Choose to be Curious Episode #47: Transformative Power of Attention with Caetlin Benson-Allott
Feb 7, 2018
Join Georgetown professor Caetlin Benson-Allott, an expert in U.S. film history and author of Remote Control, as she explores the transformative power of attention. She delves into the hidden stories behind ordinary objects, demonstrating how mindfulness can unveil deeper meanings in everyday experiences. The conversation also touches on the effects of digital media on curiosity and how intricate connections shape our perceptions of objects, reminding us of their significance in our lives.
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Distinctions Between Things, Stuff, Objects
- Words like 'thing,' 'stuff,' and 'object' carry different emotional and relational meanings.
- Items can shift between being treasured things and disregarded stuff depending on personal and cultural context.
Context Shapes Object Importance
- Everyday objects like dust become ‘things’ only under certain conditions, such as expectations of cleanliness.
- This reclassification shows how context shapes our perception and valuation of objects.
Object Lessons Series Purpose
- Object Lessons series reveals how mundane objects profoundly impact our lives and social relationships.
- These explorations extend object studies into accessible, everyday narratives connecting objects to human experience.
