With all the discussion that we have had recently based on the questionable rise and decline of our intelligence levels due to the Internet, I've started thinking a lot about things in my life besides the Internet that have had a positive impact on my cognition. Since I was three years old, the art of dancing has been my hobby, passion and creative outlet. Now, here at SMU, I am a dance minor, learning from some of the most esteemed instructors and choreographers from around the world. Through such dance instruction, I've not only been able to improve my skill and technique, but have gained a vast education on many of the world's cultures through movement.
Sure, many who are not involved in the arts classify artists as a very "alternative" breed, but I tend to believe that this uniqueness is a good thing, spawning from the learned tendency for artists to look at the world in a deeper way. In dance, for example, we must adapt to the stylistic differences of all types of choreographers. We not only have to pick up the sequencing at a fast pace, but in order to perform well we must also interpret both the music and the choreographer's intended message to the audience.
Having been such a huge part in my life, I can testify that art has enhanced both my coordination and my ability to decode the intended messages of other artists and authors. With that said, I feel that art should play a more pivotal role in a child's elementary education because it's an incredible aid to our cognitive development.
That's really cool that you came up with a way how technology has improved your dancing skills. It must be cool to learn dances from other cultures. This post is really good, but to make it better, I think that you could put more reason how the Internet has improved or effected your dancing. This could be a good argument I just think that it need a little more support for your argument.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you. I am also a dancer (as you can probably tell from my username) and I truly believe that dancing has effected my life. I began dancing when I was six and ever since then, I feel like I have looked at the world in an entirely different way. I like how you point out that we must adopt the stylistic preferences of the choreographer and we must connect to the meaning of the work. While I was in a lot of not so meaningful dances in my younger years, I still always tried to connect to the piece in some way or another. Whether I do that through the music or just through the actual movements, I always try make the work my own.
ReplyDeleteYes, most people who are very artistic tend to be a bit peculiar, but I think they are only weird because they view deeper meaning in everything in the world. I am not that artsy, but I do believe I am more intelligent because I dance. I have had to interpret music and movement in so many ways that it seems easy to me to analyze poetry and find deeper meaning in novels, etc. I also feel more open minded about the world. I also believe that I am a more positive person because of dance. Even though some days I am so dog tired because of it, it still puts me in a good mood. And I dance everyday, so I always have an outlet for a good mood! I am really glad to see another dancing post, I always thought that I was the only one who blogged about dance! I think we should keep the trend going!