The Ventriloquist & Her Puppet
Ventriloquism-the art of throwing one’s voice without moving one’s lips and also to create a sense of distance from the observer, is the fascinating art form we explore in this week’s episode of the Lipstick Society. Join Dr.TWL on this episode where she delves into the psychology behind what mesmerizes us. A tale of watching a puppet master with his puppet, but also one unfolding before your very eyes. Listen to the end and you’ll be surprised at what you find!
Anyone who has ever enjoyed a ventriloquist performance will testify to just how… a silly speaking puppet can be so amazing. Why should it be amazing? Your phone, Siri speaks too, on its own. I’m sure there are already plenty of talking robots or robot pets around as well. Or, just turn on the TV, watch a cartoon, plenty of silly muppet shows ought to entertain you if you are into cute talking stuffed animals.
But, no. This isn’t the same. In ventriloquism, one is essentially not truly entertained by the speaking puppet. Instead, by the amazing powers of its puppet master. Who, appears right in the same frame. The stage of imagination, upon which our minds are captivated, in a trance-like state… by the hypnotic emission of other worldly sounds from a fellow human being. Who’s as close to us as they are distant from the very puppet they are manoeuvring. In fact this is the heart of ventriloquism. Defined as the art of “throwing’ the voice. Or more precisely, as speaking in such a manner that the sound appears to be coming at a distance or from a source other than the speaker.
Do we enjoy deception?
By the way, that’s not all. We are also astounded by the convincing disguise, a deception, so cleverly crafted, right in front of our eyes. The key here is how ventriloquists are able to make all manner of sounds with lips only slightly separated. Keeping up the grand illusion which we oh so enjoy— of being deceived.
Does this surprise you? That we can enjoy being deceived? Well, I think the difference here is that as a stage art, this thoroughly appeals to our subconscious states. Oh, the delicate balance between 2 alternating states. One in which we think we are sharp enough to discern right through any shady pretences. And the other, the ominous reminder that we are neither omnipotent omniscient nor omnipresent. While simultaneously finding a man and his dummy entertaining .
What does this tell us about what us human beings truly desire?
The ventriloquist’s dummy, whether in the shape of a hand held puppet or a life sized wood carving. Well ought to be a symbolic reminder to ourselves. In our minds do we secretly identify with the puppet master, or do we crave a reality where we are empowered to manoeuvre the external with the same dexterity, as the ventriloquist so does with his puppet?
In the last episode we cover how my dear friends perceive my less than perfect operatic renditions as comedic to my dear friends, but not my teacher. Who, perhaps, as the master of his craft, was also well able to disguise his true emotions well. Or maybe… just maybe. Am I secretly anxious that there may just be a whole lot of people that I’ve encountered in my lifetime. Whose true intentions I have never correctly discerned. But more than that, is the dehumanising reality of artificial intelligence the harbinger of something even more sinister.. a world in which the master puppet makers are seeking to control each and every one of us. That our voices become a mere echo of theirs, which we articulate with our own lips, so convincingly that we find ourselves insisting is our own. Ooh, chilling. What do you think?
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