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Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 8:26:40 AM
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car2ner
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I have been doing some studying and came across this idea. It is by Keith Johnstone in his book Impro (Imporvisation and the Theater). It states:
"My feeling is that sanity is actually a pretence, a way we learn to behave. We keep this pretence up because we don't want to be rejected by other people-and being classified insane is to be shut out of the group in a very complete way.
Most people I meet are secretly convinced that they're a little crazier than the average person. People understand the energy necessary to maintain their own shields, but not the energy expended by other people. They understand that their own sanity is a performance, but when confronted by other people they confuse the person with the role".
Italics added by author,
whatcha think? agree? disagree?
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 10:27:15 AM
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stellaluna
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I personally think I'm completely normal, but I've been repeatedly told over many years of my life that I'm not. I will concede that I might be somewhat eccentric, but I maintain that it not necessarily abnormal.
I think people want to be different and to stand out. One way of doing that is to think they are "crazy" or somehow outside the norm, then to confide in others the ways they are different so that they appear special.
People who are truly crazy don't care, don't make excuses, don't attempt to be any way other than how they are.
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"Everything Stellaluna said (I do agree with her, honest)." -- miasma
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 10:39:10 AM
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elastic
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I am just myself, whatever that is, that's pretty much all i can be. trying to be anything else is too depressing to think about.
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 10:39:50 AM
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DaveW
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I am perfectly normal.
Everyone else is really messed up.......
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 1:06:37 PM
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Random
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From: Zipperhead
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quote:
ORIGINAL: car2ner
Most people I meet are secretly convinced that they're a little crazier than the average person.
What do I think as it relates to me?
1. It's not a secret.
2. It's not just "a little."
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 1:07:18 PM
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Random
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P.S. I'm actually torn whether I am the only one who is sane, or if I am the only one who is insane.
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 1:23:52 PM
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psende
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quote:
"My feeling is that sanity is actually a pretence, a way we learn to behave. We keep this pretence up because we don't want to be rejected by other people-and being classified insane is to be shut out of the group in a very complete way." [Keith Johnstone]
It sounds like Mr. Johnstone is attempting to shed societal restraints in order to justify acting and speaking in whatever manner he finds pleasing to himself.
"Normal" behavior and thought patterns vary greatly and some are considered to be "eccentric." But these are not insanities, they are just things that need to be kept in check for the well-being of society. However, there are folks who are crazy--mentally ill--insane, whose behaviors and thought patterns are so outside the norm as to limit the person's ability to function within acceptable limits, especially in the presence of others.
I was once stabbed by a young man who received "radio messages in [his] brain." This same man was absolutely convinced that a woman I worked with had deficated on him by telepathic means and he would seek to do her harm whenever he saw her. And I've known many like him over the years.
My guess is that after a day or two of interaction with a room full of these folks, Mr. Johnstone would be thankful for his sanity--pretense or not--and be happy society has its range of acceptable behavior.
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"This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent." John 6:29
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 1:34:53 PM
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1love1God1way
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Speaking as someone who is actually dealing with some heavy mental issues right now. . .
I don't think a sane person has a clue what insanity actually means.
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 3:32:26 PM
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doinkdom
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**yanks down pad and paper and furiously writes out prayer request**
definition of insanity
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 4:39:55 PM
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doinkdom
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I suppose if the expectation is genuine
then yeah, that would insanity
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 5:29:59 PM
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car2ner
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quote:
It sounds like Mr. Johnstone is attempting to shed societal restraints in order to justify acting and speaking in whatever manner he finds pleasing to himself.
You are partly correct. He is rebelling against his upbringing that was very stoic. None the less, it was an interesting thought and may be partly true.
Real mental illness is something differant than being afraid to admit that you are thinking out-side the box.
I tend to think right next to the box.
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 9:28:38 PM
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GrapeApe
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quote:
Are we really sane?
No.
I hope that long, thoughtful answer benefited toward the conversation.
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RE: Are we really sane? - 4/22/2008 9:32:54 PM
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denbert
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Depends on which voice I'm listening to at the moment.
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