little for the headaches of medieval peasants. I have suffered, suffer from time to time, stress. I guess you too.

Image: Stefano Valle / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The World Theatre VII - Another MetaPost

How does this post thing work? Those blogs that are updated more often are in a better position? Are the ones with more followers? Followers for what? Oh, yes, for the advertising business.

Certainly there are many kinds of blogs and this one in particular looks a bit like an opinion column of a newspaper, but the difference is that I am not paid to write in it, nor am forced to make entries at specified intervals, although try to do them regularly. I state this with some resentment, because my opinion of the opinionated is not very good in general. Let's be honest, we all have our opinions on something, even if not needed. Of what use is the opinion of a celebrity, whether a writer’s, politician, filmmaker or media personality? Being a good writer provides someone better judgement? I do not know, but I suspect that when one is forced to write about many topics so often, either one of the two: his/her documentary repository and inspiration are endless, or the quality and interest of what he/she says dilute over time (which eventually is the case).

This blog is going to go through the same process, I am afraid (if that initial interest ever existed at some point in time).

The World Theatre VI - Choreography and sensitivity

Nutcracker, Swan Lake, or contemporary dance. I can not stand them. I could never go more than three minutes watching them on TV, no need to tell you that I have never gone to see a ballet. Well, I lie; I went to see Sara Baras and liked it. But that was the exception; can I go on, or have I already lost all my credibility?

And what's remarkable about this preference (or lack thereof, in this case) you will think, well, the truth is that being aware of my lack of taste for dance in general, led me to doubt of my sensibility for the arts. I always liked music, drawing and painting, theater, literature, sculpture and architecture, including photography, comics and cinema to set out the beautiful old and new arts. Not that I like everything, but I could see in these works that interest me, and that I liked more than others. So, why was not the case with the dance?

It would be a childhood trauma, some atrophy in my brain, or a profound ignorance, but I can not see anything inspiring in the dancers moving to the beat of the music. Is the secret in the pirouettes, the timing, the speed and harmony of the turns and movements? All I see are bodies moving without much meaning, running, spinning, often not completely in sync and I can only think of the suffering of tendons and muscles when I see some positions forced by traditional rules of ballet. Nor do I see anything interesting in the spasms of the modern dancers, who often remind me of swimmers warming up the muscles of the shoulder blades before jumping into the pool.

Until one day I saw that my sensitivity for the choreography was not completely castrated. Because I found one that I love: Kung-fu. What kung-fu has to do with this? Well... a lot. Even considering myself only a fan of the subject, seeing Kung-fu plasticity of movement, the beauty and the cadence I am thrilled, if I tell you the truth, I get goose bumps. I can not help it when I see someone practicing martial arts, especially kung-fu, I get emotional. Attack, defense, jumps and spins, hitting, tripping, waiting time, grabs and swings, threatening or derogatory glances, shouts and rapid jumps. My eyes are wet with the reached excitement, no kidding. I suppose it is a dance most akin to my sensibilities. This, at least, allows me to consider the quota of affinity to dance fulfilled. I'm not castrated.

What is Kung Fu?

The World Theater V - The Voyeur of Taste

It sounds a little perverted, I know. I do not know to what extent it will. The truth is that I discovered over time, I enjoyed watching others enjoy. And do not think of the carnal pleasures, I do not talk about sex, as understood in the classic voyeurism. If you like, you can jump now to another page or another subject.

You see, I've never been a person of great passions or hobbies. I enjoy things in moderation, and although I like most things, I can not say that I go crazy for any food, drink, entertainment, theme, activity, color, or day of the year. I guess that is neither good nor bad, but sometimes I would like to find a hobby or sport that concentrated all my effort and enthusiasm. Like those compulsive collectors, film buffs, marathon runners or football fans that can make their passion almost a reason for living. Well, maybe I exaggerate a bit, but you understand me, isn’t it?

The point is that perhaps this absence in the extreme pleasures, has led me to notice the pleasure that others find in these things. So, when a fellow is enjoying a good Scotch, or sucking a cigar with pleasure, or eating with great relish a good ham sandwich, when a friend is pleased to wear those elegant clothes that make her happy, when some parents drool with the trifles of their baby, when I accompany a friend on his favorite sport or hobby, I watch and enjoy.

Image: Mantas Ruzveltas / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do not ask me why, I do not want psychoanalysis. And after all, this is better than those who feel good upsetting everyone around them. Call it empathy, I do not know, but the more you enjoy, the more I do.

The World Theatre IV – TV shop

Someone must have said: "Television defines how society is". I think you can learn more about how we are by looking at a whole week television broadcast than reading an essay on behavioral science. Besides, it is often more entertaining.

Some years ago when private channels mushroomed, I discovered the fabulous world of television shopping. The vacuum pump, the eternal blade knife, reamer-shaker, the artificial bait in garish colors, paint roller, pen scratch remover, insoles to seem taller and so many other revolutionary flagship products.

Products like this have some charm, especially when you know that you can not go to a store and buy them (in their original version). Moreover the form of submission deserves praise. Yes, the show. It is simply sublime.

Firstly that smiling audience, dedicated and devoted, as well as varied. Forget about talk shows in the early evening, with their audience made up mostly by kind senior members who have their nap after the initial appetizer. In television shopping find people like those we would like to be, the target of our beautiful product. All smiling excited, firing all the time 'oooohs' and 'aaaahs' after a new discovery about the features of frying oil-free device.

On top of that we have the masters of ceremonies. Normally a pair of perfect communicators, one is the expert, the other, the inquisitive and a priori 'skeptical' co-host, who by his sharp questions to the expert reveals step by step the myriad of advertised advantages and properties. But you must pay attention to how the expert handles the product, either a knife or a shaker, in seconds runs perfect and precise handling that makes the unit seem to run alone, effortless, with no need to be cleaned... How many training hours are invested for that smooth execution! They really are masters of their craft and I enjoy them. Did they make a lot of shots due? I guess that more than once, but, hey, do not tell anybody, the show is live.

Finally we reach climax. After having made us realize that our lives from now are almost unbearable if not enjoy the benefits of that product, is the best. Price. Amazingly it is a bargain, but that's not all, buying a unit you get a deal of free added accessories, warranties, brochures and manuals, and also amazingly, you can get another unit for free, and another and another... This is such a frenzy, that after the last applause I always have tickle at the tip of my fingers, asking me to dial in and place my order.

Seriously, I find these programs hypnotic and extremely relaxing, since I have to think about anything, just putting myself in the hands of the two friendly and chatty presenters. If you do not trust me, try at least once the following experiment: After a great evening, late at night when you are half drunk and a bit sleepy, switch the TV on, seek out our friends and let yourself go. You will go into a light trance, and the effect is strobe.

I must admit that although I have never bought anything, I have come to see one of these programs over a dozen times. My compliments to Chef Tony.

The World Theatre III - Glances

I like to watch. I like to look at the people. I look with eagerness and without embarrassment at those around me, those I come across on the street, those that sit at the table next to me in the restaurant, I look at those who share a waiting room, or a wagon with me. I guess that makes a Voyeur out of me. But thanks to watching and observing, I made some small discoveries about glances:

Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The World Theatre II - Metapost

It's incredible the amount of messages crossing the network. Words, words, and words in the largest community of people that the world has ever seen. Forums, blogs, chats and declarations that occur in real time or half real time and then die, or later are taken up, as sounds that go with the wind but that someone is able to recover.

Have you ever considered that they all are like echoes of conversations that will remain, perhaps, many years longer than their authors? I do not want to sound tragic, but have you imagined how many existing posts in the network may belong to people who have already left us?

No doubt, the post we do in weblogs will last more than the sound of a conversation in a village street, and if that makes us happy, we can pretend that this is our timeless legacy to posterity. But be careful, it is only an illusion of eternity. Computers are renewed, bits of information are lost here and there, the networks may suffer radical technological change in the future, and even a huge solar storm could wipe out the memory banks.

Whether we like it or not, a server does not have the durability of a stone wall carved in hieroglyphics. However, if the bloggers legacy must serve future historians and anthropologists, we should wonder about the validity of what we write with an aim to remain on the network. Perhaps it is better that it is all lost over time, isn’t it?

The World Theatre I - Alms

I do not usually give alms. I do not mind admitting it. Neither have I a perfect rationale for it based on proverbs, my principles nor past experiences. Just say that I do a donation only if I want to. I do not let guilt or shame change my mind, and it bothers me that someone resorts to them. That does not mean that these situations do not worry me and touch me. Seeing so many people that are extremely needed and forced to appeal to the charity of passers that somehow had better luck is something awful and unfortunately all too common these days. The discussion of whether or not I do the right thing could be very long, so I will not start it today, you can do it, if you prefer.

The World Theatre

Don’t you sometimes agree? That the world is a show, I mean. A large theater where the actors and audience mix up, great comedy, drama, opera, in a performance that already started before we arrived and will continue when we're gone. With many acts, with the possibility of choosing (or not) whether to act or be a spectator at every moment and best of all, without a previously written script. Aren’t you a little afraid? Afraid of the stage, I mean. Perhaps that is why I am biased towards putting myself on the spectator’s shoes...