"You Were Supposed to Sing and Dance While the Music Played"

Years and years from now, social anthropologists and graduate students will argue over the underlying principles of "South Park" as intellectual translators of our time.  And not with irony.  And not with disdain.  And not in a dismissive tone.   And Trey and Matt -- the co-creators of the edgy culture-teasing cartoon -- may be held up as two of our greatest social commentators along the way.  Probably not what 'polite company' wants to hear at the future-of-our-youth summit.  But reality is often tossed aside for the-world-is-flat assumptions because its simply easier to digest.

There must be a point here.  (he smiles).  Oh, yes, the point.  "Music & Life" is a cartoon.

A cartoon you oughta watch (1 minute of your life, max).  A dang fine cartoon, actually.  A dang fine cartoon that takes you by surprise because part of you is waiting for the sarcastic sucker-punch and part of you is really swept up inside the whole thing.  Combining almost-zen instincts, traditional Japanese stringed music (and some classical western stuff thrown in the mix as well), the vocal cadence of poets,...and "South Parkian" caliber cartoon drawings (oy!)...the cartoon gives life to one of the recordings of Alan Watts as he explores the 'point' of education by comparing it to music. 

My favorite line (and how it closes) about what learning is really about, rather than what school reinforces so often:

"You were supposed to sing or dance while the music was being played." -- Alan Watts

Oh, and it was created by the very same team that brings you "South Park".  Go figure.  Trey and Matt remind me that life is too serious.  And our egos are too delicate.  And cartoons -- even edgy ones -- can sometimes tell us what kids have known all along!

Oh, and by the way, do check out Alan Watts a bit.  Pretty stunning life force.

Comments

[Chris Lehmann]

Gawd I needed that today.

[CWheat]

Great cartoon. Helps all of us who are dedicated and focused on our passions to step away from the cup-'o-joe every now and then and realize that we never stop learning. The crutial part is getting the same point across to students, that once you have finished your structured education, that is only the begining. The real "education" begins when one learns by doing, educates by doing, and experiences life and success by doing - not by just chasing the carrot.

Now, get back to work.

[Carolyn Wilson Koerschen]

When I first read your post I did not watch the cartoon immediately because, I confess, I am not a South Park fan. I admit I have never given SP a chance. When it first hit the tube I was too busy with my babies to watch and now that it is one of my son's favorites I have assumed that it is not for my generation. I am am old enough to be-errrr- your mother's little sister. Anyway when I figured out that your were referring to THE Alan Watts I watched and am so glad I did. My favorite part is when he discovers the bag is empty. I could use this cartoon to illustrate why I am leaving an established school- a good one---to launch my own learning community. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Carolyn Wilson Koerschen]

When I first read your post I did not watch the cartoon immediately because, I confess, I am not a South Park fan. I admit I have never given SP a chance. When it first hit the tube I was too busy with my babies to watch and now that it is one of my son's favorites I have assumed that it is not for my generation. I am am old enough to be-errrr- your mother's little sister. Anyway when I figured out that your were referring to THE Alan Watts I watched and am so glad I did. My favorite part is when he discovers the bag is empty. I could use this cartoon to illustrate why I am leaving an established school- a good one---to launch my own learning community. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Little Ms. Blog]

What a powerful message to us all, and what a great life lesson. The mixture of humor, satire, and poetry (especially at the end) makes this a moving piece. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I posted it at my blog, as well.