ABSTRACT
PIPER: I hold monologues with myself, and whenever anyone passes near me, within hearing distance, I try to direct the monologue toward them without changing the presentation or the content of what I’m saying. Usually, when I know that someone is approaching me, I find that I’m psychologically preparing myself for their approach. I’m turning around
to meet them, and I have a whole presentation for their benefit, because they are there, and I’m aware of them. I’m trying not to do that. I’m not sure whether or not I’m involving myself in a contradiction. On the one hand, I want to register my awareness of someone else’s existence, of someone approaching me and intruding into my sense of self, but I don’t want to present myself artificially in any way. I want to try to incorporate them into my own consciousness.
