So we act to survive every day. It’s an interesting thought really that Marlon Brando brings up even if Dick Cavett can’t seem to believe it. It really does bring up an interesting aspect of humanity that never really gets called into question that often.
We act to survive. Think about that.
Do you always act the way you’re thinking, or think about the way you’re acting? Being forthright and upfront is not always on everybody’s mind. There are times when we act contrary to our nature and tend to act one way even if we’re thinking another. We could be extremely angry at another person and still not display our inner feelings. We could be sad and appear strong or happy or even neutral. That’s a method of acting to survive, or simply to blend in with society.
While Brando went on a tangent to Dick Cavett about how he acted in a different manner, just as anyone else could, he also made the point that Dick could be thinking about a great many things at the moment and not show a single one of them in his actions or his mannerisms. We act in accordance to what society seems to want to see. That would explain a lot of reality shows and how they get away with so much insipid programming really. But the truth of it is that many people will show the world a different face on the outside than they are harboring on the inside.
Actors are paid to lie in a sense. They get to pretend that they are someone else, a different persona, a different ego even. They are essentially paid to lie to the public in a fun and entertaining way. But beyond the screen, acting is a survival and societal trait. It is the manner in which we act to get what we want, to manipulate our surroundings and those in them, so that we can in a sense survive and fit into our society. One of the very confusing aspects of this is that it can be done with no malicious intent and only to procure what we need, or it can be completely purposeful and used against people rather than for their betterment.
Acting is a trait that many can use to get their way when people around them are being reluctant to give them what they want. It is a trait that we learn as children in order to get what we desire and thus gain the satisfaction that said desire will bring. Fortunately it is also an act that many are able to pick up on. A good number of adults know how to spot the act from the real thing considering that by knowing an individual and seeing what they are capable of throughout the years it is possible to see their real face and persona.
As a character trait acting is very much used for survival, but it is also a manner of societal manipulation. The best actors on screen can convince you through their words and actions to feel a certain way or experience one emotion or another. In real life it is just as simple. The only differences is that when the movie is over so are the emotions. In real life the manipulation is an ongoing thing.
Follow Us
