http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NC1-PiIFSs
How often is the average teenager asked what they would like done to their body after they have died? Unless they are apart of ‘Normal is Weird’ then this question probably never comes up. In this short film, five girls are featured who all have very different ideas on what exactly they want to happen after they die. One would like to be cremated, even though the rest of her family is in a cemetery. One would like to be buried in the ground because she feels as though being cremated seems like a waste of a body. One would like to be an organ donor and then later cremated. One would like to be donated to science and have her body used as a way to discover. One still isn’t sure on exactly what she wants to have done to her body. All of the people featured in the film felt very uncomfortable and surprised when I initially asked them to think about this question. Instead of just answering immediately, they all took time to really think about what they wanted to happen; they wrote their thoughts down and even openly talked about their concerns and worries. I think above all of the information and facts I learned from this unit, the biggest lesson gained is the importance of taking time to really contemplate what you truly want when you are no longer breathing. Although no one knows exactly what is going to happen after that moment occurs, at least we will have the ability to control what happens to our physical body.
Generally speaking though I think moments of stillness are often taken for granted. This weekend I was running in the park, I always feel the need to listen to music to get around the whole reservoir. Yet something inside of me decided to take my headphones out and just listen to the music that nature was creating, I decided to take my time and even sat down for a couple of minutes in a field of grass. I watched the other runners as they passed me, although they were physically using their bodies it seemed as though mentally they weren’t really there. This got me thinking about why the care of the dead is so avoided, if we aren’t in full control of our bodies while we are living, breathing, walking and speaking, then why would we even consider thinking about how our bodies will be treated once we no longer reside in them? So what separates us from many other teenagers is that we have had a number of moments to really think, to discover and to understand that we have a choice when it comes to our bodies both in life and death.
I found your project very interesting and I was curious about what people our age that have not taken the course would think about 'care of the dead.' I found it especially interesting that all interviewees had different answers. The video was also very fun to watch. A line I found most insightful was, "So what separates us from many other teenagers is that we have had a number of moments to really think, to discover and to understand that we have a choice when it comes to our bodies both in life and death." I have to agree with that ending statement because death was a topic I never considered before taking the course. Now, that I have learned the different choices we can make about our bodies, I actually took more time to think things through of what I really wanted. (Though I am also undecisive.) Perhaps knowing that there's so many things to think about make us have to reconsider and second-guess ourselves.
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteI thought your video was very well put together. The last paragraph of your analysis talks about how we do not pause to notice ourselves and the world around us. I believe you were also able to capture this idea well in your film, with the edited clips of the sidewalk. The audience was forced to talk a minute and appreciate life. I also liked that you asked teenagers who had not taken a course concerning the care of the dead. While all of our thoughts are interesting, it was intriguing to hear the perspective of someone who did not have much experience in the topic.
Each individual however did seem to have a pretty clear idea of what they wanted, considering how much our society tends to avoid the subject of death.
Good job!
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI thought that your video was very creative and enjoyable. It caught my attention right away. I liked how you explained that we aren't full control of our bodies mentally but physically. It's interesting how even after this unit you still aren't sure what you want to be done physically to your body after hearing all of those alternatives. I liked the fact the people who you interviewed actually took the time and tought about what they wanted done to their body not just bubbles ideas. You did a good job. Keep it up!
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYour video was different and actually interesting. Although I didn't understand the shots of people walking in the street-I'm assuming it was added for artistic effect-I thought it was well put together and it's fun to watch a video as opposed to your usual super-lengthy blogs, not that that's a bad thing. One thing I think you could've done without was the first part of the analysis where you explain what each girl said, it's redundant. Also, a few males would have been a nice addition. Nonetheless, good post/video.
To Sarah:
ReplyDeleteYour video was good, I liked what everyone had to say. At the end when you asked what I would like done to my body, I tried to think about it. I don't know at this point but maybe this is when I should start thinking about it. Good Job.
From Rebecca
Thanks for sharing your video and your ideas. Although this is a very serious issue not many people think about it until they are much older and hear the clock ticking. The topic of care of the dead brings up many existential issues...the meaning of life, the passing of time, space, and the purpose of all of this. Thinking about death can help us live a better life. We can focus more on what is important and how we would like to live. We can be more aware of ourselves and those around us, how we want to be treated in life, how we want to treat others which is related to loving ourselves and others. I like to think about all the people who have gone before us, how they lived their lives, how they felt being in a body on this planet and how similar they were to us. Life really is a miracle and we shall see one day about death...it may be a miracle too. xoxo Mom
ReplyDelete