First off, I went to see a student production about a week ago. It was called Personne ne voit la vidéo. It was a pretty good show- a little comical at times, a lot of social commentary, and perhaps a little philosophy as well. Let's just say that it made me very happy to have gone to see it. What was it about? Well, it starts off with a woman who has just been left by her husband. Because of this, she has to find a job to support or herself and her teenage daughter. At least, that's the main point in a nut shell- I won't bore you with details. The interesting part is what the play has to say about consumerism. The lady's job is to get people to talk about the products they buy and why. With this information, the company tries to create new products that consumers would also buy. Since most people feel the need to explain the situation leading up to a purchase, the manufacturing company is able to anticipate different markets... I hope that makes sense.
While in the interview, consumers are often asked what they bought and why. While most can answer what they bought, they have a hard time telling why they bought something. And thus, our female protagonist comes up with the idea that people have money and they also have the need to spend it. It's not a question of morality because purchasing something can't be a good or bad act. At least, that's what she thinks. I guess you have to make that decision for yourself. I mean, I kind of agree, but I also know that I buy into the consumer culture of America (and the Western world for that matter). I try my best to make sure that I'm a conscientious consumer, but who knows how good I am at that, and at the end of the day sometimes I just want a new pair of shoes... at the end of a lot of days, in fact.
The other part of the play was the philosophical part. It sort of complemented the consumerism part, insomuch that the actors tried to find a way to define themselves. They sort of asserted (implicitly, of course) that people try to define themselves through material possessions. The actors say that one should be defined by the people one meets, the places one goes, etc. I like that idea, but I'm all for allowing people to define themselves in whatever manner they want. Part of being a person is comparing yourself to others. On ne peut pas s'accomplir sans l'Autre. I'm sure (almost) that's from Sartre... Great guy.
The other thing I want to talk about is High School Musical. I watched all three movies this weekend, and maybe I'm sentimental, a wuss, sensitive, blah blah, but it made me really sad. Especially the last one. Of course, I had my moment of depression when it was time for me to leave my friends and family behind to go away for college, but I never considered what it would be like leaving college behind! You go off to college, but I think most people have this idea that they'll go back to their hometown to work or whatever... I know I do. But after college what do you do? Wait ten years for a reunion that you may or may not be able to go to? Promise to "keep in touch"?
I've always wondered why humans have the need to make friends especially when they know they'll have to say goodbye. What in us makes it worth the heartache and pain to go through getting to know someone, being there fore them, etc, and then having to let them go for whatever reason? What is it in us, that against all logical, self-preserving thought, makes it worth it? That's one of the reasons I've always maintained that Rousseau's wrong about man not being a social creature. Solitary living is not for us- that's why we band together. Even the most primitive among us lives in tribes where they look after one another and depend on each other. But having to graduate and knowing that I may not see some of my friends again is a really sobering thought. Especially when so many come from so far away- Cali, Mexico, CHINA.
On a happier note, I think I want to stay in Aix for the summer. Although I'll be officially finished with my French major by the end of the semester, I've proposed to work on an honors thesis. While in Aix, I want to do research on immigration and how the French state deals with immigrant issues. It would great to work here, because I'm just 30 minutes or so away from Marseille which houses a large population of North African immigrants. I think it would be great to hear from the people who actually are dealing with the issue at hand. It also helps that my thesis advisor would be the professor-in-residence during the summer. I think I've launched a pretty good argument, let's just hope it works.
Lastly, I give you the best news of all- I've purchased my tickets to GREECE!!! I'm really excited to be going even though it's like a month away. Being able to see where Western civilization started will be so cool. Not to mention that the Greeks are HOT!!! Sorry, I couldn't help it. So, the plan is to go Nice for a day trip, fly up to Paris the next day, and then head over to Athens. I'll be meeting a lot of my friends who are abroad this semester which will be awesome because I haven't seen them in such a long time!!!
The least you need to know:
- When consumerism meets existentialism a great show is afoot!
- HSM- critique of human interactions at its best. That's right; I said it.
- Give me my honors thesis research time this summer in Aix or DEATH!!!
- Food for thought: if the 10 year reunion were in Greece, I bet more people would come.
