From left to right: Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Rene Descartes, John Locke, David Hume, Immanuel Kant, G.W.F. Hegel, Arthur Schopenhauer, Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’m doing something totally different today. This afternoon I had a conversation with a fellow writer and poet. We often have philosophical discussions, and this was no exception. I’d like to recreate a small portion of our talk.
Friend: In my little “boxed” way of thinking:
1. Photographers are seekers, first and foremost
2. Graphic artists are messengers
3. Composers are messengers
4. Singers are channels
5. Actors are mirrors
Me: Yep, I agree about actors. Are writers the interpreters?
Friend: 6. Writers, in my mind, are all of the above
7. Philosophers are interpreters
Me: Ah, okay, I can go along with philosophers. So, let me spell this out differently–
Writers are the philosophers who seek, through pictures, to channel messages and hold up mirrors to their readers, so that interpretations of reality can be seen and appreciated, and a future can be built upon that foundation.
Poetry is the perfect medium in its own way. It’s short, lyrical in form and presents a message, philosophical in method and presentation, and gives the reader an entire picture, however short. And there is music in the cadence and rhythm of the lines that bring home the message.
Friend: I like it. That should be your blog post. I think of ghost writers, for example…
Me: I think on some level it is true. Even the most out-there writers, like early King or Koontz, write about people’s fears and what they’re based on. They give an opportunity to imagine the lengths to which those fears can go. I think ghost writers are even truer for the example. They channel so much of their client, the messages they gained while working with that individual, and so on. They may be only reflecting the philosophy of the client, but the wording, phraseology is their own, which makes or breaks the philosophy.
Friend: I suppose as writers we go “I have something to say”… that something is definitely inspired somehow. Poetry is the most compact package as far as writing goes. It also asks a lot of the readers.
Me: Which is what all messages do.
Friend: I mean… it is a push off a cliff compared to the steady rise of a roller coaster before it crashes down. Longer writing is more like the amusemen
A really interesting way to capture the topic… via a conversation! I am with the friend on this one
I felt it was the only way to really show the thought progression from light conversation to more serious considerations. We all do it, but we don’t think about how the set-up works after we’re finished with it.
This way, it’s all there, and without a crafty and smart counterpart, such a conversation doesn’t take place often.
I named you friend, just in case you didn’t want your name bandied about. Guess I should have emblazoned it instead, my friend.
My only feedback would have been to bold “Me” and “Friend” so it is easier on the eye to see the conversation taking place.
I’m about to take care of that. My problem was that the system kept kicking me off and I was losing stuff right and left. I was lucky to get anything up and readable.
No worries. It’ll be changed soon.
Hi Claudette,
Can I chime in? As a photographer, writer, artist I’d like to quote Marshal Mcluhan: the medium is the message. When I paint a painting or write a story I’m the medium and what I’m doing is not spreading art so much as spreading an effect. I try to set a trap for the attention of an audience. But it doesn’t much matter what I paint or photograph or write. What is written is nothing compared to the effect of that written piece on the audience and the meaning of it coming from ME mixed with the perceived biases the audience feels about me.
You two are so wise, but collectively? Whoa!! Great stuff here, friends!
Marie Elena
Ah, but is it wisdom or mere speculation, my friend, Marie. You should hear us when the discussion goes underground.
I’m glad you liked, Marie. Sometimes I just gotta have fun. Today was one of those days.
Chime away, my young friend.
With a photographer for a sister, I’m always getting that perspective. Each of her shots reveals something from within her; an attitude, a sense of fun, whatever.
I can understand and agree that the effect, the impact is the thing, and there’s always some kind of impact, even if it’s adverse. I’ll tell Sis about the trap reference. She’ll be able to relate.
You’ve stated that beautifully, Veronica. Thank you so much for chiming in. I love hearing the views of others on questions or perspectives that I have. That’s how discussions begin and continue.
Feel free to chime in anytime. I love have you guys around.
Hi Veronica: “I try to set a trap for the attention of an audience”… brilliant!
Hi Marie: You are too kind… you just got a peek into the hours of dialog I get into with our good friend Claudsy. To be honest, I have to set a timer… I think once we were at it non stop for 4 hours… We promised not to do that to each other afterwards