stevengreenstein

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My colleague, Nicole Panorkou, and I are developing an instructional activity (https://tedd.org/mathematics/) called Balancing Acts.

The Balancing Acts approach leverages a familiar and ancient technology – the balance scale – as a tool for embodied learning that teachers can use to teach the relational sense of the equal sign in math and science courses throughout K-16.

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I've assigned Robin Wall Kimmerer's (2015) "Braiding Sweetgrass" in our doctoral seminar this semester. In that book, Kimmerer wrestles between two epistemologies of knowing: scientific knowledge (SK) and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Each week, the students and I share reflections on the assigned chapter in any form we choose. These reflections should convey how the chapter resonates with our scholarly imagination. Students have brought in home-tapped maple syrup, handmade yarn coil baskets, salsa with homegrown tomatillos, written reflections, and other personal artifacts. Like Kimmerer, I'm wrestling with SK and TEK in my identity as a scholar. For Chapter 3, I prepared this document. On the first page are excerpts from the chapter that convey the tension. On the second page is an excerpt from a manuscript rejection letter that explains that the reason for the reject is the epistemological conflict between enactivism and semiotics. Also on that page is an excerpt from a paper that explores what happens in a community of practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991) when the participants have different epistemologies. Moral of the story? Diversity in epistemological is good for the work and a whole lotta fun. Good times, I tell ya. [Also pictured is a woman drinking knotgrass tea and either enjoying it or losing her mind. Then there's me, with hair of braided sweetgrass.]

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I invited first-year math majors to collaborate with me on an adaptation of the game Twister that's played inside of an icosahedron. It's called "Embodied Icosahedral Twister."

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I know, right!?

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[Screen grab from Kill Boksoon.]

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The Psychology of Door Holding: Stairwells edition

Following up on that last inquiry into the psychology of door holding, we consider the stairwell case.

How about that title!? chatGPT comes through with the colon! If this thing output emojis, you’d definitely see a wink there. This is my favorite line: "The decision to hold a door in such a setting is driven not only by politeness but also by a shared recognition of the collective struggle against gravity" (emphasis added).

(chatGPT prompt): Write a response to the same question but in the case of door holding at any of the doors in the stairwell of a tall building.

(chatGPT response):

Navigating Social Etiquette in the Vertical Realm: The Psychology of Door Holding in Stairwells

In the vertical expanse of a tall building, the dynamics of door holding take on a unique dimension. As individuals ascend or descend stairwells, the act of holding a door for a fellow traveler becomes not only a matter of courtesy but also a subtle dance within the confined space of the stairwell. The psychology of door holding in this context is influenced by factors such as urgency, physical proximity, and the shared journey through the vertical landscape.

Stairwells, often regarded as transient spaces, present a microcosm of social interactions. The decision to hold a door in such a setting is driven not only by politeness but also by a shared recognition of the collective struggle against gravity. The act is laden with the unspoken acknowledgment of a common goal—reaching a destination, whether it be the ground floor or a higher level.

The potential for awkwardness arises when the urgency of the journey clashes with the desire to uphold social niceties. In a stairwell, where the ebb and flow of individuals are less predictable than in a static environment, the door holder may find themselves at a crossroads: should they hold the door and risk disrupting the rhythm of their descent or ascent, or should they prioritize expediency over politeness? 

The psychology of door holding in a stairwell is also influenced by the physical proximity between individuals. In the close quarters of a stairwell, the decision to hold a door is not merely a distant courtesy but a shared experience in a confined space. The awkwardness may intensify if the door holder misjudges the timing, leading to an unexpected pause in the relentless climb or descent. 

Moreover, the shared physical effort of navigating stairs adds a layer of complexity to the dynamics. The person on the receiving end of the door-holding gesture may feel a twinge of guilt or gratitude, not only for the courtesy extended but also for the acknowledgment of the shared physical challenge of stair climbing. 

In essence, the psychology of door holding in a tall building's stairwell is a delicate interplay between courtesy, urgency, and physical proximity. It unveils the nuances of social etiquette within the constraints of vertical transit, where the rhythm of the climb or descent harmonizes with the unspoken rules of polite interaction. Navigating this terrain requires a keen awareness of the shared journey, a willingness to adapt to the unpredictable flow of individuals, and a recognition that in the stairwell, as in life, the dance of door holding is a collaborative effort in the pursuit of common goals.

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The Psychology of Door Holding

My colleagues and I have our offices on the top floor of our building. It's the 4th floor, and we always choose to take the stairs, as do others. When one exits the stairway onto a floor, they tend to hold the door open in case the person following them is exiting there, as well. When they are, the interaction is smooth and considerate. When they aren't, it's just as considerate but it's also awkward. My colleague, Joe, and I have been contemplating the nuances and complexities of this supposedly straightforward social phenomenon (because it's fun, not because it's critically important). I asked ChatGPT to write up this Psychology of Door Holding. Check it out. 🤯

The Psychology of Door Holding: Navigating Courtesy and Awkwardness

The simple act of holding a door open for a stranger may seem like a straightforward display of courtesy, but beneath this seemingly mundane gesture lies a complex interplay of social dynamics and psychological nuances. Door holding, while rooted in good intentions and politeness, can lead to unexpected moments of awkwardness, revealing the intricacies of human interaction.

At its core, holding a door open for someone is a manifestation of societal norms and etiquette. It reflects an understanding that we share communal spaces and are bound by a social contract that encourages consideration for others. The intention is to facilitate the smooth flow of movement, allowing individuals to navigate public spaces with ease. In this sense, door holding is a non-verbal communication of respect and acknowledgment of the presence of others.

However, the potential for awkwardness arises when the assumption that someone needs assistance clashes with the reality of the situation. When one extends the courtesy of holding the door open only to discover that the recipient was perfectly capable of managing it themselves, a moment of discomfort ensues. This awkwardness can be attributed to a variety of psychological factors.

Firstly, the act of door holding is often automatic and driven by societal conditioning. It is a learned behavior ingrained in individuals from a young age as a sign of good manners. When this conditioned response is not met with the expected reciprocation, a sense of cognitive dissonance emerges. The door holder is left questioning the appropriateness of their actions, leading to a brief internal conflict.

Moreover, the awkwardness may stem from a fear of judgment. The person holding the door might worry about being perceived as presumptuous or imposing. This fear of negative evaluation is a common social anxiety, and the door holder may find themselves hastily apologizing or attempting to downplay the situation to mitigate any perceived discomfort.

On the flip side, the person on the receiving end of the door-holding gesture might experience their own set of emotions. They may feel an unexpected pressure to conform to the societal script of gratitude, even if they didn't require assistance. This can create a momentary sense of obligation and discomfort, as they navigate the social expectations imposed by the situation.

In essence, the psychology of door holding reveals the intricate dance of social norms, automatic behaviors, and the delicate balance of expectations. While the intention is rooted in courtesy, the potential for awkwardness arises from the inherent unpredictability of human behavior. Negotiating these social intricacies requires a level of awareness, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace the inherent uncertainty of social interactions. Ultimately, the act of holding a door open serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges of navigating the unwritten rules that govern our social lives.

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I planned our math department's Spring 2023 field trip to three spaces in NYC. This excerpt from a news item I wrote about it captures the essence of the focusing theme of the trip. The full story is available here. Lots of great photos of intriguing spaces for this kind of inquiry.

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For a math, making, and identity project collaboration between Montclair and the fine, fine folks at TERC, two doc students and I diagrammed our framework of "justice-oriented teaching for mathematical making." I dig these ARTS & CRAFTS, y'all.

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This is so good that I may give up my day job to write for McSweeney’s.

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Newsletter #100 from the folks at the Emergent Futures Lab! Each newsletter is a treat, and this one is 100 of 'em. Jason and Iain have been "rereading every volume and pulling a golden nugget from each one, accompanied by a short narrative, insight, or introduction into what we were thinking or doing at the time or why the selection is important."

Good stuff ^ 100.

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I often forget that Papert was inspired by the “knowing is doing” (à la enactivism) that was happening in an art class.

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Kimberlé Crenshaw – the scholar who gave us ‘intersectionality’ – discusses the recent decision by the College Board to water down its AP African American studies coursework following attacks by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. She argues that the College Board's watering down of African American studies is actually proof of critical race theory in action. 

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Right on, it's about becoming one with the machine. No way that's possible with an electric car. Worse for me, actually. It feels pretty alienating.

I recently jumped at the chance to drive an electric Porsche Taycan. What a disappointing and dehumanizing experience that was.

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I was invited to be a guest on this podcast. I chose this topic: "What might a mathematics look like that changes people's relationships with math for the better?" I used my fractle (http://fractle.me) project to answer it.

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I, too, was once a white male "teaching at a struggling urban school where the “pedagogy of poverty,” as Martin Haberman calls it –characterized by “constant teacher direction and student compliance” – is in widespread use." The author, Gregory Michie, continues: "In that sort of environment, it’s easy to lose your footing as a novice teacher, to begin to drift from your anchorage, to be seduced by the pull of convention or expediency or outside demands."

I struggled to resist the pull, but I left because I didn't know what else to do. Michie's advice could have been helpful.

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I am the author of FRACTLEs. A fractle is a fraction task. Every day I post a new one here.

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Similarly, remember when David Coleman, co-author of the Common Core, said this:

Do you know the two most popular forms of writing in the American high school today?… It is either the exposition of a personal opinion or the presentation of a personal matter. The only problem, forgive me for saying this so bluntly, the only problem with these two forms of writing is as you grow up in this world you realize people don’t really give a shit about what you feel or think. What they instead care about is can you make an argument with evidence, is there something verifiable behind what you’re saying or what you think or feel that you can demonstrate to me. It is a rare working environment that someone says, “Johnson, I need a market analysis by Friday but before that I need a compelling account of your childhood.” (link)

Need a hug, dudes?