https://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_keep_your_goals_to_yourself
In his brief three minute-fifteen second TED Talk back in 2010, Derek Sivers postulated that it was better to keep your goals to yourself than to share them out to others. Although this contention is bold and may defy conventional sensibilities, it is not the first time this has been stated; as Sivers pointed out. Sivers' main argument is that when you announce your goals to others and are those goals are acknowledged you feel a sense of "social reality" and are satisfied without having actually done the work.
Sivers argument is mostly based in logos, and he develops his own credibility by citing the works of famous psychologists such as Kurt Lewin, Wera Mahler, and Peter Gollwitzer. Sivers then goes into depth about a 2009 study of Gollwitzer's where 163 people in 4 separate tests were told to write down their biggest goals where half of them were told to share their goals out while the other half were not allowed to discuss their goals. Sivers goes on to explain that after the people who were told to share out finished, everybody was given 45 minutes to work towards that goal with the instruction that they could use as much time as they needed. Sivers explains that Gollwitzer's study found that people who did not share out their goals actually spent much more time working to achieve them as compared with those who shared out.
Sivers' delivery of his argument is filled with personal connections to the audience, as he opens with a direction to brainstorm their biggest goals and then engages them by asking about them. Sivers then goes on to tell his audience that they "should have kept their mouths shut" and piques their attention. Sivers is succinct and blunt in his delivery of his argument, but still manages to introduce his point of view, support it with research, and conclude by drawing connections to real life goals (his example was running a marathon). Sivers is successful in convincing his audience that what he is saying is not only true, but supported by various credible sources and in-depth research.
I chose this TED Talk because the title intrigued me; I am used to sharing my grand goals with everyone around me and I am often encouraged to do so. After watching Sivers talk, I am pretty convinced that what he said was true. I find that it is really easy for me to say something like "I'm going to clean my room today" and feel accomplished about it without actually doing it (like today). In my experience, the people who work hard in silence are the ones who get the most done. While the urge to share out my goals hasn't diminished, I will definitely think twice before shouting out long term goals to the world.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Double the film noir, Double the Indemnity
2. Film noir literally means “black film.” As you are watching the film, keep track of all the elements in the picture that seem dark or depressing. Think about the characters, the setting, and the storyline.
Film noir is a French name for an American genre, which saw its introduction and fleeting popularity in the 1940s-50s. However, mise en scene elements from this genre can still be found in popular films today. Mise en scene (another French term) essentially means 'placing on stage' and is in reference to the staging, lighting, and basically anything but the sound/dialogue. 'Double Indemnity' is a prime example of key mise en scene elements, which make up film noir. To understand how mise en scene shaped the course of this film, you have to first know the basic storyline and the sociocultural context surrounding the release of the film.
'Double Indemnity' follows the story of Walter Neff, a single mid-thirties insurance agent in Los Angeles in 1938. Neff lived a normal life until the day he went to sell automotive insurance at the Dietrichson household. Phyllis Dietrichson, a disgruntled housewife, flirts with Neff and casually brings up the potential of getting an accident insurance policy on her husband. Walter Neff instantly calls her out for wanting to kill her husband and leaves her house immediately. Phyllis' looks and charm are too much for Neff though and he eventually succumbs to her will. In the end, Walter kills Phyllis and then dies from the bullet wound she first inflicted on him. Walter and Phyllis each meet a gruesome end underscoring the notion that there were no winners in this tragedy.
As far as sociocultural context, the film was produced in the midst of the film noir phenomenon in the US. One of the key factors in the outcome at the end of the film was the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code (MPPC). The MPPC was a censorship code that forbid many risqué themes from making it on screen from its advent in 1921. 'Double Indemnity' walks the very fine line between acceptable and unacceptable per MPPC standards (as many film noir productions did) and seems to be in almost direct contention with rules 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, and 25. The MPPC is the reason why both Phyllis and Walter end up dead and neither of them ends up getting away with their crimes.
When you take into account both sociocultural context and storyline, it becomes clear that the success of the film is largely dependent on the mise en scene elements. 'Double Indemnity' was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, one of which was best cinematography. This nomination is clearly justified, due to the incredible lighting and framing the film features. The majority of the scenes in 'Double Indemnity' take place at night or in dimly lit buildings, symbolic of the dark themes that the film explores. In addition to the framing of shots to show tension or unease, the usage of shadows and smoke contributes to the ominous mood. The cinematographic choices made by John Seitz shaped the way the messages of the film come across, and how the story is perceived.
As far as dark themes, the characters of the film are almost without exception riddled with vices. Smoking, drinking, racism, and sexism were all commonplace and seen as aspects of daily life. Murder and adultery were themes that were cornerstones for the film's plot, and were less the exception and more the rule for the dismal portrayal of Los Angeles. Ultimately, the visual themes of 'Double Indemnity' shaped the course of the story and are what made the film a timeless work.
Film noir is a French name for an American genre, which saw its introduction and fleeting popularity in the 1940s-50s. However, mise en scene elements from this genre can still be found in popular films today. Mise en scene (another French term) essentially means 'placing on stage' and is in reference to the staging, lighting, and basically anything but the sound/dialogue. 'Double Indemnity' is a prime example of key mise en scene elements, which make up film noir. To understand how mise en scene shaped the course of this film, you have to first know the basic storyline and the sociocultural context surrounding the release of the film.
'Double Indemnity' follows the story of Walter Neff, a single mid-thirties insurance agent in Los Angeles in 1938. Neff lived a normal life until the day he went to sell automotive insurance at the Dietrichson household. Phyllis Dietrichson, a disgruntled housewife, flirts with Neff and casually brings up the potential of getting an accident insurance policy on her husband. Walter Neff instantly calls her out for wanting to kill her husband and leaves her house immediately. Phyllis' looks and charm are too much for Neff though and he eventually succumbs to her will. In the end, Walter kills Phyllis and then dies from the bullet wound she first inflicted on him. Walter and Phyllis each meet a gruesome end underscoring the notion that there were no winners in this tragedy.
As far as sociocultural context, the film was produced in the midst of the film noir phenomenon in the US. One of the key factors in the outcome at the end of the film was the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code (MPPC). The MPPC was a censorship code that forbid many risqué themes from making it on screen from its advent in 1921. 'Double Indemnity' walks the very fine line between acceptable and unacceptable per MPPC standards (as many film noir productions did) and seems to be in almost direct contention with rules 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, and 25. The MPPC is the reason why both Phyllis and Walter end up dead and neither of them ends up getting away with their crimes.
As far as dark themes, the characters of the film are almost without exception riddled with vices. Smoking, drinking, racism, and sexism were all commonplace and seen as aspects of daily life. Murder and adultery were themes that were cornerstones for the film's plot, and were less the exception and more the rule for the dismal portrayal of Los Angeles. Ultimately, the visual themes of 'Double Indemnity' shaped the course of the story and are what made the film a timeless work.
Netflix and Kill
What would Macbeth's best friend Banquo have on his Netflix playlist? Banquo, during all of his time not spent being betrayed or stabbed to death, has a very particular taste in cinema. Here are the top 4 things on Banquo's Netflix queue that he would recommend to a friend.
1. Do The Right Thing
Banquo initially picked Spike Lee's 'Do The Right Thing' not based on its content but by its name (way to judge a book by its cover Banquo) however after watching it he really related to the character Radio Raheem. In 'Do The Right Thing' racial tensions mount on a hot summer day as Radio Raheem leads a protest against a local pizza place run by an Italian family for not having any black celebrities on its wall of fame. His protest turns violent and when the police show up he is martyred because of it. Banquo related to Radio Raheem because he too knows what is like to be killed because of his difference in belief with someone in power.
2. Captain America: The First Avenger
Besides Chris Evans totally being Banquo's man crush, there are a lot of reasons why Banquo loves this movie. In 'Captain America: The First Avenger' a small, weak, man named Steve Rogers tries to enlist in the US army to fight against Germany in WW2. He is rejected multiple times but is enlisted under the umbrella of a super solider experiment where he is genetically modified. Steve grows taller and more muscular, and later leads a powerful military charge against an evil Nazi affiliated organization called Hydra. This movie resonated with Banquo because of Steve Rogers benevolent and honest nature, one that Banquo believes he possesses. Banquo is also awed by the transformation Steve makes from weak to tall and muscular and he wishes he could get his hands on some super soldier serum before spring break.
3. Trumbo
Banquo has always been a cinephile (Macbeth just calls him a film nerd) so Trumbo was a clear must watch. 'Trumbo' is a look into the communist blacklist enforced in Hollywood during the 1950s-1960s and follows the story of the writer Dalton Trumbo. Dalton Trumbo and his communist friends are persecuted by the US government and barred from writing films, so Trumbo goes underground and ghost-writes films which win Academy Awards under pseudonyms. Banquo appreciates the story of Dalton Trumbo, but he recognizes the parallels between him and Macbeth. Dalton Trumbo starts the film as a recognized and benevolent character who stands up for his belief in communism, but ends the film only interested in awards and recognition for his writing prowess. Dalton Trumbo's friend Arlen Hird is more in line with Banquo's sensibilities. Arlen constantly calls Trumbo on his hypocrisy and resents him for his material wealth, which is against the principles of communism. Ultimately Hird loses out and dies of lung cancer later on in the film. Banquo related deeply to Arlen Hird's honestly and ultimate demise because it reminded him so much of his own experience with Macbeth.
4. The Grudge
Again with the titles, Banquo? Not that he is bitter about being killed by someone he regarded as his best friend or anything, Banquo frequently watches 'The Grudge' and thinks about Macbeth. 'The Grudge' is about a curse left behind from a death entailing extreme rage or sorrow. A married couple in a Tokyo suburb lived happily until the wife Kayako Saeki fell in love with her professor Peter Kirk and wrote about it in a diary that her husband found. Her husband brutally murdered her and his son out of rage, and the result was the curse. An unsuspecting American family moved into their house years later and was then plagued by the curse. While unsettling, Banquo feels intense catharsis watching murders unfold and fondly remembers crashing Macbeth's dinner party as a ghost.
1. Do The Right Thing
Banquo initially picked Spike Lee's 'Do The Right Thing' not based on its content but by its name (way to judge a book by its cover Banquo) however after watching it he really related to the character Radio Raheem. In 'Do The Right Thing' racial tensions mount on a hot summer day as Radio Raheem leads a protest against a local pizza place run by an Italian family for not having any black celebrities on its wall of fame. His protest turns violent and when the police show up he is martyred because of it. Banquo related to Radio Raheem because he too knows what is like to be killed because of his difference in belief with someone in power.
2. Captain America: The First Avenger
Besides Chris Evans totally being Banquo's man crush, there are a lot of reasons why Banquo loves this movie. In 'Captain America: The First Avenger' a small, weak, man named Steve Rogers tries to enlist in the US army to fight against Germany in WW2. He is rejected multiple times but is enlisted under the umbrella of a super solider experiment where he is genetically modified. Steve grows taller and more muscular, and later leads a powerful military charge against an evil Nazi affiliated organization called Hydra. This movie resonated with Banquo because of Steve Rogers benevolent and honest nature, one that Banquo believes he possesses. Banquo is also awed by the transformation Steve makes from weak to tall and muscular and he wishes he could get his hands on some super soldier serum before spring break.
3. Trumbo
Banquo has always been a cinephile (Macbeth just calls him a film nerd) so Trumbo was a clear must watch. 'Trumbo' is a look into the communist blacklist enforced in Hollywood during the 1950s-1960s and follows the story of the writer Dalton Trumbo. Dalton Trumbo and his communist friends are persecuted by the US government and barred from writing films, so Trumbo goes underground and ghost-writes films which win Academy Awards under pseudonyms. Banquo appreciates the story of Dalton Trumbo, but he recognizes the parallels between him and Macbeth. Dalton Trumbo starts the film as a recognized and benevolent character who stands up for his belief in communism, but ends the film only interested in awards and recognition for his writing prowess. Dalton Trumbo's friend Arlen Hird is more in line with Banquo's sensibilities. Arlen constantly calls Trumbo on his hypocrisy and resents him for his material wealth, which is against the principles of communism. Ultimately Hird loses out and dies of lung cancer later on in the film. Banquo related deeply to Arlen Hird's honestly and ultimate demise because it reminded him so much of his own experience with Macbeth.
4. The Grudge
Again with the titles, Banquo? Not that he is bitter about being killed by someone he regarded as his best friend or anything, Banquo frequently watches 'The Grudge' and thinks about Macbeth. 'The Grudge' is about a curse left behind from a death entailing extreme rage or sorrow. A married couple in a Tokyo suburb lived happily until the wife Kayako Saeki fell in love with her professor Peter Kirk and wrote about it in a diary that her husband found. Her husband brutally murdered her and his son out of rage, and the result was the curse. An unsuspecting American family moved into their house years later and was then plagued by the curse. While unsettling, Banquo feels intense catharsis watching murders unfold and fondly remembers crashing Macbeth's dinner party as a ghost.
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