Empathic Civilization
Despite peoples differences when humans come together as one the possibilities are endless. Jeremy Rifkin traced the human race back to stone age and discussed that human beings are programed to care about each other. Rifkin talks about an experiment that was done on chimpanzees which helped people discover that; "we are apparently wired with mirror neurons to experiences another plight as if it we were experiencing it ourselves"(Rifkin). The mirror neurons in a brain send out emotions to help one experience another feelings. When someone turns 2 years old they being to understand how precious life is. "empathy is grounded in the acknowledgement of death and the celebration of life"(Rifkin). Humans know how hard life can be just to survive and that tends to bring people together. If the human race could look past their difference's that didn't even categorize people many centuries ago; race, religion, etc., anything could be done. Jeremy Rifkin asks the question; "if we have gone from empathy in blood ties to empathy in religious association ties to empathy based on national identification is it really a big stretch to imagine empathy to a single race in a single biosphere"(Rifkin)? Throughout time people have grouped themselves based on various things. If the human race could group themselves simply on just being human the strength we would all have together is unimaginable.
Visual Literacy
People are always going to judge, but being yourself and putting yourself out there will bring the ultimate happiness. Miley Cyrus tries to be herself no matter what people are going to say. She says that because she is free from her old record label she feels like she can be whoever she wants to be. "I have this freedom to be whoever I want because I am starting as a new artist"(Cyrus). She likes being different and being who she is. She embraces her unique spirit. "every time I do anything I want to remember this is what separates me from everybody else"(Cyrus). She doesn't want to blend in with the crowd. People can learn from her that embracing who they are is important and ultimately going to make you happiest. "you're always going to make people talk, you might as well make people talk for two weeks rather then two seconds"(Cyrus). She is saying that people are always going to judge they might as well judge you on who you really are. You might as well not try to please people. It is important for humans to be who they are and embrace each other.
Seven Pounds
Sometimes horrible experience lead to beautiful things. Ben is suffering from depression after he kills seven people in a car accident. Even though he plans to take his own life he wants to give seven people a better life in one way or another. He wants to make sure the people he gives to are well deserving of what he gives them. "I want to apologize for being so rude to you...I want to give you a gift"(Ben). This was when he was testing to see if Ezra was worthy of giving him his eyes. He decides to give Ezra the gift of being able to see after Ezra has been blind his whole life. Ben makes sure that he has everything in line with his attorney so after he has killed himself his organs will be given to the people of his choosing. "Its time...I love you"(Ben). This was the last words he said to his attorney/his best friend. He then killed him self and gave his eyes to Ezra and his heart to Emily, a girl he fell in love with and wants to help her survive. He did a beautiful thing giving different people gifts to change their lives drastically. "You must be Emily"(Ben). This was the ending scene and a very beautiful scene as well. Ezra, who has never been able to see before, meets Emily, who is now living because Ben gave her his heart. With Ben's eyes Ezra sees the scar on Emily's chest and they cry together because of the lives they both now have because of one amazing human being. Its amazing when someone can take their experience, bad or good, to help others. Even though Ben had deep depression and didn't want to live anymore he gave seven people the gift of a better life.
Smoke Signals
In order to have inner peace one has to learn how to forgive. Forgiving can be one of the hardest things to learn how to do. People are naturally going to have problems with one another and not be able to accept their difference, thats just how it is. After Thomas and Victor get home from Victor's dads house Thomas talks about the concept of forgiveness; "how do we forgive our fathers maybe in a dream"(Thomas)? It is hard to learn how to forgive people and it is hard to let go of the past, but to move on in life Victor needed to let go of the past he had with his father. It is also hard to know what to forgive for;"shall we forgive them for pushing or leaning, for shutting doors or speaking through walls, or never speaking or never being silent"(Thomas). Victor has always been angry at his dad because he left him and his mom. He didn't know the full reasoning behind why his dad couldn't stay in town, he didn't know that he had his own battles he was dealing with. After learning more about his dad Victor gets home and throws his fathers ashes in a river symbolizing his forgiveness and letting go of the past. "do we forgive them in our age or theirs or in their deaths saying it to them or not saying it"(Thomas). There is no right time to technically forgive, but it is important to let go of the past. Victor is able to let go of the bad memories and morn his fathers death with a different perspective after he has moved on. Without forgiving people you are doing yourself a disservice and causing yourself unnecessary pain. Letting go is the ultimate way of peace.
Press Pause Play
There will always be critics and someone who doesn't like you but now with endless possibilities if someone is doing what they love that is all that matters. Some people look at the new democratized culture with negativity and that what is now accepted as music or art is trash because anyone has the resources to create anything now. In an interview with Seth Gordin he explains that that isn't true; "we are broadening the definition of art"(Gordin). The new access people have to electronics and different forms of art is making it capable for anyone to be able to express themselves. "...what makes it art is that it is a gift..its new...it makes a change and that kind of art we are now seeing in so many different places and that means just about anyone has the opportunity, if they want to, to make art without the permission from a guy in a fancy suit"(Gordin). Seth is saying that you can't put rules or boundaries on art. When something new is created wether that be a song, or a sculpture, it is art to somebody. He talks about the artist Shepard Fairey who broke the law to show off his art. "look at Shepard Fairey, Shepard is the most famous fine artist of the century...he did it by getting arrested and putting his art on the walls of the city giving it away and getting arrested doing so"(Gordin). Of corse people are going to hate on what you are putting out but the haters will always be there and what's important is that you do what you want to do and be who you are. Being yourself is the most beautiful think you can do.
