The Shared Experience of Absurdity

This past Tuesday President Obama gave a State of The Union Address. The basic feeling he was attempting to convey was optimism and hope for the country. He mentioned various people as examples of "normal" Americans, meaning that any of his examples could have been you. Obama used these examples to try and bring together both the nation, and Congress and the House of Representatives in the hopes of overlooking labels like Democrat and Republican and passing bills for the good of America. Obama commented in his address on the irony of the situation saying, "Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year." Everything he was preaching sounded good, a unified and happy America, who would not want that? But I questioned the realism of his ideas. Is it possible to bring together many random Americans with opposing viewpoints and accomplish a shared goal? 

 

A little while ago, my sister showed me a TED talk about a man named Charlie Todd who created something called Improv Everywhere in New York City. I am aware that it is long, but it is a truly hilarious video worth watching for at least a few minutes. In the video, Todd shares stories of how "his group, Improv Everywhere, uses these scenes to bring people together" (Ted.com). Specifically in the video Todd mentions my two favorites the No Pants Subway Ride, which is exactly what it sounds like, and the Best Buy improvisation where 80 people showed up at Best Buy in a blue polo shirt and khaki pants. Not only are these outrageous scenes successful in bringing together different random Americans with most likely opposing views to create the scenes, but they also make strangers interact and laugh together.

I believe the meaning behind this video is that once we look beyond our differences, we are all Americans and that collaboration makes the world a better and in this case funnier place. Clearly, it is possible to have different people work together and create something. If all of these ordinary Americans can, then why can Congress and the House of Representatives which are supposed to be full of intelligent people not pass a bill? Is America not a place where unity, teamwork, and collaboration are appreciated?