Re: Fascinatin' Rhythm [Debate]

Matthew Hill (mhhill@WATARTS.UWATERLOO.CA)
Wed, 14 Feb 1996 09:33:08 -0500

On Tue, 13 Feb 1996, Ruby Rohrlich wrote:

> Lynn, the Sumerians, considered the earliest "civilization," seemed to
> have been the first to have formal armies, so they probably practiced

What probablility? I have the vague recollection that much of Roman
military success stemmed from their organization while fighting armies
which were essentially armed mobs. I am certainly outside my experience
here, however

> military drill, which is used to impose uniformity not only in marching
> but, along with similar practices, in thinking, as well, and perhaps
> that's its main purpose. Very different from any kind of dancing, which
> expresses ethos, joy, art, spontaneity, etc. Best wishes. Ruby
>
Here I can speak from observation. Having accompanied one of my kids to
Dance Classes and Competitions for something like 10 years, I can testify
that there is almost no joy, art only in the most technical sense and
a complete lack of spontaneity in that particular sphere of dance. Drill
yes spontaneity no.

Matthew Hill (mhhill@watarts.uwaterloo)