Songs of Amythic Death Anxiety

"I hate puzzles and I hate knots"

Scenography (Sc.)

As you and your Master of Scenarios get to know each other

Special effort is required to ensure mutual understanding

Music: “I hate puzzles and I hate knots"

Instrumental during the lecture-presentation

Vocals between verses

Master of Scenarios:

(Singing)

I hate puzzles and I hate knots

Don’t ever expect me to pick up on your

Cues and clues and hints and subtext

Participants:

How can you possibly not understand what I said?

   And mean

   And want

   And need

How can you possibly not understand?

Master of Scenarios:

Today we experiment with morality and symbolic immortality

You will design your annual rituals celebrating your birth and death

You will again ascend Sinai with your Master of Scenarios

How might you make an offering of your unique experiment of the universe?

You may have noticed, sitting at the bar

Council members are observing the workshop

Ernest Becker wonders whether your rituals are accommodating or masking death

Robert Jay Lifton is watching for authentic expressions of symbolic immortality

Loyal Rue is watching for signs of amythia and re-envisioning myth

Sheldon Solomon is watchful for responses to mortality salience

Can rituals that re-envision myth reduce aggressive worldview defence?