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In the book “The Art of Possibility” (in the chapter entitled “It’s All Invented”) as soon as I began to read the words: “We perceive only the sensations we are programmed to receive, and our awareness is further restricted by the fact that we recognize only those for which we have mental maps or categories” I thought of an actual event in history that gives clear evidence of the impact and results of “perception.” On Sunday, October 30, 1938, Orson Welles’ "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast, implanted a vivid and horrifying "script" into minds of radio listeners throughout the United States. The actions of the listeners, the army, and the scientists were all based on their “perception of fear and danger.” Their eyes could not see the actual creatures or the spaceship, however the audio images projected to the brain triggered fear. Perception triggers mental images in our brain. As a result of the “identification mechanisms” that were triggered -- they were set in motion to react. In this historical instance, the identification mechanism perceived this broadcast as a warning of actual, imminent DANGER. Newspapers recount the mass hysteria that resulted from a finely sculpted, radio script designed for Halloween entertainment. This event begs the question: “Had the listeners been informed from the very beginning -- or even intermittently during the broadcast -- that this was only a scripted story, would there been the same reaction? The manner, the timeframe and the context of data deposited as well as when, how and the amount of data is digested -- are all parts of the “perception” equation. The War of the Worlds -- it was all invented.
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How will I be a contribution today?
Life presents us with challenges that we must all face in our own ways. Yes, some seem to have it easier than others -- causing comparison of people. A contribution that enhances the life of one person has a “ripple effect” in that more than one person is ultimately changed. What is more important to me though, is the quality of the contribution. In that regard, my contribution consisted of the bits of data that I was able to disseminate into the wide eyes and receptive brains of my students. Further, these students have a multitude of circumstances in their young lives, which inhibit the process of learning. Today, a child who came to me without speaking English could now speak in a complete coherent sentence. Today, another student whose parent was not able to provide necessary medical needs such as eyeglasses since September was able to obtain a free pair through my conversation with the appropriate resource agency. By expanding the educational process, I mold “diamonds in the rough” into finely chiseled 50 Carat wonders! This is done not only with a contribution of education -- my contribution also consists of loving, sharing, and caring -- “By any means necessary!”
I was struck by you making the comparison of Orson Welles story in 1938 - - “War of the Worlds”, and how as only an invented story, so many took it as the real thing”, what a great analogy about how people can react to “perceptions” about an event. You brought in the comparisons from the reading in a very succinct and poignant way, connecting how those “identification mechanisms” work and were triggered by this seemingly real story.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your comment about the “quality” of the contribution we make and know you are making a huge difference in the quality of the young lives you interact with; helping students learn how to speak and see (your assistance with facilitating contacts for eye glasses) is amazing! Kudos for your compassion and kindness. You are “molding diamonds in the rough to 50 carat wonders”! Well stated and so true!
I appreciated reading your post and how you connected the reading with Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds event in 1938. It is interesting to think about how these perceptions trigger images that, in turn cause us to react. It is valuable to mention again, as you did, that time, context and the delivery all effect how an individual perceives a message.
ReplyDeleteIt is also true that our contributions actually make a difference, whether inside or outside of the classroom. I was challenged during my undergraduate studies to make journaling a habitual practice during teaching. The challenge consisted of journaling about two improvements that could have made the day more productive, but also two contributions that touched a students’ life, regardless of how insignificant it may have seemed to me. What a tremendous practice and reminder that our efforts do encourage and demonstrate kindness that we hope is passed on to our students. In spite of all the legislation taking place, I don’t believe there is a greater profession that allows us to touch the lives of individuals like teaching.