Conjectures of a recovering dilettante --- Welcome to Pizzaonia! Reflections from a different perspective --- Diverti Mento, John Frank Giovanni, Frank John Franco, Vera V. Veronica and all of the Pizza digogo DiVinci family invite you to join us - We discuss and share ideas that are relevant to our new emerging world. A division of the Pizzaonian Newsertainment Network
http://pizzaonian.com
“Fame usually comes to those who are thinking of something else.” Oliver Wendell Homes, Jr.
“Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.” Napoleon Bonaparte
Middle age: when you are sitting at home on Saturday night and your phone rings and you hope it is not for you.” Ogden Nash
“If you cannot separate your selfishness from your service, than be selfish since your service will continue.” Pizzaonian spelunker
“A forgiven heart left empty becomes the target for both old and new sins.” Ben Campbell Johnson
“The only reason for time is so everything doesn’t happen all at once.” Albert Einstein
To believe reasonableness works in politics is the same as believing Gomer Pyle would be a good choice to play the role of Henry VIII. - UNKNOWN
“In my relationships the most difficult person to know well is me” Br. Giorgio, Director of Bakery Operations, Pizza digogo DiVinci
“It’s a sobering thought, that when Mozart was my age, he had been dead for two years.” Tom Lehrer
“That which comes into the world to disturb nothing deserves neither respect nor patience.” Rene Char
“Doing what’s right – that’s easy. Trying to rationalize what’s wrong to make it right – that’s hard work.” Pizzaonian spelunker
“It is the theory which decided what can be observed.” Albert Einstein
"When you sit with a nice girl for two hours, you think it's only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute, you think it's two hours. That's relativity." - Albert Einstein
Pizzaonian National Flag, courtesy of the Pizzaonian Art Institute, Abe Straction, curator
The Pizzaonian Foundation for Intellectual Advancement announced today the creation of a new discipline called Scienosophy. Edward Reachouti, director of PFIA, called this “a lifelong dream come true.”
“Here at PFIA we knew the idea of combining the vagaries of science and philosophy would someday come together and share equal vagueness as a recognized, separate discipline,” said Mr. Reachouti. Many of the delegates here feel the new Scienosophy will give unproven theoretical knowledge and speculation the respect it deserves from the intellectual and scientific community at large.
Another aspect of Scienosophy is that the new science gives fresh validation to the alternate universe theory, which is very important here in Pizzaonia. Pizzaonia, an unrecognized alternate universe occupying the same space and time as the United States, has for years sought validation as a separate entity.
Pizzaonia, with its rich tradition of cooperation between our religious and business communities is the ideal place to pursue the new and brave frontier of Scienosophy. The Pizzaonian Monasteries and the international pizza conglomerate, Pizza digogo DiVinci have worked together for many years to give speculation and subjective thought the rightful place it deserves in Academia.
One of the exciting aspects of this new discipline is that it will bring together the most vague and theoretical concepts of theology and quantum mechanics into a combined field of study. This will give long overdue credence to speculative concepts and ideas that have had to mask themselves in other disciplines. "Yes, they can finally come out of the closet and claim their rightful place as a recognized field of study," said Mr. Reachouti
The College of Scienosophy will be accepting applications from prospective candidates sometime next month. PFIA is expecting a large response and has assembled a committee of our most speculative and subjective scholars to select the first 400 members for the first class.
More as it develops..........
Brother Franco, reporting for “The Pizzaonian” from Pizzaonia for the Pizzaonian Newsertainment Network
Experience is a wonderful teacher. It is too bad that all learning is in retrospect. How valuable what we know in our later years would have been if we had known it earlier.
Of course, we have the option to pass this knowledge on to those who are still learning. However, they are no more ready to listen than I was at their age. This is not a lament, only an observation.
Could it be that in our evolutionary progress, there is a survival mechanism at work in the fact that young people would rather make their own mistakes, no matter how costly it may be? Perhaps the only real teacher is experience.
Could this be an evolutionary seed that has been planted in all of our consciousness?
For those that possess this gift every day is a new beginning. It is hard to grasp this as more than a slogan when you are younger. This may be one of the true lessons of age. “No matter how old you are or late in the day it may be; a fresh and new start can and should begin any time you chose to let it happen.
No one should ever delay what they dream of doing simply because they believe there may not be enough time to get it done. Sometimes simply starting is the very means by which the time needed is always discovered regardless of how late in the day it is.
“Regardless of your age or station - Life should always be about practicing the art of the possible with all your energy and heart.”
Impossible dreams are just that – “impossible dreams.” The most important action we can take is to think through want is possible then double it. When you do this, you are beginning to deal with reality and what is likely to be accomplished. We don’t do the impossible; we maximize the possible and then apply the courage and discipline to see it through to a successful conclusion.
The key is to dedicate the time and apply the effort to discover what is needed to exploit the possible. This sounds simple and easy. In fact, it is the most important and difficult task you can personally undertake. To do it correctly takes a great deal of personal integrity.
To know clearly who you are and what you are capable of potentially accomplishing is one of the great achievements of a lifetime. The key is to never forget you can only deal with what you are capable of doing. To do this realistically is the basis of all success.
For me this is the true road to success – uncomplicated, without slogans and hurrahs. It gets rid of all the pseudo mentoring that permeates social media. To be inspired by a slogan is an event that usually lasts for a minute. Soon you are back where you started – while the catchy slogans echo off in the distance.
For the truly dedicated only your mind - alone with your inspired thoughts that are uniquely you - forms the basis of all action that leads to your individual success.
So how do you begin? In the beginning, slowly - it is very important to create the environment that helps you achieve your goal. You can survive a neutral environment; you cannot succeed in a negative one. Selecting where you work and whom you choose to work with is critical. I cannot overestimate how important this is.
Finally, I would compare this process to a meditation. It is a journey into yourself where you will discover new and exciting vistas. I can promise this. It is worth the time and effort. It is journey not like any other you will take. Its destination is a fulfilled life. I know of no other intention or goal as exciting or rewarding.
We are bombarded by supposedly knowing gurus on how to live the good life. How or why they should know more than I know is a nagging question that I always ask.
Nevertheless, they have a platform, and I do not. That gives them a decided edge by today’s standards in the creditability column.
They all seem to have a secret on how to unlock your inner self. That has always confused me since I am still struggling with trying to unlock my outer self. One thing gurus all have in common is the notion that you have a destiny. Realize your destiny and suddenly the heavens respond to you, and your life becomes a huge success.
I wonder if that is what Adolph Hitler thought? Forgive my cynicism but we do have to be careful that this destiny approach is nothing more than our egos looking for a way to indulge our wildest desires. Many an despotic egomaniac has been let out of the cage because they were convinced the call of destiny was being heard.
I am sure most of us would like to believe that destiny has picked a special place in history for us to fulfill. It is very comforting in this veil of tears to believe that some noble purpose is tying to make sense of this chaos called life. But what if it isn’t, and how do we know the difference?
The answer does not come easy. It is our intent to explore these questions. What we promise not to do is offer a Pollyanna solution that always gives you the answer, but leaves out the process on how to find your way.
What I believe I know is this: You have to act to learn. You have to take time from action to analyze what you have learned. You have to develop a level of humility that allows change to take place - all easily said and hard to achieve. This will be our journey. Is there an answer? Let’ see if we can find out.
Brother Giovanni for “The Pizzaonian” a division of the Pizzaonian Newsertainment Network.
Contact: Publicio Relationio at the PNN office of Public Relations at: [email protected]
SUBJECT: THE DEATH OF THE LITERAL IMAGE
Image - delegates at the Pizzaonian Art Institute, Abe Straction, curator
All images are from the private collection of the PIZZAONIAN ART INSTITUTE - Contact Abe Straction, curator, for more information" [email protected] copyright - (C) all rights are the exclusive property of the Pizzaonian Art Institute and images cannot be reproduced without written permission.
Today at the opening of the Pizzaonian Art Institute’s seminar on the state of Pizzaonian art, Abe Straction, newly appointed, permanent curator of the Institute, declared the death of the literal image as a viable art form.
It should be clear to all who have followed art for the last 100 years that the literal image has become so ubiquitous, cliched and mechanical in its rendition it is now insignificant as a form of communication in the digital age. This is the major theme of this year’s meetings.
“Perhaps, one could argue there is some usefulness in the literal image as a reminder of a past age, but when examined closely even that fades,” declared Mr. Straction
The focus of discussions here at the seminar is on what happened to the literal image after it was co-opted as a marketing tool to sell and propagandize. The advance of technology and the notion that everyone is “an artist” was simply one more “nail in the coffin.”
Obviously, not everyone agrees, however, this controversy will only grow louder as Mr. Straction gains more credibility in the Pizzaonian art establishment.
Reporting from Pizzaonia, Brother Giovanni for PNN
"Pizzaonian Emerging" Courtesy of the Pizzaonian Art Museum, Abe Straction, curator
When in the United States did deciding to be a critic become as important as a person who chooses to accomplish something? Maybe the numbers of people who have chosen to “be all that they can be” have significantly increased to the point where it is simply easier to be a critic. There are so many easy targets available many reluctant faultfinders can no longer resist.
The possibilities for criticism become endless. Anyone who can scratch two words together and open a blog site is in business. Add to that you don’t have to build or create anything to be a critic – you get the idea.
So far today, 3,150,000 blogs appeared on the Internet. At least 1,150,000 probably dealt with some form of criticism. Beware you seekers of accomplishment, they are waiting for you and ready to bounce the minute you show your face or your work. So what do you do about it? Quit?
Hardly, particularly when you consider that at least one million of these blogs are so insignificant that they will never see the light of day beyond loving family members and very good friends – and for many of them even that is a stretch.
What makes being a critic easy is we have created a culture of “doing” that is so pervasive that virtually everyone has a story about what magnificent beginnings they are involved in as they set off on their journey to greatness. This is just too much for us critics to resist.
Of course, I would be remiss if I failed to point out that being a critic someone noticed is equivalent to winning the lottery. (I have just been advised that the odds of winning the lottery are much better.)
So all you would be doers relax. The odds of your being discovered by a critic, no matter how insignificant they may be, are about the same as your critic being discovered. So you see - you are very safe.
But you don’t want to be safe you scream back at the words on your screen! You want to be discovered! Of course, this is what most people say, until they are discovered.
Why would your opinion change after discovery? Well for one after you read or hear what the critics are saying about your work, you will go back and reread or replay what you are being criticized for to make sure they are talking about you.
The reason for this is simple. You don’t understand anything your critic is saying and you cannot be sure at this point they have the right person. This is how indistinguishable and garbled criticism is today. You are horrified at first. If you are going to be attacked it should at least be for something you have created.
Relax, you can be sure the critic is writing or talking about you. I know it is hard to believe. The good critics have discovered that sounding believable is the only requirement. The fact that it may be nonsense and unrelated to anything you have done or said is common. Get used it.
What is harder is when you learn that you have to pretend your particular critic is an intelligent human being in order to survive their onslaught. Not to realize this is the inevitable trap that all “doers” fall into and what gives critics, no matter how absurd they may be, their credibility.
"Criticizing the critic" is a “no-win” situation for any creator. This is the first lesson that must be learned. You never "criticize the critic" What do you do? The answer is not easy for most to accept, at least in the beginning. You talk about your work, without ever becoming defensive.
The catch is you discuss your work with words that are both unctuous and equaling as meaningless as the critic’s words. Yes, using words more patronizing than your critic is more important than making sense.
Believe me this is a true art form and takes time to perfect, and in its own way, may be more creative than anything else you do. Now you have the secret. Practice is important. Don’t enter this arena unprepared. However, if you take the time to learn how to use impressive words about your work that essentially say nothing; you are ready for the fight – and yes, eventual success.
Abe Surdity, Critic and Criticism Editor for “The Pizzaonian” a publication 0f the Pizzaonian Newsertainment Network. Diverti Mento, editor “Where we criticize the critics.”
“Pizzaonia
Emerging #8” Courtesy of the Pizzaonian Art Institute, Abe Straction, curator
MUSINGS FROM
PIZZAONIA
The artist
and individualism and how the culture shapes us
Within each
of us is the belief that life expects something special from us. That something is the core of who you
are. Some call it destiny – some call it
fate. I call it the reason you were
created. For
each of us, it can be very different, but you must believe that something transcends
you and your life. This becomes your
personal idea of immortality.
This belief
does require an act of faith on your part – faith that you have something
unique to offer. For the artist, this
is the beginning of your journey. To
accept this requires courage and resolution.
Unfortunately, most of us will not have the will or desire to persist.
“Everyone
has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place
where it leads'' Erica Jong.
If each of
us is a unique individual, how, then do we define individualism today? Individualism takes many forms and the
culture and time you live in distinguish what that form takes.
Within each culture,
I suspect individualism is basically defined by the fundamental instinct in all
living things – survival of the species. And part of this instinct is the
inevitable conflict between the needs of the community and the personal needs
of the individual.
Today’s
individualism in most cultures is defined by technology. Young entrepreneurs seek their special place
and fortune though innovation in technology. Since the advent of the digital age, there
seems to be a sea change in attitudes as to what is important. Our technology
affects everyone. “A fish cannot escape the water it swims in.”
Pizzaonius
It was not
too many years ago when young people dedicated themselves to challenge the
status quo of the political system. They were particularly sensitive to the
hypocrisy within their culture.
This
required individual sacrifice from each person with little opportunity for
personal gain. Their individualism was
defined by serving the greater good of their communities. Why the difference?
These are
the questions that each of us needs to explore.
It should
not be mine or your intent to pass judgment here, but to try and understand how
individualism is expressed by each generation.
By doing so it gives each of us a better understanding of how our
particular art can be expressed.
Individualism
and space are related. In modern societies
that exist in countries with large areas of open space and small populations in
relation to the space they occupy, individualism is considered a positive. In countries that are over populated and have
very little remaining space, the needs of the community take place over
individual needs or expression.
As a result
individual or community behavior may be more a result of basic instincts for
survival than an individual decision. I am sure there is some personal desires
and motivation at work here. However, I
am sure they are influenced by the needs of the community.
One obvious
exception has to be considered. In
primitive and tribal societies the needs of the tribe always take place over
individual needs. This happens
regardless of the space that they occupy or that is available. Until a culture
or tribe is no longer threatened by its need for daily survival communal
existence dominates.
More next time
“the role of faith and how it shapes the individual artist”
The
historical Jesus - uniquely individual and still served the community
“Pizzaonia Emerging #5” - Courtesy of the Pizzaonian
Art Institute, Abe Straction, curator
There comes a time when you have to write for
yourself and no one else. Trying to
please the public or find your audience is like expecting an elephant with big ears
to be able to fly – foolish expectations that never happen.
Pursuing one's art is the goal of every living
soul. By art, we mean the right to be
authentic. For most people, their lives
are their art. They do not necessarily
have to produce any artifacts to be considered an artist.
The only chance any of us has for an authentic life
is to have the courage to be who you are and no one else. Just imagine if that could happen. I am sure some will consider this trite,
especially those who believe they are living an authentic life. Forgive me but this also assumes you have a
clue as to who you are supposed to be.
If you think you are following Nirvana – rethink - don’t
be so complacent and self-centered. No
one is better at fooling us than how we deceive ourselves. How many bitter roads
have been traveled because of the false belief that we were being true to ourselves?
Unfortunately, many do not discover this until the
road is well-traveled, and many years have gone by. This happens frequently in a culture that
keeps you so busy chasing rainbows, there is no time for introspection.
This can be very insidious. Most of us are very reluctant to see those we
love as obstacles barring us from our goals.
Guilt becomes a major issue we need to overcome.
However, before we deal with this, I must take a
minute and remind all of us that these are problems of people with full
stomachs. If you have to dig for roots
to survive you have little time for such thoughts. Physical survival is your only concern as it
should be.
However, once your day to day physical survival is
no longer an issue a different type of survival moves to center stage. Emotional survival is necessary if you are
going to develop fully your talents. However,
before we move on let’s first take some credit for being in this position. Most
people around the world never reach this point.
What is emotional survival? I think we can reduce it simply to knowing your
life is moving in the right direction. When
this is happening, we begin to take the necessary steps to keep this movement alive
and well.
This gets us back to the issue of our
relationships. Our immediate environment
must allow our true personalities to exist.
It is the most important single factor in your life. When this is right,
virtually everything else can be worked out successfully.
There does exist that occasional person whose
pursuit of their personal goals is so dominant they are unaware of the negative
effects they create within their personal environment. Conversely, because they are the way they are,
they also create a very negative environment for those around them.
This leads to continuing conflict with all parties
and eventually will destroy the relationship. The more submissive personalities
will allow this situation to exist regardless of how unhappy they are, but only
for so long. They usually end the
conflict by creating a situation that cannot be ignored. This can take many forms, but they are always
destructive.
Two things have to happen before any of these issues
can be resolved. First and most important you have to know what you want. It is always presumed that this will be about
following a single purpose or vocation.
For most this is true. But,
please, let us never forget that it is some people’s authentic vocation to have
many vocations.
Unfortunately, people who seek multiple vocations
are often considered dilettantes. Not only
are those who believe this wrong in their assumptions, they are myopic to the
human condition.