Both Sides Now
Just a thought from 22 August 2005 about Emotions, Stories, TV.

Note: In this entry, I talk about life, death, and the conclusion of Six Feet Under. Don't read it if you don't want to know the ending of one or more.

I've loved other TV shows. I was sad to see Buffy go. I misted up at the end of Northern Exposure. But the series finale of Six Feet Under had me leaking like my kitchen sink for 75 minutes.

Here's the thing about Six Feet Under: You can't think about it without thinking about your own life. I think that's the mark of truly exceptional art.

I didn't grow up like the Fishers, but I did grow up with an unusual awareness of death. That happens when most everyone with your last name was killed in a war. My dad went on to become a clinical psychologist, and when I was young, he worked with kids who were dying of leukemia. My step-mom worked in hospice for many years. Our breakfast table conversations often mentioned what a blessing Morphine could be.

My grandmother still says to me every time I call: "Enjoy life when you're young." The second part, the one she thinks but does not say, is: "Because then you get old and die."

Everybody dies. It's the one thing you can be absolutely sure of.

Continue reading “Both Sides Now” »

Emotions create decisions
Just a thought from 5 January 2005 about Emotions.

Sometimes in the cacophony of blog noise, there's a gem like this post from Caterina:

People whose brains are damaged in their emotional centres are not only unable to express joy or sadness, they are unable to make decisions and they are unable to choose. Because you make decisions based on what you would like, what you fear would happen if you chose to do another thing instead, what you fear would happen if you don't do this particular thing in time, or what you desire the outcome to be.

I can't tell you how many emotionally broken men I've befriended, worked for, or have known in my life (fortunately not many currently). I've often wondered if I was too emotional for my own good, but I'm not. In fact, being in touch with your emotions is a prerequisite for any designer. After all, what's design about if not anticipating the way your work makes people feel?