I guess the first point that I want to make is that I really think that the focus of this TED talk is really more fitting as a commentary on the state of society rather than an analysis of tragedy. Sure, the analysis does go into tragedy a little bit, but I don't think that the analysis of tragedy is the point of the talk. Regardless, though, I really liked this TED talk, because it introduces a new way of thinking about why we put so much stock in our success, especially compared to how the societies before us lived. I think de Botton illustrates the reason quite well, and it does a good job of showing how that leads to people being unhappier when things don't go their way. The idea that the a person's future is 100% dependent on how good they are is constantly drilled into us, when in reality, there are a lot of factors that may be beyond their control. This emphasis of "it's your fault when you lose" can cause people to feel really crap about themselves, and it can lead to other people really judging them for their situation. That's where the talk derives its message of bringing along a kinder way of viewing success.
The link to tragedy is the idea that, in a tragedy, we are less judgmental about a person's shortcomings. The TED talk uses the point quite nicely, but I don't think that it provides a great analysis of what tragedy means. I mean, the purpose of the TED talk wasn't to analyze tragedy, so it's fine. But yeah, nice TED talk, but not in the "analysis in tragedy" aspect.
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Before I go ahead and educate myself on the topic, and by educate myself I mean look up on Wikipedia, I guess I will sort of define what I think tragedy is. I should first clarify that I think that tragedy within literature should be treated as something entirely different from tragedy in the real world. Tragedy in literature, I think, is a great sadness that serves a purpose, or means something in the greater scope of the story. I suppose this is probably a pretty crap definition of Tragedy, but I guess that sums up what I think about the topic pretty well.
One Wikipedia article later: Well, that was unexpected. I guess an important part about tragedy is that it's cathartic? That definition definitely seems a little strange, especially considering what I initially defined it as. But now that I actually think about it more, our enjoyment of tragic stories is actually a little strange as well. We are actively enjoying reading or watching stuff in which a character, that we presumably connect with and like, is suffering. When we phrase it like that, it certainly does bring up a few questions, and thinking about it like that, I suppose that the definition that Wikipedia gave me is actually quite accurate and insightful. We like it simply because it is cathartic, and that release of emotion is enjoyable. |
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