When you look for sth here

Monday 8 February 2016

Why Would You Not

CAST
Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
45-year old psychologist, teaching 1 year students introduction to psychology at the University of Greenwich, London

Student A
25-year old female student, on her third course of studies (after 2 years of mathematical economy, followed by 2-year break when traveling across Asia, then 2-year episode with paleontology, finally here)
Bored to death with psychology, but strongly believing in 'three is a charm' quote therefore willing to finish with MA in psychology.

Student D
19-year old male student, very very very ambitious and equally unattractive, with glasses and wrongly buttoned shirts in neon stripes.
Always asking thought-through questions, which trigger not only long answers from lecturers, but also increasing hatery from all the other students, even those more ambitious.

All the students
All the students

SET
At the university, lecture on psychology, year 1
It's 17:45, 5 minutes before the lecture's over
big wall clock ticking loudly
many students in the room, trying not to sleep, pretending they're interested in what professor is saying


ACTION
Student D
(stands up)

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
Is something wrong?

Student D
No, apologies, professor, I just wanted to ask a question. May I?

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
Yes, of course, you always have these interesting questions, please go ahead.

All the students
Ssssssssss

Student D
Why do people use pictures? Are letters not enough now? Is this some kind of return to the prehistoric graffiti on the walls? Or is this just a sign of us all getting more stupid, more lazy, and less diligent - clearly not willing to learn other languages, just talking symbols?

All the students
Ssssssssss

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
Interesting...

Student D
Thank you, professor...
(wants to say more but...)

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
(raises her right hand)
I haven't finish.

Student D
Apologies...
(says something more, but it goes into muttering, barely heard)

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
It's interesting to notice that it took you exactly 2 months to stop thinking.

(There's a sudden silence in the whole room; the ticking clock being the only sound)

Student D
Ex... Excuse me?

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
Oh, I don't mind, really. No need to apologise. You've just joined them all.
(waves her left hand towards all the students)
Congratulations, I guess.

Student D
But that is not true! I am not like them!

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
Hm.
(turning away from student D, looking at all the students)

All the students
(Looking at professor, like if she was from another planet, some with their jaws open, others with deep shock on their faces. No one says even a single word)

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
I see... You need explanation.
(sighs)
OK.
Our brains are lazy by nature. Shortcuts are natural way to save space, to let your brain has as much inactivity as possible. That is, obviously, not completely true; brains work all the time, there is no break. They just follow that path to effortless life.
(sighs again)
OK.
It is easier for the brain to get a picture than a written, or a spoken word.
(takes a pen and draws on a whiteboard)
This is, for example, what all the students had in mind when student D started to ask his question
(draws a big axe, with blood dropping down, forming a nice and round puddle)

All the students
(start clapping and laughing)

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
(turning to Student D, who is blushing, but not saying anything)
Do you get it now? Do you see how quickly they reacted? If I started to describe their feelings with words, how much longer it would take them to understand the meaning? How many of them wouldn't get it at all then?
(puts the pen back)
(looks at the clock)
It's 18:00 already. Go on, enjoy your evening.

All the students
(clapping much louder now, it's a standing ovation actually)

Student A
(shouting from rear row)
Thank you, professor, that was an amazing lesson to us all!!!

Professor Izabel Whywouldyounot
Oh, for sake! He's got himself a clone!

THE END


No comments:

Post a Comment