Mirrors of the self
November 5th 2006 22:14
… the shock of "I am old" or "I am a cancer patient". I am now one of those people, that group I always thought of as other. I am one of those people that I've read about. And all the knowledge about them, the words written about them, come flooding to you, and you start thinking about the applicability of those words to your own life, and how you appear to others, and how you and your actions have been interpreted, understood.
An issue, also, of clichés, body image, popular depictions. Accepting yourself as the cliché, or being influenced by clichés -- reading off knowledge of the self from what others say.
The foreign picture that is suddenly your picture. Seeing a mirror for the first time, realizing what you look like. Identifying yourself as what you see, though you might feel quite otherwise -- reinterpreting your own actions.
An issue, also, of clichés, body image, popular depictions. Accepting yourself as the cliché, or being influenced by clichés -- reading off knowledge of the self from what others say.
The foreign picture that is suddenly your picture. Seeing a mirror for the first time, realizing what you look like. Identifying yourself as what you see, though you might feel quite otherwise -- reinterpreting your own actions.
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Comment by Damo
How did this happen? I used to cool and I haven't changed. So how can I suddenly be uncool?
Comment by katyzzz
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You're coming up with some good themes.
This one was very poignant and we're getting to know the real you.
You are taking the time to think and feel and express yourself.
I perceive this as generally being difficult for you. Well done.
katyzzz
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
That is so true and so funny...
*I'm holding my sides over here*
Lilla...
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Good post... for me there have been too many shock waves to mention... perhaps why my ears constantly ring nowadays....
A big shock wave hit me when, after living a solitary life alone (through fate) I ended up living in a foreign country, with a foreign family... Without the local language as my aid, I realised for the first time (age then : 26) that I needed society more than it needed me... it's been a road of adjustments since then... but I've learned... lots. For a recluse like me, I guess the payoff is that you end up being able to choose when you want to be alone and how to 'be' in company when you need it. Orble is certainly a good skill-developer because we all want the points – because that is most likely the whole point - and generally have to exploit our better natures to get them... I’m sure we all have dark sides we don’t reveal... but that’s not the point, is it?
I do hope you decide to leave your dream for analysis one day it may help offer more insight…
Lilla...
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Dear Katy -- but I didn't necessarily say, though, that this one was about me.
Perhaps you adopt a similar attitude in refusing to specify what your interpretations and intentions are regarding each of your paintings.
Dear Lilla -- I think, in general, it's good to be shocked. The shock, among other things, is a sign of the new. I'm a big fan of randomness and surrealism, for instance -- the way it unsettles complacency, leads to different perspectives on things. And maybe it's also good for people's violence and sexual boundaries to be pushed by shock, or at least for these things not to be hidden.
Might leave a dream one day -- thanks for the offer. But I have to admit, I'm not that interested in self-knowledge or insight, for a number of reasons. For instance, Patrick White always avoided psychoanalysis, fearful that it might dry up the dark wellspring of his creativity. And Foucault, as I understand it, thought that ultimately there was no self to understand; there's only selves that are produced by the act of self-investigation.
Comment by katyzzz
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If you're into numbers you'll separate each comment you return, meanwhile keeping those votes coming in. That's just a hint to help you along the way.
Let's see what Lilla can do with your unusual dream situation.
katyzzz
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Numbers are nice, because it's nice to be read. But, I have to admit, I do think it's a bit cheap to do the multiple comment thing when a single comment is more efficient, I think it skews the popularity of posts unfairly (it's then not the quality of the post that determines its ranking), and I think it can be annoying for people to receive multiple "There's a new comment on this thread" e-mails.
I suppose, in any case, I'm more writing this blog for me than for readers. And I think I do my best work when I forget that anyone's watching.
Comment by katyzzz
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Fair enough, but I think many of us are playing a game we'd rather not, but if you want to receive some return for what you do, you just have to get on and do it.
That really takes it out of the merit category.
I take your point, but the simple fact remains, if you separate your responses, and I am not talking about duplicating them you receive votes for each rather than a vote for only one, when you are actually making three and quite legally deserve them.
I guess Orble has worked out what reaps dividends and that, too, is what it is all about, otherwise it's just a club and I think under those terms most of us wouldn't be here.
I guess it all depends if you're a financial person or not.
I'm here because I need to be fully involved with something at present so this serves good purpose.
I'm also here for future benefit and certainly would not anticipate spending so much time for so little [if any] return.
I would be streamlining my approach in the future or giving it a miss entirely.
If you're here just for you, I'm sure you'll have a different view and you have expressed that.With respect to multiple threads, it is only necessary for people to click the most recent, that gives the others, too.
I guess this is all about the blogging system, in general, but here we are part of a group who do all the administrative things for us and know their business and we need to respect that, too.
I'm all for a little philosophy.
katyzzz
Comment by Damo
Just as minor note sometimes my kids think I am a little bit cool. Very rare occasions after I realise that I am just like my own father at that age.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Esoteric Bookshop
Whilst I agree that there is motivation on Orble for making money, I sometimes only look at the points scores to see if anyone is actually reading my stuff, it helps me 'see' and 'scan' for what is of interest to my readers through my inner lense - and what is not... which leads me back to Adrian's words about all being reflected in what you write, read and see around orble...no?
If my points are down I do not think of the money, but of what I am, or am not saying that is or is not working - therefore all becomes a reflection of all, within a given time.
Interestingly enough when I stick to my core values I find my posts most effective in all ways...
Lilla...
Comment by katyzzz
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Yours is an ideal position, but it's a lot to do with game playing and understanding people.
Once kicked off it's amazing what can flow, if one were not concerned with money I would think there are other avenuse down which one can go.
If it were not with some thought for a financial potential I would not be here and would not have considered here in the first place.
It's also a lot about the audience one is trying to attract and the circumstances of one's situations.
If you're part of the Orble community you may well have to play the Orble game and we are all doing that to some degree, at least.
The average blogger would want to see his votes go up. There is nothing wrong with that, and, in fact, once they start to rise, more become interested.
Orble didn't set the rules for no good reason. I just wish someone had emphasised these points to me when I first started.
katyzzz
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
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...you are right, of course... but so is Adrian in saying he only writes for himself... all is eventually reflected back and this debate is a reflection for a philosopher to philosophise on, further perhaps... it remnds me of a story which I shall post on my Ordinary Life soon about debate....*lol* wow I had forgotten about that one....
thanks for the memory....
Lilla....