Sunday, September 9, 2012

Post Blog: Robby Riehle 9/5


I’m not sure exactly why, (maybe because of CMC) but every time someone mentions the word “signs” my brain immediately connects it to M. Night Shyamalan’s film Signs. Needless to say, my mind running through the entire movie, given the class discussion we were having on Wednesday. I kept thinking about one quote from the movie when Mel Gibson’s character says there are two types of people, ones that see things as more than just its simple description, they see meaning, they see a “sign.” And one’s who do not. I was dwelling on this for a while, and I came to the conclusion that I don’t believe that’s true. While I understand he was talking about signs in a more philosophical perspective, I think that everyone see signs. It is all just a matter of how they interpret them when they apply their respective, ascribed, connotation. Funny enough, as I sitting here writing this blog in the library, a friend across from me gathered his things, and started walking. As he passed me we made eye contacted, I raised my hand with only my index and middle up. He did the exact same thing; no words were said. However, just from this simple gesture known as the “peace sign” we knew precisely what happening and what the other one was thinking. This is a prime, everyday, example of signs Barthes was talking about. I’ve attached a clip from the end of the movie Signs in which all these seemingly random aspects of the families life culminate allowing them to survive (Spoiler alert).  As Mel Gibson’s wife dies she gives him these ambiguous messages to tell the family. Until in this scene for the reason that she told him to “see” he finally understands the “signs” that were right in front of him. For example there is this great Aha-moment when you realize the significance of Bo leaving waters all over the house that no one previously understood. Essentially it’s a interesting example of how things can hold greater meanings, and in turn, create signs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HRWrBD2Quk

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