Selling Out: Dr. Laurie Santos should have a TV show. I’d set my DVR for ‘Series Record’ for it, and I’m not even sure what it would be about. No matter, because I’m sure it would be about some complex aspect of the human mind and how it can be made to seem both super interesting and really simple.
For TEDxBroadway aficionados, the first thing I should tell you is that I met Laurie through TEDxBroadway 2014 superstar Dr. Ainissa Ramirez. As you might know, science is part of our programming every year, so I asked Ainissa if there was more awesome where she came from.
2 comments:
This TEDxBroadway talk pairs wonderfully with Andrew's manifesto assignment, in which we attempt to define why theatre is important. I have been struggling to find the words to articulate what live dramatic performance offers that other art forms do not. Dr. Santos' research suggests that live performance engages with a unique aspect of human psychology--the ability to imagine and experience another human's thought process--that other art forms cannot touch as directly. While all primates can copy emotions and behaviors presented to us--which is also a useful tool to keep in mind when we want our audiences to behave a certain way--only humans engage in the thought behind the story and the choices each character makes. This is why having a clear internal monologue as a character is so important. This phenomenon, I think, begins to define the unique energy that comes from dramatic arts as opposed to still art or writing. (It's not the whole answer, but I think this could be part of it.)
Also, this research is so interesting just as insight into human behavior. It sounds like there could be an evolutionary benefit to humans' empathy and desire to learn from each other, and there must be a connection here between humans' insatiable need for storytelling and this psychological tool. But then this trait becomes dangerous when people subscribe to bad ideas from an instinctual need to copy others' thought processes. Hence, we find ourselves vulnerable to brainwashing, manipulation, and mob mentality, all of which are important for us to understand as artists studying the human condition.
This was a great talk. It spoke to many of the ideas I've previously had about theater and reaffirmed some for me as well. The idea of mental contageon and how humans can empathize with others is, in my opinion, one of the greatest things about us and can lead us to a more peaceful existance and greater understanding between people in different social sects. This is why I train as an actor. So I can continue to capture this to the best of my ability. This is why I act. Because it has this power. While Dr. Santos may call this fact about us "dumb", in many ways, it's what allows us to coexist. If one were not able to empathize with the thoughts of others, then nothing would ever be accomplished. Nothing would ever change. This is why, especially now, the world needs theater more than ever. <54-102> <54102> 54-102
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