Brotherly Wisdom

"All performance is interpretation. All interpretation is highlighting." - Hans-Georg Gadamer Truth and Method p. 401

I vividly remember the class. The course was entitled "Issues in Theological Method." Dr. Kreider showed us this video:

[Scrapped it because I couldn't make it stop auto-playing...figure both of my readers have already seen it anyway. Otherwise, Youtube it: "NIN-Hurt"]

then he showed us this video:




He then leaned back in his chair slowly stroking his goatee and asked, "Was that the same song?" Silence ensued. You could tell by the smirk he was hiding behind his bearded grimace that there was a right answer and that he fully expected us to get it wrong. I decided whatever the first person said, I'd say the opposite. Don't remember what the right answer was, but I know what Gadamer would say. He'd say "Es ist das gleiche Lied." Which is German for "It's the same song." (Thank you, Babelfish) But he would go on (in German) to show how this is a perfect example of how each performance is another interpretation. Granted, Trent Resnor's interpretation at the Town Theatre in Kansas City may be very similar to his interpretation at the Paramount in Cedar Rapids, but they are different. (This was never more apparent than when James Taylor sang "Fire and Rain" on the 9/11 memorial special.) So, now allow me to sit back and stroke my baby's bottom chin and ask: What did Johnny highlight? What did Resnor highlight?