INTERSUBJECTIVITY
Valerie Yow's influential essay on oral history "Do I Like Them Too Much?" describes how the interview process can inadvertently change the perspectives not just of the subject being interviewed, but the viewpoints of the interviewer as well. In this sense, oral history is not simply objective (factual), nor is it wholly subjective (biased or partial). It is intersubjective—relying on the interpersonal dynamics between parties cooperating to produce a memory story. This does not make interviews and other human encounters useless as scientific endeavors. Rather, it reminds us that relationship and sociality are essential to the process of making new knowledge.
Bridging the Gap: Pursuing a Major in Business Creation and Operation
Casey Smith
From the tender age of my childhood, my father instilled in me the values of creativity, tenacity, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Guided by his wisdom, I have come to realize the profound impact of building and creating, of forging one's path rather than merely following. It is this foundation that has fueled my passion for pursuing a major in business creation and operation—a realm where the spirit of entrepreneurship converges with the structured knowledge imparted by the university environment. Growing up, my father, a man of unwavering determination, shared his experiences and aspirations with me. One of his most significant regrets, a poignant refrain in our conversations, is not venturing into entrepreneurship. His lamentation has become the catalyst for my determination to seize the opportunities that come with creating and running one's own business. It is an aspiration that transcends mere career goals; it is a commitment to fulfilling a dream that eluded my father. My father's guidance not only kindled my entrepreneurial spirit but also shaped my understanding of the importance of hands-on learning—a philosophy rooted in the blue-collar ethos of building and creating. The invaluable lessons from blue-collar trades, where one learns through direct experience and physical engagement, are, in many ways, a cornerstone of my approach to business creation and operation. I am drawn to the tangible, practical nature of this learning style, and I seek to weave it seamlessly into the fabric of my academic journey. The synthesis of the hands-on learning style of blue-collar trades with the intellectual rigor of a university education is the essence of my chosen path. A major in business creation and operation, for me, signifies more than just theoretical knowledge—it represents a holistic approach that marries the tangible skills acquired through hands-on experiences with the strategic and analytical acumen honed through academic pursuit. The dichotomy of blue-collar trades and university education may seem disparate at first glance, but I envision a synergy that can revolutionize the way we perceive business. By integrating the practical wisdom gained from hands-on experiences with the theoretical foundations of business, finance, and related disciplines, I aim to foster a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape. In doing so, I hope to transcend conventional boundaries and contribute to a new paradigm of business education—one that is as dynamic as the ever-evolving business world itself. The journey toward a major in business creation and operation is not solely about personal fulfillment; it is about honoring my father's legacy, rectifying his regrets, and forging a path that transcends mere academic pursuits. It is a commitment to innovation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of dreams—a commitment that mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit I aim to cultivate and perpetuate. In conclusion, the decision to pursue a major in business creation and operation is deeply rooted in the teachings of my father, the ethos of hands-on learning from blue-collar trades, and the desire to bridge the gap between practical experience and theoretical knowledge. This journey is a testament to my belief that business, at its core, is a creative endeavor—one that thrives on the fusion of passion, intellect, and the unwavering determination to build something meaningful. As I embark on this transformative academic voyage, I am propelled by the conviction that the synthesis of these diverse elements will not only shape my personal and professional trajectory but will also contribute to a more nuanced and innovative understanding of business creation and operation.
Interpersonal Communication Theory and the Value of Communications Studies
Angie Wiederock
On day one of my Intro to Communication Theory class, my teacher told me that by the end of the semester I would see everything differently. She wasn’t lying. Some of the things I’ve learned have completely shifted the way I approach relationships in my chosen profession in the music industry.
On particular communication theory intrigued me the most: Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor’s Social Penetration Theory (or SPT). SPT is one of many interpersonal communication theories that help us predict and explain the prosperity of our relationships. Our personality structures have onion-like layers of beliefs and feelings about self, others, and the world. The deeper levels are more vulnerable, protected, and central to self-image. The only way to reach the deeper layers is through mutual and sustained self-disclosure. Said another way, to develop intimacy with others you must talk to someone about a lot of different things, deeper than on a surface level, and across a good amount of time.
For example, consider these pairs of relationships:
Pair #1: Two friends have known each other for about two months. They mostly talk about assignments in the class they share. They never share any personal feelings or anecdotes about school or their personal lives.
Pair #2: Two friends have known each other for a decade. They talk about school assignments, as well as relationships, mental health, and job prospects. Over time they began sharing their personal vulnerabilities and feelings related to all of those topics.
According to the theory, Pair #2 is almost guaranteed to have more intimacy than Pair #1.
I use this theory to help me understand my own relationships. I have experienced the negative impact of what happens when deep mutual disclosures are not made. My ex-boyfriend was unable to find common ground with me. While aware of my interests and personality, he only initiated and pursued conversations that aligned with his interests and sense of humor. It seemed that in every conversation, we would end up talking about cars and the stock market—two topics that I never showed any interest in whatsoever.
Our relationship suffered from a lack of variability in subjects and there was never much depth, because I was not interested. He was not vulnerable and remained very much at the surface of any topic we talked about. I gradually revealed more and more about myself, but he did not reciprocate. This led me to stop divulging entirely after a certain point. The distinct lack of reciprocity in self-disclosure meant that we never reach the point of real intimacy. Instead, we broke up after only a couple of months. At the time I couldn’t figure out why our relationship wasn’t working, but SPT explains exactly what went wrong.
SPT reveals how using social science can help us understand ourselves and others. I now use this theory to predict intimacy levels in interpersonal relationships, and I feel like a wizard whenever I do this. I genuinely believe that studying communications theory will help me greatly in the music industry, as it relies heavily on connecting people from all walks of life. I can apply theories to discover if relationships have any hope of working out (SPT) or what somebody’s intentions are when speaking to me (Kenneth Burke’s Pentad), or how to get someone to see something the same way I do (Symbolic Interactionism or Aristotle’s Rhetoric).
It’s impossible to get through life without relationships, so we might as well be good at them. I believe everyone—and not just those interested in people-focused careers—could improve their lives in some way by studying Communications.
Witnessing the Lived Experience of Leftist History
Kearney Quillen
A core element of my scholarship regarding leftist history, and what we can learn from it, is intersubjectivity. Intersubjectivity involves the psychological relations between people. You cannot truly understand the nature of any historical event or movement without a solid foundation built upon the interpersonal dynamics of different parties which, collectively, produce a living memory. It is not possible to study history, and in particular leftist historical theory, in a strictly objective manner. Theory cannot be adequately understood without a working understanding of the broader conversation being had on the topic. To understand the history, you must listen to the people who made it. You must account for a vast amount of subjective lived experiences influenced by personal motivations, individual circumstances, and thousands of unique interpretations of concrete events.
If anything is to be said about the left, its that its proponents seldom ever agree on much. We must not only acknowledge, but also center, that disagreement and the debates which arise out of it. To attempt to gloss over dissent would do a disservice to the history. We cannot learn from arguments we never get to hear. Even in the case of a contrasting opinion that was quickly shut down or appears easy to reject out of hand, it is important to acknowledge that it was put forward – along with the reasons it didn’t get any further. This inclusion is vital because history may not repeat. But it often rhymes. If similar ideas are once again presented before the court of public discourse, we must be aware of the reasons they were rejected before, in order to make fair and informed decisions now.
While these sorts of discussions are often grounded in theory, the same principle applies in the case of the concrete elements of history. We must juxtaposition first hand personal alongside historical facts and the features of leftist movements. For every individual witness of an objective event, there will be as many interpretations of it. These individual interpretations must be given as much credit as the event itself.
Our understanding of the world is more than shaped by our experiences within it, and especially in the case of marginalized communities (which are often present in leftist history), those interpretations are rarely given the attention they deserve. I intend to change that. My focus on queerness within a leftist context greatly benefits from this perspective, as fringe attitudes regarding sexual and gender norms are often the first to go when a history is being sanitized in the name of ‘decency’ and ‘respectability.’ This habit must be fought in order to center queer experiences all the more aggressively.
Disability, Societal Barriers, and Neurodiversity
Parker Bigley
Why do we struggle so much against the way our world functions when we create the structures of our society? Centuries ago, when our human ancestors first appeared, their cognition was distinctly unique from other evolved species. Over millennia, they developed into the human species we know today. It is probable that early humans occupied an extremely diverse cognitive realm, similar to what we have today. Despite the similarities between us and our ancestors, however, it is likely that these beings were not nearly as psychologically diverse. It’s an evident truth that our brains and experiences are wildly diverse; but why do we choose to struggle against this diversity? There is an abundance of evidence that shows that variation is an innate part of biology itself, but why have we chosen to form our human systems against this diversity in every way?
We can examine the role of each neurotype in our modern world. We theorize about those with Seasonal Affective Disorder conserving energy by “hibernating” during the winter months. Or high anxiety individuals filling a niche role in our social groups, perhaps as the “lookout,” with higher sensitivities to certain stimuli, and therefore a more alert brain to keep a tribe of humans out of danger. Some more recent theories have suggested that the neurodivergent brain plays an important role in our society, as well as within the world of our own neural diversity.
Autism is likely the most talked about form of neurodivergence in society today. There are many tales about this disorder during the Middle Ages and the different labels that were placed upon neurodivergent individuals, such as being labeled as “child of the fae”, “broken” or a “fool.” It is fairly clear that these labels aren’t exactly accurate, and are often seen as highly offensive, considering the social model of disability, which states that “disability is seen as one aspect of a person’s identity, much like race/ethnicity, gender, etc... It is this environment that creates the handicaps and barriers, not the disability” (Olkin).
With this logic, many of the systems that we’ve built our society around are a one-size-fits-all kind of option, with not much room left for this type of “natural human variation” (Robison). Of course, it would be almost impossible to locate any one true source for this perfect puzzle-piece model of humanity, but there are a large number of unfortunate contributors to this unreasonable view of the “normal” human person. One of these is the pressure to conform, which was amplified by the development of social media and face filters, as we follow influencers that strive to present a perfect and sparkling clean image to the public.
Although neurotypical individuals, who fit inside the societal definition of “normal,” are still affected by these harmful standards of existence, neurodivergent and disabled individuals grapple with far more discrimination, especially with the added pressure to conform from social media. This additional pressure isn’t helpful to anyone, but it especially harms those who already face constant struggle by not fitting into our society’s definition of “normal.” This is why it is necessary to promote the movement towards authenticity and acceptance of humans, in every shape and form in which we exist. While in more recent years, there has been a shift towards more authenticity online, we cannot deny that our minds have been affected by this notion that we should have to conform to these picture-perfect advertisements and celebrities that are heavily edited to appear flawless.
With moves towards more a honest and full presentation of the human experience, it’s become more promising to see our neural diversity appreciated, especially as these seemingly “perfect” celebrities begin to shed some of the veils they use to hide their flaws, and what’s especially promising is the shift towards open communication about mental health and disability. There has been an encouraging rise in disabled creators using the internet as a means to communicate their stories, and this visibility is essential to the positive future we must create. While we’ve got a long way to go before we are able to truly live without significant barriers in our society, the recent movements we’ve witnessed in the name of celebrating neural diversity and our innate human imperfections are certainly something to cherish.
Sending the Elevator Back Down: When Advocates for Sexual Violence Prevention Are Survivors Themselves
Lauren Spar
Being a survivor of sexual violence often means helping other survivors. Survivors lead by example just by reckoning with their own experiences and being on a path toward recovery and justice. Some choose to do so more publicly than others, by sharing their story or otherwise speaking out against violence, and working to aid people dealing with similar trauma. When a survivor tells their story, this can educate people who may or may not have yet experienced sexual violence, by helping them understand on an intimate basis what it means to be victimized. When survivors choose to become advocates for other survivors, their lived experience can be a tool for helping others navigate the processes of reporting and healing from violence.
In her research article “I Look Across From Me and I See Me,” Leila Wood investigates the survivor-to-survivor model. Very little is known about the experiences of survivor advocates, but small scale studies demonstrate that the majority of advocates do in fact have victimization experience. Intersubjectivity is a concept that allows for us to be neither entirely objective nor subjective in our work, but rather reliant on the interpersonal dynamics between people involved in the sexual violence response process. Boundaries are necessary, however we should not disallow professionals to call upon their lived experiences, which can inform a unique perspective on survivor advocacy and support.
There is no concrete definition of what an advocate does; they are able to help at various stages of the justice process. An advocate understands the process intimately, including its flaws. Having been supported or failed by taking certainmeasures for help, advocates who are survivors themselves know what resources are important for people in similar situations. For example, many children who experience abuse are highly unlikely to report it, because the options are very limited for them. Advocates who have experienced long term abuse, such as myself, better understand how to provide or push for comprehensive response models.
Our experiences are both idiosyncratic and universal. Individual stories of sexual violence are not anecdotal, and through the sociological imagination we can transform private troubles into public issues to be addressed. Sexual violence is not inevitable or natural, and all cultures can change over time, even cultures of violence.
Resist the Utilitarian Approach to Relationships
Angie Wiederock
I am in love with the notion that people need people. You can’t get through life alone, no matter how much you want to hate others and no matter how isolated you want to be. You need other people in one way or another to survive. Each of us has an innate need to be social. I think that’s a beautiful thing.
If you knew me, you’d understand how much I value building strong connections with other people. I am a student of the music industry. Good luck getting anywhere in this business if you don’t like talking to people.
Some important advice that I’ve taken away from many of my music industry teachers is that you should strike up conversations with people you encounter, whether that be a random parking officer, a custodian, an arena security guard, an intern, a stagehand, etc. Some teachers explain that this is a utilitarian strategy because you never know what someone else can do for you in the future. Some teachers jokingly ask us to “keep them in mind,” aware that someday one of us might make it with a big record label or artist. It’s pretty common to talk to people in and around the music industry solely because they might be able to do you a favor. It’s not necessarily a bad business move to approach relationships this way;
But that’s not how I like to look at relationships.
Personally, I’m a bigger fan of the outlook that all people have something important to bring to the table, regardless of their position in life. I think we should form relationships with others “just because.” Nobody really knows where an incidental conversation might lead.
At one of the charity songwriter-showcases I hosted recently, an audience member commended me on the event. We talked for a long time about why I chose to donate all of the proceeds to Active Minds (a mental health charity) and my process for booking artists and venues. After a while, she opened up to me about her brother. He had unfortunately committed suicide just a few days before. She asked me if she could perform a song she’d written about him. Of course I agreed. This woman now performs at all of my charity events and has told me to let her know if I should ever need anything. This is the sort of relationship the music industry can inspire.
Start conversations with people without expecting something in return.
All great friends start as strangers.
Why not give everyone a chance, if only for the hell of it?
If people want to do you a favor, let it be because they like and trust you, not because they feel indebted to you. People need people. Spontaneous connections with others are what build careers and, more importantly, meaningful lives.