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In my continuing attempts to be a B+ polymath, I have just been published in The Polish Journal of Aesthetics, specificall on the topic of "Abstract Expressionism as Anti-Aesthetics". My argument includes both the overwhelming evidence that abstract expressionism was in fact a CIA plot against socialist realism, but also that it is example of the contemporary academic term of "bullshit", that is the breaking down of the distinction between truth and falsehood. Or, in the arts, between the beautiful and the ugly, a programme initiated by the Russian Suprematists. Abstract expressionism explicitly rejected aesthetic criteria in favour of a parasitic counter-culture, an easy target for such bullshit manipulation. As an ironic turn, it just so happened as I was writing the paper that Jens Haaning accepted $116K from the Aalborg Kunsten Museum. It was, in practise, the ultimate twist to the argument I was writing. Thank you, Jens.
Polish aesthetic journals are not the only matters of Slavic interest at the moment. There is, of course, a rather substantial war going on in Ukraine, from a rather horrific and vile invasion that is isolating Russia internationally. I have penned a piece for the Isocracy Network, "Peace with Justice in Ukraine" which references to an earlier essay I did in 2014 on how the great powers of Europe were using Ukraine as their strategic playground. The war now is an inevitable result of such policies, whether it is rejecting Ukrainian self-determination, or self-determination of particular oblasts within Ukraine. Rather grimly, I predict that this will be a long and ongoing war of attrition, as the superior Russian forces with little will to fight face inferior but strident resistance.
From distant lands it may seem that there is not much that one can do. But this is not true, this is a path to effective altruism, there is a path to making the world a better place, to do what actually matters. One can always donate time or money (which is the same thing) to those worthwhile charities that are providing frontline assistance for those in need. As mentioned in previous entries, I have started another fundraising venture of selling off a big chunk of my collection of roleplaying games with the proceeds going to the UNHCR, who are providing shelter, clothing, food, and medicines for those fleeing the war. So far I have raised close to $6000 in the first week which, by the estimations provided, will give such assistance to some 150 people. A small drop in the ocean to the three million who have fled the war. Nevertheless we can all make a difference.
Polish aesthetic journals are not the only matters of Slavic interest at the moment. There is, of course, a rather substantial war going on in Ukraine, from a rather horrific and vile invasion that is isolating Russia internationally. I have penned a piece for the Isocracy Network, "Peace with Justice in Ukraine" which references to an earlier essay I did in 2014 on how the great powers of Europe were using Ukraine as their strategic playground. The war now is an inevitable result of such policies, whether it is rejecting Ukrainian self-determination, or self-determination of particular oblasts within Ukraine. Rather grimly, I predict that this will be a long and ongoing war of attrition, as the superior Russian forces with little will to fight face inferior but strident resistance.
From distant lands it may seem that there is not much that one can do. But this is not true, this is a path to effective altruism, there is a path to making the world a better place, to do what actually matters. One can always donate time or money (which is the same thing) to those worthwhile charities that are providing frontline assistance for those in need. As mentioned in previous entries, I have started another fundraising venture of selling off a big chunk of my collection of roleplaying games with the proceeds going to the UNHCR, who are providing shelter, clothing, food, and medicines for those fleeing the war. So far I have raised close to $6000 in the first week which, by the estimations provided, will give such assistance to some 150 people. A small drop in the ocean to the three million who have fled the war. Nevertheless we can all make a difference.
