Tuesday, October 19, 2010

La Règle du jeu: The Rules of the Game



















You don't have to know the rules in order to break them, but it helps. What clothes to wear? What shall we drive? What's the "speed limit" and how fast shall we drive? What shall we eat? What shall we drink? Should we tip 20% after dining at home or only at a bar or non-fast food restaurant?  How do you know?



















One of the joys of watching shows like Boardwalk Empire or Mad Men, or seeing a movie like Jean Renoir's La Règle du jeu: The Rules of the Game (1939), is reflecting on differences and similarities across time, space and cultural "expectations."  

With whom shall we socialize? Where shall we live? How shall we live? What should we say to each other? How should we say it? How are you? How am I? May I help you? Can you help me? Enchanté!

Absorb it and then decide: what do I like? What will I change?  

How about you? 

Today's Rune: Movement.  

4 comments:

Lana Gramlich said...

It's always interesting to really challenge what we think we "know." I do it on a regular basis, myself. Fun mental experiment.

the walking man said...

There is only one rule. Do no harm...except to them who deserve it.

A few bankers who are tuning up a new "market scheme" with back property taxes come readily to mind.

jodi said...

Erik, I think a combo of awareness and decency will set our rules. Oh-and what Mark said...

Erik Donald France said...

Hey thanks all for the comments -- much appreciated!