Welcome to the blogosphere too. I started blogging last year as part of a fundraiser (www.lupusrunner.org).

Many people seem to feel better after “venting” or hearing others share and express the same complaints and concerns, but on the other hand it’s hard to know whether that helps to place various concerns in their correct proportions; to accurately perceive the good along with the bad, the positive along with the flaws. In mass media consumption, for example, many of those who claim to benefit from a cathartic effect haven’t actually compared the effects from alternative conditions. They see Rambo kicking butt, or Michael Douglas “Falling Down” and feel somehow vindicated despite the lack of realism and contrived nature of those scenarios, but it’s possible that such “vindications” merely feed their long-term dissatisfactions rather than alleviate them. Although there is value in dialogue, one of the questions to eventually be dealt with is that regarding which things are beyond our control – even in the collective sense – and therefore might be better to accept (through a new definition of the situation) rather than to criticize and protest.

My 2.5 cents…

One of the most radical shifts in understanding I’ve had since starting the program here is the concept that ’society’ is so fluid that it is in fact being destroyed and created on a continual basis; the only static cultures are ones in history books. So, both individual memory, and collective memory, are selective and reinterpreted over and over again. I think about a comment I heard once that “…the Roman Empire didn’t collapse so much as it faded, it is not as though Rome’s inhabitants ceased to be at a precise moment in time….” It makes me think of Finkelstein’s “The Way Things Never Were” about how ‘the good ol’ days’ are somewhat of a fabrication.

While our conceptualization of America may lead us to conclude that it is in decline, is it possible that a younger generation coming of age may view their culture’s place in the world entirely different such that, to them, “we” are not in decline or decay but in ascension toward a future that holds vastly different opportunities (probably ones that we would have difficulty realizing)?

Dave

I like the way you think…making this world “more exquisite” would be very much appreciated! I think it is unfortunate that such a fine line exits between the artist as artist and artist as marketeer…the making and consuming of art should never be forced by or upon someone else…

Toby

And we all interpret art differently, which makes it even more incredible to “get art out there”. By “giving art away” could possibly make this world much more exquisite by invoking all of these different perceptions, thoughts, feelings and ideas into different individuals…no matter their circumstance and role. After all, every person has these attributes inside of them. It may just take a piece of wonderful art to bring it out.

Toby

Yes, I would agree, and you are right, like most things, it isn’t that simple. But I think the first step to challenging anything is to realize the problem. We sociologist types will always notice certain things others may not, but I am sure there are things I miss too.. but even if that is the case, I wouldn’t change it.

I find it refreshing at times.

Keep painting and sharing,
My hubby and I just bought our first home, I may be hitting you up for something special soon!!!