[Noisebridge-discuss] Science for Juggalos

[Mikael Vejdemo-Johansson]

On Jun 1, 2010, at 6:44 PM, Neil Kandalgaonkar wrote:
> On 06/01/2010 04:41 PM, Ever Falling wrote:
> our mere
>> presence there is to show them one of their bands most popular songs is
>> garbage and they;re dumb people for embracing the message.
> 
> If that's what this is about count me out. Or if that's your attitude,
> maybe count *you* out. If someone showed up at a concert I was long
> anticipating just to make fun of me, I'd be pretty angry and resentful too.
> 
> In my experience, telling people they're stupid isn't productive, or
> even funny.
> 

Yeah, this captures my own thoughts well as well. I never viewed this as haughty and condescending - I viewed it as a fun and good chance to hone our one-sentence explanations, and try to show the beauty of understanding. Y'know, the way I perceive it myself...

If it's about "you're dumb, and your role models are stupid", it's not a message I'll be proud of sending, and I'll be reluctant playing a part of it all.

> I think the tone we should strike is one of being positive, respectful
> and helpful. Like, we heard juggalos wanted to know how fuckin' magnets
> work, so we're here to help. If people get aggressive just ignore it
> like it didn't happen. It's hard to get angry at someone who doesn't get
> angry back. (Security people may need to monitor the situation though.)
> 

Yes.

> The video will be much better then, because we'll get two sorts of
> reactions:
> - people in juggalo outfits who are pleased to learn -- which will be
> kind of funny and subvert the song
> - people who are enraged by someone honestly trying to teach them
> something - which will also make the point, and probably be hilarious
> 

Yes, much yes.

// Mikael

> 
>> On Tue, Jun 1, 2010 at 4:16 PM, Kelly <hurtstotouchfire at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> As an education researcher who specializes in teaching kids
>>> who don't want to learn, I have a ton of sympathy for people who find
>>> science mystifying to the point of frustration, distrust, and anger.
> 
> This.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Neil Kandalgaonkar (|  <neilk at brevity.org>
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Mikael Vejdemo-Johansson, Dr.rer.nat.
Postdoctoral researcher
mik at math.stanford.edu