I thought Highmore's take on the everyday was very interesting. He talks about this repetition that we go through in our everyday lives. He is highly critical of this routine we all have by calling it a "straightjacket of dull repetition." I was puzzled by this view of routine. We are creatures of patterns. Our brains like to find repetition and patterns to help conceptualize the world we live in. If we were to completely break our repetitive everyday routines each time one is created, would we be able to survive? Could we live a full life without any type of structure?
When it came to discussing childcare, he acknowledged that it is important that children learn about routines. He also said that this routine can be straining between parents who are "exhausted" from work and children who want to get their attention. He points out that even though these interactions can be frustrating, they are also tender and joyous. My initial observation here was "well duh." These interactions are more than just routine, they are connections between people who care about each other.
My overall reaction is that even though normal routine may seem constrained when you are doing it, when you look back at what you were doing, it seems special. Going to elementary school was extremely boring when you are seven, but looking back at it as an adult, it was a very special time of your life. I think this could be said for many of the normal routines we have.
I feel the same way regarding to the example of childcare about routines, although routines are boring and tough, it provide a way to connect each other and give joy during the process. And people needs routine to establish a kind of pattern of life, and based on this people can start to think of aesthetic.
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