Unexpected Result of Technology

The past several weeks are no exception to the interpersonal experiences of the past several years.  People are engrossed in their screens to the exclusion of all around them.  It's not a problem because everyone is doing the same thing, hunched over their screen either scrolling through messages or engrossed in playing some sort game.  All ignoring those around them and the rich entertainment that could be had with a good conversation.

There are books written on the subject, each and all giving advice on how to start and maintain a good conversation.  It boils down to an analogy, i.e. a game of catch.  One could easily write several hundred words on the similarities of conversation and catch but the reader can figure all of that out for him/herself.

A couple of  instances of casts being together to perform shows led to different takes on the screening phenomenon.  The first was the rather large cast of Our Town, which included several players under the age of 16.  These weren't all that comfortable around a rather large group of older, not elderly, people.  They spent the first couple of  rehearsals bent over their screens but then something interesting happened.

One at a time the screens were put on the counter, table, or in a pocket and the kids began to participate in the patter and the fun of the conversations going on around them.  It was, I think, a matter of getting comfortable with the others in the cast.  The screens offered a safe diversion until they felt less threatened and like participating in the fun.

A second, more recent experience, was in another large cast where people would sit together but be totally engrossed, each in their own screen, usually playing a game or texting someone.  I am assuming the person being texted was not there but one never knows.

These people were adults, anywhere from 17 to 78 years of age.  As the senior member of the cast, I was anywhere from 40 to 60 years older than any other; that is not beside the point.  For about 6 weeks of rehearsals and performances, I was politely ignored.  My attempts at starting a conversation were met with one word answers or sometimes more but never an attempt to continue.  This wore on me until I realized their discomfort with talking to me.  But then they didn't talk all that much among themselves either.

I think a psychologist would have a field day in analyzing the scope and content of the talking that went on; I won't call it conversation.  Remarks, snippets, braggadocio, facts, experiences, were sent one way, one time.  There were some conversations but for that period of time and for the hours spent together, scant little.

The ignorance of social interaction can be laid at the doorstep of Apple, Google, Microsoft, and the other developers of applications that are used on digital devices.  A whole generation of people is being hijacked into isolation and losing the ability to interact on an informal basis.

Personally, I'm not going to be around long enough to see the long-term effect of all of this and sometimes I think that's a good thing.  Freedom from social interaction could have dire results.  The next generation of people is already not involved in the personal interaction that participation in society demands.  Their needs are met by technology at one extreme and by gangs on the other.

Pick up games are a thing of the past. Structured activities are something like technology.  Participation requires an appointment, a driver, safety equipment, umpires, referees.  And in the setting up of these "play dates", texts and calls among parents to be sure that everyone is on board for the experience.  When is the last time you heard someone called from outside their house to come out and play?

Technology doesn't require personal, face-to-face interaction and certainly not with people who are not of the same age or class as that of the youth.  The void is filled by those who readily supply the need to belong, unfortunately in many cases it is given by a criminal gang.

The two extremes; overly structured and anarchic are the rigueur du jour.  Technology fuels both..

Nutrition--Nutrition!

A previously published poem with an explanation of how it all works.

The poem at the end is in French and it tells of the relationship among the senses when it comes to taking nourishment.  What we eat is the result of natural processes and the work of many people, all to present the food to us in a way that pleases the senses to get us to pick it up. 

We know what to pick up, what to eat, because of the integrated nature of our being.  Needs are signaled to the brain and then our senses, what we see, touch, taste, smell, or hear, are used to find what will fulfill those needs.  The same holds true for other bodily and emotional needs.

As an aside, fulfillment of emotional needs by certain substances can override what is physically needed and excessive indulgence results; the physical needs of the body are ignored in an attempt to satisfy emotional needs.  The results of this can often be seen as obesity or on the other extreme, malnutrition, then if the effect of the substance embeds itself in that part of the being that expresses need, voila--addiction to alcohol or other chemicals.

Once selected, the food is prepared and put into the mouth and the ambiance of the place, the elegant serving, the pleasant smells, the beautiful color of the various components of the meal are all, quite suddenly, gone as the food is put in our mouths and smashed between the teeth, pushed around in the mouth with the tongue, mixed with saliva, and continued to be smashed it until the consistency is right and particle size is sufficiently small to swallow.  The senses are satisfied; now the real work begins.

Once swallowed the mash is kept in the food pipe and further lubricated with saliva, and whatever we are drinking with the meal, until a signal is given somehow, and the sphincter that guards the stomach is relaxed and the mash is allowed to fall in.  This is the where the mix goes through its final qualifier; if there is anything that is unacceptable, the whole content is regurgitated in an attempt to keep the system from harm.

In the stomach, the mash is mixed into a slurry with various acids.  It is chemically reduced to molecules that are either used or ignored as the slurry passes along into and through the intestines where the useful bits are further separated.  These are then taken to the furnace of the lungs where heat is applied and chemical reactions further extract useful molecules which are then taken to their bodily destinations.

The basic components of fuel for the body are carbohydrate, protein, and fat molecules.  These basics are not recognizable from the foods that contained them when they were ingested and processed; they are stored in body tissue until needed.  Only that required to supply enough energy to support movements and other bodily functions is taken from storage and burned for energy.  Thus, when the amount provided to the body exceeds what is necessary, it is stored and accumulates in tissue adding to the shape that is evident under clothing.

A second group of nutritional elements are vitamins and minerals that allow the continued replacement of tissue that is either damaged or no longer viable.  These are generally supplied in foodstuffs in the micro amounts necessary but due to the processing of food before it is eaten, a wise person would supplement his diet with a variety of vitamins and minerals.

A third and equally important element of diet is fiber that is not digested but provides bulk as the slurry is pushed along through the digestive track.  Since the elimination of waste is an essential activity, fiber allows the body to mix with it whatever is no longer usable by the body and discharge it.

The final ingredient is water.  This is either in its molecular form or in the form of liquids taken with and between meals.  Water is extracted from such liquids and used for digestion and other bodily needs including temperature control, producing mucus and other fluids, and general lubrication of tissue throughout the body.

Le Poéme

Les fermiers voient les champs

Ils voient les feuilles vertes, les animaux vivants

Et ils les récoltent

Les marchands font les étalages

Ils arrangent les paquets brillants

Et ils les vendent

Les clientèles voient les paquets

Ils choisissent les plus beaux

Et ils les prennent à la cuisine.

Les responsables de la cuisine

Ils voient les produits consommer

Et ils les préparent

Les mangeurs voient les beaux plats 

Et ils mangent

Et tout se mélange dans le corps

Les parties du corps reçoivent le mélange

Et le digèrent au mieux

Puis elles s'en débarrassent.

C'est la vie.

C'est la.

Movin' on Down the Line

"Realizing that emotional reactions are irrational, I respond more objectively."

This is one of my daily aphorisms and it is easier said than done.  The germ of the idea came a long time ago when a psychologist friend gave me a white paper on rational response.  The idea lay dormant for quite a few years until I began realizing that I was indeed, crippled, at times in my thinking by irrational thoughts.

It is a recurring theme when cast for a part in any film, stage, or voice production and the pattern was the same almost every the time.  I am thrilled to be chosen for the part.  The enthusiasm is sustained through the pre-production process until the rehearsals, filming or A-B-C submission take place.  Then self-doubt sets in, big time; mind reading of the director's thinking that he made a mistake in casting me, or the cast thinking, "What is he doing here?" Thinking that my interpretation of the character is all wrong, that my image on film is less than satisfactory, or even the irrational fear of being asked to leave the production.

After recent comments from one director that seemed harsh, I examined my irrational thinking more objectively.  Why would I react this way?  And, as I drove down the road that night, memories of being called on the carpet by authority figures like the Monsignor, my boss at NNS and even at Tenneco came back to me.  Yes, I had stepped over unfamiliar imaginary lines of behavior and was called on the carpet for it but this wasn't the same thing.  At no time was my ability or talent in question but rather my behavior.

Then there were the times that auditors were called in to examine the books and practices of the accounting department for which I had responsibility.  There were no significant errors or omissions.  The same was true of the security practices of the data center.

The ominous nature of the carpet calls and the audits did not, however, escape me.  Who was the snitch, why were there suspicions?  I've come to realize that the world is full of rats and to take that into account, and in business there exists envy and distrust of individuals in decision making positions that holds true from the top to the bottom in larger companies.  But the fairness of The Law doesn't apply in all circumstances of business and action can be taken based on rumor with no burden of proof.

It has been a goal of mine to sing on stage, even to the point of getting professional help from a locally well-known voice teacher.  We started lessons, I worked up a familiar audition song from "Guys and Dolls."  She was frank in telling me that I had a ways to go before I could hope to get cast.

With her coaching on the how-to, I did a couple of auditions for musicals with little hope of being cast. The effort to prepare and to perform them was written off as a learning experience. The jury is still out on one of them.  To my surprise and delight, the other resulted in being cast in Clue: The Musical.  Now my hopes are up that the other will pan out for a summer production of Kiss Me Kate.  (It did and we did 16 performances of the production in August.)

My euphoria crashed after the first reading and the realization of the work ahead came through.  The tide of self-doubt began to come in.  I reassured myself that at no time did I misrepresent my talent or singing ability and that i was willing to do whatever to see this through and do well.  As we started rehearsals and I sang, the quality of my voice on the higher notes was, shall we be kind and say, not the best.  The director is a real professional and the cast all know one another from other productions.  I am a stranger in their midst.  All of what I described above came into play until the drive home that night.

As voice lessons continued, I complained to her, "I just can"t hit the high notes."  She said of course not, you're not supporting your voice from your abdomen.  We worked on that just a few minutes and voila! there were the D, E. F,and F#; exercises with the piano to sing particular random notes as the keys are struck ended tone searching.  Then my lines work received a compliment from the director.  The cast seems to accept me more and more each time.  

As usual the tide of doubt is ebbing again and it will stay out, if the past is prologue.  The combination of identifying the influence of past experience, dealing with problems, and rational thinking have allowed me to move on confidently; and the amount of time spent agonizing over phantom situations has been reduced dramatically.

Ground Hog Day- Updated

About two and a half years ago I published a post entitled, Ground Hog Day.  It was actually on September 6, 2014.  This is a sort of update to that post.  Time has passed and the situation hasn't changed all that much.  It is still Ground Hog Day around here but with a new realization and that is living in the present.

Most people don't give recollection and remembering a second thought; it is natural, expected, and is something upon which to rely.  Our memories of childhood fuel the stories that we tell our grandchildren.  Our recollection of dates and events allow us to go through the present without concern.  Sworn testimony often contains recollection of facts surrounding an act. When we forget a birthday or anniversary, the other is offended because remembering is expected; not only that of others but ourselves as well.

Take that away and there is a totally different perspective evident.  A trip down a familiar roadway and all the sights are brand new. This road is in terrible condition; can't you write your friend a letter about it?  Where is all this traffic coming from; shouldn't these people all be at work?  Seeing a familiar house, one is heard to ask the same question about those living there,  such as, I wonder why they have so many little cars parked in their driveway?

When you've been over the same traffic jammed and bumpy roads so many times, they no longer seems worthy of comment but when one doesn't recall the terrible conditions from the last 100 times over it, it is worthy of comment.  What one with normal memory expects is the same lack of comment that anyone would have after so many repetitions; one hears the comment as a complaint when in fact, it is an observation, again

The person with impaired memory lives totally in the present; enjoys programs while they watch but can't tell you a thing about them later.  Enjoys a conversation but has no recollection of the call.  The most common statement is, 'I can't remember now because I am so tired," and having said that, all of the concern about the situation goes away.

"This set of keys would be better put over here," then can't find them when the need arises. Pills are put out to take during the day and they are still there the next day and the next.   Clothes are strewn about to be put away later but then later never happens, it is always now. When the mess is recognized one hears, "I must get to that, tomorrow." This scenario is repeated continuously.

The idea of living in the present was mentioned in passing by my son in a phone conversation when it became evident that he'd called and had conversation with his mother but she didn't mention it and couldn't recall it when I asked about it.  He simply said, "She's living in the present."  I must give him credit for making such an astute observation because after he said it, my understanding of the situation improved.

Thankfully, I'm here to remind her.

Good Reviews, In My Dreams

This morning, I awoke from a dream.  Once again I was in the shipyard offices working, but this time I was a total success.  People were coming to me instead of ignoring me, treating me with respect instead of disdain.  I was "at home" as I walked through the corridors off the lobby, which were all marble and outfitted with art deco glass and light globes.  I was approving important documents for collecting money for work.  A rather bright, intelligent young man was asking me for advice on how best to get ahead there because he was applying for work.

This is quite a contrast to my usual shipyard dream.  I am, until this one, always feeling shunned, as if I am marked for deletion but no one is willing to talk about it with me. The shipyard is my recurring dream and, until this last one, almost a night mare.

When I thought about it, I think it may be that I am feeling the success of my portrayal of Joe Cabot in Reservoir Dogs.  The audiences have been most complimentary and volunteered their enthusiastic review of my efforts.  It is a sad commentary that I feel good about my life and performances so few times but that's the way it is/was.

Exposed, without Electronics

A boss once told me to put the last paragraph first and that would make it better, so here it is. The conclusion I seem to have reached is that I retreat to the screen for activities that can fill my day and give me some semblance of achievement without taking any personal risk.  There, I think that sums it up very well.

Probably a short piece, I don't know now just how many words this thought will take. I'm thinking about a day without electronics, i.e. no PC, no phone, no TV, no Radio.  Now that would be a challenging day.  I'm imagining now how that would be.

Up in the morning, without the aid of an alarm clock but then that's how it is now.  Then going through the morning ritual of making coffee and toilette.  An electric shaver is OK because it is basically an electric motor and not electronic.  Then dressing and going out to get the paper.  After a short interval of writing my log for activities of yesterday, reading the current acting book, and doing my chiropractic stretches,  I would then make breakfast and read the newspaper while we eat.

There are no electronics involved in any of this, at least if I don't succumb to Facebook, Email, and Suduko puzzles on my tablet.  Not doing these will be a challenge because it is my normal routine. The newspaper is such an abbreviated version of the news and lacks anything that happened after about 10 PM but I suppose I can do without the tablet news if this is what I want.

Then it's off to do the day.  The first challenge will be to remember what it was I wanted to accomplish since I won't access my digital assistant to remind me of tasks and appointments.  This shouldn't be much of a problem since I keep a good list in my head of what I want to do and where I have to be.

The next challenge will be to work "on paper" instead of doing things on my PC.  I spend an inordinate amount of time in front of the screen; Facebook, Email, Blogger Dashboard, and then writing or doing Voice auditions.

These last two may get some dispensation from the ban because they are productive, and I mean in the sense of possibly making money from doing them.  The real challenge will be to limit the usage to just that which is required to achieve the objective of finishing auditions or blog post.  Then there's the Voice work and script learning, also enhanced by using recorded exercises.  These too would be exempt from the ban.  So, the ban is lifted for productive activities only.  Now that I've introduced an exeption, or four, the real test is going to be to limit the screen time to just those.

Now for the real challenge of the day, Television.  It will be extremely difficult for me to remain constructively active for all the time that is available off-screen.   For the occasional day, like this one would be, I can involve me in maintenance activities such as cleaning out files, discarding stuff I no longer need or want, and doing chores around the place.  I can also do exercise, which I normally do anyway, and involve myself in activities supportning other Endeavors such as practicing pool, reciting verses and lines, reading more of the acting books, reviewing information already gleaned from books and put in notebooks.

For a longer abstinence, more imagination would be required.  After the chores are done, the books read and reviewed,  the verses recited, the pool game practiced to the point of diminishing returns; it may be necessary to get involved with other beings, human or other.  And this, my friend, would be where the challenge would be the greatest.

I've already alluded to, admitted to, confessed to, said that making contact, for other than a response to another, is difficult for me to do.  Yet rationally I know that I am not a pariah, that others don't roll their eyes when I call, don't evade my contact but rather enjoy hearing from me.  Yet there is this gnawing persona in me who thinks they do and, therefore, does whatever he can to avoid doing it.

This aversion goes beyond the casual contact with others and raises its head even higher in the gender arena.  I have a difficult enough time contacting another man without a strong purpose; contacting a woman is out of the question and I mean seriously so.  I even have an aversion to talking to my own daughters for fear that I will somehow offend them; and they seem to be offended easily.  So, I don't call women without a good reason to do so.

This is all rather sad.  There are so many fun things that one can do with others, men and women, that are spontaneous.  It isn't like I'd be asking for money or commitments of any kind.  Although even these shouldn't get in the way but they do.

Then the seeming approach-ability of the other gets in the way as well.  This brings up a whole new tray of obstacles to action.  I don't even want to get into this area of superior/inferior feelings; it's better left for a discussion with a competent adviser or counselor.

Life and Living, The Horse-drawn Carriage

There is an analogy in Gurdjieff's writings that describes a horse-drawn carriage with a passenger inside.  The analogy works!  Here are some of my observations vis-a-vis the Driver, Carriage, Horse, Passenger analogy:

1) Only the passenger (Master) knows the destination (aim).

2) Faith is required for the Driver to be able to move towards aim because there is no definitive way, at least that can be seen at the moment, for him to know it.

3) Positive is akin to progress towards that destination and Negative is distraction away from it.

4) Unless and until the driver deals costructively with distractions, little progress will be made in achieving aim.

The driver in this analogy is that central persona who directs (and I have referred to him as the director in other writing) which of the others is in the game at the moment. Depending on the circumstances in which the being finds himself, any one of a multitude of personae is put into action to cope with the situation at hand. The carriage is the body. The horse is the emotional motive force that precipitates action. The passenger is Master. I've previously described him; he is mute and influences the being passively to achieve aim.

There is no direct communication between Master and the being. From my personal experience it seems that as long as the being is acting in accord with the aim of Master, all is well but when he is not, bad things happen. They get worse as the degree of separation between the aim of Master and the activities of the being increases. If corrections aren't made, Master may depart prematurely for a different opportunity and leave behind a dead body.