So this is a paper I had to write for my anthropology class, Communication and the Media. The prompt was thus:
“For animals, the relationship in which one thing stands for something else does not appear to exist except in very rudimentary form” (Hayakawa, p. 14). Draw on the non-human species we have studied to substantiate this claim. You may also complicate the claim, if you wish.
The grades were either check minus, check, or check plus. Most people in the class got a check, but I got a check plus :) Which pleased me a lot because this was right around the time I got back from the hospital, and I found the readings really challenging so I had to work super hard to understand the topic. So, I worked really hard and got a good grade for it. Yay! Here's the paper, if you're interested.
The claim that nonhuman species have only a minimal concept of the idea of one thing standing for another is one substantiated by many observers, key among them scientists like Hayakawa. While on the surface this claim can be easily substantiated, it becomes more complicated the deeper into it one delves. To begin, it is necessary to unpack some key terms. First, an arbitrary symbol is something that has no discernable link between the symbol and the object it represents. An example of this is language. The word “tree” has no real connection to the concept of a tree. Next, an icon is something that bears a physical resemblance to the object discussed, like a picture of a lion to represent lions in the area. Lastly, an indexical relationship is one that generally refers to its subject; ie pointing to indicate a direction.
Arbitrariness is the concept that appears to not exist in animal species. An example supporting this is thus; a group of scientists working with chimpanzees discovered that only with extensive training could the chimps be trained to recognize symbols of objects and use those symbols to classify them into distinct categories (Savage-Rumbaugh, E. Sue, D. M. Rumbaugh, S. T. Smith, and J. Lawson. “Reference: The Linguistic Essential.” Science, Vol. 210, 21, November 1980: 922-925. ) In nature, chimpanzees do not utilize arbitrary symbols to represent things. There is no concept of something being symbolic of another thing. Even iconic relationships had to be taught over long periods of time with many varying levels of training before any progress was made.
Conversely, honeybees do actually display a rudimentary use of, if not symbols, at least indexes. In order for the worker bees to communicate distances and locational information to the forager bees, they employ two distinct dances. The round dance is indicative of a closer source, while the waggle dance is utilized to demonstrate longer distances. Speed of abdominal vibrations and direction of the dance illustrate the size of the food source and the direction in which the foragers should travel. This is certainly indexical, but arguably not arbitrary. The dances are a rudimentary diagram acting almost as a rough map to the source. This is not iconic because it is not a direct representation of the route to the food, it is a symbolic representation that is understood by the bees to have a certain meaning. There does not appear to be any process by which bees are taught these dances, they are simply a part of hive life.
Although indexicality is seen in the honeybee example, this does little to contradict the claim that Hayakawa makes, which is that “For animals, the relationship in which one thing stands for something else does not appear to exist except in very rudimentary form.” A truly complex symbolic relationship would have to show some evidence of arbitrariness, which the honeybee example does not do and the chimpanzee example in fact argues is not possible. Unless it is hidden in some as yet unobserved communication ability, scientists have yet to find strong evidence of animals using complex symbols to represent things other than what they literally are.
~So that's that. Hope it was interesting at the very least!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Mama Who Bore Me
Is the opening number of the Spring Awakening soundtrack. Which is fitting, because wee just had our very first Spring Awakening rehearsal.
It was magnificent.
Due to the fact that one of the other shows at Brandeis this semester is in tech and about half my cast is in that show, the rehearsal was small with just Wendla, Thea, Martha, and Mrs. Bergman (those are characters; portrayed by the actors Corrie, Joanna, Devan, and Kate) and my stage manager, Jessie.
We opened with me discussing how rehearsals were going to run, and then we did a few read-throughs of the scenes to be worked on, and then we began blocking. It's so fun to work with actors who are serious about their parts and about the script. I mean, I've loved this script since the first time I opened it. It's nice to remember that this isn't a piece I have to teach people how to love. It's an incredible show that gives actors a lot to work with in the way of complex emotions and intricate dialogue. It's intense. Which is absolutely the best kind of theatre. Spring Awakening will not leave everyone smiling. It will leave them reeling.
So we blocked three scenes and ran them a few times over. But my favorite part of rehearsal came after. I had everyone gather in a circle and we talked about the characters. That is always my favorite part of getting into a show; learning the nuances of the character I'm playing. Living in their skin, learning their past, discovering why they say the things they say. As a director, I'm not as intimate with all of the characters as the actors will be.
I was extremely impressed with how much character work the cast had already done. Even for just working with the material for a few hours, we had some very in-depth discussion of everyone. Wendla especially, and her relationship with her mother. Which plays a huge part in the story.
All in all, a great time. Hopefully the first of many :)
It was magnificent.
Due to the fact that one of the other shows at Brandeis this semester is in tech and about half my cast is in that show, the rehearsal was small with just Wendla, Thea, Martha, and Mrs. Bergman (those are characters; portrayed by the actors Corrie, Joanna, Devan, and Kate) and my stage manager, Jessie.
We opened with me discussing how rehearsals were going to run, and then we did a few read-throughs of the scenes to be worked on, and then we began blocking. It's so fun to work with actors who are serious about their parts and about the script. I mean, I've loved this script since the first time I opened it. It's nice to remember that this isn't a piece I have to teach people how to love. It's an incredible show that gives actors a lot to work with in the way of complex emotions and intricate dialogue. It's intense. Which is absolutely the best kind of theatre. Spring Awakening will not leave everyone smiling. It will leave them reeling.
So we blocked three scenes and ran them a few times over. But my favorite part of rehearsal came after. I had everyone gather in a circle and we talked about the characters. That is always my favorite part of getting into a show; learning the nuances of the character I'm playing. Living in their skin, learning their past, discovering why they say the things they say. As a director, I'm not as intimate with all of the characters as the actors will be.
I was extremely impressed with how much character work the cast had already done. Even for just working with the material for a few hours, we had some very in-depth discussion of everyone. Wendla especially, and her relationship with her mother. Which plays a huge part in the story.
All in all, a great time. Hopefully the first of many :)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
We begin...
Yeah, I'm using an obscure Rent reference to being my Spring Awakening saga...just go with it. It's fine. Don't worry.
Yes folks! Spring Awakening has begun its first foray into existence. Today and yesterday we endured Common Auditions; the painfully long process wherein all of the directors of all the straight (non-musical) plays sit in a row and just have everyone audition for all of them instead of all at separate times. 6:30-11 two nights in a row.
Night one: Fun! Ordered Thai takeout, giggled a little over silly auditions (not in a making-fun kind of way, in a laughing WITH the person kind of way. Really.). Not enough boys. One really good male that everyone is going to fight over. Naturally, he specifically wishes to only be cast in one show. Offers of sexual favors? Potentially...
Night two: Sillier. We laughed waaay more easily due to being comfortable with each other and due to..well...exhaustion and less seriousness over what we were doing. Also watched a bit of the State of the Union. Attempted to start slow claps from over the internet. Were moderately successful. Still not enough guys.
End of tonight: Stare at audition forms and decide who to call back for what parts. Argue over finally created call-back list with other directors. Attempt to configure time slots that all coexist so that actors don't have to be in 50 places at once.
Post call back sheets.
Pray it doesn't snow.
Next step for Spring Awakening? We have callbacks scheduled for 5-11 tomorrow. I will have my work cut out for me in eliminating females. There were SO many talented girls who auditioned, so I can be really picky about which ones I want. I'm trying to give preference to people with less Brandeis theatre experience because...well...they're the ones I want to work with. So I'm sticking with freshman and mid-years mostly. Oh, and people who seemed really specifically enthusiastic about Spring Awakening as opposed to the other shows being cast. This piece will rely on the passion my actors can give it. If I ask someone who isn't passionate about the show to do the awkward and demanding things required by some of the parts, then they will be less willing to comply.
Talking about the script, I have been rereading it often of late, and just re-realizing how absolutely in love with it I am. Wedekind wrote a piece that was revolutionary for its time, and it is still exceptionally strong so many years later. I can't wait to be the next one to marvel in its brilliance, and hopefully to do it justice.
Stay tuned! More updates to come (if my callbacks don't get snowed out...).
Yes folks! Spring Awakening has begun its first foray into existence. Today and yesterday we endured Common Auditions; the painfully long process wherein all of the directors of all the straight (non-musical) plays sit in a row and just have everyone audition for all of them instead of all at separate times. 6:30-11 two nights in a row.
Night one: Fun! Ordered Thai takeout, giggled a little over silly auditions (not in a making-fun kind of way, in a laughing WITH the person kind of way. Really.). Not enough boys. One really good male that everyone is going to fight over. Naturally, he specifically wishes to only be cast in one show. Offers of sexual favors? Potentially...
Night two: Sillier. We laughed waaay more easily due to being comfortable with each other and due to..well...exhaustion and less seriousness over what we were doing. Also watched a bit of the State of the Union. Attempted to start slow claps from over the internet. Were moderately successful. Still not enough guys.
End of tonight: Stare at audition forms and decide who to call back for what parts. Argue over finally created call-back list with other directors. Attempt to configure time slots that all coexist so that actors don't have to be in 50 places at once.
Post call back sheets.
Pray it doesn't snow.
Next step for Spring Awakening? We have callbacks scheduled for 5-11 tomorrow. I will have my work cut out for me in eliminating females. There were SO many talented girls who auditioned, so I can be really picky about which ones I want. I'm trying to give preference to people with less Brandeis theatre experience because...well...they're the ones I want to work with. So I'm sticking with freshman and mid-years mostly. Oh, and people who seemed really specifically enthusiastic about Spring Awakening as opposed to the other shows being cast. This piece will rely on the passion my actors can give it. If I ask someone who isn't passionate about the show to do the awkward and demanding things required by some of the parts, then they will be less willing to comply.
Talking about the script, I have been rereading it often of late, and just re-realizing how absolutely in love with it I am. Wedekind wrote a piece that was revolutionary for its time, and it is still exceptionally strong so many years later. I can't wait to be the next one to marvel in its brilliance, and hopefully to do it justice.
Stay tuned! More updates to come (if my callbacks don't get snowed out...).
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Ian Axel, Field Mouse, Allison Weiss
So I went to a concert the other night at Cafe 939.
Cafe 939 is run by Berklee, which is a music college. The Cafe's claim to fame is that it is the ONLY all-ages music club in Boston. Which is fairly impressive. They stay all ages not by censoring their musical acts, but simply by not serving alcohol. They literally have all kinds of acts. Check out their website if you feel like it. It's a neat place.
The reason I went to Cafe 939 was, of course, for the lovely and talented Allison Weiss. She's fantastic. Look her up if you haven't already. I talk about her a lot. Because she's amazing. But that's not why I'm writing.
The two acts that opened for Allison were a guy named Ian Axel and a band called Field Mouse (that, interestingly enough, Allison plays bass for. One of the guys who worked at the club said he's never seen an artist open for themselves...haha). So I didn't have any feeling toward Field Mouse. No negative or positive. They were just loud. I couldn't hear what the singer was singing about because the rest was too loud. Eh. But the other opener, Ian Axel, was great. He doesn't have a record done (yet). He just sat down at the piano and played with his whole body and his whole heart. It was really amazing. And he had a great voice and his lyrics were straight from the soul.
That's what I love about these unsigned artists like Weiss and Axel. They don't have to write songs for anybody, so they just write what they feel. And you know what? It's better than all the manufactured shit out there now. It's real. Ian could (and did) tell us the story behind the inspiration for every song he sang us. So did Allison. It was incredible. And what courage it takes to get up there and reveal that depth. It takes more guts to get up on stage as an unsigned musician than it does to be an actor. Because actors are trying to be someone else. Musicians, or at least these musicians, are just singing from their hearts.
So my goal for the semester is to explore the Boston music scene. Ian Axel was an unexpected delight. I have no doubt that there is more brilliance out there waiting to be found.
Cafe 939 is run by Berklee, which is a music college. The Cafe's claim to fame is that it is the ONLY all-ages music club in Boston. Which is fairly impressive. They stay all ages not by censoring their musical acts, but simply by not serving alcohol. They literally have all kinds of acts. Check out their website if you feel like it. It's a neat place.
The reason I went to Cafe 939 was, of course, for the lovely and talented Allison Weiss. She's fantastic. Look her up if you haven't already. I talk about her a lot. Because she's amazing. But that's not why I'm writing.
The two acts that opened for Allison were a guy named Ian Axel and a band called Field Mouse (that, interestingly enough, Allison plays bass for. One of the guys who worked at the club said he's never seen an artist open for themselves...haha). So I didn't have any feeling toward Field Mouse. No negative or positive. They were just loud. I couldn't hear what the singer was singing about because the rest was too loud. Eh. But the other opener, Ian Axel, was great. He doesn't have a record done (yet). He just sat down at the piano and played with his whole body and his whole heart. It was really amazing. And he had a great voice and his lyrics were straight from the soul.
That's what I love about these unsigned artists like Weiss and Axel. They don't have to write songs for anybody, so they just write what they feel. And you know what? It's better than all the manufactured shit out there now. It's real. Ian could (and did) tell us the story behind the inspiration for every song he sang us. So did Allison. It was incredible. And what courage it takes to get up there and reveal that depth. It takes more guts to get up on stage as an unsigned musician than it does to be an actor. Because actors are trying to be someone else. Musicians, or at least these musicians, are just singing from their hearts.
So my goal for the semester is to explore the Boston music scene. Ian Axel was an unexpected delight. I have no doubt that there is more brilliance out there waiting to be found.
Monday, January 17, 2011
"It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got..."
So I'm back at Brandeis after a long break.
Yesterday felt like running the gauntlet. Returning to my chosen solitude on the same day as the anniversary of my father's death just felt cruel. There was no relief in the return. Just the familiar silence settling around me as I shut the door to my room.
I'm writing only to keep myself from finishing the novel I started yesterday. A novel I have burned through because I've been in here alone most of the day. The number of pages remaining has dwindled alarmingly quickly. Sometimes I hate being a fast reader.
My classes are mostly in order for tomorrow. The morning will begin at 10:40 with a yoga class in which I am not formally enrolled. So the day will begin with a contest of wills. Me against the teacher. Who will win? Who knows. Following yoga I will head to a Spanish class, and then Human Rights in a Global Perspective. I should be really excited about the last one, but I'm not excited about anything now. If not for dinner with Emily and Jenn, I could easily have gone all day without speaking a word to anyone.
I titled this post optimistically. Clearly I don't have what I want right now. I just need to find it in myself to want what I've got. What I've got is an incredible opportunity to further my learning, something that has always been important to me. I just have to keep repeating that to myself. Soon, classes will pick up and Spring Awakening will begin and I won't have time to think this way. I hope.
What awaits in the future, though, does not make this moment any less lonely. I'm trying to tune my focus to things that at the very least make my mind move in interesting ways, even if they can't make me happy. I should write down blocking notes for the show I am about to direct. I should read the provided syllabi for upcoming classes. I should...but I don't want to. I just want to be at home.
Yesterday felt like running the gauntlet. Returning to my chosen solitude on the same day as the anniversary of my father's death just felt cruel. There was no relief in the return. Just the familiar silence settling around me as I shut the door to my room.
I'm writing only to keep myself from finishing the novel I started yesterday. A novel I have burned through because I've been in here alone most of the day. The number of pages remaining has dwindled alarmingly quickly. Sometimes I hate being a fast reader.
My classes are mostly in order for tomorrow. The morning will begin at 10:40 with a yoga class in which I am not formally enrolled. So the day will begin with a contest of wills. Me against the teacher. Who will win? Who knows. Following yoga I will head to a Spanish class, and then Human Rights in a Global Perspective. I should be really excited about the last one, but I'm not excited about anything now. If not for dinner with Emily and Jenn, I could easily have gone all day without speaking a word to anyone.
I titled this post optimistically. Clearly I don't have what I want right now. I just need to find it in myself to want what I've got. What I've got is an incredible opportunity to further my learning, something that has always been important to me. I just have to keep repeating that to myself. Soon, classes will pick up and Spring Awakening will begin and I won't have time to think this way. I hope.
What awaits in the future, though, does not make this moment any less lonely. I'm trying to tune my focus to things that at the very least make my mind move in interesting ways, even if they can't make me happy. I should write down blocking notes for the show I am about to direct. I should read the provided syllabi for upcoming classes. I should...but I don't want to. I just want to be at home.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friends
So Emily and I had dinner tonight with our friend other friend Jenn. Emily mentioned how she likes to read my Facebook profile because I always have amusing statuses (stati?) and people always comment all over them. She said she used to think that people were just fake-Facebook nice to me and that they couldn't actually love me that much in REAL life.
But then she visited WV and saw that my friends so, in fact, really love me that much. People freaking leap on me when I enter a room. Literally. I have the bruises.
I'm just sharing this because it really made me smile. Sometimes I forget how much my friends love me. I never forget how much I miss them, I just have to occasionally be reminded that the love flows both ways. Thanks Em, for reminding me. Even though you've met them all of once :)
But then she visited WV and saw that my friends so, in fact, really love me that much. People freaking leap on me when I enter a room. Literally. I have the bruises.
I'm just sharing this because it really made me smile. Sometimes I forget how much my friends love me. I never forget how much I miss them, I just have to occasionally be reminded that the love flows both ways. Thanks Em, for reminding me. Even though you've met them all of once :)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Update
I was pretty good about blogging every day there for a bit. Sometimes more than once a day. Because sometimes being alone leads to great introspective thoughts that weaves itself into insightful prose and relieves the inner tension besides. But then you find all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on youtube and POOF! introspection gone in favor of trashy internet television.
So, an update on my life. I am like 90% certain that I want to double major in Anthropology and Creative Writing. Yay life choices. Don't ask me what I want to, you know, DO with those majors. I don't have to know that yet. I like to write. And I like to study people. That can be enough for the moment.
I dressed as a watermelon for Halloween. A sexy watermelon. That's right. A sexy watermelon. See, I realized AFTER Halloween that I liked the costume because it took the idea of a sexy Halloween costume and mocked it. I mean, there is nothing at all sexy about a watermelon. But someone at the Garment District (costume store in Boston) had the idea to manufacture a skanky little watermelon dress that happened to look great on me. So...I wasn't being a run of the mill slut. I was a slut making an ironic statement about slutty costumes. That's right. Think about THAT.
What else? I went to a meeting for one of the theatre groups on campus. One of the girls who hangs lights with me (Elana) is on the board for Freeplay, and she encouraged me to come. Freeplay specializes in artistically interpreted plays used to make a social statement. Fun, ya? And they need directors. And also writers. Both of which are services I can offer. I think I'm going to try to direct Wedekind's original Spring Awakening(not the Sheik musical, the old one) next semester. I already found someone who potentially wants to stage manage for me. So...potential fun to be had.
It's autumn in Boston. Obviously, it's beautiful. The trees are on fire, and there are crunchy leaves to step on everywhere I go. At night, the campus lights illuminate the yellow leaves from beneath, creating an incredible contrast to the deep blue of the sky. It's so beautiful. It's the time of year that makes me think of pumpkins, and apples, and long walks in the dark with my friends as we try to take advantage of the last moments of warmth in the air.
Hope you all are enjoying your autumn!
So, an update on my life. I am like 90% certain that I want to double major in Anthropology and Creative Writing. Yay life choices. Don't ask me what I want to, you know, DO with those majors. I don't have to know that yet. I like to write. And I like to study people. That can be enough for the moment.
I dressed as a watermelon for Halloween. A sexy watermelon. That's right. A sexy watermelon. See, I realized AFTER Halloween that I liked the costume because it took the idea of a sexy Halloween costume and mocked it. I mean, there is nothing at all sexy about a watermelon. But someone at the Garment District (costume store in Boston) had the idea to manufacture a skanky little watermelon dress that happened to look great on me. So...I wasn't being a run of the mill slut. I was a slut making an ironic statement about slutty costumes. That's right. Think about THAT.
What else? I went to a meeting for one of the theatre groups on campus. One of the girls who hangs lights with me (Elana) is on the board for Freeplay, and she encouraged me to come. Freeplay specializes in artistically interpreted plays used to make a social statement. Fun, ya? And they need directors. And also writers. Both of which are services I can offer. I think I'm going to try to direct Wedekind's original Spring Awakening(not the Sheik musical, the old one) next semester. I already found someone who potentially wants to stage manage for me. So...potential fun to be had.
It's autumn in Boston. Obviously, it's beautiful. The trees are on fire, and there are crunchy leaves to step on everywhere I go. At night, the campus lights illuminate the yellow leaves from beneath, creating an incredible contrast to the deep blue of the sky. It's so beautiful. It's the time of year that makes me think of pumpkins, and apples, and long walks in the dark with my friends as we try to take advantage of the last moments of warmth in the air.
Hope you all are enjoying your autumn!
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