hi Daniel! thanks so much for all the great observations in this (brilliant) analysis - only one thing really stuck out for me in it that seemed worth questioning; IMO, hoping for Blockchain- related tech to be anything but environmentally catastrophic anytime soon (unfortunately) seems misplaced; with the comment in mind you made about NFT's themselves being "digital distractions" also consider this from a few weeks ago; "the Guardian estimated that the sale of 303 editions of Earth, an NFT produced by the musician and artist Grimes earlier this month, “used the same electrical power as the average EU resident would in 33 years, and produced 70 tons of CO2 emissions.” ..+ from what I gather even the most optimistic scenarios for BC's eco-sustainability seem a long way off...+ it seems evident that the whole phenom itself was (unsurprisingly) initially, voraciously developed, like so many things in tech, without any real long (or short!) term regard for the environmental impact/ consequences...+ my assumption here would be that, you being you, that you probably already knew all this, etc...which then leads me to wonder what your thinking/ rationale would be for still advocating for it the way you do...especially as a sort of "glimmer of hope" at the end of the essay? (+ IMO this hope seems additionally curious as earlier in the essay you explicitly lamented the "...the deeper incursion or penetration of Capitalist economics and the one-dimensional logic of the market.." which in all likelihood, would/ will continue to be the primary material and idoelogical modalities this tech is used within?) thanks man
"Our incessant immersion in the digital and virtual costs us a certain degree of interiority and unique subjectivity. With our ever-present phones, we can’t escape the intrusion of the collective into our inner space of self-reflection. This insistent presence is like an implicit, mute Greek chorus, ever ready to judge, praise, condone, or condemn." I could not agree more. Your comments on modern film and television are also spot on.
Thank you Daniel. Pulled your book 2012 from my shelf to re-read more about Gebser's insights. So appreciate your essay's and books and the depth by which you explore these issues. Very helpful indeed.
Great stuff, particularly the analysis of how technology is interrupting our ability to have the quiet subjective moments art requires. You lost me on the vaccine stuff and the blockchain stuff but I think you articulated something crucial up until then.
Such a poignant, illuminating and intelligently well written piece Daniel.
Virtual reality and the stealing of our attention by Smart devices has plunged many into a concentrated cyber world of contracted consciousness and ignorance within which new artificial representations of art forms have replaced real artistic and genuinely creative endeavors and classical forms of art with designer and digital forms of superficial and synthetic artistic expressions. This ranges from narcissistic social media memes and messages to superfluous pictures and superficial photographs and posts that ultimately supplant any real artistic and cultural appreciation for the good, the true, and the beautiful, as expressed by and through the sacred beauty and supernal power of soul and spirit, and their irrefutable and undeniable connection to the heart of cosmic consciousness, infinite intelligence, and Divine love.
"We lie in the lap of an immense intelligence that makes us receivers of its truth and organs of its activity." (Ralph Waldo Emmerson, Self Reliance Essay, 1841)
There is an obvious paradox underlying this artistic degradation though; that lies in the ubiquitous opportunity of the all pervasive electronic reality of the cyber world of the internet, that has afforded humanity across the board a virtually unlimited opportunity for connectivity and communication spanning continents and cultures in real time; while concomitantly being able to share information, ideas, and knowledge across these global borders, boundaries and time zones from virtually anywhere in the world, at any time.
The technology and digital platforms offer the so called ordinary man and woman, the 99% if you will, the opportunity to participate in a global exchange of information, ideas, and value - previously limited to those with the means, money, and resources to traverse the globe by sea, air, rail or road, or a combination of them, often at great peril and risk to themselves (the Titanic springs to mind) - for those with access to the internet, the social media platforms and the Smart technologies connecting us all; albeit within an emerging totalitarian system of the 21st century.
The Oscars last night were a good even prime example of the growing unpopularity and disinterest in these previously adored and admired artists with their now overly political and prejudicial forms of artistic entertainment and the associated dulling and deterioration of the form and expression of their art, and its emergent fakery, as they move away from (and conspicuously into a self defeating and ultimately deadly cul-de-sac of deluded identity politics, cancel culture, gender dissolution, and social, economic, and political tyranny) the source from which all genuine and great works of art originate and spring - the infinite, unfathomable, all inclusive and unlimited reservoir and river of life or cosmic ocean of Divine inspiration, energy, intelligence and love.
Thought provoking essay, as always. One thing that comes to mind right off the bat is that artists, and all creatives, have been completely shut down in this pandemic. DJs, dancers, theater folk, art galleries, lighting crew, stage hands, musicians, all without any, or just the smallest amounts, of work possibilities. TV, or the new Netflixing state of TV, is one of the only places flourishing for creative writing and storytelling. Shows that would never have seen the airwaves back in the old model are able to exist. “Hamilton’s Pharmacopia,” “Rick & Morty,” come to mind as well as the troves of great documentaries add to the great TV output currently. But yeah, so much of it is bleak. I could picture you writing a show that would do very well. You are on point with so much that is going on, there are people you could reach far beyond the limits of this direct method of sharing your thoughts via subscription-based email blasting. There are likely out-of-work video production friends in your circle that would love to bring your vision to Netflix. If you can’t stop ‘em, beat them at their game! -jason1969
hi Daniel! thanks so much for all the great observations in this (brilliant) analysis - only one thing really stuck out for me in it that seemed worth questioning; IMO, hoping for Blockchain- related tech to be anything but environmentally catastrophic anytime soon (unfortunately) seems misplaced; with the comment in mind you made about NFT's themselves being "digital distractions" also consider this from a few weeks ago; "the Guardian estimated that the sale of 303 editions of Earth, an NFT produced by the musician and artist Grimes earlier this month, “used the same electrical power as the average EU resident would in 33 years, and produced 70 tons of CO2 emissions.” ..+ from what I gather even the most optimistic scenarios for BC's eco-sustainability seem a long way off...+ it seems evident that the whole phenom itself was (unsurprisingly) initially, voraciously developed, like so many things in tech, without any real long (or short!) term regard for the environmental impact/ consequences...+ my assumption here would be that, you being you, that you probably already knew all this, etc...which then leads me to wonder what your thinking/ rationale would be for still advocating for it the way you do...especially as a sort of "glimmer of hope" at the end of the essay? (+ IMO this hope seems additionally curious as earlier in the essay you explicitly lamented the "...the deeper incursion or penetration of Capitalist economics and the one-dimensional logic of the market.." which in all likelihood, would/ will continue to be the primary material and idoelogical modalities this tech is used within?) thanks man
"Our incessant immersion in the digital and virtual costs us a certain degree of interiority and unique subjectivity. With our ever-present phones, we can’t escape the intrusion of the collective into our inner space of self-reflection. This insistent presence is like an implicit, mute Greek chorus, ever ready to judge, praise, condone, or condemn." I could not agree more. Your comments on modern film and television are also spot on.
Thanks Daniel-very insightful piece you share here. I think though, that this version of The Absinthe Drinker is by Degas..
Thank you Daniel. Pulled your book 2012 from my shelf to re-read more about Gebser's insights. So appreciate your essay's and books and the depth by which you explore these issues. Very helpful indeed.
Beautiful. Thank you for explaining complexity so clearly and meaningfully.
Great stuff, particularly the analysis of how technology is interrupting our ability to have the quiet subjective moments art requires. You lost me on the vaccine stuff and the blockchain stuff but I think you articulated something crucial up until then.
Such a poignant, illuminating and intelligently well written piece Daniel.
Virtual reality and the stealing of our attention by Smart devices has plunged many into a concentrated cyber world of contracted consciousness and ignorance within which new artificial representations of art forms have replaced real artistic and genuinely creative endeavors and classical forms of art with designer and digital forms of superficial and synthetic artistic expressions. This ranges from narcissistic social media memes and messages to superfluous pictures and superficial photographs and posts that ultimately supplant any real artistic and cultural appreciation for the good, the true, and the beautiful, as expressed by and through the sacred beauty and supernal power of soul and spirit, and their irrefutable and undeniable connection to the heart of cosmic consciousness, infinite intelligence, and Divine love.
"We lie in the lap of an immense intelligence that makes us receivers of its truth and organs of its activity." (Ralph Waldo Emmerson, Self Reliance Essay, 1841)
There is an obvious paradox underlying this artistic degradation though; that lies in the ubiquitous opportunity of the all pervasive electronic reality of the cyber world of the internet, that has afforded humanity across the board a virtually unlimited opportunity for connectivity and communication spanning continents and cultures in real time; while concomitantly being able to share information, ideas, and knowledge across these global borders, boundaries and time zones from virtually anywhere in the world, at any time.
The technology and digital platforms offer the so called ordinary man and woman, the 99% if you will, the opportunity to participate in a global exchange of information, ideas, and value - previously limited to those with the means, money, and resources to traverse the globe by sea, air, rail or road, or a combination of them, often at great peril and risk to themselves (the Titanic springs to mind) - for those with access to the internet, the social media platforms and the Smart technologies connecting us all; albeit within an emerging totalitarian system of the 21st century.
The Oscars last night were a good even prime example of the growing unpopularity and disinterest in these previously adored and admired artists with their now overly political and prejudicial forms of artistic entertainment and the associated dulling and deterioration of the form and expression of their art, and its emergent fakery, as they move away from (and conspicuously into a self defeating and ultimately deadly cul-de-sac of deluded identity politics, cancel culture, gender dissolution, and social, economic, and political tyranny) the source from which all genuine and great works of art originate and spring - the infinite, unfathomable, all inclusive and unlimited reservoir and river of life or cosmic ocean of Divine inspiration, energy, intelligence and love.
Thought provoking essay, as always. One thing that comes to mind right off the bat is that artists, and all creatives, have been completely shut down in this pandemic. DJs, dancers, theater folk, art galleries, lighting crew, stage hands, musicians, all without any, or just the smallest amounts, of work possibilities. TV, or the new Netflixing state of TV, is one of the only places flourishing for creative writing and storytelling. Shows that would never have seen the airwaves back in the old model are able to exist. “Hamilton’s Pharmacopia,” “Rick & Morty,” come to mind as well as the troves of great documentaries add to the great TV output currently. But yeah, so much of it is bleak. I could picture you writing a show that would do very well. You are on point with so much that is going on, there are people you could reach far beyond the limits of this direct method of sharing your thoughts via subscription-based email blasting. There are likely out-of-work video production friends in your circle that would love to bring your vision to Netflix. If you can’t stop ‘em, beat them at their game! -jason1969