Some Thoughts & Reflections

What has struck me the most about our experiments is how little of an effect they seem to have had. I’m only going to speak from my experiences in acting in these experiments; I haven’t discussed this with other group members or intend to speak for the group.

Although there were some reactions to my presence at the Power Remix class, I was never particularly out of place. Most people ignored me, or gave smiles when I high-fived them or said “good class!” at the end of the session. It was later pointed out to me that the other people in the class might have thought I was gay. I still stand by my idea that males self-select themselves out of the class.

At the Santa experiment, I didn’t see anyone give us odd looks while we were waiting in line. I think people were too into their own situation to notice or care. One of the workers did comment that it’s not unusual to have teens/young adults who are still into Santa and want to sit on his lap.

I think all things considered, are society is so insular that it’s hard to upset social norms. No one really cares who wants to see Santa or who else is in a dance workout class. People don’t know each other, so why would they question what anyone else is doing?

That is not to say that social norms don’t exist. We had some success violating personal space in the library, which might be for the same reason we didn’t get strong reactions at Santa or Power Remix. It’s only when we intrude on personal boundaries and individual isolation can we violate what people care about the most. Social norms get upset when two women walk down Beaver on a Friday night holding hands. LGBT people upset social norms by their very existence. Even allies to liberation movement upset social norms for many people, because what kind of guy wants to be a strong feminist, or why would a straight person work towards queer liberation? To me these reactions to allies are a testament to the importance of these movements and the extent to which liberation upsets social norms.

Dressing Inappropiately

Click on the link in the title to see the reactions of the students in Sydney's class after she told them that she had performed a social experiment on them. Her professor also gives his reaction to the entire situation.

Sitting on Santa's Lap

I went along with Sydney, Fitz, and Anna to see Santa at the mall today. I had the job of taking some pictures of reactions from the crowd, but like Sydney said, there wasn't a whole lot of weird response from the crowd. The only thing I noticed however, was that the lady who was helping the photographer went around asking people if anyone wanted just to talk to Santa and not get a picture. She skipped right over our group, I'm assuming because she figured that in no way would college kids want to sit on Santa's lap without getting a picture. Below are a few pictures from the day.

Sitting on Santa's Lap

Today Fitz and I sat on Santa's lap at the mall and told him all about what we wanted for Christmas. Honestly, there didn't seem to be too much of a reaction. While we were standing in line none of the parents of kids seemed to find it weird- I honestly believe it was because everybody was too wrapped up in their own lives to notice anyone else! When we got to the front of the line there was some confusion from the woman who was directing traffic as to why we were there and whether or not we had a small child with us. We ended up telling her what we were doing and asking how often they get teenagers/college students in line for pictures and she said on a regular bases between the hours of 12 and 8 they'll get anywhere from 10 to 20 of them to get pictures (not just to visit, though, like we were). Santa was also really good about it- I could see where it would've been awkward if we hadn't played along when he was joking with us, but I didn't feel all that weird. We both sat on his lap at once, which worried me b/c we're not the 4 year olds I'm sure he's used to, but he was in good spirits so whatever. Then he told me that I got to tell him what I wanted first because I was younger (Ha ha, Fitz!) and definitely laughed when I told him that what I wanted was for someone to pay for the next 3 years of my tuition. Fitz wanted the last semester of tuition and some new clothes, and then that was it! We said Merry Christmas and left! Like I said before, I didn't feel too weird and no one seemed to mind/care that we were there.

Power Remix

I attended an aerobic dance workout, Power Remix, with Sydney. We chose to do this because men don’t attend these types of workout sessions. While we were waiting to enter the class, I did feel some folks look over, but no prolonged stares. During the whole class I didn’t feel out of place or unwelcomed. No one said anything to me during or afterwards, but no one talked to anyone so it was probably out of exhaustion. I talked to the instructor when most folks had left and explained the purpose of the experiment and asked what her experience with men, or a lack thereof was like. She said that she wished more men came because it’s a good workout for people of any sex. She talked about how some men she’s had in class don’t get into it and that makes the experience difficult or awkward. Because I was enthusiastic and totally committed myself that I was going to do this well, the class was fine.

What I took away from the class, besides some soreness, was that the workout session is fine with having men there. Since I had set my mind to it and acted like there was no reason why I wouldn’t be doing Power Remix, I think that contributed to my sense of belonging. Talking to the instructor made me realize that attitude plays a major role; a woman who showed up to the class for the first time thinking that it was stupid and she wasn’t going to get anything out of it would be more out of place than me. I also believe that these types of classes are female-dominated because men select themselves out. There is probably a sense that it isn’t a masculine workout and that men shouldn’t go, not that an atmosphere from the class itself men don’t belong. There is some sense of embarrassment, but I think everyone feels that depending on their comfort level with themselves, regardless of sex. I was most comfortable when I could show off my hips.

TV in the HUB

As one of our social experiments we decided to take the common phrase, "meet me in front of the big TV in the hub" a little too far. The TV in the hub is controlled by the university and rarely shows anything other than CNN and sports. On this particular day Mike was intruding on everyone's ability to watch the very serious nature of Herman Cain's presidential election...? In this photo Mike is talking loudly to a friend on the phone begging to know where he is. Mike repeatedly assured his friend of his exact location, "IN FRONT OF THE BIG TV, LIKE RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT."

Library Experiment, Perspective 2

During the library experiment I had the job of taking pictures of different people's reactions if I could. By the time I got situated I ended up missing some initial reactions, but this at least gives you guys an image of what Anna actually did and how close to that kid she was sitting. The guy in the background in photo 3 was the guy that offered Anna a chair.

Photo 1














Photo 2














Photo 3