Monday, November 17, 2008

Response formulated during University Research Study:

It was late in the evening, after a long days work for both my boyfriend and myself. We went about watching some documentary type films in our pajamas, laying in bed, after dinner.

I selected the films and was presenting them to my boyfriend. The first two explored ethics and human cultural relations. The last one, featured the philosopher Schopenhauer, who I find to be an especially compelling figure. The selection of this one was made in response to my boyfriend asking about Spinoza. I suggested Schopenhauer would be a more desirable choice, and recounted an enjoyable time that we read some of his work together.

The film featured a passage of Schopenhauer, well read in a voice over beautiful film footage. The footage was a part of a popular and well revered series, to which we were familiar, as it is included in our personal collection at home.

The film was entitled: "Quiet". I was considerably amused with the presentation. When it was finished, I had a smile on my face.
This lasted only a few seconds, as my boyfriend almost immediately took the opportunity to tell me a rather gossip-ish story, that he had heard about Schopenhauer.

I went to say something and he cut me off, only to proceed to tell me some "factual" account, one that I felt took away from experience.
It was upsetting that we both just watched this film together, however we lacked any shared understanding.

I felt that he had some how totally missed the point. The way he was so inclined to share such trivial information, seemed to be evidence of this. I felt that we had been together long enough that we might know each other better. The argument went into acknowledging people have their own thoughts instead of constantly talking in disregard of this, impeding upon and interrupting the other person's thoughts,which they are unable to finish or express, when someone else is demanding their attention. That attention should be warranted to the most important details and with awareness and respect of the other persons interest.


Bonus!: Here is the film:

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