Month: September 2010

Midday prayers

This is a photo I bought recently at an arts festival, only the second piece of art that I have ever purchased. Now, I’m not an art expert or collector by any means, but I figured that I’d share my thoughts about this particular work. Maybe some of them might be applicable to art appreciation […]

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Everything is a remix

A friend referred me to Kirby Ferguson’s “Everything is a Remix” web video series, and I found it to be well thought out and produced. Its byline is “nothing is original,” and it focuses on the concept that creative ideas are repeatedly borrowed from previous generations of artists. If that sounds interesting to you, have […]

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Knowledge vs. wisdom

Many people mistake knowledge for wisdom because they are intimately related, and this is unfortunate because they are quite different in an important way. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and information. Wisdom is the synthesis of knowledge and experiences into insights that deepen one’s understanding of relationships and the meaning of life. In other […]

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Forever waiting for Superman

So there is a constant racket in the news about how we have a shortage of public school teachers, how most of the teachers are retiring, and how there are all sorts of programs to get people into teaching. But wait, we don’t want just any teachers, only ‘highly qualified’ ones. If we’re waiting for […]

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Critics are necessary evils

Let’s be honest. No one likes criticism or being “judged,” especially creators, but it’s a necessary evil. First, constructive feedback is essential for improving your craft. Second, these critics/reviewers/editors serve as gatekeepers of quality. This is essential for allowing the best works to rise to the top and be eventually recognized.

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