The comic genius of Aristophanes, in which “Socrates” the sacrilegious philosopher explains to the not-too-bright Strepsiades where rain and thunder come from. Potty humor ensues. Socrates: That is because these are the only goddesses; all the rest are pure myth. Strepsiades: But by the Earth! is our father, Zeus, the Olympian, not a god? Socrates: Zeus! […]
The Clouds and “Socrates” Read More »
Most movements consistently exhibit a destructive social psychology. The dynamic is this: a movement’s members begin with a huge amount in common — the same high talent, goals, and passions. But any difference, sometimes minor, sets them against each other ferociously and irreparably. The dynamic crops up in many movements across history — political (e.g.,
Movement splits and hatreds — a music example Read More »
2018 Brazil fire at Rio museum. The museum is owned by the government. That government overspends on “important” things but defers maintenance on less important things. “Sorry, we didn’t have money for a sprinkler system. Not our fault.” 2019 French fire at Paris cathedral. The cathedral is owned by the government. That government overspends on
When museums and cathedrals burn Read More »
I wrote this piece in 2003 — my explanation of how two lines of development of modern art culminated in postmodernism. The 29 images from Munch, Picasso, Dali, Warhol, Saville, and others used to illustrate the trendlines now have updated links. The article has also been translated into German, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese. Related: *
“Why Art Became Ugly” — image links updated Read More »
A soul-searching article by exasperated art critic Jerry Saltz. How does the art world live with itself? Great question, and Saltz’s piece is well worth reading. (Thanks to Michael Newberry for the link.) But: The problem is not “Too much money!” in the art world. The problem is bad ideas working with bad character. Money
The art world: Money is *not* the problem Read More »
THE NAUGHTY PREPOSITION Morris Bishop I lately lost a preposition: It is, I thought, beneath my chair. And angrily I cried: “Perdition! Up from out of in under there!” Correctness is my vade mecum, And straggling phrases I abhor; And yet I wondered: “What should he come Up from out of in under for?”
THE NAUGHTY PREPOSITION, by Morris Bishop Read More »
Inventors Michael Blumenthal Imagine being the first to say: surveillance … – Howard Nemerov “Imagine being the first to say: surveillance,” the mouth taking in air like a swimmer, the tongue light as an astronaut, gliding across the roof of the mouth, the eyes burning like the eyes of Fleming looking at mold
Inventors, by Michael Blumenthal Read More »
“Clearness and vividness in writing often turn on mere specificity. To say that Major André was hanged is clear and definite; to say that he as killed is less definite, because you do not know in what way he was killed; to say that he died is still more indefinite because you do not even
Blanshard on the writing styles of Kant, Hegel, and others Read More »