As the year continues, many of these posts will be philosophical in nature. Some will be in contradiction to previous postings. These are not intended as truths or assertions, they’re merely thoughts…ideas. Think of this as stream of consciousness over a wide span…
We’ve probably all heard some variation on the adage that “very few things can be as effective as a person’s imagination.” It often comes up in reference to sci-fi and horror movies. For example, not showing a creature until near the end of the movie, letting the viewer imagine what they will until then. Before I go further, I’m going to deliver a gross out warning. I’ll be referencing a very minor outpatient surgical procedure that I had a few days ago. I don’t THINK it will be too graphic or freaky, but in light of how I just opened this thought…you’ve been warned.
So I visited a dermatologist on Thursday to have two very small cysts removed from my scalp on the top of my head. Not a big deal really. Local anesthetic only, six stitches over two small incisions, done. The thing is, as I mentioned, these were on the top of my head. So I couldn’t see a thing of what was going on. To make matters even more obfuscated, most of my head was draped in towels. I couldn’t see anything beyond the headrest my chin was resting on. I had no trepidation about the procedure at all, and then the dermatologist started…well, digging for the tissue to be removed. You know those horror gore sounds we’re so familiar with and frequently use? Let’s just say it’s an interesting experience hearing them through bone conduction and knowing that it’s your own body they’re coming from. I won’t describe the sounds; you know them. I wasn’t grossed out though. I was fascinated. The experience immediately called up that trope of disgusting things happening off screen, letting the viewer’s imagination fill in the blanks. It was odd having that experience in real life. I started picturing the doctor’s movements, the tools being used and generating a list in my head of what sound sources I would need if I wanted recreate what I was hearing. It was an odd, and detached, moment of analytical thinking.
I imagine I might have felt differently if I didn’t do this kind of work for a living.
It’s rare to see such a brilliant match of a pro analysis with a underground humour.
“I imagine I might have felt differently if I didn’t do this kind of work for a living.”.,
Gorgeous. This your could easily be one of my favorites quotes!
Best