Agency is something I tend to think a lot about, as the idea that all actions are our own choices is something I'm constantly reminded of as a person trying to live ethically. In each situation, we are given a choice so long as we know of something's existence. Whether it's showing up to a protest about race, or actively choosing not to show up - that choice says something about our ethics and who we are. And more importantly, how we see others around us. The idea that everything we do is a choice - including the choice to not do anything. Cooper's article in particular resonated with me. Especially idea that our actions are how we show who we are - and "to deny one's actions is to deny one's existence" (Cooper, 436). There's a reason why in theater, an important principle is "show, don't tell". Our actions say so much more about who we are, our values, and what we believe in; though we can say whatever we want. The actual choices we make and actions we take are what truly define us. I think I connected so much with Cooper's article because I feel they hammered in the point (perhaps indirectly) that everything we do is in itself an action that we take with our own agency.
An example provided that I enjoyed was that of a man stating he'd been persuaded by a rhetor... "he is not merely describing something that has happened to him. In spite of the grammar, he is describing something he has done" (Cooper, 437). I enjoyed this because it is the acknowledgment that the willingness the man put forward to listen and challenge his preconceived views enough to agree with the rhetor is a choice. The man could have chosen not to challenge the choice or idea he had in his mind. He could have chosen to simply not listen at all. However, he did, and in listening and responding, he's made the choice to allow himself to be persuaded.
One thing I was wondering about was if the text would bring up agency in relation to people with impaired judgement. Considering recent events in social media and even in my personal life, I think it's important to look at agency in regards to those who face impaired judgement - like those in a manic episode, those who may be suffering with depression, anxiety, or those who aren't sober. With my own relationships with people who face impaired judgement on a regular basis, it's difficult to equate when their actions aren't necessarily taken with agency. A manic person may be unable to perceive the people around them as equals due to a god complex that takes place. Should they then be perceived as people with equal agency and consequences despite their mental illness? Or should they simply be brushed off, and allowed the same judgment when they come down from the episode and are able to acknowledge what they've done and how they've treated others around them? It's a topic that I find difficult to navigate, and I'd love to explore it with other readings, or even for my potential research project. In most of the examples and readings, it seemed that the concept of agency was only taken into consideration that every person is of sound mind and body, and are equipped with all the necessary tools to engage with their environment critically and rationally. However, the readings would probably be at least twice as long if they were to dip into that. It's simply something I'd like to explore in the future, as the concept is important; especially now that we live in a society that is taking mental health seriously.
1. Cooper, Marilyn M. "Rhetorical Agency as Emergent and Enacted"
I liked your interpretation on the concept of agency, specifically because I chose to write about agency as well and you had some points that I had not thought of. I liked that you said that agency includes both our actions and lack of action, that deciding not to take action is still a choice, just maybe not an active one. I also resonated with the example you gave regarding theater, "show don't tell." That's something I was thinking about while reading the Cooper reading. I've taken a few screenwriting classes and something that comes up a lot is people often writing long scenes that contain heavy dialogue that could just be condensed down to a page or two if it was acted out physically instead, depicted through actions. There's a reason silent film was so successful.
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