I’ve never been the proponent to open up Netflix or Disney+ for entertainment. YouTube is my cup of tea. But there has been a show that i have consumed in recent months +. Honestly, it surprises me to say this, but I have gained such credible insight from this gem of a series.
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🐻 The Bear
The Bear is a show about Carmy whom is a Chef in Chicago trying to rebuild the long neglected restaurant food spot left by his late brother whom lost his life by suicide. It’s honestly such an intriguing series, both Season 1 and 2 (my favourite being Season 1). Primarily, the eye-catching lesson I personally was taken aback from were the fights. How they handled the misunderstandings, the negativity, the setbacks.
With each mishap that happens there would be a clear person of fault. Yet blame is not of importance, what is is to move on from it and strike through the barrier. They would fight like crazy with slurs, name-calling, personal attacks, and whatnot but they always end up acknowledging their faults, apologising and reinstating their improvement for the future.
Their fights don’t last for days, weeks or years. Of course in a span of a show it seems short. But to me, it seemed so odd to see such fights and not think they would just cut each other off from their independent lives. They were respectful. They talked it out, that’s all it took. To talk it out. Carmy is a buff dude bruh, but nobody was physically hurt. Nobody was smashed in the kitchen floor with a frying pan. All it took was just… to talk it out.
✊ fists over their heart
A little insignia in the show is to rub their closed fists over their heart. Some context, the kitchen of this restaurant that they are rebuilding (+ the restaurant itself) is a total dumpster juice of an establishment. Similar to a person that is rebuilding their lives (a.k.a. me), along the way there are so called, shit that happens. Things that wouldn’t happen otherwise being on good ground.
Their hectic environment of getting quality food out to the world is much less calming than it is to balance a spoonful of oatmeal on a cow’s head. It is mental how toxic the environment can be. With that comes hurtful words and unwanted tones of speech exiting their mouths whilst trying to remember how many steaks need to be on the grill in the next 2 minutes.
Rubbing their fists on their chests signals their utmost apologies in the moment. But it also helps with time. Their kitchen needs to be filled with work. And work cannot be done if they spend even 1 minute talking it out. The signal of putting their fists over their heart, tells the other person that, whatever they had done was not personal and that it is inappropriate. On top of that, that the issue is acknowledged, BUT it shall be discussed later in the day due to handling another order from Puan Zubaidah at table 7.
I assume they only use it very meticulously in the show. In my mind, I can see how somebody could you it just to make another person shut up ahahahha. Neither agreeing or caring about the other. However they don’t disrespect the motive because of the heritage of the fist. Since it originated from Carmy’s late brother, they do use it very carefully. In situations that mean more than not.
In situations that are important.
🛠️ what sells?
I know a lot of media out there isn’t made for the intent to educate. Most of which are mere entertainment vessels, pumping out YouTube Automation channels and repurposing videos and shorts with clips taken from much larger channels. I’m not against it but sometimes I remember Oliver Tree telling Ethan Klein on his H3H3 podcast to go back to the old days of CREATING rather than spewing negativity and fuelling controversy.
I get it though, it sells. So why change something that already works? Yet, when a piece of media teaches you a certain skill, that’s remarkable. If the piece of media acknowledges an uplifting trait that you could replicate, that’s also remarkable.
These shows however are birthed by thought. Created through creating, not consuming. Actions speak louder than words right? As of going to therapy I have managed to have a more clear and open eye to myself, my surroundings, etc. So, having that whilst watching chefs fight and quickly but surely acknowledge their setbacks and moving forward with them, has helped me a lot.
🧠 it’s not the shows…
To me though, it's how we think that makes the difference, not necessarily the type of media.
It depends on you as the viewer. With myself having a background in video editing, it wouldn’t matter if I am watching a movie in the Cinemas or watching a YouTube video, I will always have this thought about how they managed to get a certain look, cut, visual in question. How they even landed on that scene as that scene. From the writer’s room up to the big screen. What about the pacing? How many milliseconds before considering a J-Cut into the next shot?
With my background in computer science, I always am in awe of all the technological advancements that are constantly being spewed into our timelines. iPhone 15 anyone? I can’t say a USB-C port is groundbreaking, but it creates conversation. Granted we all know it happened because of Europe’s Law. I digress, new games, software updates, etc. How is all of this possible? How have we willed our way into such a system (though of nepotism and consumerism… and also capitalism) of such synchrony in finding a better way, everyday, towards solving our problems.
My interest in business and creating a magnitude of wealth for future generations, Insyaallah. Emphasis on interest, not to be confused with “actually doing” ahaha. I always wonder how much modal (capital) is needed for this person to have started this small business. What issues or barriers did they face as they were starting it. Putting the pieces together. What was the anxiousness like? Putting their time, energy and money into this dream of theirs. What type of personal values were created or hindered because of this dream?
😵💫 consume with intent
Which is especially useful nowadays for the younger generation entering their adulthood. Being able to learn from the videos and shows you’re watching is major. We don’t have a syllabus to rely on to keep us on track, you know? Man, adulthood is such a scary place. The wild wild west. I feel very fortunate for the time and chance to have watched this show. To not only get myself out of this rut of a self-diminishing mind I have, but also unexpectedly gain much from it.
Made me think rather than ruminate. Made me ponder rather than scurry away in fear.
Circling back, I love that with a keen eye and an open mind, I get to learn from these shows. Fighting is inevitable, it could be the way to move forward. Yet it should always be resolved. Issues should always be acknowledged. Unfortunate things happen.
But as Mark Manson said, sometimes it's not our fault, but it is always our responsibility.
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