Art and Science. Many visiting here are probably tired about me going on about them. But I see there being pretty good reasons for this. I've discussed about how they are the heart and brain of the living entity that is life itself. I've explained what each represents and how we go about using them. And despite the two ends they occupy, I've pointed out the strong connection they have with each other. But there's one thing I haven't addressed here that could arguably be the most important of them all. That being their impact on us. In the first piece last year ('Live Season' Or 'Seek Reason'), I do mention of how both Art and Science depend on one another. The fact that Science can encourage imagination and Art can assist in research. What I didn't share was they're relevance to us, how we depend on them and how they shape the way we are seen by everyone else. Both Art and Science play a bigger role in our lives than we like to think, which is why this topic is one of the most important I have explored in this blog.
I've said it before. There are two types of people; Artists and Scientists. Artists do things without pondering over their meaning whereas Scientists are more philosophical and are all about gaining knowledge. While there lies the choice of which we tend to do more of or which of the two we prefer doing, there is the importance of acknowledging the other side. To gain greater appreciation, we are required to be less extreme. We have to demonstrate both exercises to a certain degree so we don't lose our either one of our hearts or minds. It's the balance between truth and freedom. We have to respect this balance if our image matters to us. Having balance allows us the strong values that attract the love and trust from friends, family, acquaintances and people in general. It makes us easier to understand and easier to get along with. One can't really tell how many have this balance. But when most keep to themselves living and enjoying their lives, I usually see it as them being quite stable. After all, sitting in the middle is close to the norm and very easy to do.
Our approach to this can also sometimes determine how we communicate with others. When we look as Art and Science as equals, we treat our lives with respect like they're a game with serious rules. We're aware of the boundaries and even set some of our own. The messages we are taught are clear to us. And we know where and when it's suitable to do certain things. Long story short, the evenness of Art and Science within us is a package of morals and a tag that let's those around us know that we're not a threat. That is so long as we still share our details, which are mainly our hobbies and interests (see below). Having no balance on the other hand is sort of the opposite. I for one, see anybody that's short of stability being significantly apathetic. They're far too deep in their own world and don't care for how others are affected by what they do. Any tilt of the Art and Science scale is a step towards being unable to see the consequences that come from actions. The line that is drawn either can't be seen, or it is ignored.
Hobbies and interests help define us as individuals. How we express them can determine the people we attract. They are primarily an Art, but can be a Science as well. How is that we ask? Well we simply look at the things we love. For instance, I like the many lights and sounds compacted by the more creative of minds. I ask myself why I like this, but I can't seem to explain. I just do. That can be our nature speaking for us. We are all different people and we are all attracted to different things. We get introduced to all this stuff whilst growing up, but there are a few things that just stand out above the rest. We take a strong liking to them and they catch our attention. It's no different to asking a cosplayer why they like dressing up as they're favourite fictional characters. Or a bisexual when it comes to liking both males and females. Or even a car enthusiast with vehicles. Most of the time, the answers would be 'because I do' or 'because it's awesome'. There is no better answer for this.
Ever noticed in film and television how geeks and nerds are often portrayed as people with great knowledge, but a lack of understanding when it comes to such things as emotion and empathy? Ever noticed how logic is used to overshadow feelings? One of the best examples we'll find of this is obviously The Big Bang Theory. The show's biggest and most important character Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), is known to either disregard empathy or lack knowledge of it, especially during the period before his relationship with Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Balik). Sheldon is all about truth and facts, struggling to keep secrets and stating information without considering the comfort of his friends. This was mostly noticeable between himself and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) in the earlier years. Sheldon would not be afraid to say something, never thinking whether it would be hurtful or out of line. Despite the universal love and praise for this character, these traits have now and then painted him to be obnoxious, disrespectful and somewhat uncaring. With Sheldon, the scales tip towards Science as he has set himself boundaries. If something isn't factual or relevant, his interest is fairly minute.
Our approach to this can also sometimes determine how we communicate with others. When we look as Art and Science as equals, we treat our lives with respect like they're a game with serious rules. We're aware of the boundaries and even set some of our own. The messages we are taught are clear to us. And we know where and when it's suitable to do certain things. Long story short, the evenness of Art and Science within us is a package of morals and a tag that let's those around us know that we're not a threat. That is so long as we still share our details, which are mainly our hobbies and interests (see below). Having no balance on the other hand is sort of the opposite. I for one, see anybody that's short of stability being significantly apathetic. They're far too deep in their own world and don't care for how others are affected by what they do. Any tilt of the Art and Science scale is a step towards being unable to see the consequences that come from actions. The line that is drawn either can't be seen, or it is ignored.
Hobbies and interests help define us as individuals. How we express them can determine the people we attract. They are primarily an Art, but can be a Science as well. How is that we ask? Well we simply look at the things we love. For instance, I like the many lights and sounds compacted by the more creative of minds. I ask myself why I like this, but I can't seem to explain. I just do. That can be our nature speaking for us. We are all different people and we are all attracted to different things. We get introduced to all this stuff whilst growing up, but there are a few things that just stand out above the rest. We take a strong liking to them and they catch our attention. It's no different to asking a cosplayer why they like dressing up as they're favourite fictional characters. Or a bisexual when it comes to liking both males and females. Or even a car enthusiast with vehicles. Most of the time, the answers would be 'because I do' or 'because it's awesome'. There is no better answer for this.
While a fictional show. The Big Bang Theory shares an incredibly large link with reality. There sits a monstrous idea that is easy to see and hard to understand. But once we understand it, we'll come to figure out what it's trying to teach us. To 'Respect The Balance'. It tells us that being intellectually exceptional is not always going to support one's image. If we as people were to stop at just the facts and laws of life, we will be seen to have little creativity and little imagination. We'd only ever be reaching the surface without the effort to go deeper. We could be working too hard or feeling too robotic. And we could be considering ourselves superior to most others around us. It's another way of saying 'I have the right to think the way I do, but you don't'. Giving our entire life to Science would without a doubt make us appear unsociable outliers. People that are not willing to explore the many powers they have. Humanity isn't seen as a uniting of hearts and souls, but instead as a cluster of meat and bones.
That's Science, but what about Art. What happens when this half consumes us? How are we then generally seen? Well Art is the detail to life. It's what separates collectives into singularities. It gives individuals control and the power of choice. It at times answers for everybody's nature. It's important for us to give ourselves an identity through artistic ideas. Our interests are what help us connect with each other. But there is the possibility of taking it too far. Think of the Art and Science spectrum as a measurement of sanity. The middle of this spectrum is where we should be. To acknowledge the truth but to embrace beauty as well. It's the right level of sanity. If we are too sane, we come off as cold and lifeless. And then there's insanity. When we think life is a game without any rules whatsoever. When we act like we are not who we actually are. Extreme artists can be dangerous. They are unpredictable and unstable. We don't know how they're to act when we come to meet any one of them. Think of it like this. Somebody likes wolves so much and try so hard to turn themselves into one. It gets to the point where they think they are a wolf when you ask them. It may seem unrealistic, but there are crazy things we don't see that can happen anywhere around the world. If we come to meet a particular person like this, would we be thinking that they are safe to socialise with? Most likely not.
I like to believe that we as people need to respect that we are humans, the most complex species on this planet. We need to at least look at Science as our foundation. The base for whatever we construct for ourselves. I wouldn't go around pretending I am somebody or something I'm not, as it's me spitting on this foundation. Everything I create, is rather just an extension of my overall character. Like an extra attachment or part that makes me more comfortable about myself. Imagination can be a wonderful thing, but when we allow it to take over us, we can step towards leaving others around us feeling uneasy. I also don't see why the preference of some is to be completely different anyway, but that's just me. I say embrace humanity for its gifted existence. Thank it for allowing us to make the choices today. Know that the facts are there, and know that they mean just as much as our own approaches to life. While our earlier and less inspiring stages of life are very rarely favoured by us, they are what lead us to those that are greater. I thank the gift of existence as well as the opportunities over the years placed in front of me, for leading me to find what I love doing. I find comfort in communicating my view of beauty, comedy, fiction, mystery, nature and strategy. Sure it can be an unusual combination, but I see myself as an unusual sort of person (see below).
The best word to describe me based on my hobbies, interests and the ways I present myself would probably be simply 'unusual'. Although people will use 'weird' a lot more, and that's okay. But when people put a negative spin on it, I just wish to ask them why. How is being weird a bad thing? In my eyes, 'weird' is one of the best ways to distinguish character. It shows that we really embrace Art for what it is. And we express it in unusual ways with the intention of standing out. My activity online and outdoors can be odd. Either that, or it's normal with the reason behind it drawing more attention. I like to do similar things in a way that's less common and more peculiar, as I believe it makes me more interesting to interact with. And I must add that there is a significant difference between 'weird' and 'crazy'. I'm not by any means crazy, nor have I allowed myself to be consumed by Art. Balanced people do have the option of presenting themselves in an unfamiliar manner.
So if ever we're to care about how we come across to others, the key is in our view of the world and existence. Too work hard, have fun and share that vision. Both Art and Science have a larger impact on us than most other things. Hopefully the importance of this topic is understood. On top of that, I enjoy talking about it and I don't think I'm done with it yet. As a matter of fact, I consider the 'Art and Science' pieces to be some of my most important stuff in this blog (probably some of my best work as well). This topic could pretty much be the one of the easiest things to learn about. Nobody needs to stick their nose in a textbook when it comes to this area of study. All they require is the motivation and past experiences to support them. It includes the education that nudges them, the friends that influence them and the ideas that interest them. Put it all together, and they can begin to see it. The discussion of Art and Science can stare one in the face and it doesn't in any way need to be made more complicated. Regardless of what others think, I thoroughly enjoy typing up about this.
Travis "TJ" James
The best word to describe me based on my hobbies, interests and the ways I present myself would probably be simply 'unusual'. Although people will use 'weird' a lot more, and that's okay. But when people put a negative spin on it, I just wish to ask them why. How is being weird a bad thing? In my eyes, 'weird' is one of the best ways to distinguish character. It shows that we really embrace Art for what it is. And we express it in unusual ways with the intention of standing out. My activity online and outdoors can be odd. Either that, or it's normal with the reason behind it drawing more attention. I like to do similar things in a way that's less common and more peculiar, as I believe it makes me more interesting to interact with. And I must add that there is a significant difference between 'weird' and 'crazy'. I'm not by any means crazy, nor have I allowed myself to be consumed by Art. Balanced people do have the option of presenting themselves in an unfamiliar manner.
So if ever we're to care about how we come across to others, the key is in our view of the world and existence. Too work hard, have fun and share that vision. Both Art and Science have a larger impact on us than most other things. Hopefully the importance of this topic is understood. On top of that, I enjoy talking about it and I don't think I'm done with it yet. As a matter of fact, I consider the 'Art and Science' pieces to be some of my most important stuff in this blog (probably some of my best work as well). This topic could pretty much be the one of the easiest things to learn about. Nobody needs to stick their nose in a textbook when it comes to this area of study. All they require is the motivation and past experiences to support them. It includes the education that nudges them, the friends that influence them and the ideas that interest them. Put it all together, and they can begin to see it. The discussion of Art and Science can stare one in the face and it doesn't in any way need to be made more complicated. Regardless of what others think, I thoroughly enjoy typing up about this.
Travis "TJ" James
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