"Locating the Researcher in Time and Space: What Led Me To Do Research on Humiliation and International Conflict"
Course organised by Professor Jacqueline Howell Wasilewski, Intercultural Communication, Division of International Studies, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan, June 8, 2006. Lecturer: Evelin Lindner

 

 

"Locating the Researcher in Time and Space: What Led Me to Do Research on Humiliation and International Conflict"
Interpersonal Communication class organized by Professor Jacqueline Howell Wasilewski, Intercultural Communication, Division of International Studies, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan, June 8, 2006. Lecturer: Evelin Lindner.
Please click here or on the picture to see more pictures.

 

Article in the International Herald Tribune/Asahi Shimbun:

Marie Doezema from International Herald Tribune/Asahi Shimbun, participated in this class and wrote Weekend Beat/She trots the 'global village' (International Herald Tribune/Asahi Shimbun, July 8, 2006; I apologize that some factual mistakes slipped through; please check with me before quoting).

Comments from the class:

1. “zero identity” – “living in the question mark” – “learn about the world for not again war” – “global responsibility” – these words from Prof. Lindner’s lecture hit me. I’ve been depressed and wondering whether I am needed by others. Her lecture made me think that it is our responsibility to understand the world, which I never really recognized before. I felt that there might be the responsibility in my community that I should be in charge of, the responsibility that I can take. If so, I won’t have to feel unwanted or question myself “what am I for?”

2. Ms. Evelin’s lecture was INCREDIBLE! Her life story made me think a lot about how war can affect one’s life, and get deeper into the world. “Stand up and not “by,” I really like this quote. I think that “world peace” is never achievable, however, I am totally for this. The way Ms. Evelin has decided to dedicate her life to the study of “humiliation” inspires me. She’s trying something that nobody has ever done & she’s gone through a lot in her life to find out what she really wants to do. My question is, “How do you find something like this to become THE PASSION of your life?” How do you give up a medical doctor/psychologist position for a study without so much support? Incredible, very incredible. Thank you for asking her to come & talk to our class.

3. Really, really interesting. I never thought humiliation as a driving force for non-cooperation, but when I think about it, it makes sense…

4. Why did al million people had to move from Poland to Germany after WWII ended? … I didn’t quote understand.
I thought she is doing a big thing. Not a thing which everyone could do. To be the frontier … on studies of humiliation.. it seems very challenging, yet she seemed to absolved that challenge!

5. It’s very interesting lecture. Thank you very much.

6. Very interesting lecture by Dr. Lindner. Its really not common to see someone that is so strong willed about her topic, and is strong and brave enough to start something like this.

7. I was very happy to be able to listen to this lecture. The topic of humiliation was very interesting and very new to me. For myself at the age of 20, I find it amazing tat one could grasp something you could pursue for a lifetime.

8. You asked when we did the enneagram that when you are told that you have to leave tomorrow what would I bring. She asked the same question.

9. It was interesting to listen to Ms. Lindner’s life story. Although it is very hard for me to imagine the situation she had to face at the age of 9. It’s also amazing how we meet, interact, and communicate with people who also carry each impressing life story.

10. She gived me many ideas and possibilities for my future!!

11. I want to look at the website or maybe her book sometimes. Thank you!

12. very interesting course.

13. I think humiliation is difficult to define in detail because some people will not consider certain things to be humiliation. I think it would be difficult depending on age and culture.

14. I thought it was amazing how she was able to reflect on her past, her family’s past and be able to make use of how she felt, what she learned from all her experience.

15. I think it was really strong will that she decided to not becoming Christian though all the family members are Christian except herself.

16. I think we should consider what can we co to stand up for the planet.

17. Really amazed about that story of the exhibition at the park. Gave me some confidence that one person does actually have the power to move thousands of others that have been waiting for something like that. I was also amazed of how much you ‘ve covered socially up to the level that you can speak up in front of the whole class.

18. I thought that Holocaust was finished already and the responsibility was only for Germany. But, I realized it has been still now and, I have to take care of it.

19. I’ve fought with my parents & have thought about getting out of the house, but by listening to the lecture, I thought mine was nothing. The size of the conflict may not matter, but I noticed that there are many kinds of conflicts and looking through…

20. I was surprised that Ms. Lindner lives totally in her own intentional world, without being influenced by anything. I guess she has very strong spirit.

21. I am moved by your courage to change your life from 19 years old and to do the campaign.

22. I’m so sorry in the end of class I got call from sb with loud music… Sorry …

23. I was wondering why Dr. Lindner was different from other members of her family and she kept being that way. If I were in her situation, maybe I will trey to change myself so that I can feel more accepted by my family.

24. It was interesting to hear about a life of a person who had gone through awfully difficult times, yet has used that experience into a life project. She was so motivated toward accomplishing things and energetic – perhaps it’s some people and I who aren’t motivated enough to achieve something in life.

25. I found the lecturer’s life interesting. How her life (homeless, resistance to the fundamental religion) directed her to the career now. I hope that my life will be full of events that could lead me to my career.

26. It was not familiar to me to think that the world is like TITANIC sinking down to the sea. I live in the luxury floor of course, but I’ve rarely thought about lower people living in the boat. It was very good chance to hear this lecture.

27. I never thought of the world as a big Titanic, but that made so much sense. It made me realize how small my won problems are compared to others at the bottom of the ship. However, when I tried to think about what I may be able to do for the world, it seems that I need to take care of those problems of my own, to have the miniscule capacity to care for others. 

28. I’m so glad I had the chance to listen to Evelin’s presentation today. It’s certainly a lifestyle that not everyone will choose, but I think there’s a lot to learn from her. It made me realize the importance of both formal study and personal experience.

29. I didn’t know there is new studies on humiliation. The question “who am I” is a difficult to answer, because the answer is on what I’m now experiencing. It was interesting to listen to Ms. Evelin Lindner’s lecture.

30. Her and her family’s experience was nodigmous (?) and it was difficult for me to imagine. However, I was moved by her strength and activeness. I would like to read her book. But if I could read many English… Thank you for inviting her. I ‘glad to fenom (?) her.

31. I almost shed tears when I heard Lindner’s story.

32. When I ask myself what my “life project” is, honestly, I don’t know. I guess trying new things and doing what I want to do at this moment will in some way lead to finding my goad. The problem with so many people these days, is that many are too indifferent about things in life and what surrounds them. Being interested in things will lead to more peace.

33. It was a very inspiring lecture!! Since I am greatly confused with what I want to do with my life right now, Dr. Lindner’s stories would definitely give me a food for thought. Although I am going to study Conflict Resolution for this fall, I still do not have an idea on which aspect of studies I want to concentrate on. However, listening to today’s lecture, I knew that I chose the right path. I would like to find my own way of contributing to the global society in the future. Thank you very much!

On 21st June 2006, Rajaganesan Dakshinamoorthi kindly comments:
My Dear Evelin
Greetings.  I read the excerpts from the feedbacks from your audience. Blessed is he/she who discovers his/her vocation early in life. A few years ago I wrote on 'Autobiography and Education': I found great men like Mahathma Gandhi and Bertrand Russell had been able to crystallise and capture the essence of their lives into a single theme.

Mahathma Gandhi titled his autobiography 'My Experiments with TRUTH'. It was written midway in his lifecourse. He stuck to his experiments with truth to the very end of his life.

Bertrand Russell, a Nobel Prize winning philosopher of the last century, wrote his autobiography as the last, parting book, when he had been 98 years old. In its prologue Russell wrote,
'Three things have tossed me hither and thither:
A longing for love,
a thirst for knowledge, and
unbearable pity for the suffering mankind'.

He summed up the singular quest of his life course as:
'Throughout these long years of life I sought peace.
I found joy,
I found despair,
I found madness,
I found anguish
I found ecstasy
But peace I never found.'

Jean Paul Sartre, another Nobel Prize winning philosopher of the last century, titled his autobiography 'Words'. He neatly divides his lifespan into two phases:
the first one devoted to reading, reading, reading, devouring WORDS from books, encyclopaedias, newspapers, magazines.
the second phase devoted to writing, writing, WRITING, writing as an abreaction, uncontrollable flow - of WORDS.

You have found understanding the dynamics and provenance of humiliation as the central theme of your lifecourse. The discovery from within of such a singular compass for lifecourse is really blessing since you will have something to contemplate with satisfaction when you look back upon your life.

Lesser mortals spend their entire lifetimes trying to find out what they want to do in and with this world and depart even before they find it out. This is the worst group.

Blessed are the others too who never bother to take such a holistic view of their lives and live from moment to moment!

Wishing you all success and with warm regards and love
Very sincerely yours
D.Raja Ganesan