Greetings, Sunny Optimists,
Last week I celebrated Noah, my grandson, starting school. It was a lovely time that brought us closer as a family as we remembered our first days at school too.
Thank you to those of you who shared your memories as well.
Much appreciation to you, my readers. It is so nice to know you are here; you make each Friday a special part of my week.
As I was thinking about this family time today, I was musing on how Noah will fare in a world where the media will constantly bombard him with information. As we have experienced over the last two years, there is much in the media arena that is manipulative and untrustworthy. A crucial part of Noah's education will be to hone his discernment skills to know what is right, what is true and what is meaningful for him. It has never been more vital for us to educate children to be able to traverse the media landscape in healthy ways.
There is a lovely African proverb. 'It takes a village to raise a child.'
Children are not just the concern of their parents or grandparents but of the extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbours and friends who all have a part to play. And I send my deep appreciation to the teachers who will also play their part.
This week The Sunny Optimist is a bit more serious than usual. I decided that I would like to explore how all members of this village can expand their expertise in responding to the complexities of our media landscape. Then I wish to determine how we can best deploy our skilful means in supporting the growth of the youngsters we love.
As we extend our capabilities, it is my hope we can be more at ease in finding our way through this turbulent world. And, from there, be more optimistic about the future of these precious souls we care so deeply about.
The Uncanny Valley
I recently came across the above phrase, and it really captured my imagination. I like the interplay of the words. I just love it when something stops me in my tracks and says pay attention here. The concept opened a deeper appreciation of the diligence we needed to handle the complexities of the media landscape we live in now.
So what does it actually mean?
In 1970, it was a Japanese professor of robotics Masahiro Mori identified a phenomenon in animation he called ‘bukimi no tani genshō’, translated by Jasia Reichardt as ‘the uncanny valley’. If you look at the image below, it appears very lifelike. It seems human, and yet it is not. Mori described a degree of unease that can arise within us when the animation moves too close to appearing fully human. It is an instinctive response that signals a drop in affinity with the image. We are somehow unsettled by it, which is worthy of our attention.
The graph above shows that we go along with the increasing human likeness for a while. But there comes the point where a perception or intuitive ‘wrongness’ arises that creates a sense of disquiet. There is a negative emotional reaction to the image that signals something is not quite right.
This reaction is The Uncanny Valley.
It is a subtle alertness from our emotional body that lets us know not to take something at face value. How we harness this emotional alertness is what I find intriguing.
And so, how does this relate to responding to the media landscape?
An article on the Rebel Wisdom website by Ed Prideaux takes the concept of the Uncanny Valley a step further. When misinformation and disinformation abound, how do we discern what is reliable? And how do we help young people know what is true, real, and meaningful for them?’ The author takes the concept of the Uncanny Valley and relates it to these types of questions.
Here is my understanding of what he offered in his article.
I become aware of when I encounter information that unsettles me. This discomfort is the uncanny part. As I learn to trust, build familiarity with, and respect this sense of unease, I can better recognise when to stop and question what is being presented. In turn, I become more able to encourage this sensing and questioning in others.
This is emotional intelligence working at its best!
The imagery of the valley makes polarisation more evident to me. I can pause when an idea or a situation is presented as true when I have a sense that perhaps there is more to it. I take the time to consider that there are two hillsides with a space between them. The valley is a space for this uncanniness to reside. It is also the place to explore the tensions between the polarities. As I become more fluent in revealing the two hillsides, I develop my perceptive capabilities. As I become more fluent in exploring the tension between polarities, I can more readily help others to do the same.
This is discernment at its best!
Questions for this week
I know this has been a bit more of a read this week. I hope it opens up a space for you to support the young people in your life.
And so my questions for this week are;
Who comes to mind as you consider your family village?
Does The Uncanny Valley open new possibilities for your development?
How might it help the youngsters you care about?
As always, I love hearing from you.
Ann
That expression “ The uncanny valley” is certainly intriguing. I can see how you demonstrate it with the photograph and the graph. For me I think I suffered a dip in my optimism when things were moving so dramatically forward in my life. I questioned things more. I felt unsettled with what optimism and the old cliche “ being positive” really meant. They are like signposts. Apparently leading to prosperity happiness and numerous other “ good “ things. But I look at that signpost and my heart deeply sinks. Should I think about turning it around. Have all the values I once held been optimistic for me at the expense of others. I sank and felt deeply concerned. The signpost to optimism points in many directions but I think Ann that it’s when I’ve deeply considered as many as I can that humbly I walk on in the best direction at that junction. Not always the best. My heart sinks for a momevt in the uncanny valley just after I’ve worked out a task or job for example. And then wonder if I’ve done the right thing. A wonderful concept. Wishing you a great weekend. I’m overjoyed to be back. Richard 😀
Dearest Ann,
What a beautiful and thoughtful offering this morning! I love the idea you’ve presented of the uncanny valley. There are times that things that are new Unsettle us, and I love learning to hear that inner voice, I love paying attention to that and thinking through what I feel and think about an issue. I love the opportunity to go deeper to find out other facts surrounding what is unsettled me. And then I incorporate any new learning, such as it is, and then we check to see if I am still unsettled. Sometimes, I need more time to incorporate new information even if I believe it is sound. Other times, adding new information And Contemplation around and uncanny valley experience opens my mind to new horizons and I can move forward with ease. I love that you’ve pointed this out for us – – this is at the heart of learning. In a world where we move so quickly and there are so many technological advances, learning to fine-tune our deepest senses, and pay attention to our own deep emotional intelligence is vital. Thank you so much for sharing this – – it is a gem. Much love and joy to you for your weekend and beyond!! Your sister, ♥️🙏🏼