Re: Melissa's criticisms of Mindwalk. I, too, had the same problem:
the film seemed pretentious and banal -- particularly when compared
to My Dinner With Andre.
I did not rent it, however; I saw it among a group of enthusiastic
people, a group of people whom I liked and admired. And was visiting
for the weekend. Come to think of it, I had only just met nearly
all of them.
The film obviously had something to say of value to them. I've
been tempted to say, "It just told them what they already believed,
and therefore they liked it." But I don't think that's fair. I think
the film articulated a way of thinking that they didn't get to
see articulated very much.
Melissa, you live and work in a community full of scientists.
These people were in an industrial setting in Texas. It's not
that they were less cosmopolitan or capable -- they were
very smart, aware people -- but their milieu, I think, may
have made them hungrier for something that Mindwalk delivered.
I would actually like to see the film again sometime.
I think your other point is important, however: It's incumbent
on Learning Organization advocates to resist the temptation
to provide "easy peace, love and understanding." Not because
it will get hooted at -- though it will -- but because that
easy stuff will drive out the more difficult messages, which
have to do with collaborative efforts to build collaborative
character.
-- Art Kleiner, art@well.sf.ca.us