Wednesday, 18 March 2009
How do we define Art?
I had the idea to do a series of self portraits of myself, looking down at my dick, all in the same position, just different locations. They would be called Dick 1, Dick 2, Dick 3 etc.
Could this be called art?
There would be numerous interpretations about just exactly what was meant with this, beyond the artist himself.
Would the art be this interpretive viewing? Or would it be the search for meaning? Would it be the challenge by the artist to his viewers to find meaning?
Ultimately it comes down to the interaction between the artist and the viewers. Is not there were the art lies? In that ever-changing, ethereal, mythical place called perception?
Is not that mystical knowledge that you gain when viewing a painting the art? What you see and experience, and how you perceive the 'vision' of the artist - is not that art? The artists' ability to touch you, to touch your mind and to change who you are.
For that moment he takes control and define your views and experience.
Monday, 16 March 2009
The Deadly Magic of Believing
From the days of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to modern times in Haiti, Australia, Africa, and elsewhere, healthy people have turned sick and died because a hex, curse, or spell was put upon them. There is a considerable body of literature on the subject.
The methods of declaring the curse are many and varied. It can be done by making an effigy of the victim and piercing it with pins or burning it. Wax, wood, clay, cloth, and straw have all been used for the purpose. Hair or fingernail pairings from the victim can be ritually hexed. Chants and singing can declare a curse. Stones or weapons can be magically charged, or a container of magically endowed powders or herbds can be used to cast a spell.
Although methods differ, the magic works when there is sufficient belief in its power. The sorcerer must have absolute confidence in his powers, the victim must believe that his magic is unassailable, and the community at large must subscribe to the belief. The latter is especially important. One can imagine the effect in cultures where the community looks upon the victim as dead from the moment the curse become known. The victim may cease to eat and drink (as befits the dead), which serves to hasten the end.
One well-documented method of killing by suggestion is "bone-pointing," a form of ritual execution occasionally practised by the aborigines of Australia. There is no physical contact with the victim, but his fate is usually as frirmly sealed as if he were run through the heart with a spear.The pointing weapon can be made of bone, wood, or stone. Belief in its magic is what counts. A graphic description of the effects of bone pointing is given in Dr. Herbert Basedow's book The Australian Aboriginal, published in 1925:
A man who discovers that he is being boned by an enemy is, indeed, a pitiable sight. He stands aghast, with eyes staring at the treacherous pointer, and with his hands lifted as though to ward off the lethal medium, which he imagines is pouring through into his body.His cheeks blanch and his eyes become glassy, and the expression of his face becomes horribly distorted.... He attempts to shriek, but usually the sound chokes in his throat, and all one might see is froth at his mouth. His body begins to thremble and the muscles twist involuntary. He sways backwards and falls to the ground, and for a short time appears to be in a swoon; but soon after he begins to writhe as if in mortal agony, and, covering his face with his hands, begin (sic) to moan. After a while he becomes more composed and crawls to his wurley (hut). From that time onwards he sickens and frets, refusing to eat, and keeping aloof from the daily affairs of the tribe. Unless help is forthcoming in the shape of a counter-charm, administered by the hands of the "Nangarri," or medicine-man, his death is only a matter of a comparatively short time. If the coming of the medicine-man is opportune, he might be saved.
A possible physiological explanation for the victims's response to bone pointing has been suggested. The consequences of extreme fear are similar to those of great rage: the adrenal glands increase their production of adrenalin, reducing the blood supply to the less essential parts of the body in order to ensure an adequate supply to the muscles, upon whose efficiency, for flight or fight, the life of the subject may depend. Adrenalin produces the result by constricting the small blood vessels in those parts of the body that can temporarily survive a reduced blood supply.
The advantage acquired in this way, however, is gained at some cost. When blood supply is reduced, so is the supply of oxygen, which is carried in the blood by the red corpuscles. When the fine capillary blood vessels are deprived of oxygen, they become more permeable to the blood plasma, which seeps into the tissue surroundiong the blood vessels. The consequence of this, in a prolonged condition of fear or anger, is an overall reduction in the volume of circulating blood.This, in turn, reduces the blood pressure, and a potentially disastrous cycle can be established. The reduced blood pressure adversely affects those parts of the body responsible for maintaining the circulation of the blood, and the reduced circulation further reduces the blood pressure. This sequence of events, if unchecked, will be fatal.
That a hex, spell, or curse can rate such physiological disorders is mystery enough. Even more puzzling are cases of death in which medical exmination reveals no evidence of either reduced blood pressure or an abnormal accumulation of red blood cells. One example is that of Kinjika, tha Mailli tribesman whose death is described on pages 107-08. Another is a report by by a Dr. P.S. Clarke concerning a Kanaka tribesman in North Queensland, Australia, who said that he was going to die soon because a spell had been put on him. The doctor's examination revealed no medical problems, but a few days later the man was dead.
It would seem that in societies where the effects of a curse is accepted as common knowledge, there is no question that the spear of thought can kill.
Mysteries of the Unexplained, published by Reader's Digest, 1982, page 109.
The methods of declaring the curse are many and varied. It can be done by making an effigy of the victim and piercing it with pins or burning it. Wax, wood, clay, cloth, and straw have all been used for the purpose. Hair or fingernail pairings from the victim can be ritually hexed. Chants and singing can declare a curse. Stones or weapons can be magically charged, or a container of magically endowed powders or herbds can be used to cast a spell.
Although methods differ, the magic works when there is sufficient belief in its power. The sorcerer must have absolute confidence in his powers, the victim must believe that his magic is unassailable, and the community at large must subscribe to the belief. The latter is especially important. One can imagine the effect in cultures where the community looks upon the victim as dead from the moment the curse become known. The victim may cease to eat and drink (as befits the dead), which serves to hasten the end.
One well-documented method of killing by suggestion is "bone-pointing," a form of ritual execution occasionally practised by the aborigines of Australia. There is no physical contact with the victim, but his fate is usually as frirmly sealed as if he were run through the heart with a spear.The pointing weapon can be made of bone, wood, or stone. Belief in its magic is what counts. A graphic description of the effects of bone pointing is given in Dr. Herbert Basedow's book The Australian Aboriginal, published in 1925:
A man who discovers that he is being boned by an enemy is, indeed, a pitiable sight. He stands aghast, with eyes staring at the treacherous pointer, and with his hands lifted as though to ward off the lethal medium, which he imagines is pouring through into his body.His cheeks blanch and his eyes become glassy, and the expression of his face becomes horribly distorted.... He attempts to shriek, but usually the sound chokes in his throat, and all one might see is froth at his mouth. His body begins to thremble and the muscles twist involuntary. He sways backwards and falls to the ground, and for a short time appears to be in a swoon; but soon after he begins to writhe as if in mortal agony, and, covering his face with his hands, begin (sic) to moan. After a while he becomes more composed and crawls to his wurley (hut). From that time onwards he sickens and frets, refusing to eat, and keeping aloof from the daily affairs of the tribe. Unless help is forthcoming in the shape of a counter-charm, administered by the hands of the "Nangarri," or medicine-man, his death is only a matter of a comparatively short time. If the coming of the medicine-man is opportune, he might be saved.
A possible physiological explanation for the victims's response to bone pointing has been suggested. The consequences of extreme fear are similar to those of great rage: the adrenal glands increase their production of adrenalin, reducing the blood supply to the less essential parts of the body in order to ensure an adequate supply to the muscles, upon whose efficiency, for flight or fight, the life of the subject may depend. Adrenalin produces the result by constricting the small blood vessels in those parts of the body that can temporarily survive a reduced blood supply.
The advantage acquired in this way, however, is gained at some cost. When blood supply is reduced, so is the supply of oxygen, which is carried in the blood by the red corpuscles. When the fine capillary blood vessels are deprived of oxygen, they become more permeable to the blood plasma, which seeps into the tissue surroundiong the blood vessels. The consequence of this, in a prolonged condition of fear or anger, is an overall reduction in the volume of circulating blood.This, in turn, reduces the blood pressure, and a potentially disastrous cycle can be established. The reduced blood pressure adversely affects those parts of the body responsible for maintaining the circulation of the blood, and the reduced circulation further reduces the blood pressure. This sequence of events, if unchecked, will be fatal.
That a hex, spell, or curse can rate such physiological disorders is mystery enough. Even more puzzling are cases of death in which medical exmination reveals no evidence of either reduced blood pressure or an abnormal accumulation of red blood cells. One example is that of Kinjika, tha Mailli tribesman whose death is described on pages 107-08. Another is a report by by a Dr. P.S. Clarke concerning a Kanaka tribesman in North Queensland, Australia, who said that he was going to die soon because a spell had been put on him. The doctor's examination revealed no medical problems, but a few days later the man was dead.
It would seem that in societies where the effects of a curse is accepted as common knowledge, there is no question that the spear of thought can kill.
Mysteries of the Unexplained, published by Reader's Digest, 1982, page 109.
The Humble Vibrator
The original patent was filed in 1869. It was prescribed for the nerves and female hysteria. Hysteria, from the Greek for "suffering uterus," involved anxiety, irritability, sexual fantasies, "pelvic heaviness" and "excessive" vaginal lubrication - in other words, sexual arousal.
As late as 1930 it was still in use in the salons and parlors of fashionable Paris and London. Madame Rubenstein went to Europe to investigate their beauty business, and most probably had the treatment. It was advertised in Needlecraft, Home Needlework Journal and Woman's Home Companion, and even sold in the Sears & Roebuck catalogue as an "aid every woman appreciates."
In 1952 the American Medical Association declared that hysteria is not really an illness. Since the vibrator could no longer be used as a medical device, it had be acknowledged for what it is.
We find traces as far back as the time of the great kings of Egypt of similar devices being used for rituals and being consecrated as holy relics. In 2500 BC Egyptian art depicts female dancers gyrating nearly naked, carrying a sculpture of an oversized erect penis to honor the god Osiris.
We find traces as far back as the time of the great kings of Egypt of similar devices being used for rituals and being consecrated as holy relics. In 2500 BC Egyptian art depicts female dancers gyrating nearly naked, carrying a sculpture of an oversized erect penis to honor the god Osiris.
Possibly an agricultural fertility ritual...
The Olisbos was sold in the Mediterranean in 500 BC, and in 1400 AD in Renaissance Italy, the Greek olisbo became "dildo," possibly from the Latin dilatare, to open wide, or perhaps from the Italian diletto, to delight.
The first vibrator was developed by an American physician, George Taylor, M.D., it was a large, cumbersome, steam-powered apparatus.
Luckily we have come a long way since then, and we are much more enlightened, evolved and informed. If there is a demand, the laws of economics decrees that there will be a supply...Ancient stone phallus found in Germany
July 25 2005 at 02:44PM
Tubingen, Germany - A stone phallus 28 000 years old has been discovered in a cave in Baden-Wuertemberg in southern Germany, according to archeologists with the University of Tubingen.
In assembling 14 stone fragments found last year in the Hohle Fels cave, archeologists rebuilt the phallus, which is 20cm long and 3cm wide.
It will be on display at the prehistoric museum in Blaubeuren.
It will be on display at the prehistoric museum in Blaubeuren.
The caves in the Blaubeuren region, which sheltered Neanderthal man, are among the most important archeological sites in Europe.
The oldest object representing a bird, dating back 32 000 years, was discovered a few years ago in the same cave. - Sapa-dpa
HIV vs UFO
I just did a Google image search and came up with a peculiar juxtaposition. There are 295 000 photo's of HIV and 504 000 of UFO's. In the society and level of sophistication that we are living, we are always asking for evidence, and do not want to believe without having seen with our own eyes, yet there are 1.7 times as many photo's of UFO's as the HIV virus.
There is more focus on the latter and the former is regarded as a harmless, but slightly strange pastime. There are billions being poured into AIDS research and the study of UFO's is conducted by a few privately sponsored individuals and societies. Should there not be more evidence?
We are accepting on blind faith and trust in the people who are telling us how it works and what is happening, without questioning anything ourselves. Is this really wise?I can give another qoute in support of the argument that we are not being totally objective and that we should look at things in an enlightened and educated manner.
"If ever there was in the world a warranted and proven history, it is that of vampires. Nothing is lacking; official reports, testimonials of persons of standing, of surgeons, of clergymen, of judges; the evidence is all embracing." - Jean Jacques Rousseau.
Who can fight against that kind of evidence?
We are agreeing with what we have been told and believe what has been said without questioning it. Are we really so enlightened? Why can we not look at all that is given as evidence and listen to all that is said and written, instead of trying to make others wrong who are prepared to look further and deeper? Are we not more close-minded by our belief and insistence not to listen? Are we not prepared to listen first instead of making an instant judgement?
There are people who are being labelled 'dissidents' because they do not agree with commonly known facts. Just like it was commonly known that the earth was flat. Would it not be wiser to listen than to ignore, or is our fear of being wrong that big and overpowering?
Thabo Mbeki was much ridiculed when he suggested we look further, have a look yourself and find out about the SMON fiasco, before you judge.
A question that has remained unanswered: Why is it that with all the thousands of so-called AIDS deaths, our mortaliy rate in SA is the same as the UK?
First for Whom?
We listened to the advertisements and noted what they said.
Then our friends said that they are not so sure and some - including the ladies - said that they are not so sure either that it is all correct, after all there are some of the ladies who would not trust another woman behind the wheel.
So we wondered and have to ask the following:
If, by example, 70% of all accidents are caused by men and 30% of all accidents are caused by women, it would mean one thing.
But if the 70% of men are only 10% of all the male drivers and the 30% percent of women are 20% of all the female drivers, it would mean something totally different.
Within context, and related to the base group from where the stats are drawn, the significance shifts.
According to Stats SA:
Male drivers accounted for 80.6% of collisions in South Africa in 1998 as against 19.4% involving female drivers. But only 62.5% of all accidents involved motor car drivers, the rest being bakkies, panel vans, light delivery vehicles and minibus/kombi type vehicles. (Report 71-61-01, 1998)
When you consider that the drivers of the non-motor vehicles would invariably be male and driving in a professional capacity for hours at a time and deduct them from the total, you will end up with the following:
37.5% - non-motor vehicle
62.5% - motor vehicle
62.5% minus 19.4% female drivers results in 43.1% male drivers, or 2.22 times more men than women.
Now, how many more men than women are on the roads? 2.22 or 2.5 or three times as many? What is the percentage male/female drivers?
We have sent an email to First for Women as we could not locate the stats on their
website, requesting the stats that they speak of and hope to get a reply soon, just so that we can be sure.
After a week they have not yet responded, maybe they lost the first mail.
UPDATE
We received the following mail in response:
From : Corina Koumendacos
We have statistical evidence that firstly women are involved in up to 20% less accidents than men. Secondly, in respect of motor vehicle accident repair costs, the average repair cost involved in repairing an accident damaged motor vehicle that was driven by a woman is up to 35% less than one driven by a man.
These statistics were ascertained from a data base of over 500 000 insured individuals.
We are certain the above clarifies matters.
Kind regards
Corina Koumendacos
Executive
To which we asked the question:
Could you please let me know what the percentage difference is between the male/fermale drivers to which this 20% relate as I believe it would be significant to the reading and analysis of the statistics.
We await developments.
UPDATE
It has been quite a while now but still no answer, maybe the mail got lost again...
Biblical Proof
We say no more.
For many Rastas, smoking cannabis (known as ganja, herb, kali, or lambs bread) is a spiritual act, often accompanied by Bible study; they consider it a sacrament that cleans the body and mind, exalts the consciousness, facilitates peacefulness, and brings them closer to Jah. The burning of the herb is often said to be essential "for it will sting in the hearts of those that promote and perform evil and wrongs".
Many believe that cannabis originated in Africa, and that it is a part of their African culture that they are reclaiming.
They are not surprised that it is illegal, seeing it as a powerful substance that opens people's minds to the truth — something the Babylon system, they reason, clearly does not want. They contrast their herb to liquor, which they feel makes people stupid, and is not a part of African culture. While there is a clear belief in the beneficial qualities of cannabis, it is not compulsory to use it, and there are Rastas who do not do so.
Dreadlocked mystics, often ascetic, known as the sadhus, have smoked cannabis in India for centuries. The migration of many thousands of Indian Hindus to the Caribbean in the 20th century brought this culture to Jamaica.
They believe that the smoking of cannabis enjoys Biblical sanction and is an aid to meditation and religious observance.
Among Biblical verses Rastas believe justify the use of herb:
Genesis 1:11 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so." Genesis 3:18 "... thou shalt eat the herb of the field." Proverbs 15:17 "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."[1] Psalms 104:14 "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man."
Genesis 1:11 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so." Genesis 3:18 "... thou shalt eat the herb of the field." Proverbs 15:17 "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."[1] Psalms 104:14 "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man."
According to Rastafarian and other scholars, the etymology of the word "cannabis" and similar terms in all the languages of the Near East may be traced to the Hebrew qaneh bosm that is one of the herbs God commands Moses to include in his preparation of sacred anointing perfume in Exodus 30:23; the Hebrew term also appears in Isaiah 43:24; Jeremiah 6:20; Ezekiel 27:19; and Song of Songs 4:14.
Deuterocanonical and canonical references to the patriarchs Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses "burning incense before the Lord" are also applied, and many Rastas today refer to cannabis by the term ishence — a slightly changed form of the English word "incense". It is also said that cannabis was the first plant to grow on King Solomon's grave.
Deuterocanonical and canonical references to the patriarchs Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses "burning incense before the Lord" are also applied, and many Rastas today refer to cannabis by the term ishence — a slightly changed form of the English word "incense". It is also said that cannabis was the first plant to grow on King Solomon's grave.
Monday, 9 February 2009
ho-prah
been watching ho-prah on her new time slot as the girlfriend switches the tv on at that time, so definately not through choice.
but based on what i have seen, i want to ask the question: what makes her so different from a prostitute?
imagine the scene; a scantily dressed woman on the corner, talking loud, trying to get your attention, giving you some come-on lines to generate interest...getting familiar?
truth be told, she is an attention whore.
the whole world knows about her weight struggles and what does she do? put before and after photos on the front of the magazine, cleverly named after herself. thus everyone can wallow and share in her misery.
'but find out more, directly after the break...'
and then it turns nasty, covering subjects such as molestation and drug abuse with visuals comparable to rotten.com.
i think what bothers me is that with all her millions she seems to have run out of decent afternoon fun material and is focusing on the bad and terrible. but, hey! this is what entertainment is all about!
and when you can't get away with selling yourself (hi, big boy...as she surreptitiously show a bit of flesh), you have to sell with the freaky and gory details.
'this show contains graphic images intended for a mature audience.'
the sad thing is that she hasn't flashed the public yet, so at least we have something to look forward to...
but based on what i have seen, i want to ask the question: what makes her so different from a prostitute?
imagine the scene; a scantily dressed woman on the corner, talking loud, trying to get your attention, giving you some come-on lines to generate interest...getting familiar?
truth be told, she is an attention whore.
the whole world knows about her weight struggles and what does she do? put before and after photos on the front of the magazine, cleverly named after herself. thus everyone can wallow and share in her misery.
'but find out more, directly after the break...'
and then it turns nasty, covering subjects such as molestation and drug abuse with visuals comparable to rotten.com.
i think what bothers me is that with all her millions she seems to have run out of decent afternoon fun material and is focusing on the bad and terrible. but, hey! this is what entertainment is all about!
and when you can't get away with selling yourself (hi, big boy...as she surreptitiously show a bit of flesh), you have to sell with the freaky and gory details.
'this show contains graphic images intended for a mature audience.'
the sad thing is that she hasn't flashed the public yet, so at least we have something to look forward to...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)