#panel discussion

[szmacblog]

Old-Time Tradition: Folk Musicals

Grease (1978)

This film follows Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton-John), two teenagers from different worlds. After a summer fling,  they thought they would never see each other ever again, but unexpectedly reunite in the same school. Sandy, initially a wholesome stereotypical "IT girl”, tries to fit in with Danny's greaser crew, the T-Birds, and their sassy counterparts, the Pink Ladies. 

Identity in Grease: A Song and Dance

The musical numbers in Grease are very energetic and catchy, but they also play a big role in exploring how the characters navigate their identities. Many songs like "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee"—(I don’t drink, or swear. I don’t wrap my hair. I get ill from one cigarette. Keep your filthy paws from my silky dress)—and "Beauty School Dropout" showcase characters trying on different identities. Sandy tries to be the ideal 50s girl, while Rizzo rejects society's expectations. They all use songs to experiment and find their place in the T-Birds/Pink Ladies dynamic. On the other hand, songs like "Greased Lightnin'" and "We Go Together" solidify that bond that we can perceive between the T-Birds and Pink Ladies. Moreover, love, frustration, and teenage angst all find voice through the music. "Hopelessly Devoted to You", probably the most emotional song on the movie’s tracklist, lays bare Sandy's feelings, portraying her as the basic, easily enamored girl.

The film reinforces stereotypical gendered behaviors. For example, in “Summer Nights”, the girls' lyrics ("Tell me more, was it love at first sight?") center around romance and emotions, suggesting a more emotional and sensitive view of love. Whereas the boys' lyrics ("Tell me more, did she put up a fight?")  imply a focus on sexual conquest, portraying a more aggressive and sexualized view of romantic relationships. The song reinforces the idea that men and women approach love differently based on these stereotypes and it could be argued that it promotes non-consensual intimacy.

The characters in Grease don't just burst into song for no reason, their world revolves around music. The energy and choreography allow characters to process their emotions in a big way. In fact, the film doesn't shy away from showing the characters enjoying music and dance for pure fun. 

Yet, the world of Grease isn't exactly diverse

It is noticeable that the film avoids touching on any serious social issues of the 1950s, like racial tensions or economic disparity. This creates a sanitized version of the past and ignores the complexities of real life. Moreover, it pushes away the idea of 'Black Joy' as being something achievable even more. The music itself doesn't delve into racial themes, and there is quite literally, only one visible Black character in the movie—Frederick "Dennis" Greene as part of the singing group Johnny Casino and the Gamblers, reinforcing the idea that "Black musicality—the all-blacks-got-rhythm syndrome—of White cinema." (Dyer 98.)

The Ordinary → Utopia

Several elements align with the classic trope of white musicals seeking to transform the ordinary into a utopia; everyone is happy and music comes out of nowhere. Sandy's journey from a demure, "good girl" to a leather-clad greaser epitomizes this trope. Her initial wholesomeness represents the ordinary, while her adoption of the greaser look signifies a transformation into something cooler and more exciting. This aligns with the utopian ideal of escapism. On the other hand, Rydell High itself is portrayed as a somewhat utopian space. Sure, there are cliques and social pressures, but overall, it's a place where teenagers can have carefree fun. Finally, the film's resolution reinforces the utopian ideal. Danny and Sandy reconcile, the T-Birds and Pink Ladies maintain their cool-kid status, and everyone seems to get their happily-ever-after. This all-pink ending avoids the complexities of real life, where there are serious conflicts and consequences for teenage rebellion, and presents a more utopian world.

Circular time?

Black musicals often depict a cyclical view of time, where characters return to their "real life." As Dyer states, "white joy is in a space freed from labor; Black fun dips into the thing to have a good time while working." We can clearly notice this in the film. The ending suggests the T-Birds and Pink Ladies will stay on this high school path, but there's no real sense of daily life hardship.

[thatssosussex]

The Duchess of Sussex marked World Mental Health day by participating in a special panel by Project Healthy Minds in NYC. They spoke about mental wellness in the digital age during Project Healthy Minds’ 2023 World Mental Health Day Festival. Here is one of the important messages that she talked about. (10/10/23)

[acquariusgb]

MAY 04:  Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Bill Clinton speak onstage during In Conversation with David Rubenstein at The 92nd Street Y, New York on May 04, 2023 in New York City.

[lavalamp-juice]

Went to a panel that had the voice actor for Anya in the SpyxFamily English Dub! :D she was super chill and fun.

She mentioned that she was pregnant! Am so happy for her.

She also said that she will have a replacement for about 2 episodes since she will be on maternity leave. She told fans to not be mean to her, okay guys? :D

[la-galaxie-langblr]

For my followers interested in languages and/or literary translation, I found a really cool looking online conference on Eventbrite called Manchester In Translation. You don't have to be based in Manchester, but the events take place from 20th-22nd February during UK day time (depends on the events you register for) and they're streamed on YouTube, so it seems fairly accessible! Not sure if the recordings will be available afterwards, but there's no harm in registering and seeing if that option becomes available. Did I mention it's free to register as well? :D

I've registered for the keynote, a panel called Queering Translation and the second panel called Keeping Underrepresented Literatures Alive Through Translation. I'm hoping that the Underrepresented Literatures panel will be recorded cus tragically I'm back to school on that day.

There's also a few workshops for translation from Italian, Hindi or Kurmanjî into English if that's up your street.

Here's the link to register if you're interested!

[the-awesomecosmos-studies]

Day 30/100 days of productivity | Tue 19 Mar, 2024 (spring equinox)

Beta-read my friend’s blog article reflecting on her Master’s degree, it’s a great article and I’m super excited to read it again when it’s published!

My work hosted a panel for Women’s History Month, it was a very interesting panel discussion and I learned a lot about how women, especially early-career professionals like myself can cultivate leadership traits

My work is also hosting a trivia night tomorrow, spent some time preparing for that

Did some more research on the grad programs I applied to (but I still need to hear back from some schools, and the wait is killing me)

Caught an interesting cloud pattern in the morning when walking to work (1st pic), and my mum’s new blueberry plant has flowered (2nd pic), just in time for Spring Equinox!

[detroitlib]

From our vertical files: "Panel Discussion: Variations on a Boring Theme" by John C. Pine

[inariedwards]

There’s a growing worldwide trend of distrust in science and medicine—a trend thrown into sharp relief by the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination campaigns. How did we get here and what can we do about it? Watch our discussion of the pivotal issue of trust in science. How has the past influenced the distrust we’re seeing today? What is in store for the future? How can scientists and science journalists work together to build trust with more effective communication—to engage and inform public discourse? 

[getoutofthisplace]

Dear Gus & Magnus,

This is the only photo I took today. I went to the WTS lunch at the Clinton Center to learn about how transportation organizations in our state are working to be more sustainable -- something that interests me a lot. That's my friend and former coworker Suzanne moderating the panel.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 11.8.2023 - 12.52pm

[oliverbrackenbury]

In Sword & Sorcery the classics tend to get much more discussion than contemporary stories, and I love discussing stores, so welcome to the monthly contemporary Short Story Chat! In our latest episode we cover Mark Rigney's story from Tales from the Magician's Skull #7, "Dara's Tale". It struck me as a possible "YA S&S" tale, and was a great springboard for our panel to discuss the idea of MG/YA Sword & Sorcery, "timeless moral or ham-fisted topicality?", rubbing slugs on your face, and more! Check out past episodes on the New Edge Sword & Sorcery Youtube Channel.

[ang3luhcah]

Chris doing Comic Expo panel discussion.

[thatssosussex]

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked World Mental Health day by participating in a special panel by Project Healthy Minds in NYC. They spoke about mental wellness in the digital age during Project Healthy Minds’ 2023 World Mental Health Day Festival. Here they are sitting with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, watching one of the panels. (10/10/23)

[livesinyesterday]

David Strathairn Appreciation: 

Talking Baseball & America with the Spirit of Studs Terkel

[oboelauren]

Are you going to be at #PAXUnplugged? I would love to get the chance to see you! Please introduce yourself by name/handle as we'll be masked & I'll need the help, & I'll be avoiding hugs and handshakes. I'll be on a few panels as well…

On Saturday December 3rd at 1pm ET you can find me on a panel with absolutely incredible people! @briancortijo @cypheroftyr @CoyoteNCrowRPG @bananachangames @elwarius & I present "Freelancing 301" in the Crab God Theatre!

AND...

On Saturday Dec 3rd at 7:30pm I'm honored to join fellow professional performers presenting a panel on "What It Means To Be A Bard!" @CriticalBard @little_red_dot @LaTiaJacquise @AlecTheBard1 & I in the Leviathan Theatre discussing our real life Bard experiences!

[frank-olivier]

9th Annual Contact in the Desert Conference (Indian Wells, CA)

Panel Discussion (June 5, 2023)

Thursday, June 8, 2023

[shreygoyal]

Partnerships for Climate Action through AI: Panel Discussion at SB 58

We are conducting a panel discussion on the use of Artificial Intelligence and other approaches for enabling partnerships in the climate action space. The panel is a side event at the Bonn Climate Change Conference (or “SB58”) by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Wednesday, 7 June 2023.

It will be held in the Bonn Room at the World Conference Center Bonn, and will be streamed live on the official @UNClimateChangeEvents youtube channel. You can also see it on the UNFCCC website and the SB58 Virtual Platform (for registered remote attendees).

SB58 (June 3-15, 2023) comprises of the 58th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies for Implementation (SBI) and Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). It’s an inter-sessional conference by the UN Climate Change Secretariat to prepare for COP28 Dubai.

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Non-Party Stakeholder Partnerships and the GST: Global Cooperation through AI and other approaches

Speakers: 

Cédric Villani (Cofounder, Green Spider | Fields Medalist, IHES & UCBL | Fmr. French MP & OPECST President)

Robin Klemens (Founder, KUMO)

Oshienemen Albert (CEPB | African Centre for Dev. & Research)

Mauricio Montana (Fundación Tchendukua)

Moderator: Shrey Goyal (Cofounder, Green Spider)

Theme: Organisations and citizens working on tackling climate change often face capacity issues and lack coordinated action. Join us at the Bonn Climate Change Conference for a panel discussion to explore how innovative approaches such as the use of AI tools can enhance cross-cutting partnerships globally to meet Paris Agreement Goals.

📅 Wednesday, 7 June 2023

⏰ 16:15-17:30 CEST

▶️ youtube.com/@UNClimateChangeEvents

Join us!