Musings on group dynamics
So throughout the various Harry Potter books, I've gone through phases of how I received them. For some I've gone to the bookstore the next day, or even later that week, the fifth and seventh I bought at midnight and the sixth I had mailed to me by Amazon. And I'm not sure what to say about any of these.
You see, I'm scared of people in large quantities (ie quantities larger than three). Maybe not "scared," but definitely discomfited by. It's not that I mind the close quarters as much as I mind the idea of being scattered among so many ideas, thoughts, conversations. I feel suddenly like I don't exist, or that I will stop existing very soon.
But I also really like the idea of group celebration--of being a part of history, or even being a part of a large emotion, sharing in it communally. It's kind of the same reason why I love the communal table at Le Pain Quotidien (which I need to write about anyway). I think that these sorts of events, like watching the England in the World Cup at 6am at the Pub, are the table that we all come to. We all want to eat--just like we all individually love soccer (or Harry Potter or whatever else)--but there's something about watching people whom you don't otherwise know share in that desire with you. We all order different things but bring them to the same table.
I guess what I'm saying is that I like the conversation that occurs in these moments, the uncomfortable feeling of being too close, waiting in line too long, feeling too stuffy or hot. Each of these punctuate a conversation about what kind of creatures we are, what moves us, and more importantly, how we are moved.
I'm done ruminating now; on to reading my long-awaited book (which I promise not to spoil for anyone)!
P.S. We got tassles at the store--with the date of our "graduation" from Hogwarts. I think it's nice that I graduated with Harry--not from high school, but still. Book 5 came out when I graduated Brentwood, and I remember thinking then, if I had died, I wouldn't get to read Harry Potter. Silly to think that, but I did.
You see, I'm scared of people in large quantities (ie quantities larger than three). Maybe not "scared," but definitely discomfited by. It's not that I mind the close quarters as much as I mind the idea of being scattered among so many ideas, thoughts, conversations. I feel suddenly like I don't exist, or that I will stop existing very soon.
But I also really like the idea of group celebration--of being a part of history, or even being a part of a large emotion, sharing in it communally. It's kind of the same reason why I love the communal table at Le Pain Quotidien (which I need to write about anyway). I think that these sorts of events, like watching the England in the World Cup at 6am at the Pub, are the table that we all come to. We all want to eat--just like we all individually love soccer (or Harry Potter or whatever else)--but there's something about watching people whom you don't otherwise know share in that desire with you. We all order different things but bring them to the same table.
I guess what I'm saying is that I like the conversation that occurs in these moments, the uncomfortable feeling of being too close, waiting in line too long, feeling too stuffy or hot. Each of these punctuate a conversation about what kind of creatures we are, what moves us, and more importantly, how we are moved.
I'm done ruminating now; on to reading my long-awaited book (which I promise not to spoil for anyone)!
P.S. We got tassles at the store--with the date of our "graduation" from Hogwarts. I think it's nice that I graduated with Harry--not from high school, but still. Book 5 came out when I graduated Brentwood, and I remember thinking then, if I had died, I wouldn't get to read Harry Potter. Silly to think that, but I did.