February 2020: Etsedera's favourite content
As my job is to write, I consume a lot of media for inspiration* (and also out of pure curiosity). I share a lot of things on my Twitter profile but I thought I’d highlight in a monthly blogpost my favorite content of the past month.
*because writing takes many forms
Must watch
The Game Changers by Louie Psihoyos: it’s edited and told like an action movie (and it’s no surprise its main protagonist is a survival instructor and UFC champion) but behind that loud exterior, I found a strong, multifaceted argument toward a plant-based diet that was quite compelling. It put what seems like a very personal choice in perspective with our human history and the scientific and environmental impacts of that choice. It connects many dots and does a great job of linking the personal to the global, as well as to the political and economic.
Must listen
The other Latif by Radiolab’s Latif Nasser: I’ve always wondered what it would be like to meet someone with my exact name, all the while knowing it would be extremely unlikely because of what it is and where it comes from. So I relate with Radiolab’s Latif Nasser’s obsession, especially considering the (highly political, larger than life) story of his namesake. How crazy would it be to find out such life-altering news... I’ll let you ponder on that.
The Woman defending Harvey Weinstein by Megan Twohey: one of the scariest interviews I have ever heard. I would need to listen to it again to point out everything I find problematic about Donna Rotunno's stances but it would be too painful. It is however important to listen to as I believe many people will agree with her and we need to face the fact that equality is at the end of a long road for us.
Must read
“The Importance of Dancing Like an Idiot” by The School of Life: because dance is a powerful tool to help anyone get out of their heads, to gain perspective on their daily concerns and just be. Taking full ownership of the space you take and are given is so freeing. It forces you to trust your own rhythm and owning that fully lets you forget what others might think of you. So a thousand times yes, let’s dance stupidly.
Devon Teuscher's Ode to the Daily Grind of Studio Life: more on that later, but this article touches upon what I learn more and more as my dance practice grows. I used to mostly see the performance as the biggest carrot to dancing but I now celebrate the studio victories a lot more. I don’t know if it’s because I’m older and starting up dance after a long hiatus has been at times an uphill battle —trying to get my body back to a fitness that allows me to do what I am asking it to do is rough sometimes— thus making the milestones more clear. I am also not competing with others as I did as a young girl but with myself, with the only goal of pushing myself so I feel pleasure. Again, freedom.