Tuesday 27 November 2012

There are those that say thinking with your stomach is the wrong way to go but I think opposite. Go with your gut. The conscious mind is inferior to the unconscious, animal mind. Depression is caused by valuing the intellect, your rational over your feelings. Sometimes you just don't know why you don't want to do something, you don't have the reasoning figured out yet. Returning to the expert firefighters who know when they must leave a burning building yet are unable to articulate it to themselves or others. They just know. Today I don't know what it is best to do. I'll just go out there, in to the world and go with my gut.

Sunday 25 November 2012

Skreeworld, future?


Skreeworld is full. No more new pictures can be uploaded. I hope I can sort things put but if not, goodbye and hope you enjoyed the journey.

The End?

Well, each time I try to post up this weeks pictures, computer says no. I have to pay for more space if I want to continue Skreeworld. This may well be the end.

The Link Between Science and Art

Is it that when we see something beautiful we are seeing something that is useful to our survival? Recent postings have touched on thoughts about the relative speeds of conscious and unconscious activity. Often analysis of information takes us further away. The batsman has not the time to analyse the best approach for a shot, the art expert sees a forgery yet is unable to articulate why he knows it is a fake. Ll verification systems flounder next to human judgement. The intuitive response that kicks in and is closer to our animal nature can be seen as superior to our slow, conscious judgements. If you were attacked by a tiger your survival would depend on your animal reaction, not on your intellect. Intelect is often over rated. It was whilst watching a kestrel hover that I began this chain of thought. The kestrels brain controlled the bird with subtle, minute and perfect changes to its wings that kept its head a fixed point in space. The infinite complexity of air turbulence is way beyond our reasoning. This made me think of the countless aspects of our own movements and practices from making furniture to cycling to walking that require far more difficult neuro circuits. Consciousness, self awareness, the bit we brag about, the bit that allows us to separate ourselves from other animals is not as good as we think.

Appointments

The capacity to sabotage myself is a theme of my life. Whether it is because I feel I don't deserve success or something else. Appointments trouble me. They feel like traps. Or gaol. Last week I promised a delivery effectively setting myself a deadline. My subconscious has worked overtime on my downfall. It has done everything it can to trip me up. Nothing is more likely to stop me being there is a date. How can I guarantee that I will feel ebullient on the date of a set party. Or sociable on christmas day? This idea runs counter to all spontaneity, oppositional to all I know about humanity.

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Lose Yourself

Why does a person end up making things all the time in relative solitude?  It really has little to do with what I make, not in my case anyway. I spent years wrestling over the nature of the objects I made when it was the state of mind I got in while making that mattered. I hated teaching. It took me away from being in the moment. It is the zen thing. The loss of conscious self. When the operation is just within the limits of ones skill so all attention is required leaving none to worry or think about yesterday or tomorrow, that is what I try to do each day. Doing it as a hobby is not enough for me. I don't like exhibiting, showing stuff, being judged. I'm not really all that interested in design, not like some are anyway. I aim to be as my dog. In the moment, not conscious of myself.

Mystery of human consciousness illuminated: Primitive consciousness emerges first as you awaken from anesthesia

Mystery of human consciousness illuminated: Primitive consciousness emerges first as you awaken from anesthesia

Wednesday 14 November 2012

The Party is Over

The governor of the bank of England yesterday spoke of a long and winding road to recovery. Across Europe, strikes and protests against austerity. The western world remains in denial. After years of growth, finally a credit supported new labour party, now we are waking up to the empty cans and bottles. There will not be a return to growth. The party is over.  Now get on with enjoying the rest of your lives.