This is my response to Kimberly's blog post:
I definitely agree with the points made in Kimberly's blog, and I thought the application of the different theories to the video was well done. First of all, she points to the incongruity of Dwight's character with the fact that he is literally starting a fire that will cause total chaos. He seems perfectly calm as though he were simply making a point about some abstract theory. Also, throughout the video, even though everyone else is in complete panic, he never once losses a sense of implacability. So, we see incongruity in Dwight's calm demeanor contrasted with the surroundings. Also, as Kimberly pointed out, we see the relief theory at work. Typically, due to the harm it causes, the topic of a fire is uttered in very serious contexts. However, since we know the fire is actually totally under control, we do not need to think or feel about this fire in these terms. this creates a relief from the burden of needing to repress the topic in or minds or in conversation. For instance, if there is a group of people sitting at a dinner party, one can not just start talking about how a fire burned down someone's house without ruining the light mood of the dinner. However, one can bring up this video during a dinner party, and it will actually make the mood lighter. In other words, the "censor" is no longer forcing us to not discuss fires during a conversation. Kimberly also discusses how we can see the superiority theory at work in the video quite clearly. By seeing the rest of the office handle the alleged fire in the most incompetent way possible, we feel a sense of superiority over them. After all they started throwing cats, breaking into the snack machine, climbing into the vents, and banging chairs against windows. In addition to this, the effect of the superiority theory is amplified by the fact that there is a sense of judgement involved as well. They ignored the original meeting on fire safety, and then they can not handle a fire. There is definitely some justice-oriented superiority going on here.
So, in conclusion, I thought this was a hilarious video, and that Kimberly made very valid points in applying the different theories to it.
I definitely agree with the points made in Kimberly's blog, and I thought the application of the different theories to the video was well done. First of all, she points to the incongruity of Dwight's character with the fact that he is literally starting a fire that will cause total chaos. He seems perfectly calm as though he were simply making a point about some abstract theory. Also, throughout the video, even though everyone else is in complete panic, he never once losses a sense of implacability. So, we see incongruity in Dwight's calm demeanor contrasted with the surroundings. Also, as Kimberly pointed out, we see the relief theory at work. Typically, due to the harm it causes, the topic of a fire is uttered in very serious contexts. However, since we know the fire is actually totally under control, we do not need to think or feel about this fire in these terms. this creates a relief from the burden of needing to repress the topic in or minds or in conversation. For instance, if there is a group of people sitting at a dinner party, one can not just start talking about how a fire burned down someone's house without ruining the light mood of the dinner. However, one can bring up this video during a dinner party, and it will actually make the mood lighter. In other words, the "censor" is no longer forcing us to not discuss fires during a conversation. Kimberly also discusses how we can see the superiority theory at work in the video quite clearly. By seeing the rest of the office handle the alleged fire in the most incompetent way possible, we feel a sense of superiority over them. After all they started throwing cats, breaking into the snack machine, climbing into the vents, and banging chairs against windows. In addition to this, the effect of the superiority theory is amplified by the fact that there is a sense of judgement involved as well. They ignored the original meeting on fire safety, and then they can not handle a fire. There is definitely some justice-oriented superiority going on here.
So, in conclusion, I thought this was a hilarious video, and that Kimberly made very valid points in applying the different theories to it.
I like the notion of superiority as a theory of justice. How does that work?
ReplyDeleteThe justice-oriented superiority also jumped out at me in this response. I think the notion of superiority as a theory of justice comes from the fact that some people hold themselves at a higher standard for justice and think they are superior if they are more inclusive and hold deeper values of equality throughout their lives.
DeleteGreat point. I think that superiority is really tied into notions of justice as well; perhaps they are even related to the same thing. Nietzsche famously argued that most moral notions really come from an urge to dominate.
DeleteYes, I do feel that there is some connection between Justice and superiority. With a criminal for example, we may not even feel superiority generally over him when he gets caught, but at the very least we feel superior in not having committed the crime.
DeleteHahaha I like how you listed all the things that I found funny in order, I almost fell out of my chair when the guy broke the vending machine glass then Michael couldn't break the window. Great response!
ReplyDelete