But genius is nothing more nor less than childhood recovered at will - a childhood now equipped for self-expression with manhood's capacities and a power of analysis which enables it to order the mass of raw material which it has involuntarily accumulated. It is by this deep and joyful curiosity that we may explain the fixed and animally ecstatic gaze of a child confronted with something new, whatever it be, whether a face or a landscape, gilding, colours, shimmering stuffs, or the magic of physical beauty assisted by the cosmetic art.
But our accumulation of these pockets of debris in all our cities and towns is not involuntary at all--when we chose the society we've made, we chose the debris as well. We don't like to admit that, and we don't like to be reminded of it by having our messy corners exposed, but ultimately there's no denying it. Perhaps if we kept our debris-field in mind, we might not not continue to choose our ultra-consumer lifestyle. For your next photography study, perhaps you should follow the contents of the dumpsters to the landfill.
For the person who posted the coment on October 1st, I understand what you mean, and I respect what your saying. But you have to admit that it would really take a lot to convince a whole nation to change it's way of living, even if that just means recycling a plastic bottle or picking up a Micdonalds cup off the side of the street. Some people are just too busy to think about it or they might be so use to it that it becomes less and less important to them until it soon becomes nothing.
Maybe it is that entire attitude which causes the problem in the first place. Everyone thinks that the filth is too systemic, that too many other people are doing the same thing, and so they feel no reason to do anything about it. All of these drunk college kids think the garbage is "an SEP (Somebody Else's Problem) and so they see nothing wrong with leaving empty bottles and other garbage wherever they feel like. Bar owners aren't concerned with the runoff from their dumpster flowing right into an outdoor dining area or porch.
It isn't an SEP. It's everybody's problem (EP), and you can't just refuse to deal with it because you don't think anybody else will. It's very easy to say, "well, nobody else is going to do anything about their filth, so who cares if I don't, either." It's also pretty easy to empty and clean out cups and bottles before you throw them away, crush empty boxes to save space, try to dispose of nasty organic matter in alternate ways, and not just leave a bag of trash in the stairwell of your apartment building for weeks at a time. Sure, one small person may not make a difference, but you could at least have a very legitimate reason to feel superior to other people, which could certainly go a long way.
Refuse the refuse?
Your right. I don't know what to say other than your right.
But I'm afraid you took what I said the wrong way. I don't think it's someone else's problem. Nore do I think it's too hard to clean a cup before throwing it away or save space by folding boxes. It's just seeing those dirty alleys made me a tad upset, and when I get upset, things I say tend to come out wrong.
I just don't want you, or anyone else for that madder, to think that I'm one of the bag guys who thinks negative about everything. It's not what I really think, and I regret posting that first comment in the first place. And anyway, I'm sorry for any confusion.
I was not attacking your point of view, or for that matter implying that the view was yours. You brought up the general stance of modern society, so you shouldn't be ashamed of it. Whether you believe it or not, it is how most people feel. Before we can change, we have to acknowledge what needs to be changed.
Ever since I saw these pictures, I look at those places differently. Thousands of people walk and drive so close to some of those spots every day and never even see them. Like the alley, for instance. I have to look for it, even if I'm walking right by it, because it's lost in plain view. It is interesting, the things we learn to look past. Oh, and I was walking by said alley last night, and I was getting ready to throw away an empty coffee cup I had just finished, and there was another cup full of liquid that someone had just left on the bench. I picked it up, and threw it out with my coffee cup into the trashcan sitting next to the bench.
To the "fan" on Oct. 3--
I'm someone who many people have complained about being "too negative," but I'll never apologize for calling 'em like I see 'em, and neither should you. Sometimes it seems like we're all supposed to be divided into two camps: those "realists" who are Mr. Grumpy Negatives or those Pollyannas whoclaim all is sweetness and light while the world is crumbling.
But nothing is ever that black or white, of course. There are good things and bad things, and sometimes bad can be good and good can be bad. That's probably why these photos are so evocative--they compel us to reconsider those definitions. All that trash seems bad. But it is a result of our pleasant modern lifestyle, which is good. But such reckless disregard for the environment is bad. But the fact that someone noticed and we all want to do the "right thing" is good. But what is "the right thing"? And how do we do it? And what if we do the wrong thing by mistake? Worse yet, what if we do nothing? But who are we to do something? Aren't there smarter people out there than we are, and shouldn't we let them do what needs to be done? Besides, don't we all have plenty of other problems to take care of? I know I sure as hell do.
So you see, "fan," I don't think you should apologize for your posting. We're all in this together, and don't none of us know what's right or good or even worth mentioning.
Man, these pictures really make you think . . .
they do at that.
I looked at these pictures while eating breakfast. Needless to say, I'm not eating breakfast anymore.
Shauvon has an eye for the definitive.
He does at that.
Every time I walk to La Village or Village that alley between Brother's and the empty storefront hits me in the face with a massive gust of garbage stank.
I like trash.
WOW. What a great nation we are, things like this make me sick! One reason being it's just unpleasant to look at, and another being the fact that we won't ever change.