Bummed? Then dance

Apparently, evolutionarily speaking, depression is a survival tool. It may not come as a surprise to you that our species was not “designed for our sedentary, socially isolated, indoor, sleep-deprived, frenzied, poorly nourished lifestyle.” Though theories vary, a new therapy encourages patients to live more like our paleolithic ancestors, getting more “aerobic exercise; ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids; light; positive social interaction; substituting activity for rumination; and increased sleep.” Not only would we be better off eating a Stone Age Diet, but we may also be better off if we adopt / adapt other aspects of a stone age lifestyle — after all, we are evolved for that active life.

So, what I take from this is that it can be depressing to sit home in front of your computer screen, all alone even when you are surrounded by a metaverse of virtual friends, and ruminate about, say, creeping authoritarianism or the slight possibility that environmental collapse is not inevitable.

Great. That’s it?

No.

Barbara Ehrenreich (author of Nickel and Dimed) writes in her new book Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy that we all may be so depressed because we have forgotten how to have fun together. Ecstatic rituals, she says, have been suppressed by elites because they were perceived as being so “disruptive, subversive, and even dangerous.” We’ve allowed ourselves to be disciplined. Disciplined and punished, as the infamous Frenchman has said. She seems to see a positive sign in the carnivalization of some protest movements, like the music and colorful costumes of anti-globalization.

So, if I paint may face and yell about authoritarianism I might feel better?

You might, especially if you look around you at all of the other painted faces and laugh.

Collective joy isn’t meant to be an escape from the worries that might press in on us. Play, big adult play, is another way to remember that we’re not alone. Ehrenreich suggests that we reclaim our traditions — outside of consumption and commodification. Utah burners, go to Burning Man as a walking tree this year. That ought to make you laugh.

“How can progressives,” the Alternet writer asked her, “use collective joy to help motivate people and promote our causes?”

People who are working for change need to think about how to make their events draw on the solidarity and creativity of lots of people together. That’s been happening … but it’s something we need to address. Bringing art and culture into politics is a way to express what we are seeking, what our vision of the world is.

3 Responses to “Bummed? Then dance”

1. Marie Says:
   April 9th, 2007 at 6:12 am

   I have yet read Barbara E.’s book, although it’s at the top of my list to pick up and read. We SO agree with this, and I can give you an interesting story about how this works. In Italy, Mussolini encouraged the creation and growth of formal “folk dance” groups in each town, in each province, and in each region of Italy. These groups were promoted as being a way to display their pride for their traditions. Books were printed with pictures of costumes and dance descriptions for these groups to follow. As a result, many towns have totally lost their true traditions. He knew that if he had the people meeting under his guidelines and doing what he wanted them to do, then they wouldn’t be meeting to foment rebellion. And as a side-effect, it turned what had been a participatory event into a spectator event, since not everyone could dance with the formal group.

   Fortunately, Italians are pretty stubborn people, and many small towns were able to keep their traditions alive, so to this day, they “dance in the streets” of the piazzas.

   What’s ironic about this, however, is that so many Italian groups around the world continue this charade that was so strongly promoted by Mussolini as being a way to pass on their tradition, when there is nothing traditional about it.

   The Soviets did just as good a job in Eastern Europe. We’ve all seen the famous Russian Folk Dance troupes that have toured the world.

   When folk music went through its revival phase in Italy back in the ’60s and ’70s, it was brought about my highly progressive, leftist people. To this day, most of the people involved in the folk music world in Italy tend to be progressives, who now add verses to their songs about Bush and Berlusconi.

2. Marie Says:
   April 9th, 2007 at 6:14 am

   I meant to write that I HAVEN’T yet read the book!

3. Jenni Says:
   April 19th, 2007 at 3:23 pm

   Excellent post — I love the creativity I see at many of the anti-war and other events.

   I can also say that the activist activity that makes me the happiest and keeps me going when all looks bleak is radical cheerleading. With all that is so serious, it’s wonderful to have a creative and joyful outlet.

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