In a world filled with fear, a raging war in proximity in Europe and rather miserable economic prospects, it feels like the rush for fun is far more tantalizing than having a deep and potentially draining conversation. In watching the Netflix docu-series on the French rockstar, Johnny Hallyday, “Beyond Rock”, I was struck by one sentence where he resented the notion that no one took him seriously. After spending a life of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll (the epitome of such), you wonder how he could be offended by that thought. Married five times (to four women), he certainly didn’t take the institution of marriage too seriously. When he met Nathalie Baye, an actress nominated for 10 Cesars and winner of four, it was possibly the most serious relationship. It lasted four years and they had a daughter together. Yet, they never married.
Energy through depth
It was the beginning of his association with Michel Berger where Hallyday seemed to “deepen.” However, in the documentary, you definitely don’t get the feeling that he ever opened a book or regularly conversed with intellectuals. I remain a fan of some of his music, but I would raise an eyebrow to think he might be an icon worth emulating. Yes he worked hard; yes he had his challenges; but in the world I’m trying to encourage with Dialogos, I know that it’s going to take more than working hard at having fun. It’s not about either/or as I absolutely enjoy having fun, laughing and dancing. Emotions are vital, but we can’t just rely on pure emotions to get us through. We also need facts, figures and intelligence to wade through life’s harder questions and challenges. Importantly, I am convinced having more deep and meaningful conversation can be not only entirely enriching and enlivening, it can help create a more sustainable society.
Our responsibility
When one prefers to merely have fun, laugh and dance, I don’t think one can resent being called lightweight. It’s a choice. And in a morose environment, I get it: having fun seems like the “best” choice. However, I believe we need to lean in, engage and be accountable. I consider it a responsibility to make the people around me better. To do this, I need to bring knowledge and analysis to the conversation. Thus, besides just having fun, I have to do more research and reading (for example, more long-form articles and books). And then it means taking the time to talk to strangers and having the determination to listen to and share with people who have alternative viewpoints.
Your thoughts?
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I've seen the evolution of a musician friend go from more humorous to more social driven music, and become enormously successful in the process. Definitely exposure to different viewpoints and discussions, going outside your comfort zone, is one way that musicians expand sonically for example.
I don't agree though that you need to read a lot of books - sharing articles, podcast, videos is the equivalent for today's new leaders to deepen their understanding.
I love your example of a musician seeking more meaningfulness in their music. And yes, you are so right about there being other ways to deepen understanding. There are indeed many sources for good material. One of the reasons why I say that the written form is key is that, at least with serious editors, the printed word should be easier to verify (eg sources and references). Naturally I would say that!! But of course I love listening to good podcasts. In fact my article last week will attest to that!
Indeed! Just been listening through some of your podcast recommendations. Today learning and sharing knowledge is likely to skew away from the printed (book or online) and to the video, audio, even sensory realms.
Give time and attention to others will make you better, most probably. Then maybe, they will feel the love and become a better person.
💕
Best to start with oneself... In this case, with myself!
I've seen the evolution of a musician friend go from more humorous to more social driven music, and become enormously successful in the process. Definitely exposure to different viewpoints and discussions, going outside your comfort zone, is one way that musicians expand sonically for example.
I don't agree though that you need to read a lot of books - sharing articles, podcast, videos is the equivalent for today's new leaders to deepen their understanding.
I love your example of a musician seeking more meaningfulness in their music. And yes, you are so right about there being other ways to deepen understanding. There are indeed many sources for good material. One of the reasons why I say that the written form is key is that, at least with serious editors, the printed word should be easier to verify (eg sources and references). Naturally I would say that!! But of course I love listening to good podcasts. In fact my article last week will attest to that!
Indeed! Just been listening through some of your podcast recommendations. Today learning and sharing knowledge is likely to skew away from the printed (book or online) and to the video, audio, even sensory realms.