What does the red string theory mean to you?
Cailyn: I believe in the power of free will. Everyone is born into different environments and circumstances, but one thing we all have in common is that we’re naturally equipped with the knowledge to choose and it’s our right to choose. Every day we are faced with choices, yes or no, stay or go, and so on. Every choice, no matter how big or small, has an impact on your life. As much as we may account these choices to someone else or an otherworldly being, we aren’t controlled by them. We have no chosen path until we individually choose one. Our choices determine our outcomes and consequences, which determine our morals, which determine our journey, our future, and the kind of people we are.
Gab: I believe that the red string theory provides grounds for an interesting discussion on why things are the way that they are, but should not be taken very literally. We are faced with many important decisions to make throughout our lives, and by relying on destiny to have these choices already sorted for us might remove the significance of each consequence. Free will would also be contradictory to a heavy belief in the red string theory since the former suggests that each individual action leads to a different possible outcome and the latter states that our futures have already been set. While it is a fascinating subject to consider, I personally do not believe that it should be taken very seriously as it could also be used to deflect blame for irresponsible and harmful actions. To argue that it was “meant to be” should not mask the active steps it took to reach those circumstances.
Anna: I believe in the red string theory. It gives a sense of solace knowing that the person who I am meant to be with is set and that I will meet them when the right time comes. As a person who is extremely impatient, I often stress about minor details such as who I am destined to be with or when I will meet them. However, reminding myself of the red string theory or listening to Taylor Swift’s invisible string reminds me to not stress over things I do not have control over. With that being said, I think it’s important to mention that my belief in the red string theory doesn’t revolve around the belief that god has tied an actual red string around people. My belief in the red string theory is more loose and involves believing in what it stands for. The belief that everything happens for a reason, and everything that is meant for me will come in due time.
Claire: I believe in the red string theory, but more specifically I believe in destiny and fate. It brings comfort to me as every decision that I make is one that was predestined. It was the right choice and as someone who constantly thinks about what could’ve happened if I had made a different choice, this theory gives me a reminder that everything’s meant to happen for a reason. Another part of this theory that really draws me in is the idea of the right person, right time. Even if you were in the same place as the person you are meant to be with, you do not meet yet because it isn’t the right time. Everytime a person comes into your life, that was the exact moment that you were supposed to meet and every time someone leaves your life, that was just how it was supposed to be. This makes the people in my life more special to me because we were supposed to meet and we were supposed to be together in this life.
Whether bound by a string of fate and destiny,
Or bound by a string of choices and decision
We are all where we’re meant to be
I think the concept of free will within your discussion is interesting. I still think that the Red String Theory implies that a person would go through a natural course of action, as opposed to being forced into finding who their metaphoric string connects to. It was interesting to see the different perspectives on this contentious topic though.
I love the whole podcast format, it was intriguing and I found the whole theory very interesting. I also liked that for your manifesto you each shared your interpretations-i loved seeing the different opinions and I think you guys did a great job overall!
I find it interesting that different cultures have their own versions of the red string and have different meanings behind them as well. I wonder if it is possible for all of these thwories to coexist. Are they all appropritating one another or is that different from what Taylor Swift is doing? I love the ad!
In Islam, we kind of have something similar. We believe everyone’s destiny is already written, so whatever you do has already been planned out. I agree with Claire that the idea of a predestined course of actions can be super comforting, especially when you’re unsure if you did the right thing or you think of what-ifs. In terms of soulmates, we believe that God created everyone in pairs, and that person will be your perfect match. I think it’s interesting how Gab and Cailyn were skeptical to believe in it, and I liked that you all had different perspectives. Also, the ad was super funny and it actually felt like a podcast which was super cool.
I always saw this theory while watching korean dramas. And how you explained it in the video through your perspective, it was nice to learn stuffs about culture.