1. An hour-long interview with Lena Dunham, by a good interviewer (Jan 14, 2015)
One of those videos that make you very aware of the cultural level of your current social environment and the quality of your life.
I liked the 1st season of Girls, then lost interest somewhere between the first episodes of season 2 (or 3?), but this interview was interesting, enjoyable anyway — she is very well-spoken and level-headed here, plus some useful stuff is being discussed, plus she is friendly with the interviewer, so there is a relaxed and trustful atmosphere.
But the disappointing thing about more or less in-depth interviews with artists is that you inevitably find out that there were just particular events and experiences that gave those people the unique sensibilities/obsessions/level of confidence they are praised for now (e.g., a theatre camp as a small kid? with Meryl Streep' daughters?). I.e. the whole magic gets dispelled: you are reminded that those artists weren't born jewels — their upbringing, social environment had a lot to do with the outcome (+ work, but that's just about learning to channel oneself out in a packaged way, so…).
Not sure why it is disappointing… Because magic is fun? Because I start feeling more responsible for finding use to my own "jewel" stuff?
2. A 25-min long interview with Miranda July, by an inexperienced interviewer (Feb 4, 2015)
The interviewer' behavior is occasionally cringe-inducing (but of course he will get better with experience), so I watched this video with skipping.
Top 3 things:
- master/servant modes (was a timely reminder);
- curiosity: artificially increasing stakes, to motivate oneself;
- curiosity: "somebody is watching, you have to do a good job, be a good person" frame of mind
And that she stayed visually unperturbed throughout it, despite the interviewer' mistakes.
I saw her TED talk about vulnerability years ago, liked the way it was done, enjoyed/related to the comedic moments, but wasn't able to receive the "message" — it was unclear how to apply what she talks about to my life.
But this article gives clear answers.
4. [ a photo I'm not going to share here ]
Made me realize that within 1 to 12 months the region I live in might become a place to move away from, if I'm interested in staying alive and functional.
It all can turn into a "joke", or not. Nobody can predict anything. "Defensive pessimism" is a right thing to focus on, that's for sure.
And my subconscious keeps forcing me to finally read The Diary of Anne Frank.
5. Maria Callas - One Fine Day (Madame Butterfly)
It just happened. I came across The Guardian's Q&A pieces with artists (e.g., Bjork, Miranda Hart), and they have there a question about a song, and from the ones I checked out One Fine Day is the only one I wanted to listen to again, and then again, and again.
Oh, and the most frequent answer about the key life lesson in the Q&As I've read is… humility.
And invisibility as a superpower, which was comforting to me, but surprising.