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Tenderlysharp

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Everything posted by Tenderlysharp

  1. I keep asking myself...What can be said to people who are comfortable in their powerlessness? What is going to move the majority to vote against the governments corruption?
  2. I am thinking of a major misunderstanding that many people assume: The Apocalypse. The Apocalypse wasn't Ayn Rands ideal of what life should be, it is a symbol of what happens to each man who's spirit is crushed under force or compulsion. The Apocalypse was something she could foresee happening, and her writing is an attempt to stop it. Ayn Rand has said that she does not advocate an Objectivist Utopia, only that she would prefer a majority to keep the government from trying to control our lives and infringe on our rights. The ability to choose Objectivism for yourself, without having it forced on you is central to understanding her entire philosophy. Another thing to take into account is the perspective of other people posting here. Some have spent an immense amount of time studying Ayn Rand, some are new, some understand it fully, some don't, some are more restless or impassioned than others about proving their point. Many will refer you to Ayn Rand for answers because Ayn Rand explains it better than they are currently able. Most will turn you back to yourself because it is valuable for you to translate it from your experience. You will continually be challenged (encouraged) to clarify your point and make your argument more concise.
  3. If the teachers are pawns you can use them on your chess board too. If you want to get more out of your school experience you can learn to use your interaction with teachers to your advantage. Come to some understanding with them in private about your tendency to be ahead of the class. As long as you are getting good grades, completing assignments, and not distracting others they shouldn't get in your way. I know this wont work with a sub, but even a sub can be inspired to do a better job if you communicate to them in the right way.
  4. Talking in class is distracting. If you focus on overtly rebelling because you are forced to be there you will waste your time. Perhaps you could be more discrete in your resistance to mediocrity by having something you are interested in to read while you are waiting for the assignment. Preferably reading something that the teacher would be unjustified in discouraging.
  5. What does it take to open a private school? Is your daughter ambitious about such a venture? Does she have perspective and ideas about education?
  6. You would think government would be relieved of the burden of funding education if private schools were unhindered in their success. But the government holds onto education because they know they will lose public support if they don't have that carrot to hang in front of the public's noses. Frightened public school teachers who see their friends losing their jobs are powerful free advertisement to all of the parents in their blast radius.
  7. The two party system is efficient in distracting people into teams. Teachers don't want to admit that the government is the problem, because the government is giving them money, so they gripe about a certain part of the government as the problem. If they could find a better way to fund their schools they might begin to believe in other options.
  8. This should be true. I cant say that was true for my parents in regards to me, they can somewhat appreciate what I have done with my intellectual well being but, they had little to do with it. Because they don't have enough interest in intellectual well being in general. What avenues are open to me to inspire parents to have greater interest in intellectual well being?
  9. Private schools do educate children better, but how do I get rid of public schools today? What are the first steps I can take to make the ideal a reality? If I say to my friend that the solution is to get rid of her school she will stop talking to me, because she doesn't understand where I am coming from. I am interested in loosening the grip of socialist philosophy on the individuals involved. There has to be a way to begin getting the administrators of public schools to start thinking the way the administrators of private schools do.
  10. Even alleviating human suffering can be considered a part of the physiological process, regarding the impact of stress hormones, and self destructive behavior. Ayn Rand expressed that anyone who wants to study Objectivism should seriously ask themselves of the relation between reason and emotion. While it's true that it isn't your job to challenge such a professor or change his mind, it could be to your benefit to do so. Not for his sake, but for your own. Imagine you were to uphold your Objectivist right to reality by addressing your experience After you have gotten your 'A' (by sending your professor a letter regarding your experience) his opinion of your philosophy could be marred by your initial dishonesty. Disregarding a person's rational faculty is dangerous and irrational. Treating someone as though they are incapable of understanding you will guarantee the effect. There is another aspect of your 'A' that that can apply to any future arguments you choose to engage in. The professor understands that you understand their course completely. If you would have challenged him from the onset it would give them an excuse to pretend you don't really understand what he is talking about. Once you have your 'A' he can not as easily disregard your argument. There have been times when I have refrained from challenging the opposition. I wanted to be more prepared because I understand how a bad argument will do more to hurt my cause than to help it.
  11. Which ever you choose, you have your whole lifetime to learn everything you want to learn. You won't necessarily be omitting the ones you don't choose, as much as putting them on the back burner for a while.
  12. I think of being convinced as a part of rationality. I'm not sure what to call the act of clinging to emotional justification, but they don't seem to be convinced as much as horrified deer in headlights. I want to investigate the mind of a socialist inclined school teacher to see if there is an opening in her rational faculty that will allow her greater perspective. The hands off approach to opposition that Objectivism seems to take feels a lot like preaching to the choir. Of the dozens of teachers I experienced in my years of public grade school there were only three who seemed interested in their job. It wasn't until my senior year that one helped me to understand that I had to take my education into my own hands. Previous to that school seemed like daycare. Many public school teachers seem to end up there because they couldn't succeed in a regular profession. Uninspired teachers produce uninspired students. I showed 'Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life' to Amy three years ago. Her response was to say Ayn Rand seemed to lack emotion. I disagreed with her, I think Ayn Rand was an intensely emotional person. At the time I wasn't prepared to debate philosophy with her. A fact she seemed to miss was: Refusing to be emotionally manipulated is not the same as feeling nothing.
  13. These teachers have such a huge affect on the generations of students that are coming out of their classrooms. What is it going to take to get them to look to themselves for answers rather than the 'greedy' man on the hill. How can they be convinced of the importance of the position they have to accelerate the powerful young minds that are currently at their disposal?
  14. An easy way to measure the minds and fortitude of the American public is to look at what percentage are willing to read this entire 27 page post. It depends on the perspective of the majority. If most people are feeling like victims of the system and the government is the only one offering to help them get their jobs back they could go right back into the arms of another Roosevelt. A film like 'Atlas Shrugged' could be a major windfall in swaying public opinion if it is done right. It almost seems like a conspiracy that it hasn't been made. Does the Ayn Rand Foundation make enough money to fund the film? A lot of these new low income home buyers have been throwing their money away on rent for years, so to them, they don't think they have anything to loose. What is it going to take to inspire this kind of person to educate themselves in all manner of personal investment?
  15. A forum that encompasses various aspects of education; innovation in learning, teaching models, child development, private schools, public schools...
  16. I am contemplating this discussion that I have been having with my friend. I welcome greater Objective perspective from anyone interested. I want to learn how to speak more productively with people I disagree with. It helps that I have a personal interest in Amy for her other values. name='Amy' date='February 24, 2010 at 6:01pm' Public Education in California is facing the worst crisis I've ever seen...the horror, the horror!!! name='Kamela' date='February 24,2010 at 6:04pm' That sucks name='Amy' date='February 24,2010 at 6:33pm' In a district that's already totally lacking in resources and adequate staff to meet student needs, 900-1,000 lay off notices will be going out in about a week name='Amy' date='February 24,2010 at 6:34pm' The school I work at has 15 classroom teachers this year...we will be losing 5 (1/3 of our teaching staff) name='Amy' date='February 24,2010 at 6:35pm' The class size for K-3rd grade which was previouysly protected to be no larger than 20, will go up to 27 and 4th and 5th grades will probably go as high as 33 or higher...this year we had a 5th grade of 35 name='Kamela' date='February 24,2010 at 6:36pm' Oh no....what the frick? name='Amy' date='February 24,2010 at 6:36pm' when you compound this with all the unidentified "special needs/at risk students" we are sent you have what ends up being a RECEPIE for DISASTER name='Amy' date='February 24,2010 at 6:38pm' It goes way beyond sucking...you have no idea...I'm trying not to panic about next year but...THIS IS SERIOUSLY FUCKED UP name='Amy' date='February 24,2010 at 6:56pm' sorry to vent so hard...but this is seriously freaking me out name='Martha' date='February 24,2010 at 7:09pm' I know, Amy! Crazy! I talked to JoLynn today and she told me that I would have been consolidated even if I hadn't wanted to be. I wasn't expecting that! I don't know who the other 4 are. name='Peyton' date='February 24,2010 at 7:10pm' sorry to hear that amy! name='Kamela' date='February 24,2010 at 7:11pm' Don't apologize for venting silly lady! I don't mind....especially if it makes you feel even a tiny bit better. that's what friends are for. name='Amy' date='February 24,2010 at 7:20pm' I know Martha...soooo crazy...I'm not sure who the other 4 are either...but I no for sure that the Cantonese bi-lingual program will be completely gone by next year, so I'm thinking those two teachers are definitely gone and then the person who was filling your spot...but I think including you it's a total of 6 people...it was a really sad meeting...Jolynn left it in tears name='Amy' date='February 24,2010 at 7:21pm' thanks for understanding Kami name='Emily' date='February 24,2010 at 9:12pm' holy crap Amy - any chance you want to move?? name='Karim' date='February 25,2010 at 12:00am' Damn. Education is extremely important. You can't cut corners in this. I wish I had the nerve (and finances) to volunteer but what can one do? Hopefully there will be some people who put their hand up. name='Roland' date='February 25,2010 at 2:51am' Jeez, I didn't know California and France could share the same problems in public education. I'm just facing the same stupid decisions : less teachers, more pupils in our classes... name='Martha' date='February 25,2010 at 6:17am' I'm assuming the cuts in education are coupled with increased projections for prison spending. They go hand in hand. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr name='Martha' date='February 25,2010 at 6:25am' I don't know what to say, but this is an APPALLING situation. :-{ name='Amy' date='February 25,2010 at 4:20pm' yes...I don't know what to say either...part of me does seriously question why I even bother staying in California or in the teaching profession...but another part of me also sees that you can't really run away from your problems...and someone needs to stay here and fight for these poor kids! name='Tym' date='February 26,2010 at 5:26pm' There has been a huge baby boom in the last 3 years, but its too hard to raise a family here. Everyone is leaving Los Angeles because the cost of living is impossible. Too many vampires feeding off the system. All of the film work is going to Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. quote name='Amy' date='February 26,2010 at 5:34pm' It seems like it's almost too hard to raise a family anywhere now a days name='Martha' date='February 26,2010 at 6:02pm' Michigan began offering huge tax incentives to film makers, and they're coming here in droves. name='Amy' date='February 26,2010 at 6:03pm' I noticed there were a lot of skaters from Michigan in the Olympics this year too
  17. Its ok if you cant see the difference. I understand that certain mental associations once made are hard to undo.
  18. I was afraid of being unanimously told that my work doesn't belong here and I didn't want to be alienated from this forum by a policy that tried to limit what I want to do with my Art. I don't mind that there are people who disregard or dislike my work, I'm finding value in their feedback because I grow in the challenge to communicate more effectively about what I am trying to do. I think of painting as a language I am learning; a visual dictionary I am compiling. I have looked at hundreds of thousands of images taking note of which ones mean the most to me and why. I would like to have peers I can communicate with about these things. I don't think of it as second handedness to learn from others because I only accept what makes sense to me. I feel an urge to generate an environment in this Visual Arts forum that will allow artists to feel more confident about exposing their work here. In fact I would like to see artists realize what a powerful resource this forum can be in directing them toward the pursuit of their own value in their work.
  19. sorry. I will edit 'Objectivist art' = good art as defined by Objectivist philosophy.
  20. I'm not sure if I should post this on my thread or this one. Referring to the 'I Walk the line' thread. To Howard, The Lonely Rationalist, Amaroq, Jake_Ellison: Tenzing_Shaw pointed out Bryan Larsen as a fine example of Objectivist art. Do you have examples of what you think Objectivist art is that you would like to add? I am trying to gain a clearer understanding of what art is according to Objectivist philosophy. Do you believe photorealism is a major validating factor in Objectivist art? If so, how does one differentiate it from photography? With the advent of modern imaging techniques photorealism has becoming much easier to achieve. http://www.conceptart.org/gallery/ I know very few of these examples would qualify as Objectivist. I can easily see that the vast majority of these works are focusing on the vise of indulgence rather than the heroic in man. Many of them still achieve a high level of photorealism and anatomy in their work to the point where photorealism isn't as elite a criteria as it once was. I respect your desire to maintain high standards. I understand that a universally accepted visual representation would place a piece of work into an iconic status. My curiosity of the scope of Objectivist art is an exploration into whether it is wide enough to keep me interested.
  21. I appreciate the time you took to describe the symbolism you got from my work. I was already considering revisiting Respiration because of her posture. Context is something I want to contemplate more. Thank you for your compliments. I have often believed that I am much more visually oriented, than geared toward speech. I take a lot in, I have over a hundred painting ideas on the back burner. I need to get better at prioritizing what is most important to me to bring out. I choose not to reveal my medium at this time. The geodes are lovely, I might well find inspiration for a painting in one. I will get back to work. I have two ideas that are well into the process of being made. The sense of life in them actually led me back to this forum. I wanted to be more steeped in the values I hold as I work with them.
  22. I'm glad Catherine could catch your eye. Purplish bunch's essence was an exercise in stepping out of my comfort zone.
  23. lol, I'm glad I could give you an experience, it does that to me too.
  24. If you don't cultivate self respect you will make other mistakes in your life, trying to overcompensate for insecurity.
  25. Here is another detail of Inkling. I painted this 6 years ago. I still hadn't yet heard of Ayn Rand. I would like to describe the conditions under which this work was created. I had been working at a nursing home. The place was an orphanage for old folks, most of them were virtually abandoned there. Most of their human contact was through the nursing assistants rushed schedule and latex gloved hands. I cried every frozen morning on the drive home, wondering what I could do to improve the quality of their lives. Despite the latex gloves the nursing assistant staff were continually sick. I came in sick several times because there was no one else to do the job. About 4 months into the job I realized I hadn't cried for a week. I had come to an understanding that these people had failed to inspire anyone or even themselves of their own value, and they were just waiting to die. Such a contrast to my always cheerful Great grandfather who took care of himself and got around fine on his own until 3 days before his death at 97 years old. I filed my two week notice of resignation to the nursing home. . Because of the unusual medium I was beginning to believe my work would have historical significance. A woman is standing on the brink of the unknown, she isn't sure of whether she wants to go over the edge, reaching questioningly toward the distant star as though in farewell to a guide that has always been out of her reach. The light to the left warmer, closer, beckoning her to be brave. The energy of her dress almost a living manifest of her power. A slight fear she will plummet to her death, but it is only her fear that will die.
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