The Human Condition (an observation)

[shiredancer]

Sometimes the actions of my fellow human beings are so... weird, or so appalling, or so cruel, or even so comical, that I cringe at being a member of the race. You know whereof I speak: just look at our president, or the situation in Irag, or for crying out loud, the circus that has overtaken my own state's politics. Oy vey.

But then something very simple can happen to throw my perspective back in my face and make me take a whole 'nother look at these creatures with whom I share my planet. Such as just now, when I picked up a very simple little publication for the University of California Press, and was struck by the sheer magnitude of the beauty that people are capable of. Every page promoted fascinating books, most of them illustrated with the most gorgeous and perceptive photographs. The art of photography alone is enough to knock my senses offline for awhile: the lighting, and the angles, and the ingenuity of capturing the subject. I'm astonished that there are so many people out there appreciating the subtle nuances of this world. Frankly, I'm impressed. And very, very glad of it.

(Points to all who note the sheer hubris of this...)

Comments

[nonniemous.livejournal.com]

No hubris, just a hearty A-MEN! Yes. that's what keeps me going. Too bad the people who make the art and other beautiful things can't make the world beautiful just by wishing. Otherwise it wouldn't be left to the idjits to run the world while they're trying to make it beautiful.

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. There are so many dichotomies and puzzles and paradoxes... would that wishing could make it so! But at least it demonstrates how well worth it it is to keep up the struggle against the idjits...

[linaelyn.livejournal.com]

Yes!! Oh, exactly! I had the same revelation today, with some particularly brilliant articles in the scientific journal, Nature, instead of beautiful art, but yes, the same joy of the human creative mind gave me a good old *whallop*.

Can't wait to sit around the livingroom, and shoot the breeze with you, m'dear! Hubris? What hubris? C'mere and let me show you *my* hubris. *wink*

Oh, and I've been collecting a few of those "clichéd errors" to swap with you. Bring your list! :-)

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Eeep! The list! I've been making mental notes but I'm sure I'll forget them all... *gotta make list*

Have you ever read "Lives of a Cell"? A fantastic collection of the most marvelous essays on various biological phenomena -- a real departure for me, and I loved all of it.

See you in two days! Whoot!