Trying to learn without falling asleep By Prema Chandrathil Staff Writer         Picture the Earth. Now picture a flat map of the Earth and divide it up into several triangles. Getting confused? Well in this one-man show “R Buckminister Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe,” actor Ron Campbell (Fuller) explains his search for the answer to some of the biggest questions of all. What is the Universe? Do we humans fit into it? If so, how?      You are in Fuller’s class as he lectures you on the cosmos, equations and all aspects of science, and you start to wish you had not fallen asleep in physics class. So brush up on your vocabulary before you check this play out.      Fuller is a reminder of that goofy science teacher you had in high school. You know the one, who not only taught you how to question ideas and think but also rambled on and on about his family and sometimes forgot where he was in class.      The tremendous amount of scientific theory and data that was said was bearable only because of his quirky demeanor.      The play covers topics ranging from solving world hunger, homelessness and pirates to his system of a “one-world island in a one world ocean.”      But besides being a very science-oriented play, we learned about his early years and how he eventually came to a conclusion about the universe. His conclusion was of course that love is the most powerful force on Earth.      This play was good for the first half-hour. After that it seemed like Campbell was trying to get the audience involved, but no one was responding.      Fuller was an out-of-the-box thinker, who went to Harvard and was kicked out twice, once for following a dancer to New York. He predicted that this world has the “possibility of eliminating hunger and poverty in all the world within his lifetime.” And in 1977 the National Academy of Sciences confirmed Fuller’s prediction. That’s pretty amazing, considering he predicted it in the late 1950’s.      Campbell’s performance was amazing. He bounced from one emotion to another without skipping a beat. The costumes were simple yet effective, a suit and a pair of black glasses. The scenery, lighting, music and the coziness of the Mercury theatre all complimented this play, making you feel like you were actually in one of his lectures. Even the stage, designed by Annie Smart, played a part, its hexagonal-shape reinforcing Fuller’s geometric thoughts and ideas.      The play jumped around from so many different topics that it was hard to see how he came to some of his conclusions.      My eyes were opened to an interesting man but the writing of the play shut ’em tight. But I have to give credit where credit is due. Fuller created the geodesic dome. For all of you who don’t know, these domes are the lightest, strongest and most cost-effective structures ever made. There are over 300,000 domes on Earth today.      So for those of you who are up for a philosophical journey about humanity and physics this is your dream come true. Just make sure you take notes. Back to top   |   Home Copyright © 2001, Columbia Chronicle Columbia Chronicle articles, photos, and graphics are the property of the Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the staff, editors, or faculty advisor. The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students.

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