Who Am I? Think Again. Exploring Authentic Identities
This video is part of the TED Talks series. TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a nonprofit devoted to disseminating "ideas worth spreading." I thought the idea of creating authentic identity through failed imitation was a great theme to begin the course as well as the blog. My hope is that you will step outside of the status quo and use your creative nature to complete the assignments and explore identity in a global context throughout this semester. What are your thoughts about Hetain Patel's presentation?
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ReplyDeleteHetain Patel's presentation was hilarious. I wasn't quite sure where he was headed with the talk and overall message, but I was glad he brought it home at the end. Learning often occurs through observation and imitation. In the same way that we can learn to fix or build something by watching a youtube video, we can learn other things like leadership.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure where he was going either, but I think that's the interesting thing about thinking of this TED Talk as art. We often don't understand the whole picture and have to go back and think about a piece's many components before we can begin to fully reflect on it. I like how this thought on artwork relates to Hetain's concept of authenticity, realizing the many components that added to his authentic identity.
DeleteI was also a little confused on his presentation at first since he said that he was an artist. I was confused on what the art was or what was going on, but once he said he didn't actually speak mandarin I got that the whole TED Talk was a piece of his art too. I really enjoyed how he expressed the ideas of assumptions just within the first few minutes of his talk without us even knowing.
DeleteI thought that the presentation was great. The ted talk made me realize that I rarely think about how I ended up as myself. I think failed imitation is an interesting view. It seems that throughout my life, groups of people I hung around with was who I was trying to imitate. The thing is that I was never exactly the same. I would change, but there was always some habit or way that I was different. Now, these changes have all built up. So instead of a failed imitation being the cause of a growth of self it reveals. It's almost a way of showing the residue of experience. I feel as thought I am much more sure of my personality that I was 10 years ago, but to experience is to change. I hope to push my comfort zone as much as possible on this upcoming trip!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I think the ted talk causing a reflection back onto how we ended up as ourselves and how we have shaped ourselves is a really interesting concept. All of our failed imitations throughout life have helped lead us to where we are now and who we are in this moment, but as you said, to experience is to change, so I think we will continue having failed imitations as we experience more and continue to embrace new cultures especially, that will build off those previous experiences in revealing more of our authentic selves.
DeleteThat is a great attitude to have, Henry. Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones is how we learn and grow as individuals. I think this trip will certainly do that for all of us in some shape, way, or form.
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DeleteI really like your interpretation of this Ted Talk. We are shaped by the experiences in life that we imitate. The experience being how we experience other people or personas. It may be late and lack of sleep, but it really made me think hard about how stereotypes affect authenticity and do they encourage it or discourage it. Read my comments. But I think your interpretation of how we individually see the world differently and take away different things from those experience and those takeaways make us authentically unique.
DeleteI agree! The ted talk was very unique. I also agree that knowing strengths and weaknesses are important. "you never know until you try" is usually good advice even if we do fail. Knowing what we're bad gives us something to avoid or focus on, but it's always better than not knowing.
ReplyDeleteThis was a super interesting presentation! I definitely was not sure initially of the overall message and had to go back several times to rewatch snippets but I think that it was also meant to be left partially up to interpretation. I hadn't thought of how many small components or compartments of oneself could be the result of a failed imitation of another or an attempt to be like another. I know I have imitated others before, whether I was trying to be like that person or to simply 'fit in' with a certain concept or status quo. However it is through that failed imitation that Patel speaks on that we can find what is truly authentic to us and represents ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I was confused at first of where the overall message was going, but he really pulled it together. I think everybody has imitated others to feel like they fit in at some point in their life. I feel like this video will be very beneficial to all of us in recognizing when we are imitating something we are not.
DeleteI thought that the Ted Talk was very engaging because of the humor. Hetain Patel refers to his presentation as art which is a way I would've never thought about it. Patel's concept of "failed imitation" challenges the fact that success through imitation is the main goal. He suggests that if we embrace our imperfections and embrace the times where we are not imitating others then we will be able to find our true identity. This concept is inspiring because it encourages us to embrace our individuality and celebrate our flaws from "failed imitation".
ReplyDeleteI think you are making a solid point that failed imitation is not quite a failure. While the humor hooked me in, the deeper message made me question some of my experiences. It makes me wonder "When have I failed at imitation" and "How has that failure informed my identity? Something to sit on and think about.
DeleteAt the beginning of this Ted Talk I was a little confused. I often find myself trying to predict the message others are trying to convey. I was unsure of what direction he was headed. By the end however, I loved how he not only used spoken word but movement as performance art to illustrate the power of perception. What do I mean by perception? The way humans perceive one another is often expressed in the form of imitation. We use imitation to try on the persona or perception we have of others and often we find parts of ourselves in the way we see others and in the way others perceive us imitating others. Patel's concept of "failed imitation" illustrated by the criticism he received of his Chinese tonal quality being female or his mustache he grew causing others to assume he was Hispanic, shows how stereotypes molded him into his most authenticate self. Does this mean stereotypes and being ridiculed for imitation help us find authenticity? I would argue that sometimes being ridiculed for being stereotypical or astereotypical may discourage authenticity, encouraging one to blend in. This is a paradox. Maybe this helps you internally find authenticity? What feels right and good on? I personally hate being ridiculed so I often try to blend in. Is that my most authentic self? I also strongly dislike being an imitation or fake, however I often find myself imitating the parts of people I like best. I find it brutally uncomfortable not conforming to a norm that doesn't feel like me, maybe that is my "failed imitation" and keeps me true to my authentic self.
ReplyDeleteI have always had an appreciation for art. As soon as Hetain introduced himself as an artist, I was immediately drawn in and eager to learn what his art form was. As I was listening, it was not until about halfway through the presentation that I began to realize that Hetain’s art was in front of me the entire time. Hetain talked about the result of failing at imitation leading him closer to his authentic self. That resonated with me because I too have attempted imitation with those I have looked up to.
ReplyDeleteThere were a few takeaways that I got from this presentation. The first is that art comes in unique and unexpected forms. This is relevant as we embark on a culturally immersive study abroad program. While our expectations may or may not be met in Morocco, there will still be new and unexpected aspects of culture to be appreciated. The other takeaway is that we must acknowledge the truth of our experiences. Although Hetain may have tried to imitate Bruce Lee, his father, and even Spider-Man, he did not necessarily achieve those goals. Instead, his attempts brought him closer to his authentic self and he developed an art that was showcased in this presentation. This presentation led me to question my failed attempts at imitation and how they have influenced my identity. I am eager to continue failing and continue developing.
I try to let people and things show themselves in time and not make assumptions early on, but I realize I can't help but wonder what is going on or be confused until then. With Hetain's unique presentation style, I was faced with this realization that even though I knew I was going to find out and I wasn't assuming anything about his presentation, I was curious as to what he was actually talking about and how his clothing and choice of a translator played into it. I really liked the unexpected of his talk and how he made the audience believe on things and then it be totally false. I think it shows exactly how he wants himself and his art to be received: without predetermined ideas attached to them. I think the idea of preconceived notions that he is discussing is really important to understanding people and understanding yourself in order to be a better person, friends, and leader.
ReplyDeleteI like how you used the word 'unexpected' to describe Hetain's presentation. The unexpected was ultimately what his presentation played on and was the message he wanted the viewers to leave with. What shapes an individual's identity can be a confusing and complex as his presentation, and there is danger in assumption. By conveying how those preconceived notions both shape and harm perception of identity, Hetain really makes the viewer consider their own identity.
DeleteHetain's presentation was one of the most imaginative TED talks I've seen and did so in a much shorter time frame than most speakers yet still managed to have that great impact. This concept of finding ourselves through failed imitation was one I had not thought of much before, but the more examples he provided from his own life, the more I could think of from mine. From our earliest authority figures to any stereotype, people find themselves deciding what 'mold' they should try to fit and what doesn't define who they are. Hetain's view of these formative imitation was not that they should not exist, but that they can prove to be important in deciphering who you are. To be ones authentic self, it is important to see all aspects of what has shaped your identity and consider what has shaped other's beyond initial perceptions.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about societal molds and that they do exist and have a great impact on ourselves and others. It's important to acknowledge existing stereotypes and to see how we are influenced by them.
DeleteThis Ted Talk had me looking back at myself wondering how I could have been so quick to judge someone. I love how innovative and creative the delivery of the message was, it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! I think that it feels comfortable and easy to group people into confining boxes based on assumptions one may have of them. Whether it's ethnicity or gender or another category, we have labels in society that we like to stick to people, and it is important to acknowledge that people are too complex to fit into a singular box.
ReplyDeleteThats a very interesting point that you made on how we group people into boxed before we even get to know them. We automatically judge every person we meet based off if they fit into certain societal norms and make an opinion about them without giving it a second thought. You are totally right in saying that it is important to acknowledge that people are more complex than our initial judgment gives them credit for.
DeleteI was initially very confused about what was going on in this Ted Talk, but by the end, it made much more sense. This is a very cool concept to me as I have never considered how imitating our heros, parents or role models can influence who we are as a person. It is interesting that something so seemingly harmless and unimportant can shape us so easily. This Ted Talk made me realize that through "failed imitation" you pick up on different personality traits and eventually build your identity.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this topic is very interesting. We as humans are all individually different from one another shaped by influences in our lives. I think that this is especially important when meeting new people and cultures because we often box people different from us other when in reality people can be totally different than what we would assume.
DeleteThisThis Ted presentation is hilarious and a good lesson about being authentic. When we imitate our heroes, we find the part that we truly identify with, and we discard the part that doesn't feel authentic to us.
ReplyDeleteIt was also interesting because of using performance art to communicate his message. Art allows us to understand each other and ourselves.
I whole heatedly agree with your second sentence, and after watching the TED talk I've realized how imitation can lead you down the path to discovering and/or developing yourself. I also found it interesting how he used performance art, an art form that I personally haven't been too fond of before, to convey his message successfully and authentically, and I truly enjoyed it!
DeleteThinking about imitation and how that can lead to developing your own self is an intriguing concept. Looking back now I can see how I've, either subconsciously or not, imitated cultures and how that has shaped me into myself, and how I continue to catch myself imitating those around me and how much influence that it has, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. This TED talk felt very lighthearted and definitely left me with a message that I will continue to think upon.
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