Sunday, December 29, 2013

The Sociology Experiments


Sociology: The science of the fundamental laws of social relations, institutions, etc.

Experiment: An act or operation for the purpose of discovering something unknown or of testing a principle. 

The Sociology Experiments:  A set of experiments conducted by myself in January-February 2013 to test societal norms that I had begun to question. These experiments helped me test what it would be like to live a life outside of the "norms." Even though the experiments themselves are on the micro level, they helped me process the cultures around me on a macro level. Most importantly, the Sociology Experiment helped me work through insecurities and gain confidence in my own voice during the process.

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Sociology Experiment #1:
Yelled "TAA-DAAA!" as I flung open the Union door and exited.

Results: Tall man with an iPod in glances at me as he walks into the TAA-DAAA door.

Experiment #1 = Success.

TBC.



Sociology Experiment #2:
Stand in the hallway of Olscamp outside of my classroom and give high fives to the people walking by.

Goal: To foster connectedness within the student body, and to put some cheery smiles on some peers in the early morn.

Results: Many passed, and those that did high five (about 7) seemed to do so unwillingly.

Changed approach by saying "HAPPY FRIDAY!" and being inviting with a smile.

New Results: A few smiles, a few passerbys, a few "Ehhhh...not happy Friday"s, some dramatic high fives, and some mild confusion.

Experiment #2 = too early.

TBC.



Sociology Experiment #3: Creative tip leaving.

Results: Joy.



Sociology Experiment #4: Outspoken behavior.

Observation: A Starbucks employee frolicking about on the first floor handing out samples. She was kindly giving them to the workers, so I didn't want to go down and snatch one from her. However, after giving one to all the workers, she had a few cups remaining.

Hypothesis: If I lean dramatically over the railing of the second floor and wave my hands frantically, I may get her attention and be able to obtain a sample.

Test: Gathering courage, I decide to defy numerous social protocols. I leaned over the railing and said very loudly, "HI! CAN I HAVE A SAMPLE?!" She looked up and said yes, and I Cinderella frolicked down the numerous steps to meet her and get a free Pumpkin Spice sample. Leaning, yelling, frolicking with joy. There were stares from others. But...

Results = Free coffee.


Defy the norms.



Sociology Experiment #5: New environments

Tonight Phoebe and I went to the Chinese Spring Festival event in the Union which celebrated the Chinese New Year. There were performances, food, and people of all ages and cultures. It was a beautiful experience--one that definitely put me out of my comfort zone. I am not familiar with the Chinese culture in the slightest. Being put into an environment where the dominant language wasn't English and everything was unfamiliar really gave me a better perspective on what it might be like to be an international student in another country.

It felt disorienting. Unstable. Yet somehow, adventurous.

Intriguing...processing this experience and how it will change my interactions with those of other cultures and countries.



Sociology Experiment #6: Taking action.

After the Chinese Spring Festival, workers began to clean up in the ballroom. I had grabbed 5 pop cans and a water bottle, and was clutching them to my chest like it was life or death, knowing that I was going to recycle those cans if it was the last thing I did. After looking around the Union, I realized they were most likely going to throw all the cans away, as it wasn't efficient, nor did it make logical sense, to separate them from the rest of the trash.

Upon deliberating with
Phoebe and gathering courage at the norm defying that was about to happen, I approached those cleaning and ask--

"Are you all going to recycle these cans? If not, can I have a trash bag so I can pick them up from the tables?"

Soon after, a nice man approached me and gave Phoebe and I two trash bags.

Results: More than 100 cans recycled, random strangers joining into help in the gathering of the cans (of all cultures and languages), Diet Coke on my shoe (totally worth it), and a sense of empowerment at the knowledge that speaking out has the potential to lead to positive results and community building.



Sociology Experiment #7: Trying things differently

1. Used a Styrofoam plate at Life Group on Monday and ate dirt (pudding) on it. Wanted to get some popcorn but didn't want to use another plate. Solution? Wash it off in the bathroom.

Results: Odd stare as I stuck my pudding filled plate under the faucet and dried it off with dignity. But other result = 50% less trash.

2. Began saying "Thank you" and truly meaning it when people hold the door for me on my escapades to class. I look them in the eye, and thank them sincerely, instead of rushing and mumbling "thankyou" because it's part of the social protocol.

Results: An increase in not only gratitude, but knowing that I am being served by whoever is holding the door for me. I feel loved, and a greater sense of community on campus. This love is then extended to others as I hold doors and smile at them, and a sense of greater belonging and hospitality emerges. I find that I am being challenged to actually look people in the eyes (something I don't do very often, apparently. It's difficult!)

3. A stranger turned to talk to me with these huge blue eyes and I impulsively blurted out in awe, "WOW! YOUR EYES ARE BEAUTIFUL." The reply? An extremely awkward "Thank you." (This same situation happened twice this week, with two entirely different people in different situations).

Results: It's official. The world is not ready for Compliment Amber to be on full blast. Meh...counterculture. It'll shock people.



Sociology Experiment #8: The Valentine's Day Edition

When people have courage and break norms in some way, I'm amazed at the effect it has on me. These are all from today.

1. Early morning. BGSU Parking lot. Man is checking meters.

"Good morning," he says cheerfully.

Instantly out of my thoughtful introversion, I flash an extremely excited smile his way and yell (practically), "GOOD MORNING!!!"

"Thank you for smiling, I appreciate that," he says.

"RAHHH...GLLEICKDK...THANK YOU!!" I finally spurt out.

IT WAS SO COOL.

2. I was driving this morning and suddenly heard a CLANKSCREEEEEECH!!!!! Pulled into the UHaul parking lot to discover that my muffler had fallen off and needed to be reattached with a wire (that I didn't have). I wasn't panicking (yet), but after talking to my parents about my options, I was about to call a friend who knows more about cars and access to these car parts that I.

Before I could dial the number, a man who had pulled in a UHaul truck right before I had bumbled into the parking lot came out of the back door, wielding a large, copper wire.

"NOWAY." I screeched, phone dangling in my hands.

He proceeded to lay on the dirty asphalt and reattach the muffler so that I could safely get my car to the shop. His boss talked to me as he was doing so.

"He's doing this off-duty. Yupp. You can tell people that it was an employee at the local UHaul...that copper wire? From Beat the Bookstore. Good place to buy and sell your books," he proudly plugged, smiling. He proceeded to then tell me the local muffler shops and how to get there, aiding me even more then they already had.

I could do nothing but say over and over, "THANK YOU. Wow...thank you. This...THANK YOU!"

And as the nice, Valiant Valentine's Day Magical Mechanic stood, I once again said, "RAHHH...WKDHIRLSKDLSIE...CAN I GIVE YOU A HUG?!"

I gave him a hug right then and there. That man is getting a colored picture and a thank you note!

Ps...because that man went out of his way to help, my car got fixed in less than 2.5 hours (total with shop time).
Pss...UHaul is pretty rad. Shameless plug.

Amazed.

3. Sitting at work in the library. Someone approaches.

"Hi!," he said, "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!"

He hands me a card from Your Fellow Falcon, with candy attached.

I can only giggle, feeling so loved not only by the hand written card and candy from a stranger, but from the remembering of two strangers who earlier that day had decided to extend love and hospitality through greetings and service.

The Sociology Experiment is rebounding back towards me as I see courage and love extended radically through others.

So beautiful. So great.



Sociology Experiment #9: The Art of Friendliness

The Learning Commons. Work. 4pm.

I am sitting at my table, waiting for my next appointment to show up. While I'm waiting, I pull out a snack--banana chips.

I look over and see my coworker (whom I have never talked to). Spontaneously, I decide to walk over and offer her a banana chip.

"Hey...do you want one?" I ask, extending my Ziploc container. She takes a chip and smiles, and I walk away.

Suddenly I hear, "OH MY...GOSH. What IS this?!"

I frolic back and whisper, "They're banana chips. Aren't they delicious?!"

"Where did you get them?!" she whispers back.

"Kroger. 2 dollars. Near the fruits and vegetables," I whisper, as if giving an important secret.

"...going on my grocery list," she replies.

I skip away, excited to have been able to share the joy of the banana chips, as well as gaining a connection with a fellow writing tutor.



Sociology Experiment 10: Defying norm wake up times.

Grounds for Thought. 7am. All is peaceful. The place is filled with wonderful morning people, social coffee drinkers, chess players. Men talk about their jobs as salespeople when they were young, going door to door early on Sunday morn.

The barista says hi to a man that walks in. The chat about the newspaper and his day. Another man walks behind me, humming jovially. I love this.




Accidental Sociology Experiment #11: Calling your professor the wrong name.

Last Friday, I turned in my Philosophy paper about Environmental Ethics. My professor's first name is Eli and his last name begins with W.

Yesterday, a sinking feeling crept upon me. I quickly opened my laptop and retrieved the Word document. To my avail, my sinking feeling was confirmed--I had written the wrong name for my professor.

My paper heading read like this:

Amber Cullen
Elijah Wood
PHIL 2320
22 February 2013

Yes, friends...I accidentally called my professor a Hobbit. I'm still trying to decide whether or not this will raise my grade, as it is pretty awesome, or if it will be taken as an insult; I did get his name completely wrong after all (and it's week 8...eek!)

...I'm hoping for the first.

TBC.

*  *  *

To all who were wondering how this "accidentally calling my professor Elijah Wood instead of Elijah Weber" situation turned out:

I got my paper back today in class. Needless to say, he did indeed notice my mistake.



Sunday, December 22, 2013

Dream (12-22-13)

They brought guns to the birthday celebration, giving the gift of trigger-happy protection as “affection.”


We cannot go anywhere without being followed by fear. Even the grocery greeter holds a butcher knife, eyes darting quickly to the left and right. (I’ve forgotten how to not live in a constant state of anxiety. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to greet another first by looking at them in the eyes rather than checking out the weapon inventory around their waist.)



Our law enforcement tried to teach us to not use guns by using guns.
We’ve been desensitized to their power.
(They gave up and stopped coming by.)


We use guns to protect ourselves rather than what others use as protection—well-thought-out words and fake facades--
Both block out vulnerability and authenticity.
Both are a product of “I’m not enough.”


*  *  *

We cannot go anywhere without being followed by fear.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Dreaming in Gray (the 16th)


You have serenaded me with the pain of the masses.
Dreams of despair, of weddings in Chicago on gray days.
Of drug dealers walking down the aisle at each one.
Of a mother with a young baby boy whose father forced tattoos onto his arms,
Leading the baby to addiction and the father to being out of his life forever.

There is no hope here, as she says she has sex all the time
And I say I color all the time
And he declares both of those statements to be untrue.

In this dark, gray city, where is Christ?
Where is the Hope that lifts people from despair?

Do I truly believe that this Hope can change circumstances?
Like her not having a job?
Like drug dealers desiring other forms of income rather than selling drugs?
Like the rich man stuck in the poverty of heartlessness?

(Is it all the same gray?)