a situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless
- The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth Albert Camus -
Absurdism: Camus considers absurdity as a confrontation / conflict between two ideals. He defines the human condition as absurd, as the confrontation between man’s desire for significance/meaning/clarity and the silent, cold universe. He says that there are specific human experiences that evoke notions of absurdity and leaves the individual with a choice: suicide, a leap of faith, or acceptance - where man can choose to embrace his own absurd condition.
This is your assignment - to show us how you have embraced the absurdities in your life…
March 28, 2008 at 9:35 pm · Filed under 31 political
Sometimes our differences in politics (and life) can be big - so big that the differences themselves become actual issues. When this happens many people take sides… and either shout that stance to the world, or hide it behind a curtain. I honestly don’t know which of the two is more dangerous - mobs of anger or unspoken beliefs that run in an undercurrent, sweeping feet out from unsuspecting people who think they know the world better.
If you pick everything into tiny fragments and dissect all the pieces of what makes politics work - it comes down to people… and people are different. Like snowflakes - no two are the same, but somewhere along the way the world will try to convince us that it is better to be “same” than “different.”
It is the dreaded “normal.”
I do not believe for one second that striving for normal is what changes a country or people - or molds the political parties that bring progress. It’s only in the struggle for new, different and better - that some of us find change.
I remember when I found the Self Portrait Challenge website two years ago I was feeling really bad about myself because I didn’t fit into this specific category (without getting too personal) that society likes to place women. It didn’t work for me in highschool or college - I wish it did… but no.
A friend of mine suggested I reach out to a different group of bloggers in the artistic community, because there was a whole different thing going on that I might enjoy - specifically on this blog. I hesitantly posted my first self portrait and it sucked - but still, I felt so welcomed.
As my photography became more unique, more interesting and “holli-ish” - the better I felt about what I was doing. I felt a sense of community here - and it was so wonderful to feel good about being accepted for my differences, rather than my similarities.
I love this blog. I am so thankful it exists - it’s actually made a difference in my life.
When you focus on the differences as being strengths - people flourish. When you force everyone into a miserable cookie-cutter experience - and punish for “different.” Well, life is too short to not actually live it as… you
*********
It may seem too apropos that I chose Kristen’s picture the day I’m going to stay with her family for the weekend, but it would have been picked had I never known her name. I’ve always loved the quote at the top of her blog - and the image did exactly what my picks need to do… it wrote this post for me.
My darling girl, when are you going to realize that normal isn’t a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.
~author unknown
I grew up with the idea of Politics as a thing distant from me. As I grew up Brazil was in a transition moment of History, because the people were craving for changes, for more rights, for democracy at its fullest. Back then I couldn’t realize how things would change so much in so little time, but I remember sitting with my Grandfather in the couch, watching a lot of men in suits arguing and talking to each other and holding up our flag - and let me just say I was always amazed by the lively green and shiny yellow of the Brazilian flag - and also there was Fafá de Belém, a Brazilian singer, singing Brazil’s National anthem, in a way that even today still gets me emotional.
Those were Congressmen voting for more freedom for the people. That was the vote for the new Constitution, and the Militaries were officially stepping down from the Government, and the general feel was relief and a breeze of new air - new ideas, new opportunities, changes - in History.
A few years later, I felt more a part of this thing called Politics when I painted my face green and yellow and joined thousands of others on the streets to impeach and take a corrupt politic from the presidency. But it still wasn’t then for me to realize how important our actions - as little as may seem right now - for the making of History.
It wasn’t only until a few years ago that I realized I, back then, was living at a turning point time in the History of my country, and then I started to understand that Politics are not distant or far. Even for those who don’t want to take a stand, or don’t want to get involved, it is impossible. If you live in a group, if you interact with you neighboors, it is already Politics.
This being said, the pictures that caught my eye were those reflecting the importance of the individual stand on subjects, any subject, and the influence one might have on the events of the community, or the society in general.
This one, for example, shows us that there’s no better equation for beauty than self-love, self-respect.
The next one reminds us about our choices. We are what we eat, and our lives are what we make of them, and Politics are, inevitably, the sum of our choices and actions as a part of a social group.
But the most significant for me this week was this one. It tells me we need to teach our children about what’s right and wrong, what’s good and what’s bad, because is their duty to continue the steps we take today. And, as we are responsible for the political choices and decisions today, we have to gaze to the past as children, and avoid the mistakes made in the past, in order to grow as a civilization.
I don’t know if I was able to express my idea of Politics. Because Politics, as I see it, is not only a matter of choosing between Democrats and Republicans, it is part of every decision we make, in any level of life.
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Happy Easter for those, as myself, who celebrate Easter. And keep in mind, History is what we make of it everyday.
by Baby Faith (Holli)
If you think this photo is phenomenal (and it is!) — you’ve got to read her blog post, too. Just click the photo to go there.
60 Piggies — ‘Citizen of the World’
Brittany @ brittsoucy offers herself as an alternative to the front-runners.
Kozy Kitty touches on the politics of Arts in the schools (or not in the schools, as the case may be).
(on the left, above) Rebekah @ sunnybrookfarmdesigns says Kermit was wrong — maybe it is easy being green
(on the right, above) LLD talks about her experience with Faith
This month’s challenge seems to be one that has everyone feeling a bit hesitant to participate. We’ve been more apt to gladly show off our body parts and imperfections than bare what motivates us on a political level. I find that quite intriguing. Why is it easier to reveal our skins over our truest thoughts?
Political isn’t a dirty word. As Holli pointed out earlier this week, it’s true meaning is the process by which we make decisions. It encourages discourse between us on a wide range of topics that touch our lives in many ways. It’s far more encompassing than questions of whether we go to war or pay a tax. If you do not consider politics part of your world, I challenge you to think and look again.
You do not need to to be rich or powerful to be engaged in a political way. The only requirement is that you are interested in conversation with others and coming to a decision about where you stand after weighing all the options.
The photos I’ve chosen this week are all examples of individuals doing just that. They’ve chosen to tackle the issue of the politics of consumption. Each has thought a great deal about where our resources come from and how they choose to use them. In all of these cases, their stand requires of them to make a change in how they choose to feed their families, heat their homes and illuminate their worlds.
The word “politics” specifically means: the process by which groups of people make decisions. The Wikipedia generalization was “who gets what, when, why, and how.”
When I think about politics in general, I have a range of emotions wash over me at any given time - depending on the year, what I’ve been watching, listening to, or what may be going on in my life. Politics does affect the here and now, but when I really sit and think about the importance of all these decisions - what it comes down to is… tomorrow. What impact will our decisions have on our children - and their children?
We could easily close our eyes and let things continue on the way they’re going now and most likely we’ll have this planet, this society, this… everything - at least through my lifetime. So why should I care? Why should anyone??
Because we must - we must leave this place better than we found it. We must be able to leave this world knowing our children are safe. We absolutely can’t lead future generations into chaos. They didn’t ask for it - they shouldn’t be given a big mess. Whether or not I agree with the next person on what it takes to fix the mess remains to be seen - I just want this world to be a better place than it is right now.
When you speak of politics, you really aren’t being as specific as countries, political parties or people… Politics is the decision to work towards a better future, together. The past is just history. Those who choose to dwell there forever lose the chance to move forward.
I didn’t need to read any of Kelle’s post to get what she was saying on her blog - the picture said it all in one shot. Having a young daughter has changed so many of my opinions in ways I never thought possible. People who think they know how I would vote based on my personal attitudes and opinions are usually wrong. If you believe I think about my child’s future when I make decisions - you’re right.
When you focus on the future - the spin is all bokeh.
Image courtesy of Kelle, Enjoying the Small Things.
it seems as though many are shying away from the theme this month. the link list is pretty slim. which, i completely understand on so many levels. but, from what is here, there are some pretty cool, meaningful images that i am loving. here they are in no particular order…
March 8, 2008 at 11:27 pm · Filed under 31 political
an interesting time to have this challenge - We in Australia have just undergone a major Government change after more than 10 years and the US might be going to do the same - exciting interesting times. But politics is not just about government - it is about issues that we hold dear - some issues this week that spc-ers photographed included gay issues, war, religion, feminism, anti-politics… and lots more.
June blue - what a women is supposed to do is do everything that she was doing before and have a full time career. Of course, the definition of career seems to be being defined by society also, instead of by the individual. It seems like the individual should have more voice in that decision. It is their life after all.
Either a lot of people are hesistant about jumping into the political SPC’s or the primaries really kept everyone busy this week. I’ll be honest - I didn’t do my own self portrait for week one. I held back so I could think a little before opening my mouth (or running my fingers).
Since becoming an independent I put a lot more thought into politics than I used to. I am open to every candidate in the beginning - and I watch everything. I do not believe in following one party blindly just because of a color - I believe in watching, thinking and then deciding. I believe in researching beyond what you see on your television or popular websites. Learning by proxy is not a good thing when it comes to politics - the media does not always tell the whole truth, but it’s sad how many people take it as gospel. I get really upset when I see people blogging facts that are specifically wrong - and even moreso when it riles their commenters up. I’ve just learned to avoid political posts and separate fact from opinion. Obviously it will be a little more difficult to do that this month.
Many political discussions lead to arguing when people don’t agree - it’s happened on my blog before, and I hate that. I don’t like *not* getting along with my blogfriends - because whatever you say or do in my comments, it isn’t going to affect my vote at the end of the day. I make my decisions for myself, based on facts not blog comments. It’s these thoughts and more that remain jumbled in my head - and I’ll ponder them until next week…. where I may or may not decide to post a self portrait. I don’t want to post something that is less than true to myself, but most likely there will be other people who don’t share my viewpoints. I’ve just always thought of politics as something highly personal at the end of the day. Maybe these are things I can blog about… or not.
For now, like many others - I choose to remain in silence.
