Babel is about people connecting. People from different parts of the world and different cultures. Really connecting. We've seen walls being built, countries closing their borders. We've seen hatred, violence, destruction, the insanity of a few with power. But despite all that... people connect, people help each other, people cooperate. We need a global vision, a global awareness. After all, we are world citizens.
This week the film is a King Vidor, Our Daily Bread. American pioneers began as communities in which people helped one another. The Great Depression led them to repeat the same experience of the pioneers. Smart solutions to put bread on the table. The government took the initiative of the New Deal to replace the informal organizations fearing to lose control and power. Somewhere along the way american people were taught to hate and fear the same cooperation culture that has allowed their parents to survive and thrive. Was it because politicians put names on social organizations? Suddenly democracy is socialism or worse, communism? Twentieth century is based on communities, connection and cooperation. Our Daily Bread is another example of cultural innovation in cinema.
This is the perfect time to remember that we are a big community. We are humans, a species that is able of creativity and humour but also destruction and wars. What really matters is the fundamental choice we make, not our beliefs, our life style, our culture, our location. That's why I don't use words as "religion" or "spirituality", I prefer "expanded consciousness" or just "consciouness" (António Damásio). We share ideas, experiences, techniques. We laugh together. We even sing together. We build bridges, public spaces, new projects everyday. We try to find new ways of improving quality of life everywhere. We know that we do have the science and the technologies to do it, and we know that it means to protect the planet and other species. We have that responsability.
This is "an exercise in musical cooperation. Cooperation emerges when the behavior of each individual depends on the decisions of the rest of the group: it´s a game where, from the start, you need to adjust to the actions of others." 21 Balançoires (21 Swings) "is a giant collective instrument that stimulates ownership of the new space, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, and creating a place for playing and hanging out in the middle of the city center." (Daily tous les jours and Luc-Alain Giraldeau).
2.
Reverse Times Square: "Over 2.000 people move backwards through Times Square, making it look like time is going in reverse to unsuspecting tourists and New Yorkers. Participants met in Bryant Park to receive instructions and synchronize their watches before heading over to Times Square and blending in with the crowd. At exactly 3:15 PM, participants bagan moving backwards for exactly five minutes." (Improv everywhere) We can put it this way: children are creative each and every single day, enjoy being surprised, puzzled, everything is a game to play, it's how they learn. We can practice collaboration: in amusing and meaningful group exercises (1.) and in new opportunities to enjoy being surprised and change our perspective (2.).
