Key Moments
Unfiltered: What the Algorithm Never Sees | Remona Pereira | TEDxNIIT University
TEDKey Moments
An artist's 170-hour dance marathon, initially planned as meditation, pushed beyond human limits and revealed the immense gap between online perception and an artist's unseen struggles.
Key Insights
Artist Remona Pereira began her Bharatanatyam journey at 2.5 years old and sees it as encompassing culture, fashion, and music beyond just dance.
Pereira highlights that algorithms often reward instant attention and viral success, while the majority of an artist's discipline, failure, and perseverance remain unseen.
The 170-hour dance marathon was initially conceived as a meditation to disconnect from the outside world and social media, not as a public performance event.
Despite societal pressures and criticism, Pereira emphasizes that artists must push their limits, as personal potential is often unknown without trying.
Her journey, notably as a female dancer raised by a single mother, involved significant travel challenges on Indian railways, including sleeping at stations due to lack of accommodation.
Pereira advocates for self-reliance and self-belief, urging others to use their past accomplishments, like her 170-hour dance achievement, as a benchmark for overcoming future challenges.
The hidden labor behind perceived success
Remona Pereira's TEDx talk, 'Unfiltered: What the Algorithm Never Sees,' confronts the stark contrast between the polished portrayals of achievement online and the arduous, invisible journey that underpins them. In an era dominated by algorithms that favor instant virality and superficial attention, Pereira, a Bharatanatyam dancer, emphasizes that the true depth of an artist's work—the countless hours of discipline, the inevitable failures, and the relentless perseverance—are rarely acknowledged. This disconnect creates a distorted perception, leading to a lack of appreciation for the dedication involved. Pereira begins by posing a question about performing risky acts, setting a tone for discussing the courage required to pursue one's passions, even when they challenge conventional norms or involve danger, such as performing with fire or on glass pieces. Her own journey into Bharatanatyam started at the tender age of two and a half, a path that revealed not just the art form but also a deep connection to Indian culture, music, and fashion. This dedication came with societal hurdles; choosing Bharatanatyam from a different religious background was not easy due to stereotypes that unfairly associate it with a specific faith, a misconception Pereira is keen to dispel. She argues that any dance form is universal, meant for everyone regardless of age, caste, or religion, yet artists often face criticism and partiality, especially when they are young and still establishing themselves.
Navigating criticism and societal pressures
Pereira points out the pervasive criticism and partiality artists encounter, an experience amplified for students who are often treated as peers rather than dedicated practitioners. She stresses the importance of treating artists with equal respect. For those in their late teens and early twenties, this pressure extends beyond their artistic pursuits. Pereira describes a shared experience of loneliness, depression, and anxiety among her age group, often hidden due to societal expectations to be independent and secure at this stage of life. Decisions are frequently dictated by external opinions rather than personal aspirations, leading to a draining internal conflict. The challenge of balancing academics with artistic training is immense, yet Pereira encourages embracing one's chosen path, be it dance, sports, or any other creative field, affirming that individuality is inherently valuable and external judgment should not deter one from pursuing passions.
The 170-hour dance marathon: a personal meditation
A pivotal element of Pereira's talk is her experience undertaking a 170-hour dance marathon, an event that highlights her core message about pushing personal boundaries and the true nature of dedication. Initially, the idea was not to set a record or gain external validation, but rather to find a profound form of meditation and escape from the overwhelming stress of the outside world and social media. Her goal was to disconnect and find solace in dance, which had consistently been her source of happiness and support. However, the event was perceived by many as a 'dance marathon,' a label Pereira finds somewhat melancholic because its essence was deeply personal and meditative, not a competition or endurance test. When she unveiled her plan, many expressed disbelief, deeming 170 hours of continuous dancing humanly impossible, citing the lack of rest and sleep. This skepticism, though initially discouraging, prompted Pereira to question why she should judge her own capacity without attempting it. She passionately argues that we can never truly know our capabilities unless we take the leap and try, stating, 'We will never know our capacity, our capability without us trying.' This personal revelation underscores the theme that self-doubt and external limitations often prevent individuals from discovering their true potential.
Overcoming internal barriers to independence
Pereira shares her personal struggle with achieving independence, illustrating it through her aspiration to pursue a Master's degree in Bharatanatyam. Several internal obstacles currently hold her back, which she is actively working to overcome. A significant conflict arises from her desire for independence, not in the sense of severing ties with family, but in living life on her own terms while still contributing to her family's well-being responsibly. She expresses a need for the confidence to manage life alone, but admits to being reliant on her mother, which creates a dependency that hinders her full autonomy. The prospect of moving out is daunting, acknowledging that the initial period will be difficult, a sentiment she believes many can relate to, but ultimately views such transitions as achievements that foster personal growth and self-sufficiency. This pursuit of independence is framed not as a disconnection from loved ones, but as a crucial step towards self-realization and capability.
The ephemeral nature of motivation and the need for self-push
Addressing her peers, particularly members of 'Gen Z,' Pereira discusses the common experience of fleeting motivation. She describes how a sudden surge of inspiration to accomplish a task, like cleaning a room, can dissipate quickly if met with instruction or external direction, such as a parent telling them to do it. This pattern, she notes, leads to self-sabotage, where initial enthusiasm is abandoned. Pereira emphasizes that true progress requires actively pushing one's limits, a principle that applies universally to artists, athletes, and musicians. She acknowledges that she still faces partiality and disrespect as an artist, even after achieving certain recognitions, which she prefers to call blessings. This ongoing struggle highlights the sad reality of how artists are often treated based on age or appearance, expected to constantly adjust and compromise—actions that inadvertently lead to self-demotivation. The internal question, 'Why am I doing so much when I'm getting that level of respect?' arises, but she answers it by stating that their work is done not just for themselves but also for those who aspire to follow a similar path but couldn't. Many friends have expressed that Pereira is living the life they wished they could have, underscoring her role in inspiring others.
Sacrifices and resilience on the artist's path
Pereira vividly recounts the immense sacrifices and hardships endured, particularly as a female dancer raised by a single mother. Their journey across India, often traveling by train in less-than-ideal conditions, was fraught with difficulties. She shares a poignant experience of having to sleep at railway stations due to a lack of accommodation after being invited to perform, questioning the fairness of such treatment. This highlights a broader issue where artists, despite their dedication and sacrifices, often receive unequal respect compared to others treated as 'guests.' While being treated as 'one among them' can feel inclusive, it can also be hurtful when the deep sacrifices and dedication are not acknowledged with commensurate respect. This inequality is a source of profound sadness for many artists who pour their lives into their craft.
Embracing solitude and self-reliance
Pereira encourages her audience, especially the youth, to embrace living for themselves and doing what brings them happiness, acknowledging that periods of aloneness are an inevitable and often valuable part of life. She shares her own experience of feeling profoundly alone even with a supportive network, and views crying as a natural release. She frames being alone and independent as an achievement, contrasting it with constant dependence. She recounts a past inability to even ask for a snack at a shop, a stark example of her previous dependence, and now proudly asserts her ability to navigate such simple interactions, signifying her hard-won independence and capacity to survive. For Gen Z, she advises persistence, encouraging them to pursue their passions like skating or dancing, reiterating that they are unique and nobody can stop them—except themselves. The ultimate control over their path rests in their own hands.
Using past achievements as a benchmark for resilience
Reflecting on her 170-hour dance marathon, Pereira admits to regretting the decision on the first day due to intense pain. However, she found a deep connection and a desire to continue beyond the intended duration, only stopping due to external circumstances. Even after completing the marathon, she performed again shortly after. She underscores the critical role of self-support, stating that while external support is significant, 'our support to ourself is the main role.' She advocates for having faith in oneself and using past monumental achievements, like successfully completing the humanly impossible 170-hour dance, as a powerful internal reference point. When faced with new challenges, such as balancing exams and multiple performances, she reminds herself, 'How did I manage 170 hours? If we achieved that, why can't I manage this?' She concludes by urging the audience never to lose hope, to have faith, and to genuinely pursue what they love with passion, acknowledging that life is rarely fair but personal passion can guide them through it.
Mentioned in This Episode
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Common Questions
Artists often face criticism, partiality, and a lack of respect, particularly when they are young. There's also pressure from society to conform to certain life paths, leading to struggles with loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
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