tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12546017.post9126178102972516521..comments2023-12-22T10:17:24.280-05:00Comments on Bookpuddle: Splash du Jour: TuesdayCiprianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254338542624853230noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12546017.post-40562628407983787492007-05-23T20:25:00.000-04:002007-05-23T20:25:00.000-04:00Coincidence #2: I just picked up a copy of The Art...Coincidence #2: I just picked up a copy of The Art of Travel for the Vacation Reading Pile. :)<BR/><BR/>He is such a philosopher.<BR/><BR/>I never think about "wielding socially recognized badges of our qualities"--in fact, I don't know how. But I rather save these qualities for the ones whom I'm close to, let them cultivate and let them wield.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12546017.post-69076016541651767792007-05-22T22:57:00.000-04:002007-05-22T22:57:00.000-04:00Thank you for your comments, Merisi, and Anonymous...Thank you for your comments, Merisi, and Anonymous-Person.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the Studs Terkel quotation there, Anonymous-Person, it reminds me of the question I would prefer asking people when I meet them.<BR/>Something along the lines of... <B>"So, what is it that you love to do when you are not working?"</B><BR/><I>THAT</I>, I think would be a far more accurate way to get into the soul of who MOST people in our world are, today.... The world where so many of us [I speak for myself, here] are not at all "following our bliss" in our workplaces, but are at least <I>trying</I> to do so, after the whistle blows!Ciprianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254338542624853230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12546017.post-20653845620430679212007-05-22T17:58:00.000-04:002007-05-22T17:58:00.000-04:00When I read this deBotton quotation, I think not s...When I read this deBotton quotation, I think not so much of the snob, who is unaware that he is the poorer by being indifferent to another's existence. <BR/><BR/>I think more about the sadness of the individual who is not known for what he truly is.<BR/><BR/>As deBotton later says, one way to achieve a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the individual is through literature, art - forms that can take us into the inner core of the human. A painting, for example, can give us a "corrective to our customary notions of importance." He cites the painting that focuses on a roof instead of some more flamboyant structure, for example. Or the character sketch that allows us a closer look into a person (as your recent one of your father did, Cip). <BR/> <BR/>It all takes time, sensitiviy and interest to bring about those moments of recognition. Things that the humanities have never stopped teaching but which seem sometimes in jeopardy in a fast-paced life.<BR/><BR/>We are not defined by our jobs. Studs Terkel says it this way: "Most of us, like the assembly line worker, have jobs that are too small for our spirit.<BR/>Jobs are not big enough for people."<BR/><BR/>Great blog here, cipriano. I read you faithfully.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12546017.post-71808935206607435512007-05-22T16:39:00.000-04:002007-05-22T16:39:00.000-04:00"but if we are unable to wield socially recognized..."<I>but if we are unable to wield socially recognized badges of our qualities, our existence will remain a matter of raw indifference to them.</I>"<BR/><BR/>So what? Let him be his own best snob! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com