A meadow of mixed ponderings seeded from events and articles encountered during the past week. A river runs through it though, an astrological river linking Mercury-related matters: communication, words, and presentation of the self.
Ponder # 1: What the heck is "postmodern" or "postmodernism"? I researched, read and continued to ponder. I've come to the conclusion that, in the main, it's used fairly indiscriminately by those who want to sound knowledgeable. It literally means something which occurs later than that which was thought to be modern : post=after. So really, postmodern is very modern, more modern than modern. But no - that's not it! Postmodern is a reaction to the modern - a going back to what was there before the modern happened.
It's all very confusing! If post-modern means anything then, astrology is postmodern. We're in an era where the commonly held motto is "astrology is crap". Postmodern thinking dictates that we revert to eras of long ago when astrology was revered. Astrology is postmodern!
Ponder # 2
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Narcissism. Phil Bronstein's article at Huffington Post started me on this theme.
"We're all about the new N-word: It's not about you it's about me". The string of comments which follows the article it is worth perusing too. One of these led me to ponder closer to home:
Blogging, for me, is simply a way to experiment with a girlhood dream of being a writer or journalist. Maybe there is a bit of retro-narcissism going on. Hey - maybe I'm a postmodern narcissist!
I find Facebook a wee bit creepy, though not sure why. I opened an account and almost immediately deactivated it. Maybe I'm a reverse narcissist. As for Twitter, I'm new to the medium. I can see that for some people it could feed incipient or rampant narcissism (and that is a very awkward word to type, I'm finding). Twitter occasionally leads to information I'd have otherwise missed, but beyond that, I'm not wildly enthusiastic. If it's a narcissistic pastime, I fear I'm not doing it right!
Another ponder-worthy topic occurs to me: is perusing one's astrological natal chart the ultimate in narcissism?
Ponder #3 was triggered by a commenter on the thread referenced at #2 mentioning American Idol and reality shows in connection with narcissism. Reality shows and American Idol are two entirely different animals. Reality shows proper do, I'm sure, attract true narcissists. American Idol is a talent show. There has to be a strong streak of the N-word in any public performer, but in most cases this is tempered by an urge to entertain the masses - which brings about a nice balance. In the case of American Idol, especially in the later rounds when the wild-eyed dotty element has been eliminated, a sincere wish to entertain is clearly the aim of the top-rated contestants, whose dream is to make this their profession.
The "Top 10" Idols are currently on tour, performing in most of the states and in two Canadian venues, entertaining packed arenas, living their dreams.
The net result of my ponderings - more ponderings.
Ponder # 1: What the heck is "postmodern" or "postmodernism"? I researched, read and continued to ponder. I've come to the conclusion that, in the main, it's used fairly indiscriminately by those who want to sound knowledgeable. It literally means something which occurs later than that which was thought to be modern : post=after. So really, postmodern is very modern, more modern than modern. But no - that's not it! Postmodern is a reaction to the modern - a going back to what was there before the modern happened.
It's all very confusing! If post-modern means anything then, astrology is postmodern. We're in an era where the commonly held motto is "astrology is crap". Postmodern thinking dictates that we revert to eras of long ago when astrology was revered. Astrology is postmodern!
Ponder # 2
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Narcissism. Phil Bronstein's article at Huffington Post started me on this theme. "We're all about the new N-word: It's not about you it's about me". The string of comments which follows the article it is worth perusing too. One of these led me to ponder closer to home:
"Narcissism seems to be on the rise. Just look at Facebook and Twitter and the way people use those tools. It's all about them and needing an audience(DennyCrane)"and
"The Iranian "Twitter Revolution" notwithstanding, Twitter is the new drug of choice for the chronically self-absorbed. Blogging filled that need for a while, but blogging was only the gateway drug. (Semper Veritas)"Is blogging a symptom of chronic narcissism, and is using Twitter and/or Facebook a sign that the disease has become acute?
Blogging, for me, is simply a way to experiment with a girlhood dream of being a writer or journalist. Maybe there is a bit of retro-narcissism going on. Hey - maybe I'm a postmodern narcissist!
I find Facebook a wee bit creepy, though not sure why. I opened an account and almost immediately deactivated it. Maybe I'm a reverse narcissist. As for Twitter, I'm new to the medium. I can see that for some people it could feed incipient or rampant narcissism (and that is a very awkward word to type, I'm finding). Twitter occasionally leads to information I'd have otherwise missed, but beyond that, I'm not wildly enthusiastic. If it's a narcissistic pastime, I fear I'm not doing it right!
Another ponder-worthy topic occurs to me: is perusing one's astrological natal chart the ultimate in narcissism?
Ponder #3 was triggered by a commenter on the thread referenced at #2 mentioning American Idol and reality shows in connection with narcissism. Reality shows and American Idol are two entirely different animals. Reality shows proper do, I'm sure, attract true narcissists. American Idol is a talent show. There has to be a strong streak of the N-word in any public performer, but in most cases this is tempered by an urge to entertain the masses - which brings about a nice balance. In the case of American Idol, especially in the later rounds when the wild-eyed dotty element has been eliminated, a sincere wish to entertain is clearly the aim of the top-rated contestants, whose dream is to make this their profession.The "Top 10" Idols are currently on tour, performing in most of the states and in two Canadian venues, entertaining packed arenas, living their dreams.
The net result of my ponderings - more ponderings.
"I've been thinking Hobbes --"
- "On a weekend?"
- "Well, it wasn't on purpose..."
( Calvin & Hobbes)
hi twilight,
ReplyDeleteyou are indeed in "ponder mode" today. Personally, i was hoping for more erotic sculptures!
Have a great weekend!
Narcissism is a word being beaten to death also and never used accurately. I think the interaction of bloggers, twitterers, FBers, et al belies that premise.
ReplyDeleteFB is a social tool, I find more and more of my era are now jumping on board and the doings of far flung second cousins fascinate me (ie: one is a snake charmer!). I don't use it frequently however and there are far too many requests for every little group (feed the sea animals, adopt one!)
that drive me berserk but on the whole....
XO
WWW
Thanks for that - you've given me a lot of pondering to do and after the week I've had - I need it!
ReplyDeleteAs I see it, postmodernism is a blending of styles and influences, often meaningless, but caturing the narcissism of the creator.
ReplyDeleteIs blogging narcissistic? Yes, in a postmodern kind of way. I think everyone who wants to write has a touch of narcissism, and I certainly include myself here.
Shawn ~~ LOL! no, those are strictly rationed!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a good one too.
WWW ~~~ Yes, I understand that Facebook has its benefits and attraction for some people, and these don't necessarily relate to narcissism in any way. It's not for me though.
ReplyDeleteNarcissism has become a buzzword among on-line writers these days hasn't it? Something to throw around with a sneer - and mostly by those who suffer from it themselves! ;-)
Laura ~~~Take it easy! Too much pondering can confuse!
ReplyDeleteI hope your weekend calms down.:-)
AN ~~~ I think there's a seed of narcissism in every human being, and in dogs and especially cats - who no doubt learned it from us!
ReplyDeleteIt's necessary to survival I guess, but when it grows into a creeping vine accessing all corners of the psyche - that's when it gets unpleasant.
Now that was a piece of narcissistic rubbish if ever I saw one. ;-)
I'm still not clear on the use of postmodern, I shall avoid its use completely!