The Illusion of Perception and Control | Ami Shroff | TEDxXIE

Perception and Illusion in Performance - The speaker's journey with object manipulation, starting with nunchucks at age 8 or 9, evolved into a form of meditation and therapy, influencing perception [2] - Perception is limited by how our eyes catch light and movement, and how we focus, impacting how we see things [2] - The speaker's early experiences with nunchucks and water bottles (500 ml - 700 ml) led to an interest in juggling before bartending [4][5] - Perception plays with our minds, creating both positive journeys and mind blocks that limit our understanding [5][6] Mixology and Presentation - Mixology and bartending heavily rely on presentation, including garnish, glassware, ingredients, and storytelling [7] - Presentation in the bar industry can be artistic but also manipulative, influenced by societal structures like capitalism, consumerism, patriarchy, misogyny, racism, and castism [7] - The speaker observes the bar industry from an "outside" perspective, questioning areas of life and forms of oppression [7][8] Social Commentary and Industry Critique - The speaker critiques the capitalistic nature of the bar industry and its growth over the last 20 years, questioning whether it is something to be proud of [9][10] - The speaker suggests that the industry is not essential for society, but hospitality is, and that the commercialization of alcohol and environmental/human exploitation are problematic [11] - The speaker highlights the interconnectedness of industries, including war, medicine, and the bar industry, supported by a mirage of disconnection [11] - The speaker advocates for recognizing and relinquishing privileges (e g, speaking colonized languages, financial power, race, cast, gender, orientation) to break down oppressive systems [19]