This book is about how to visually experience the power of culture. The book structure follows a workshop on culture where 13 of us visited a Church, a Hindu Temple and the Apple Store. Every culture creates its own signs and symbols to give a coherent meaning to reality. The book teaches us to be observant, respectful and curious about different cultures and in so doing, we enhance our vision, perception and become culturally intelligent.
Here is a video summary of the book
https://youtu.be/pTSFmiA1Wk4
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Three Semiotic Walks was initially my observations, perceptions and reflections from a three-day workshop in Aberdeen. Thirteen of us went to observe the culture of a Presbyterian Church, a Hindu Temple and the Apple Store. In the Social Psychology of Risk, we call such an experience a ‘Semiotic Walk’. What this means is that we immerse ourselves in the culture and envision what we see semiotically.
As we walked, we started to realise how our perceptions act as a filter (or lens’) for experiencing all reality and what we have accepted (and normalised) as our reality continues to shape our future experiences. Our worldview shapes how we see the world.
One of the benefits of walking and observing semiotically is seeing things from a different perspective. This helps us learn to envision.
Here are some of the challenges this book presents:
Three Semiotic Walks helps us to question our deeply-held assumptions about the world and, exercise caution in making judgments about another culture. In doing so, we become self-reflective, humble and curious about ourselves and others.
“A lucid account of a profoundly moving program, grounded in embodied personal and interpersonal experiences, that has been shown to enhance psychological well-being and foster a sense of cosmological coherence and connection.”
Professor Sheldon Solomon, Social Psychologist and Fellow Walker
