Feedback Thoughts

Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work - John Spencer

This article gives some serious insight into the issue of self-doubt, and the ease with which it can enter into one's life. For me personally, I've most felt self-doubt in my time in endurance sports, first with swimming and the minimalism of variance between winning and losing. Then, with Triathlon where there's no way to fake a race; you're perpetually suffering and the winner is the one who can cope with this suffering the most effectively. The main two takeaways for me are 1. "Don't Compare Yourself to Others" and 2. "Abandon Perfectionism". In both of the aforementioned parts of my life these two traits can be horribly present; in swimming you're forced to compare yourself with others, because you're adjacent them and wearing essentially nothing - it's all very bare. In Triathlon, everyone is shoulder to shoulder, but everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and the ability to compartmentalize is essential. Further, if you go into any race expecting perfection, you'll lose. The ability to understand imperfection isn't an issue is a skill that can benefit everyone in all walks of life, other than surgery.


A Simple 5-Second Habit to Rewire Your Harshly Self-Critical Brain - Joel Almeida

I had a very hard time with this article; I've never been a fan of self-congratulation. I was certainly raised as a pessimist, and the thought of telling myself all is well and I'm fine after I've dropped the ball is still quite terrifying to me. I feel as though that would bring about stagnation and lethargy. I understand that I'm likely wrong and on one end of the spectrum, but I believe the "REBS" system outline within this article is equally wrong and exists on the other end of the spectrum. While we shouldn't be self-loathing, we also shouldn't pat ourselves on the back when we've made a mistake.





Photo Credit:
Fight Back Feelings of Self-Doubt|flickr|Paul Sableman

Topic Brainstorm

Idea I: (Portfolio)

In reading through the summaries I could find online for The Golden Mongoose: Tales of Duty from the Mahabharata I've found that the three stories therein sound pretty neat. These tales deal with complex issues: self-awareness, contentedness, sacrifice, relinquishing material holds. I believe all of these could very well translate to short stories or screenplays and all of these themes translate to modern contexts extremely well. I've not decided whether screenplays are the most efficient way to transpose these themes, which is my goal; I'll have to spend more time thinking specifically on effectiveness in writing.  These themes all interest me greatly because of their versatility.

Idea II: (Portfolio) *

I believe composing a portfolio consisting of stories from the Jakata's Monkey Stories could be an interesting and applicable work. These stories are varied, but seem to all hinge around ethics, and the role of wisdom in ethical dilemmas, which I think is very interesting. I believe these stories could all transfer to varying contexts quite well, and in that ease of transition greater applications could be found. The struggles outlined therein are very releatable when recontextualized, and because of that I believe it would be a rewarding process to retell these tales.

Idea III: (Portfolio) 

Another potential idea is to read through as many of these tales as possible, isolating instances of wit versus weight and explore the concept of outwitting opponents. This is a trope in western cinema, and could very easily be applied to instances of daily life in a relatable way. I'd initially read through Jackal Stories, before reading Bird Stories, then potentially The Deadly Feast. Before retelling these stories in a more accessible way.

Idea IV: (Portfolio)

Finally, I've wondered about the instances of friendship throughout these classic stories, and the role friendship plays in watershed moments. I'm unsure of which stories through which I'd read to build the foundation for this project other than Friends and Foes, and How Friends Are Parted. Should I be able to find more stories built around this topic, or with this topic playing a substantive role therein, I believe this would be a fun research project as it is extremely relevant to us all - as core friendship is something I should hope we all know, and know the weight thereof. Friendships are often more impactful than familial relationships and the development of such friendships is a major component of maturation. So, finding instances of this in older writings is always interesting.



Photo Credit:
Cover Image The Golden Mongoose|amartchitrakatha

Week 2 Story: Terminal

ACT I: CLEARANCE
SECURITY
OVERHEAD SHOT
We see many travelers lining the various pathways through airport security and its levels of convenience
CUT TO:
MEDIUM SHOT DOWN THE CONVEYOR BELT THROUGH WHICH POSSESSIONS PASS
We see a man take out his laptop, powered by a lithium battery - leaning into frame, a man stares at the battery confounded by its presence
CUT TO:
MEDIUM-LONG SHOT CENTERED BETWEEN TSA AGENT AND THE CONFUSED MAN
CLARK
(To nearby TSA Agent)
You aren’t going to let him get that through security, right?
AGENT #1
Sir, if anything appears out of order we’ll address it. Now, please get back behind that line.
CLARK
Ok I’ll wait, I just wouldn’t want something to happen because you weren’t doing your job
AGENT #1
(silence, Agent is clearly holding back some select words for Clark)
CLARK
It’s just that I heard lithium was volatile, you know, dangerous - like it shouldn’t be allowed on planes that you want to land..
AGENT #1
Sir, I’m beginning to feel threatened by you - I’m going to need you to follow my colleague here (beckons to nearby TSA Agent)
AGENT #2
Everything alright Rob?
AGENT #1
Not quite, Dale, I’m going to need you to take this gentl-
(interrupting)
CLARK
Clark Peters, thank you, and everything is fine you don’t need to take me anywhere
Agents 1 & 2 aren’t convinced by this
Agent #2 leads Clark away
By this time, the gentleman and his lithium-powered laptop are easily through security
FADE TO BLACK.
BOARDING
We see a long line trailing into the plane
Clark bustles up to the back of the line, late from his encounter with TSA
CLARK
(out of breath, exasperated)
Thank god, that was a close one, damn TSA detaining me instead of that lunatic with the lithium battery even after I alerted them to it, no good deed I guess.
DISSOLVE TO:
TRACK AS CLARK WALKS DOWN AISLE TO SEAT
DISSOLVE TO:
TRACK CLARK’S POV AS HE SEEMS TO BE THREATENED BY EVERYONE HE PASSES
Clark finds then occupies his seat, he’s alarmed to see his lithium adjacent rival not two rows up and caddy-corner
Clark drifts off to sleep
FADE TO BLACK.
Clark dreams of turbulence, which then causes the bin to open and the lithium battery powered laptop to tumble out - to the ill fate of all those aboard the flight - he’s scared - he jolts awake
FADE IN:
LONG FIXED SHOT DOWN THE AISLE
We see Clark burst into the frame in a panic
CLARK
(gripped with fright)
Everyone grab that man! (point to the known adversary) He’s going to get us all!
Frenzy ensues, as expected when a man screams of danger on a plane
Clark’s fellow passengers accost the man, tackling him and restraining him
CLARK
Where is your bag? Where’s the “battery”?
POOR SAP
It’s in the overhead! Why are you doing this? It’s just a laptop?
CLARK
This could’ve all been avoided if the TSA had listened to me in the first place! You, they, everyone left me no choice!
At this point the crowd is perplexed, but emotions are still high
CLARK
I won’t fail these people like the system has!
Clark tears open the overhead bin, unaware that objects may have shifted in flight - the man’s laptop with its worrisome battery crashes to the floor - there’s a moment of pensive silence, then
CLARK
Now.. Every one
The crowd turns, everyone hauls down the aisle towards the front, the back, anywhere other than adjacent the battery
At this point the captain has officially exited the cockpit and hell hath no fury
The captain storms towards the crowd
CAPTAIN BERGER
What is this? Why is everyone acting like this?
PASSENGER #1
We’re doomed!
PASSENGER #2
That guy brought a bomb on board!
PASSENGER #3
Yeah! And then the other guy armed it! He’s going to set it off
The captain storms down the aisle through the crowd until he’s met with Clark
CAPTAIN BERGER
What’s all this about you arming a bomb?
CLARK
I didn’t! I’m saving us from him!
At this point the unfortunate gentleman is tied to a chair
CAPTAIN BERGER
Looks like he’s the one who needs saving there, boss
CLARK
No, he put us all in danger!
CAPTAIN BERGER
With a “bomb”?
CLARK
Might as well be, he brought a lithium battery aboard your flight, sir! The TSA ignored me when I warned them, I had to handle it myself.
CAPTAIN BERGER
Sir, lithium is entirely safe, you’re thinking of *Hydrogen*
CLARK
I..you..how did I get those mixed up again? I’m such a fool.
CAPTAIN BERGER
You’re definitely not the sharpest, I’m going to have to report you when this flight lands.
CLARK
I think that would be best.
Everyone fizzles out, tempers reduce, everyone takes their seats once again - the flight continues on its way.
FADE OUT.
TRACK CLARK OUT OF THE PLANE, FLANKED BY THE CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN BERGER
Why did you start all this to begin with?
CLARK
I guess I let my fears get the best of me. I didn’t ever stop to think about whether or not I was spiraling, or panicking.
CAPTAIN BERGER
That’s dangerous, son; when you act without thinking you might cause a stampede
PANS OUT, HOLDS ON CLARK BEING TAKEN AWAY BY THE TSA
FADE TO BLACK.
FINISH

Author's Note:
This is very much a retelling of the story titled The Foolish, Timid Rabbit by Ellen C. Babbitt. I ran through that tale again recently, pulling the general summary, but more importantly the thematic pacing. I wanted to have the same message, but in a different format and in a more modern context. I thought that the closed environment of a flight would work well for the quick dissemination of information and the subsequent panic.

Bibliography:
The Foolish, Timid Rabbit|source|Ellen C. Babbitt
Photo Credit:
Lithium - Periodic Table|source|wiki-commons "me"

Reading Notes: Week 2 Anthology

The Foolish, Timid Rabbit, Jataka Tales - Ellen C. Babbitt

Character List:
- Inciting Rabbit
- Following Rabbits
- Monkeys
- Deer
- Fox
- Elephant
- Lion

Summary
A sleeping rabbit awakes to concern over the end of the world. Upon thinking this, the rabbit hears a sound and naturally assumes it's the worst case scenario; the world is ending. The rabbit panics and runs from the sound. The surrounding animals, upon seeing the flight of the rabbit, are concerned and fall in without taking the time to consider alternatives. Ultimately, the rational lion stops the onslaught of animals. After the lion has traced the story back to the first rabbit, they return to the site of the panic and unpack the issue.

"Analysis"
This is truly a case of pack mentality; a single animal responds negatively to negative thoughts, and this causes panic. This panic spreads to all surrounding animals, none of whom take the time to do the due diligence and check on the story. All it takes is one unwise animal to start a stampede. However, it takes one wise animal to end it - there's just the matter of the wise animal also being commanding enough to stop the herd; another rabbit wouldn't have commanded the herd as the lion did.



Goblin City

Character List
- Rakshasis (female goblins)
- Sailors
- Captain
- Wife of Captain
- Fairy (deus ex machina)
- Winged Horse

Summary
On the island of Ceylon lived She-Goblins. These goblins have no men living on the island, and as such are forced to use trickery to lure sailors to their shores. These sailors are shown a mirage of tradition; we see people farming, hunting, and living as they usually would. The sailors' hesitance is defused by this ruse and they head for land. After a few days of marriage and normality, the captain observes his "wife" returning from a night of dining on his predecessor. The following day this man alerts his mates to the conflict. There is dissent over the validity of his story. A fairy enters the story as a powerful conjuror whose power can free the men from this trap. Ultimately, a winged horse is sent by the fairy, and all those believing in the danger climb aboard and are saved - those who succumbed to the trickery of the She-Goblins, in their refusal to leave, are condemned, and promptly eaten.

"Analysis"
This story is an interesting balance of thematic motivations; we see hints of believe your elders, don't trust everyone, think for yourself, and be trusting. The sailors are damned due to their desire for comfort; they succumb to the goblins because they sought after the prospect of an easy life. This negligence and lethargy placed them in a world of danger, from which they weren't too keen to escape. Further, the observance of the captain should've yielded a quick wake-up and motivated the men to escape. However, some refused to accept the possibility of trickery; because of this, they were cannibalized.

Photo Credit:
1) Saw the Animals Running | Ellsworth Young
2) Demon City of Lanka | Ramayana, circa 1800

Week 2 Reading Overview

For the upcoming readings of the Ramayana, I've chosen to go with the Public Domain Edition. This edition of the Ramayana uses more antiquated and formal diction, which I find appealing as it is closer to the original intended format.

I believe I'm most interested in the comics centered around the tale of Rama as it seems to have the largest scale of concern. As this story has the largest scope, I believe it would transfer into the largest variety of potential retellings or short stories. Further, I'm interested in tale of Hakka and Bukka. This story appears to be fairly grim, layered, and beautiful. I believe the tale of Hakka and Bukka may lend itself to some heavy  modern applications, which is what I hoped for from this class as it were.

I'm curious to learn more about individuals from this culture who worked more for religious interconnectedness and awareness, such as Swami Vivekananda. In this particular culture I'm more curious about the extremes; the idea of total bellicose nature contrasted with complete acceptance and patience is very appealing to me. Extremes in writing generally appeal to me. Tolkien is definitely my favorite author; a major component of his writings is complexity in character study. I feel this genre provides opportunity for such complexity - seen in situations as Shiva testing Arjuna or Ravana disguising himself as a hermit.

Photo Credit:
1) Valmiki's Ramayana Illustration | source
2) Demon King Ravana | Henryart