The Stage is sacred

The space in which I consider sacred is the stage. I hope this blog will not sound too cliche. I feel as though everytime I enter the stage and there is an audience waiting to be entertained, I meant to be there and inspire people through music. On stage, I am able to release emotions and feelings I am not able to express into words. I feed off of people's energy and it inspires me to sing or play music more passionately. This can be any stage. At my church stage, I have the motivation to inspire people to worship God and sing together as one voice praising His glory. That is the most "sacred" stage of them all in my opinion. Sometimes, I even forget people are listening, and I am able to just play for myself, and let out the words and emotions that I have been wanting to say, but just can't. The stage will always be a sacred space for me, because it influences me in many different ways and allows me to influence others. The stage allows me to be who I really am.

The stage obviously evokes right brain dominated experiences. Music and art is created on stage, and it includes a lot of emotion, speech, intuition, storytelling and much more right brain activities. There are, however, some left brain qualities when it comes to "the stage." When playing an instrument on stage, one must use math to calculate rythm, timing, and the counting of the notes. The stage itself was built, and math was definitly involved in the construction. When I am personally performing on stage, I do not think logically, as a matter of fact, I barely think at all, I just let my emotions take over. If I do end up thinking analytically, I start worrying about my perofrmance, which leads to insecurity, and then I mess up. So over all, the sacred space of the stage is connected more to the right brain.

The sacred space of the Aborigine Australian tribe had caves where their ancestors were buried, and the spirits can coommunicate with the shaman. The elders of the tribe sang ceremonial songs in their sacred space, just like I do in my sacred space. Their songs made them feel connected to their inner self and with their ancestors. The sacred caves evoked emotions that words cannot explain. 

Certain trees of indigenous tribes also found them as sacred space because it held connection to the gods and past ancestors. They too, sang ceremonial songs and chants to connect as a tribe and become one,  as they celebrated their ancestors. Sacred space has always meant a great deal to an individual, because it connects people to their emotions and allows one self to be who they are really meant to be, without any judgement. 

Skyward Embodiment or Psychedelic Government?

               This research project already smells like a duzey. And I will admit that I'm not exactly sure if I will remain with this topic. For that matter I will make slight deliberations towards the two subjects. Okay well, to be honest I have a more developed idea that seems like it will be harder to complete that my less developed idea. Here goes.

Less Developed:   After the Nurembourge trials, following WWII, many individuals were found to be responsible for crimes against humanity. These scientists did such experiments as blending human and gorilla DNA to create super soldiers for the NAZI side. However, after the trials a select few were never sentenced but instead brought to America, to work for the CIA. Specifically as part of a project codename MKULTRA. This project performed many experiments on the limits of human experience, and the manipulation of another's thoughts, or mind-control. This project was active for many decades and was only discovered after files were accidently discovered during the Watergate investigation. Basically, this is how LSD was able to enter society. It was developed by the government looking for the ability to brainwash and control others minds, but it backfired on them completely, and totally changed the world.

More Developed: If anyone reading has seen the documentary titled The Zeitgeist, you may know that this documentary has inspired me towards researching the topic of Christian symbology in the night sky. But not just Christian. I'm very interested in the Pagan roots of certain celebrations, specifically Christmas, and the astrological counterparts of Paganism. What I really want to write about is how Christianity absorbed celebrations of a more natural spirit, and through time and symbolism, diminished the influence and distorted the human relationship with nature.

Jazz: An American Saga

          My topic is jazz music and how it affected American culture. I want to talk about how African Americans influenced jazz music dramatically, but they still were seen as second class citizens. I want to talk specifically about Ella Fitzgerald, a jazz legend. She was the best of the best as far as jazz singers go, but she still didn't have the same rights as her other fellow white singers. She was still forced to sit in the "black" section after her performances. She also got paid less than white singers. Famous singers like Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald didn't let segregation stop them from what they loved doing, which was influencing the world with their music. Jazz music soon became an international craze, where African American jazz muscians were able to influence the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement, ending segregation once and for all. People like Ella Fitzgerald could finally make an impact in American society and leave the world being a legend.

          What started from tribal music from African slaves, turned into gospel and ragtime before launching into Dixieland, swing, bebop, and of course free jazz. It's amazing how African culture influenced the transformation of jazz from ceremonial dances in Africa to big brass trumpets in the 1940's, still very cultural, diverse, and influential. Hopefully my paper will be influential to the reader.

As African Americans were pushed into slavery, they had one outlet, which was singing. Just like artists and muscians today, they are influenced by hardships, and sometimes the only outlet is music. That is what made Jazz music so addictive and popular. It expressed joy or sadness, when words weren't allowed to be spoken. Ella Fitzgerald had a voice, and she could sing what she wanted when in real life, she had no say in anything. Jazz music gave people the oppourtunity to change culutre, and change the rules, and change how people thought. That is the main idea that I want to include in my paper.

Abstract Expressionism

         Abstract Expressionism painting is the part of the painters inner self that can't be manifested into anything physical. It's the explosion of thoughts and feelings as they affect you. Like a lot of people, I didn't understand how painted squares of single shades of color, or paint simply splattered on a canvas could require talent. It wasn't until I stood in front of my first Pollock when I finally understood the emotions and power those splatters can emote. That is why I chose Abstract Expressionism, because it's a widely misunderstood art movement that can only be truly understood by experiencing it. Some artist who were famous for being a part of this movement are Jackson Pollock, William deKooning, and Mark Rothko.

This is the trailer for a phenomenal movie about Jackson Pollock's life. 

Lee Krasner, who was Pollock's wife and a fantastic lady and painter, and one of my favorite painters.
This is Easter Lilies by her, which is one of my favorites. 

AI

AI

I chose the philosophy of artificial intelligence as my research paper topic. Artificial intelligence (or AI for short) is an innovative and growing area of interest in the world of technology and innovations in the field of AI's are happening all the time. I am Interested in the world of technology, computers, and programming, and thought this topic would fit in with my interests. AI's are already around us today, and if you have an Iphone, you've probably used one before. Siri is an AI that understands some human commands and can learn from her user. I talk to Siri all the time, just now i asked her to tell me a joke and she said "Two Iphone's walk into a bar... I forget the rest."
If you want to waste a few hours of your life you can talk to Cleverbot, a conversational AI that talks to you about just about anything. The main object is to convince Cleverbot it's a robot, but I usually get sidetracked. Here's a Link: http://www.cleverbot.com/

Here's a Picture of the interface.

source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/39/Cleverbot_website.png/800px-Cleverbot_website.png

(You'd be surprised how human it seems)

Paul Gauguin

I discovered Paul Gauguin on an art blog I follow on tumblr: http://le-monde.tumblr.com (blog contains artistic nudity). Author of the blog did a feature on a painting of his, Petit Breton à l’Oie (1889), that recently went on sale at Sotheby’s. The author featured some more of prominent paintings, such as Where Do We Come From What Are We Doing Where Are We Going and The Loss Of Virginity, in addition to the recently auctioned painting. Gauguin’s unique, vibrant style captivated me. As it turned out, Gauguin used his art to explore a variety of questions about the human experience and his works acted as a segway between different artistic movements. Also, I find it interesting how he integrates indigenous cultures, such as the people of Micronesia, into his work at a time when western culture, on the whole, was still very anglo-centric.

Petit Breton à l’Oie (1889)

Irish Mythology

I decided to choose the topic of Irish Mythology Because of my heritage and interest in the topic.My entire family comes from Ireland. I would love to learn more about the folklore of where I have come from. I also think that the lore of Western Europe is very interesting. I love the myths and strange beings that the people of this part of the world conjure up to explain things. I love that most of the stories have connections to strange supernatural beings that usually end up being the demise of so many people. Lastly I love the designs that many people have come with to define these strange creatures of the night.

Frida Kahlo

I decided to write my research paper on the artist Frida Kahlo. I had a hard time coming up with a topic I wanted to write about but I knew I wanted it to involved Spanish culture because it's something I'm very interested in. Ms. Levin suggested Kahlo and I was instantly intrigued. I don't know much about her, having only seen a few of her most famous paintings and hearing stories of her tumultuous relationship with fellow painter Diego Rivera. I'm excited to learn more about her personal life and techniques in her art and how it made an impact on Mexican culture. I cannot draw or paint to save my life, so I have always been extremely impressed by anyone that is able to. I think learning about Kahlo and looking at different styles of art will help me understand an artist's process more and the full affect a piece of art can have.

Ottoman Architecture

I have decided to do my paper on Ottoman Architecture for a multitude of reasons.
For instance, how many people even know about the Ottomans besides their domination of Constantinople or their fall in WWI? I choose the Ottoman's because they are so undermined and deserve much more credit for being the only Islamic Empire to reign from the Balkans, to the Middle East, and stretch across most of Northern Africa. They were so successful in establishing a major superpower back then and now we mistake them for a piece of furniture we put our feet on. I chose to focus primarily on their form of architecture, not only because I find the topic interesting, but because they completely redesigned Constantinople into their image. I find it fascinating how a huge, traditional Christian  Byzantine city became the capital to the Islamic empire of the Ottomans. Almost immediately after they took control of the once prized possession of the Byzantines, they completely changed the city; renaming it Istanbul and constructing  mosques, palaces, monuments, and even a system of aqueducts; they even made the Hagia Sophia, a once glorious Christian church, into a fitting mosque for a capital. Yet, they did see the beauty of the city and decided to preserve it, making a city that has both Turkish and Byzantine architectural style. To capture and understand their logic in the remodeling of Constantinople  and to learn and explain why and how they had reformed a Christian Sanctuary into a Islamic capital are my main goals in this paper.

Gender Roles and Art of Ancient Greece

I’ll probably be doing my research paper on gender roles and how the art of Ancient Greece expressed their progressive thinking. When I was in Greece last April I learned that in ancient Greece, gender wasn’t really defined. Artist would create sculptures of woman with curvy bodies and breasts and a beard. They carved into their buildings the body of a lioness with the great mane of a lion into one multi-gender lion. Alexander the Great was a known bi-sexual with many female and male partners and it wasn’t an issue. Where gender identity is concerned, it appears Ancient Greece was more advanced than we are today which I think is really interesting.

Salvador Dali

            I decided to write my research paper on the Spanish surrealism painter Salvador Dali. Dali was one of the leaders of the surrealist movement and an amazing creative artist. I decided to pick Dali as my research paper topic because he has been my favorite artist since I first saw his painting, The Elephants. Surrealism experiments with the ideas of the imagination of the subconscious and making it visual for the rest of the world. I find it interesting how one can think of scenarios or visions that couldn’t possibly be real and find a way to express them to others in the most real way. I hope to learn more about the creative process of a surrealism painter, like Dali, and how they are able to think the way that they do.

folklore and superstition



I am considering researching folklore and superstitions. In class we have been reading creation myths from different cultures, and I found it interesting to see the similarities and differences between each story, as well as its influence on the culture. I was reminded of how certain beliefs might cause superstition, and how superstition has been carried into our modern day world, evident in actions and expressions.  I think it might be interesting to trace these superstitions back to their original stories and beliefs, and see how their meanings may have changed due to context and culture.

Catholicism and Social Media

My research paper will be on Catholicism and the rise of Social Media.  My faith would never be what it is without Catholic communities on various social communities.  There aren’t many strong Catholics my age in Keene, which sometimes makes one feel ostracized by the opinions of others louder than oneself.  Knowing there are others with the same struggles makes it easier to cope with everyday life and most are supportive and caring towards all.

Thinking about this, I was met with the idea that all Catholics are connected, in a way, through shared traditions and holidays.  We have brothers and sisters we don’t know, but we can be assured that we are never truly alone.  It was in thinking of this that I truly decided to write about the connection between Catholicism and social media.  Social media and smartphones make life of today unique in that it is hard to ever actually be alone - friends, acquaintances, the kid you met the other day in the cafeteria, they’re all in your bedroom via the screen of your iPhone.  I wondered, then, if this constant connection has taken on an aspect previously unique to religion.  I also want to explore the possibility that social media is changing Catholic values previously unquestioned and whether or not that is a good thing.

Overall, I’m not entirely sure what this research will entail or where it will take me, but I’m nearly positive that there is some correlation and I’m determined to figure it out.  I’ve already handed in my index card, so there’s no turning back now.

Wish me luck.

The Beat Generation

                The subject of my research paper will have something to do with the Beat Generation. I absolutely adore the poetry that came from that literary movement, and find the group of people to be very interesting. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to narrow it down and focus on one writer who gained notoriety through the movement or if I’m going to keep it broad.  The Beat Generation, as well as Charles Bukowski (who was not part of the Beat Generation, though he is often mistakenly associated with it), continue to inspire me in my own creation of poetry, which is a big part of my life.

                (On a related, ironic note: Carolyn Cassady, who was featured in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, recently died at 90 years old.)

Middle Eastern Religion

I will be writing my research about the development of the various religions to have come out of the Middle East. I find religion to be a fascinating topic to look into from a philosophic standpoint. I feel that there is much that can be learned from the ethics of various religions, whether one believes in a god or not. Nearly all religions have made valuable observations about what it is to be a good person and how we as people should interact with one another. I also find it extremely interesting that the three most widely practiced religions today came together in the same particular corner of the world.

Rudolph Nureyev

I decided to do my research paper on the Russian ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev. I am obviously interested in ballet, but I chose him in particular because he was involved in trying to gain protection for himself from Russia during The Cold War. The height of his career was in the 1960's, and he is today thought of as one of the greatest male ballet dancers. I don't really know much about him yet. I'm hoping to learn how he got out of Russia, about his early training, and what he did after retiring as a dancer. I'll attach a video of him dancing, he's extremely powerful and can turn like a top:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHD6Ly0oYpA

Photographs on the Bulletin Board

In our recent studies of the brain, we learned to differentiate between the two hemispheres by the characteristics associated with each, for example, the left hemisphere is linked with doing, while the right with being. Not simply existing at one place at one time, but reacting emotionally with all that is going on around you. Much of being human is being and appreciating life as it is.When viewing the collage in class, each picture showed a person interacting with the scene around them, either emotionally or physically, or a combination between the two. Regardless of culture, race, class, or any other category that seems important today, each photograph captured a moment of being emotionally and physically human.

As for the difference between what it means  to be man, and what it means to be woman, it is difficult to give opinion without the influence of culture and society. Both are equal halves of the human race, and neither can survive without the other.

An artist is someone who can express emotion and beauty through his or her own talent, whether that talent be music, painting, sketching, writing etc.

Human?

There is no easy way to explain what it means to be human. Being human means that you are constantly thinking and constantly denying your own thoughts; forming alliances and holding resentment; making the world a better place and at the same time causing its downfall. Humans are dualistic: we have constant forces acting and reacting against every decision we make. Yet, we are able to push through this fault to shape the world, to form it to our own benefit. We form it using our bare hands and endless imagination that has been with us since we were homo sapiens. That is the basic meaning of humans in general; it is impossible to define what every human is for we are all different and we each go through many different challenges and think different thoughts. Now that the meaning of humans is defined, is there a difference between both of its sexes? No, of course not. Why should there be any difference now; what can a man do that a woman cant and vice versa. Surly, as early civilizations were being formed, the men did tend to fight, hunt, work, and provide for his family while the woman, in turn, raises children, cook, cleans, stay at home, and cares for her family. Now look at today and how much we changed. Besides the fact we don't need to worry about hunting and gathering, our roles have been intertwined. Now a woman has all the power to work and provide and the man can, in turn, raise his family. Now our roles are intertwined. Sure there are some differences in us still, like the woman's emotional side and the man's narrow mindedness, but then again, it is not unusual for us to see a emotional male and a single minded female. Now, that leaves us with artists? They are individuals who have mastered the duality of their mind and the outer world and are able to express that through their imagination and their hands. Everyone is technically an artist, but I will have to admit some are better than others. It is not that one can't master the duality, but more likely that one can't express what is in their mind to the outside world. Some find it simple and some don't. An artist is one who believes that his/her thoughts can impact others in one way or another.
            Now, in the statement "Our insistence on cognitive knowing may already have robbed us of some of our capacity for being human." The writer suggests that when we use some of our animalistic instincts we have had since prehistoric times, we are losing ourselves as human beings. Rather than looking at the quote as a bad omen, he may be implying that there is so much more we could do. If we had no instincts, think about how much we may accomplish. We may be able to  think more deeper and wilder. We may heal the world from all the abuse it has acquired through us. When we regain our full humanity, we can become better beings. We may no longer have resentment towards others; we may not have to worry about survival; we may finally be able to express our thoughts with no problem at all. I believe achieving full humanity is a goal we should look forward towards reaching. It is hard, however, for we have used these instincts since the beginning of time.
It may be a hard goal that many of us may never truly achieve, but it should be a goal for our evolutionary path to consider.

           What does it mean to be a goat? Perhaps someday I'll know. What does it mean to be a human? As far as I'm concerned, everybody has their own internal driving forces. Motivation can come from anywhere and anything thanks to our big brains. I feel that humans are questioning by nature, and since we can study our own behavior this questioning has multiplied exponentially, as has our population. This is another part of being human; groups.Group dynamics within society shapes the ego, and being human also includes a balancing of multiples mental perspectives between individuals and their ideas of themselves. Men and women are genetically equals, but society grooms us to be different. The idea of one's self built up over time through interactions with others is constantly being cross referenced with our memories and our present situation. We're constantly comparing ourselves like sneetches.

                                     "Our insistence on cognitive knowing may already have robbed us of                                                 some of our capacity for being human."
                                                                              -THE CREATIVE IMPULSE

             You can only bottle so many fireflies before the jar seems like the only source of light. Ego can water down true knowledge, or even completely eliminate the option for personal growth. The thing is, humans desire the ability to triumphantly declare, " I know what I'm talking about." It gets harder every year for humans to have a true connection of know,  since language is made up of symbols. We have this symbolic limitation cap placed upon our expression, which is on the whole, highly functional and effective for it's purpose. In order to regain our humanity we need to continue to ask questions.

The Human Experience

In looking at the collage, a seemingly simple connection between the photos is that they all capture a single moment.  Though this seems obvious, I was intrigued in reflecting on this idea.  Every moment is unique and what one chooses to do with it could shape their entire life.  The fact that the moments on the collage were photographed is, statistically, a miracle when all of the seconds in history are taken into account.  This is true of life itself, in that the sole fact that each human is alive is improbable.  That genes and personality are assigned at random is unlikely in my mind and I believe that each is given a role in society which is determined long before their conception.

Every human being is unique in that no two people will ever be exactly the same.  Men and women are also notably different, both biologically and psychologically.  Men are generally better suited to be protective of their families and women are better at fulfilling a nurturing role within the home.  With the rise in cognitive thinking and attempts of reason, many people today think that men and women are equal when there is psychological evidence that both are wired differently.  I think that the way to get back to this humanity is for each to, introspectively, examine themselves and their place in the world.  Every moment is an opportunity to make a choice between right and wrong and every second is a chance to start over on a new leaf.  I think that, to get back the capacity for being human, we need to realize first the importance of an instant, then how it relates to our ultimate destiny.

The Art of Human Life

To be human is simply to wonder. The ability to wonder allows human beings to deeply explore aspects of life they do not understand and ultimately leads to the questioning of such aspects. It is in wonderment that people create, which in turn is another chiefly human trait. Through wonder many sizable human institutions have come into existence. Questions pertaining to the natural world, existence, and human purpose lead to the creation of religion to create logic where human beings found chaos in the unknown.

I do not personally believe I am equipped to tell anyone what it means to be a man or a woman when I myself am unsure of the answer to such a question. Men and women are not bound to a specific gender by their anatomy or by societal standards. Men and women are one in the same, and are not to be defined or limited, on either side, by sex. Human beings are what we are. As time goes on and as the world becomes a more accepting place, it is just a matter of time before people truly see each other as people.

The Good, the Bad, and the Human

Humans - The statement “to be human” is incredibly minimalist; the human experience is so dynamic and so different for every member of society. Each individual develops contrasting associations with this concept of “being human”. In life, humans grow and develop experiencing rites of passage, which act as markers of this growth. One thing that changes drastically from each “stage” of life that is essential to being human is an appreciation of life. As babies, we begin with a myopic, self-centered view, but this understanding matures and gestates into an awareness of life both within the self and in others. To experience this process is to be human.

Men & Women - The gender identities of men and women were once very concrete, divided by both anatomical composition and societal purpose. However, because of technological and social developments, these lines, genetalia aside, have been smudged. Being a man, once meant I could not express my homosexuality, and that I was somehow a lesser being or even worse a woman’s equal. Being a woman, meant that I had to be aesthetically pleasing to men. These restrictive identities are in the process of being shed, and men and women have crossed the gender divide in both a metaphorical and occasionally physical way, by taking on the roles and anatomy of the opposite sex. I believe that is change is essential to the idea being human, because, as Shlain explicates, every human has parts of him/herself of the “opposite” gender. Thus, in order to fully express who we are as individuals, we must dabble in the parts of ourselves that defy gender roles and anatomically assigned gender.

Artistry -An artist is an individual who creates an auditory or visual expression of the human experience. Everyone, in their own right, is an artist. Even, Miley Cyrus’ (Hannah Montana) erotic dancing display at the VMAs is art, as it a visual expression of sexuality. Whether or not that was in good taste does not dictate if something is art. At one point or another, many celebrated works of art specifically of music and dance, such as “The Rite of Spring”, were considered in “poor taste”, but have now evolved into prominent works. This is not to say that Miley Cyrus will become an artist who helps the modern music world evolve. However, it is important to note that when you say something is not art, you are walking a dangerous line which has the potential to damage the integrity of all art.

Quotation exploration - “Our insistence on cognitive knowing may already have robbed us of our capacity for being human.” I feel as if cognitive knowing became biologically wired into the human being, and as such it is part of being human. While it does reduce the uses of the animal parts of us, as humans, that allow us to experience the “being” referenced in Shlain’s Alphabet versus Goddess, such a change should not be construed as a failure to “human,” but rather a dynamic shift in the human experience. I believe that in order to be human, you must change and develop a sense of life’s value, and perhaps the human experience is meant to undergo such a metamorphosis. Perhaps, the left brains usurpation of the right is an integral part of developing the idea of what it means to be human. We know that the right brain develops, in utero, before the left and is rooted in the animalistic side of human, yet the left side of the brain is able to establish dominance over the right in a sizable number of individuals. The role of this spry, logical hemisphere could be to evaluate the fallacies and the triumphs of the human mind, and because of its analytical nature it has the correct cognitive process to make such an assessment. Thus, making the cognitive imperative to being human.

What Does It Mean To Be Human

To describe what it means to be human is hard because it’s different for all seven billion of us. Culture, family, friends, and experience are just a few things influencing us to make us the individuals we are.  Being human means loving and feeling. Emotions set us apart more than anything else. All humans experience similar feelings towards everything, major or minor. Other creatures experience feelings for survival. A dog is happy to see you because you’re its pack. A friend or family member is happy to see you, not because they benefit physically but emotionally. Emotions drive us to excel above, blend, stand out, conquer or help the humans around us.

            Men and women had very concrete roles in society up until very recently. Previously men were supporters. They went out and hunted or worked. They were expected to be strong, have deep voices and body hair. Women stayed home, produced and cared for babies, and cooked and cleaned. They were expected to be quiet, sweet, delicate, and beautiful. Recently though society has become more excepting of peoples gender neutrality. Men can freely explore and express their feminine side and women their masculine side. These stereotypes and expectations surrounding gender didn’t come from nowhere though. Many women love children and choose to stay home and care for them. They also naturally prefer a neat environment and therefore clean. Men are welcome to share these feelings too, it just doesn’t happen very often. That’s why in the future, asking what it means to be a man or woman might be a little bit more equal but we will always have our differences.

            Being an artist means creating an original work. It can express some emotion that cannot be said or simply be done for pleasure. Art is produced for whatever reason the producer deems fit. They could just be bored out of their minds and decide to paint their bed. That’s art. Usually though, art is used to portray a message that can’t be spoken; for people to interpret and think about throughout time.*

            Humans are curious creatures, it’s in our nature to wonder about and question our planet. If anything robbed us of our humanity, it would be our technological advancements. Detaching ourselves from electronics would remind us that there is a world beyond our screen and remind us of activities humans did for thousands of years before they had laptops and iphones. Putting ourselves back in touch with the world and people around us would regain humanity.

*Fun Fact: A new Van Gogh painting was discovered called Sunset at Montemajour recently. The first major work of his found since 1928.

                                                                                             

                                                                                                                 ~Beyonce

Being Human

"Being human sucks" -Ryan O. French

       Being Human doesn't have one clear requirement. We could draw up a list of all the qualities humans share that's unique to any other life form on Earth, and there would still be people that don't completely fit in everywhere, and they'd still be human nonetheless. Sure there are some characteristics that tend to hold true, such as our awareness of death, our ability to have beliefs (personal beliefs, religions, etc.), our desire to leave a legacy after we're gone (other than offspring), our ability to learn from our past and to learn from our ancestors to (try) not to make the same mistakes they did, and especially our pristine talent to write blogs about being human.
       To be human, in my opinion since opinions are part of what makes us human, one needs to be able to realize that they are in fact, human. To do that is really quite simple, yet only one species on this hugely diverse planet of ours is able to do so. Now I know this contradicts my initial statement about there not being one clear requirement to be human, but I feel like that's rather humanistic of me to do that! So hooray for me! I may have just wasted your time!
       Now to the good stuff, being a man. Whats it mean to be a man? Well being a man means the exact same as being a WOman. The only real difference is the "WO" part, and the slight physical differences in our bodily shape and the roles we each play in reproduction. To put it simply like in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Kindergarten Cop, "Boys have a penis and girls have a vagina!" Men can think and act exactly the same as other men do, and men can think and act exactly the same as woman do. While women can think and act exactly the same as other women do, and women can think and act exactly the same as other women do.
       To be an artist, one needs to create art. Simple. Being an artist means you must create something pleasing, or even just stimulating, to any of the senses, smell, touch, sound, you name it.
       "Our insistence on cognitive knowing may already have robbed us of some of our capacity for being human." It's human to learn and grow mentally. It good that we getting more-er smart. It's human of us to think and learn cognitively.  When know more about the universe and more importantly when we know more about ourselves we become more unique, more human.
I'll leave you with a quote from a role model of mine.

"Being human rocks" -Ryan O. French

The Human Perspective of Being Human

       What can any human say about what it means to "be human." Besides what they have learned from what they have learned in real life. All human's outlook on what it means to be human all depends on what their minds have shaped this answer to be. Being human by the perspective of the average human is this, being a human is like trying to asses what will happen in the world every single day. It is always changing and can never be clearly defined by anyone. The opinion of an average human  to describe a human is a hunger that is never satisfied, it can never be truly content with what it has. It is always searching for something to fill itself for a short period before it moves on to the next thing that piques its interest. A human is the only thing that feels obligated to search for meaning while living, it can't be satisfied with just being.
      What is an artist? artists are just the same as a regular human. The only difference being that they found what they think is meaning in their lives. Artists express what they feel through their hands and words, using tools to fine craft each piece much more than the average human does. They need to do this or the thought of having no meaning will completely consume them much faster because they have gone out of their way to stop that very thing from happening. Male versus female is just two sides of the same coin, both males and females can turn out exactly the same. The only difference is that they look different while going through life. True humanity can never really be achieved because Humanity's greatest enemy are humans themselves.

People Sesh

(This was psuedo-free writing/written ideas that were floating around so the grammar's definitely going to be off in some places)

People are animals that have developed a large enough brain to have both complex emotions and cognitive understanding of the world around them. They develop best when in groups that provide support and a quality environment for them to be in. Humans exist now as a strange interdependent machine that works to solve the world's problems and clean their own messes. To be human, one must have a desire to be the support of someone else, have a desire to better themselves/their society, and share about the same DNA structures as the six or seven billion other people walking around on Earth.

To be a man is to have a penis.
To be a woman is to have a vagina.

That might have seemed close-minded, but one is not a man based upon the role that society tells them to play. A man doesn't have to support his family by going out and getting a job anymore. A man can stay home and cook and let his spouse go out and bring home the bacon. People are becoming more accepting to each other's beliefs and lifestyles and old traditions need to die with old thoughts. Everything that society tells their children about how to be a woman or man is wrong, because all you need is the proper equipment "downstairs". A person with a vagina shouldn't be discouraged from taking up classes such as woodworking or math/science kinds of things just as a person with a penis shouldn't be discouraged from taking up classes such as home ec. or women's literature. Society needs to stop pushing gender specific things onto people and let them be themselves. If one has a penis and truly feels like a woman, then one shouldn't have to lie about the existence of said penis. That person should be proud of what they are and should be allowed to act however they see fit without the judgement of the society around them, because if society puts a positive support system behind a person, then society will get a positive adult back. So people need to be even more open minded and considerate to others' individuality and forget that genders exist, because living in a world where things are dictated upon societal structures that were put into stone thousands of years ago will not make living in the world easier with each other. 

The Heart of Humanity

The most important aspect of humanity is how deeply we are able to feel emotion. Gender, culture, or life experiences don't really matter, because we all feel a variation of the same emotions. Although there are physical differences between male and female, both represent important characteristics of being human. Males are often associated with logic and strength while a female brings to mind care and emotions. That does not mean women aren't logical and men aren't caring. The balance of these traits is extremely important and without it we wouldn't be human.

I think the quote from The Creative Impulse is trying to point out how much humans try to be cognitive when they need to focus more on how or what they are feeling. Sometimes our brains are much easier to listen to than our hearts, because the facts are available and we can predict the outcome. There is no predicting what will happen when it comes to love or the other emotional states humans go through. But we are able to feel emotion deeper than anything on Earth, and to ignore it strips us of some humanity. Everything does not need to be proved or seen. Some things are meant to only be believed or felt, thanks to out imaginations and ablility to hope, which are not cognitive at all.

Not only are emotions ignored, the fact that humans are even alive is sometimes overlooked. Life is taken for granted so often, that it just passes us by and we don't truly understand how amazing and beautiful everything is. I think we will gain some humanity when we are able to appreciate every single day and realize how lucky the human race is to be experiencing and feeling the things that we do.

To be a Human

To some people different things about humans and regarding humans have changed throughout history. Changes including appearance, equality, or the role they play on earth. One thing that has undoubtedly changed is our humanity and what it actually means to be a human. In the modern world, the only things that seem to matter are the superficial and material things or ways to “improve”. Everything is focused around the ideal that everything needs to be perfect (or seem perfect), beautiful, efficient, and better than it was before. Constantly striving for the next best thing, it seems as though we are never satisfied with what we have been given initially. The need to always have that idea, plan, or knowledge is what is taking away our capacity to be human. The ability to just accept, enjoy the simple beauties of life, or marvel at what has been handed to us just as perfect as it needs to be is harder for humans each day. It’s the simple things that give life to us and the acceptance of the life we have being good enough and not needing anything more that keeps us human. If we can get back to appreciating the simplicity of life by looking around and realizing how lucky we already are then we can start to regain our full humanity. Everything in life can have a simple meaning if you just accept it for what it is.

 What is an artist? An artist is someone who does accept the simplicity of things and puts that into a visual. They show you emotion, opinion, and life through their work. Putting their minds on the canvas is what is good enough for them and is their simplicity. What is it to be a man? What is it to be a woman? Those questions both have the same answer because to be a man or a woman is just to be a human. The difference is something that we’ve created by not accepting and trying to over control life. So, what is a human? A human is someone who has values and beliefs, someone who feels and recognizes emotion, someone who can connect to the world, and someone who can accept the simplicity of life.

Full Humanity

                Biological jargon aside, being a human means that one is able to develop, feel, and express emotion. Gender is a societal construct that has been developed since human beings started coming together in groups. Gender is not assigned at birth—sex is. One’s sex is determined by their reproductive organs, but that should not dictate one’s gender or what it is to be a man or a woman. Although there are gender roles, they vary from society to society and generally should not be trusted or used as a guideline to determine what it is to be a man or a woman. The modern generation is beginning to eclipse gender roles established years and years ago and, slowly, it is attempting to dismantle societal norms that cripple the outlying individuals who do not fall into the supposedly cookie-cutter world of gender. Gender is not, and never will be, black and white.

                An artist is a person who creates in order to convey or express emotion. In that sense, many people are artists but they choose not to recognize it. Just because one isn't into more “traditional” art like painting or sculpting does not mean one is not an artist. I strongly believe that there is a line, however, that “art” can cross when it stops being art. When an artist stops creating for him or herself primarily, and takes only his or her audience into consideration, it stops being art. When art becomes contrived, painful to do, and completely disconnected from the person making it, it’s no longer art. Art does not always have to mean something special to the artist (as made evident by pop artist Andy Warhol), but it should evoke some sort of emotion. Commercial art is often nice aesthetically but it has no emotional value, and I don’t think it should be called art.

                In order to achieve our full humanity, I think people need to become more in tune with their emotions and more “natural” self. By no means is it bad to be someone who’s cognitive-inclined, but the emphasis on cognitive knowing has robbed us of some of our capacity for being human in that our desire to know, analyze, and group has got us acting like uniform little robots. In order to achieve our full humanity, people need to embrace their natural feelings and reactions to life’s experiences.

People on the Path to Humanity

           In earlier times there were clear definitions of being a man and a woman that were widely accepted and understood. Men have penises, women have vaginas. Men make money and provide for the family, and the woman tends the house and the children. But, now it is not as simple as that, we have driven away from our primal roots of doing what we were ultimatly built for. Today, gender is understood on a scale. We have come to find that one's outward appearance does not reflect wether they are a man or a woman. This is where we do need to some what depend on gender roles, when someone feels a certain way, because they know that is often the way women or men behave or feel because we have an understanding of gender roles, but we are not limited to that. We understand that there is a sliding scale of feminine and masculine traits and that having more of one or the other or anywhere in between is not bad, as long as you are comfortable in your own body and accept yourself.
            Understanding how much humanity you already have would be the first step in regaining or achieving it. I think that first step is the hardest for a lot of people to truly look at your humanity with a magnifying glass and truly asses. Once that happens, I think elements such as sacred spaces, spirituality, and really understanding your own opinions and beliefs on the world can get you on the road to regaining humanity. This of course, is all relative because understanding your own humanity and owning that may be completly different for someone else and require a different path.

The Meaning of Human Life

        Every human is born with curiosity and the desire to know more. As people grow up, people lose their childish enthusiasm and think they know everything as adults. Many adults lose that innocent curiosity because they are afraid that people will make fun of them for asking and not knowing. Children simply don't care that they don't know stuff. It excites them to learn new things. So, in order to "regain our full humanity," we must lose our self-consciousness and gain a child-like enthusiasm that will open our minds to enjoying life at a new perspective. Seeing life  through a child's eyes allows humans to experience humanity with excitement to learn and do new things. Children enjoy life, while some adults see life as a burden, which holds them back from adding to life's history, art, culture, and other things that make people human. People who do not enjoy life, do not have the desire to live life to the ultimate.
        A human who enjoys life and has a desire for knowledge makes history and makes creations that are life changing. The men that invented the airplane had a child-like enthusiasm because they were inspired by toys and ideas from their childhood. Of course, the invention of the airplane was life changing and the Orville brothers made history. One of the most famous men in all of history was Leonardo DaVinci, who I believe had child-like enthusiasm. He made numerous inventions, simply by observing the world around him and taking the time to experience life. Adults seem to always have something they have to do, running from one place to another, without ever stopping to look at the beauty of nature (or the ugliness). Stopping to look at a beautiful thing, may inspire someone to do great things. The painter Monet always painted something in nature that inspired him. Children stop and observe seagulls or tress because those things interest them and they are struck with curiosity. Maybe that's how adults should act in order to "regain our full humanity."
        As for what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman is all a matter of opinion. Both genders should experience life sometimes through a child's perspective, in order to contribute to the human experience. Men and women may have different responsibilities (all depending), but they both have contributed to life-changing history, culture, and art and they will in the future too. Adults just need to let go a little bit and not act like they already know everything.

What is a Human?

"Our insistence on cognitive knowing may already have robbed us of some of our capacity for being human.”

To reflect on this quote: as humans, our desire to constantly know the answers to all our questions takes us away from the illusion of being a creature that belongs to the Earth. It removes a great deal of the magic we feel as children, that some things happen for no particular or scientific reason. I think “being human” means having the ability to marvel at the world we are a part of and accept that reality doesn’t revolve around us (rather, it is the other way around). Some of our humanity can be regained by taking time to reconnect with the natural world and acknowledging that we do not know everything about it. If we detach ourselves from the expectations we have today for “humans”—making money, having possessions, being beautiful—we can flourish as our ancestors did for thousands of years before us. 

    What is a man versus a woman? The only real difference between male and female is the genitalia. Society sets what is socially acceptable for both sexes, but by transcending those beliefs some of our humanity can be regained. What is an artist? I think an artist is anyone who creates something to express him or herself at a particular moment. And lastly, what is a human? Humans are living beings of the Earth that interact with their surroundings and other beings in it in a meaningful way.