By Matthew Ehret A great poet once said that you can judge a nation by how it honors (or fails to honor) its artists. In many ways, the soul of a nation is entirely shaped by the artists which that society has produced. This makes perfectly good sense, as an artist is able to portray the better ideals which that society yearns to become and can convey concepts on a nearly subconscious level that may either uplift our self conception to the divine or inversely inflame our basest passions. An artist can also awaken truthful moral lessons and temper raw emotions of a people which mere lecturing/moralising could never accomplish.
That was splendid; thank you. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse to be old enough to remember what real life was like as depicted in these scenes. I do feel sorry for today's young people who only will know life in this hyper-political, internet age, when all their reality comes to them through a digital device. Watching old movies, especially the holiday movies, reminds me of those old days. I'm guessing today's youth look at those days through the lens they were taught to use, and only see toxic masculinity, male-dominated hierarchies, gender issues, etc. My heart goes out to them.
On page 222 of David C. Korten's book, "Agenda for a New Economy," there's a quote by Howard Zinn (read it carefully, because it matters greatly): "There's a tendency to think that what we see in the present will continue. We forget how often we have been astonished by the sudden crumbling of institutions, extraordinary changes in people's thoughts, 'unexpected eruptions of rebellion against tyrannies' (emphasis added), and the quick collapse of systems of power that seemed invincible."
May I insist that you grab a copy of this invaluable book soon? And for that matter, especially read Chapter 16: WHEN THE PEOPLE LEAD, THE LEADERS WILL FOLLOW, from pages 222 to 232.
That portrait of Benjamin Franklin with his face in place of the eagle's head and the eagles wings spread out made me think of the following quote from Edgar Allen Poe in his Eureka:
"-but because the tortoise is sure of foot, for this reason must we clip the wings of the eagles?"
Thank you! My parents raised us kids in a Norman Rockwell type convention. It didn't last long, but I have never forgotten the experience. The mid- 50's gave way to the 60's and 70's and by then, we were all pretty much a fumbling mishmash of expectations and ideas that were thrown at us from all sides. It turned out well. Both parents were artists, one through DNA and education, the other through DNA and trial and error. I ended up being a DNA trial and error artist. My sister and my oldest brother too. My other two brothers went on to study music and become significant artists in their communities, but thankfully, they remained as humble as any trial and error type artist. We need trial and error types. Never say "No I can't" to any sort of artistic endeavour. I have a grandson who listens to me, and remembers what I say, I now know. Over time, I've gently drilled into his psyche that art does a body good and keeps a body sane. Well, his dad's military service and the Plandemic kept us apart for 8 years. We reunited when we were able to cross into USA from Canada (being unvaxxed) in October. He was super excited to give me a present. It was a mini cow that he crocheted himself. (My favourite animal) But the bestest thing about the gift was the note he included. "Remember to never forget the importance of creativity, Grandma. It keeps a body sane."
I have been familiar with Norman Rockwell's art since the late 1960s. In my opinion, it is very difficult to go back to that special time called the "moral compass."
Indeed, Western civilization is undergoing a transformation into something different. Jordan Peterson would certainly argue that "This is not good!"
Nice Christmas gift. Thank you.
Marvelous 🎩
Agreed, nice Christmas gift. Many blessings to you and yours, also.
That was splendid; thank you. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse to be old enough to remember what real life was like as depicted in these scenes. I do feel sorry for today's young people who only will know life in this hyper-political, internet age, when all their reality comes to them through a digital device. Watching old movies, especially the holiday movies, reminds me of those old days. I'm guessing today's youth look at those days through the lens they were taught to use, and only see toxic masculinity, male-dominated hierarchies, gender issues, etc. My heart goes out to them.
I wish to impress upon you some hope.
On page 222 of David C. Korten's book, "Agenda for a New Economy," there's a quote by Howard Zinn (read it carefully, because it matters greatly): "There's a tendency to think that what we see in the present will continue. We forget how often we have been astonished by the sudden crumbling of institutions, extraordinary changes in people's thoughts, 'unexpected eruptions of rebellion against tyrannies' (emphasis added), and the quick collapse of systems of power that seemed invincible."
May I insist that you grab a copy of this invaluable book soon? And for that matter, especially read Chapter 16: WHEN THE PEOPLE LEAD, THE LEADERS WILL FOLLOW, from pages 222 to 232.
See, now. There's hope!
That portrait of Benjamin Franklin with his face in place of the eagle's head and the eagles wings spread out made me think of the following quote from Edgar Allen Poe in his Eureka:
"-but because the tortoise is sure of foot, for this reason must we clip the wings of the eagles?"
Thank you! My parents raised us kids in a Norman Rockwell type convention. It didn't last long, but I have never forgotten the experience. The mid- 50's gave way to the 60's and 70's and by then, we were all pretty much a fumbling mishmash of expectations and ideas that were thrown at us from all sides. It turned out well. Both parents were artists, one through DNA and education, the other through DNA and trial and error. I ended up being a DNA trial and error artist. My sister and my oldest brother too. My other two brothers went on to study music and become significant artists in their communities, but thankfully, they remained as humble as any trial and error type artist. We need trial and error types. Never say "No I can't" to any sort of artistic endeavour. I have a grandson who listens to me, and remembers what I say, I now know. Over time, I've gently drilled into his psyche that art does a body good and keeps a body sane. Well, his dad's military service and the Plandemic kept us apart for 8 years. We reunited when we were able to cross into USA from Canada (being unvaxxed) in October. He was super excited to give me a present. It was a mini cow that he crocheted himself. (My favourite animal) But the bestest thing about the gift was the note he included. "Remember to never forget the importance of creativity, Grandma. It keeps a body sane."
I have been familiar with Norman Rockwell's art since the late 1960s. In my opinion, it is very difficult to go back to that special time called the "moral compass."
Indeed, Western civilization is undergoing a transformation into something different. Jordan Peterson would certainly argue that "This is not good!"
Encl.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/h8CuvmHKEtaZ/