writer | artist | scholar
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Thanks for that fresh, wonderful, inspiring, and thought-provoking VLOG!
(For you it’s more of a hello announcement, but you’re just like the other speakers, I kid you not, because of its content and your volubility.)
And…CONGRATULATIONS on the success of your photography work that will appear in one of those- correct me if I’m wrong- ‘coffee table books’. Hey- that’s a biiiig thing!
(I wanted to get my cat Vinnie in one of those so that he could be immortalized in print. But I was tricked… again!)
Okay, let me get back to the Being Human talks. I still have to start Part 2, but from your write-up, I can expect to relish more, and struggle less!
Thanks so much for the kind words. I’m excited about the book. I’m hoping it will be translated into English. One day. Also, I’m glad that you’ve watched the Being Human videos. They’re great and very engaging.
I just finished watching Part 2 of Being Human.
Regarding the Part 2 segment of Being Human, I’d like to share my IMMEDIATE , and terse, impressions:
Overall, this reminded me of Fritof Capra’s book, “The Tao of Physics” where he parallels modern physics with Eastern mysticism, and how they’re strikingly familiar.
(I was reminded of that because it appears to be a common denominator from which the speakers are influenced.)
I would have liked to hear more from the first speaker, because she was a bringing fresh light on other aspects of ourselves, through our inner body. It’s as if we were looking at ourselves through a new lens, which magnify other aspects of our nature that impact upon our being human.
The next speaker, although she had educated us in the cultural mechanics on how we act out our being human, had a blind spot which I felt colored her views; and oversimplified using a dichotomy of independence and interdependence from which dynamic our being human operates.
I fail to see how those Statistics and interpretation of them factor into our awareness of being human. Her presentation was skewed and faulty.
For example, she presents a generalization of status (implied) and education, each reflecting independence and interdependence. Societies are more democratized now, the tendency of behaviors are too generalized to be grouped like that anymore.
An example she gave was the independent one being disturbed about neighbor getting same car, vs. interdependent who thought it would be cool. She herself must know that the first’s example was a product of immature, selfish behavior, and the interdependent, on whatever basis they make their actions, performs the more harmonious or altruistic gesture.
Granted, her points are well-taken. What I’m trying to say is that there is a hint of superiority complex that underlies her presentation. (I know I’m stretching it a bit too far, but I can’t be entirely wrong.)
With the last speaker there was a lot from which to chew, even challenging us to see how our being biased one way plays an active part in the preservation and perpetuation of our being human.
P.S.
*I didn’t know that was Bruce Lee.
*Even leaves must have respect. Good you didn’t make that leaf go up the down escalator.
*Remember the movie ‘Castaway’ with Tom Hanks? Never tell your cell phone an unkind word.
I’m so happy for your publication in this book of photography. You have a consistent optimism, intact energy, and a *rising-up* threshold that normalizes creatives and creativity. I look forward to your posts. Your dedication is contagious. During the Vlog, I was listening (really I was) but I also became fascinated with what I assumed to be a bird on a block in the background.
But back to the normalizing of creatives and creativity. There is much to say. I have questions. Some may be related and some may not. Have you ever read about hot and cold mediums? Books versus a TV or Laptop screen? And do you believe one can sense a work created in an environment with older technology (pencil and paper) versus a book I could write via my iphone with keyboard and projector? Is there a stigma attached to the utilization of certain technologies to manifest creative ideas?
Does this stigma always include status or privilege?
I love your blog because it propels my active brain into a spectacular roadshow of possibilities. I never knew I loved discussing creativity so much. It’s as if I have been holding on to all these ideas drifting, sparking like clumsy comets in my think-tank of a brain. It’s as if, and it actually is that…….your work here, in spirit, online, in-person, with all your mythical endless energy, your work, Dorothy, is giving others (like this poet – moi) space to interact, discuss, morph, crack cocoons open. You say, “I see this. I’m sharing this. I’m grateful for this. This is what I learned. What do you think? I want more.” This is what I hear. Thank you. I see great things for you and the space you make.
You do more than normalize. You highlight, you showcase, you agitate, you create, you reflect.
This is necessary. There will be more. There has to be.
Liz, thank you for the kind words. I try very hard to stay optimistic and think creatively about how to phrase and illuminate with words. It’s a difficult task! As for dedication to a writing practice, it’s been challenging but I find the time because over the years, writing everyday has become a part of my day.
You asked a question regaridng having ever read about hot and cold mediums, (i.e., books versus a TV or Laptop screen) and I must say that I have not read anything specifically about the two mediums other than looking at the Frankfurt school (i.e., Adorno, etc.) or reading through Walter Benjamin. There’s definitely A LOT of literature on this topic (I’m still working my way through Part II of my Digital Possessions posts). As for the other question, you asked a great question regarding “stigma attached to the utilization of certain technologies to manifest creative ideas”. The new media artists I’ve spoken to about the use of technology versus organic materials really depends on the content of the art or literature produced. If that makes any sense. Books are a form of technology and I’m certain many people believed at some point that the Guttenberg press didn’t compare to something hand written and drawn BUT much of technology’s aim is to quicken the process and allow for more creation, productivity, and efficiency. I think we all need to be moderate though in our consumption, utilization, and production.
Another question you asked, “Does this stigma always include status or privilege”? It depends, really. I think we need to connect in order to educate one another and to some degree, technology seems to be a factor but as John Craig Freeman stated when I asked him about this disparity, he noted that “art has been an elitist proposition”, which I actually agree with.
Again, THANK YOU so much for the wonderful words and support. I really appreciate it. 🙂
Dorothy R. Santos, Ph.D. 
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