Philosophy
Last weekend was Richard Wagner's birthday. Wagner not only wrote some of the most well-known operas, but also articles in which he condemned Jewish artists, especially musicians.
How much does the life and views of the artist change how we understand his or her work?
- Artist's Responsibility
Is art an activity engaged in by the artist or is it a relationship between the artist and the viewer. If it is the first, then it would seem that the artist's only responsibility is to the art itself. If it is the latter, then it seems like the artist...
- Is Comedy Like Music?
Friends, This weekend we have a theological questions for all you thoughtful Comedists. I was listening to an interview with Ron White and the interviewer framed the question in terms of the Allman Brothers, whom White and the interviewer were both fans...
- Bullshit Or Not: Einstein Edition
On the eve of his birthday, let's play Bullshit or Not. There's an old sketch film called Amazon Women on the Moon and one of the bits is a parody of the old Leonard Nimoy show, "In Search Of..." called, "Bullshit or Not?" with the tagline "Bullshit...
- The Feast Of Saint Bill...right
Brothers, Sisters, and Transgendered Comedists Everywhere, Bertrand Russell, in his autobiography, writes that his life was changed when he found a book by John Stuart Mill in his father's library. I had a similar experience, only I found a copy of...
- Happy Birthday Bob Newhart
This weekend's Comedist meditation focuses on Bob Newhart, whose birthday just past. Newhart has had a couple of very successful tv series and before that was a wonderful stand-up. Through it all, he was able to do something quite remarkable; he is...
Philosophy
Art and Bias
Last weekend was Richard Wagner's birthday. Wagner not only wrote some of the most well-known operas, but also articles in which he condemned Jewish artists, especially musicians.
The Jew, who is innately incapable of enouncing himself to us artistically through either his outward appearance or his speech, and least of all through his singing. has nevertheless been able in the widest-spread of modern art-varieties, to wit in Music, to reach the rulership of public taste.Does this change how we understand or appreciate his art? How much does the artist affect the artwork? Do you see O.J. Simpson or Mel Gibson's films differently? A classic Woody Allen stand-up album has him introduced as "author, actor, comedian, and despoiler of women." When he was doing his skinny Jewish nebbish routine in the 60s this was a funny line, but in light of events in the last decade one cannot hear that joke and not cringe.
How much does the life and views of the artist change how we understand his or her work?
- Artist's Responsibility
Is art an activity engaged in by the artist or is it a relationship between the artist and the viewer. If it is the first, then it would seem that the artist's only responsibility is to the art itself. If it is the latter, then it seems like the artist...
- Is Comedy Like Music?
Friends, This weekend we have a theological questions for all you thoughtful Comedists. I was listening to an interview with Ron White and the interviewer framed the question in terms of the Allman Brothers, whom White and the interviewer were both fans...
- Bullshit Or Not: Einstein Edition
On the eve of his birthday, let's play Bullshit or Not. There's an old sketch film called Amazon Women on the Moon and one of the bits is a parody of the old Leonard Nimoy show, "In Search Of..." called, "Bullshit or Not?" with the tagline "Bullshit...
- The Feast Of Saint Bill...right
Brothers, Sisters, and Transgendered Comedists Everywhere, Bertrand Russell, in his autobiography, writes that his life was changed when he found a book by John Stuart Mill in his father's library. I had a similar experience, only I found a copy of...
- Happy Birthday Bob Newhart
This weekend's Comedist meditation focuses on Bob Newhart, whose birthday just past. Newhart has had a couple of very successful tv series and before that was a wonderful stand-up. Through it all, he was able to do something quite remarkable; he is...