IQ 8

Lauren Barnett
Interesting Questions 03/23-03/25

In the film ³13 Conversations about One Thing,² one sees many different lives interconnect. The title clearly alludes to the fact that there is a common bond between these people. What do you think is the one thing that ties them all together?

The question above deals with the main theme of the film is it possible that there could be more than one interpretation for this question? Is there really a ³One Thing² in the film?

A major focua within this film is the construction of happiness. Is it possible that happiness is simply a state of mind and we can all control our own happiness by simply willing to do so? Why do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Ashley Orenberg

What is the take home message from this movie? What do you feel the writer/director of this movie wanted the audience to walk away feeling and thinking?

The first written statement of the movie read ³Show me a happy man.² Did the movie depict a happy man? Who? In what way was he/she happy and is that happy by your definition or do you feel the movie explained what happy is?

Throughout the movie, references are made to being average, following the status quo, or being just like everyone else.
³I¹ve always thought of contentment as a form of recignation. Of accepting the status quo. That means you¹ve given up. I¹m not ready to surrender.² The professor states this to his doctor. What does this quote mean to you? Is being average or accepting the status quo a form of failure? In life are we all striving to be different? To make a name for ourselves? Is being unique what it means to be happy?

Liz Guenard

1) According to Nozick, how are principles constructed from reliability? What does this reveal about our belief system? If our principles require "bending", on what are our principles and beliefs founded and how are they checked?

2) What is the one thing being discussed in 13 Conversations About One Thing and how do each of the characters exhibit this theme?

3) In the movie 13 Conversations About One Thing there are a number of symbolic references (the white shirt, the light refraction, etc.). Nozick suggests that principle involves a generalization much like symbolism. Principles are symbolic. How might symbols from the movie be interpreted as representations of principle?