Brendan Donohue
Prof. Cripps
English 122 B
20 November 2017
The Art Of Blending In
Although I will likely never have a need to disguise myself as a tree or rock, I have recently undergone a sobering realization that I have more in common with a Chameleon than I had previously known. The main attribute of the feeble muscled Chameleon is not a massive mane for attracting mates or appearing stronger, but the ability to blend into its environment and take the shape of an inanimate object as a defense mechanism. Which leads into my recent realization that sometimes, blending in is winning. James Paul Gee, a psycholinguistic and Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist have both published works on what it means to blend into your environment and how one can successful enter a discourse. As James Paul Gee (Gee) says, “Discourses are ways of being in the world; they are forms of life which integrate words, acts, values, beliefs, attitudes, and social identities as well as gestures, glances, body positions, and clothes” (Gee 6). Amy Cuddy (Cuddy) in her recent Ted Talk discusses the significance of none verbal communication and what body language can communicate, and how we can take advantage of it to succeed. Gee and Cuddy both offer real world advice and practical application techniques for blending in and how to enter into an arena or realm of society as an outsider. I agree with the respective individual beliefs of both Gee and Cuddy, but in my personal experience and own opinion I think a combination of both their techniques is the best way of proceeding.
Gee’s in-depth and detailed introduction to the newly emerging field of literacy studies places an emphasization on the significance that language plays in human relations and more specifically grammar. He believes that how you say something is just as important as what you actually say.
It is a truism that a person can know perfectly the grammar of a language and not know how to use that language. It is not just what you say, but how you say it. If I enter my neighborhood bar and say to my tattooed drinking buddy, as I sit down, “May I have a match please?” My grammar is perfect, but what I have said is wrong nonetheless… It is not just how you say it, but what you are and do when you say it (Gee 5).
It is evident in this excerpt from Gee that it is crucial for ones language to match the existing social constructs and expectations of the given discourse. And by not doing so, it can become obvious that one is not native to the discourse and therefore can fail to actively enter or participate in it. Gee goes on to explain that failure to use proper grammar is the biggest limiting factor for someone to enter a new discourse, and that one must take methodical steps in order enter. He suggests the practice of; “… enculturation (“apprenticeship”) into social practices through scaffolded and supported interaction with people who have already mastered the Discourse’” (Gee 7). Gee is strict in his belief that this is the necessary and only true way of entering a discourse. However, Cuddy has a different opinion on what exactly it means to enter a discourse and the best way to go about doing it.
In her June 2012 Ted Talk, Cuddy discusses what she believes to be the most effective and efficient way to succeed when faced with a challenge similar to Gee’s discourse proposal. Cuddy acknowledges the importance of body language and how it can speak volumes about an individual and how it can convey thoughts and feeling without verbalization. Cuddy reflecting on a non-handshake between the President of the United States and a Prime Minister as clear evidence on her opinion of the significance of non-verbal communication:
So a handshake, or the lack of a handshake, can have us talking for weeks and weeks and weeks. Even the BBC and The New York Times. So obviously when we think about nonverbal behavior, or body language — but we call it nonverbals as social scientists — it’s language, so we think about communication. When we think about communication, we think about interactions. So what is your body language communicating to me? What’s mine communicating to you? (Cuddy).
For Amy Cuddy, the ability to successfully blend into what Gee describes as a discourse, nonverbals are crucial. She believes body language is capable of exuding confidence, ability to perform, and even tricking your mind and the minds of others, into thinking that you are capable of something you are not. Cuddy goes as far as to insinuate that simple body language can cause people to think that you are strong, smarter, and more capable. I can attest to Cuddy’s theory based on my own personal experiences of making judgments based out the outward appearance of others. However, I think to become fluent in a practice or discourse, Cuddy’s practice may not be enough.
Based on my interpretation of Gee’s thoughts on entering a discourse, I cannot help but feel that he approaches the topic with antagonistic view. He implies that without complete ability to operate within a discourse, that one has no chance to succeed. Furthermore, before one should even attempt to enter, they should complete a lengthy “apprenticeship” (Gee 7) process to become sufficiently prepared. I do not agree with this claim by Gee. I do not see entering a discourse as being black and white, pass or fail. Rather entering a discourse successfully is more of a grey area. Studying under someone who is already in the discourse as well as practicing applicable skills required by the discourse is certainly a way to better improve your chances of success. But I think Gee’s theory lacks some of the optimism seen in Cuddy, and getting right into it and “fake it till you make it” (Cuddy). I strongly believe there is merit behind what Cuddy says in using body language to your own advantage. It is quick, practical, and by conscious self-configuration of your own body language you can “Get your testosterone up. Get your cortisol down” (Cuddy).
To clearly demonstrate my opinion on the theories of Gee and Cuddy I draw on an experience of mine and how I employed both of their techniques long before I knew they existed. Growing up I was always one the bigger, more mature kids in my age group. I was certainly nowhere near one of the better looking, but being bigger and more mature did have its benefits. One of which was getting called up to play for the varsity high school hockey team as a middle school student. I had been impressed when watching them play in the past and I became very nervous when I received the invitation. I would be playing with much better and older players, none of whom I knew. As soon as I got off the phone with the coach I began to carry myself a little taller and more confident, although I was feeling very anxious internally. This action is very similar to what Cuddy promotes in her theory. I felt nervous and anxious, yet I began to carry myself as though I did belong on the team. Soon after being called up and invited to skate and play with the older guys, I also began to employ the techniques promoted by Gee. I went to my basement and began to work on my skills. Playing with the bigger and better older guys would require me to elevate my game to blend in at the very least. It was my natural tendency to change my physical presentation as well as work on my specific applicable skills at the same time as an immediate response.
Reflecting on the techniques that I have employed thus far in my life in attempt to enter a new discourse, I have realized something intriguing. When facing a challenge like playing for the varsity ice hockey team, my techniques run very parallel to the theories of both Gee and Cuddy. There is no arguing the importance of how knowledge and skill can improve your chances of succeeding in a new environment or overcoming a challenge. At the same time taking advantage of the neurology and the wiring of our brains and bodies to boost our own confidence is a fascinating technique proposed by Cuddy. I will undoubtedly attempt to make Cuddy’s theory a regular part of my preparation.
Works Cited
Gee, J. P. (1989). Literacy, discourse, and linguistics: An introduction. Journal of Education,
171.1 5-17.
Cuddy, Amy. “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are.” Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are, June 2012,
