The test of a first rate in intelligence is to be sure something is art even when still unsure. Or, to be aware that you may not finish your next breath but to go ahead and take it anyway. Or, to acknowledge that consciousness persists even if it can't be proved. Or, to recognize that paradox is built-in to every idea. Or to realize that universalizing any witty quip exposes its banality; every truth has its false shadow. Alas! Now pass me that booze. wc
----- Original Message ---- From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sat, June 9, 2012 1:35:28 PM Subject: Re: Scott Fitzgerald quote and "the definition of an artist" Where the bus hits the concrete. -----Original Message----- From: saulostrow <[email protected]> To: aesthetics-l <[email protected]> Sent: Sat, Jun 9, 2012 2:14 pm Subject: Re: Scott Fitzgerald quote and "the definition of an artist" The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to think abstractly and act concretely On Sat, Jun 9, 2012 at 1:52 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > "The test of a > >> >> first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed >> >>bus routes in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to >> schedule.] >> > > -----Original Message----- > From: saulostrow <[email protected]> > To: aesthetics-l <[email protected]> > Sent: Sat, Jun 9, 2012 10:41 am > Subject: Re: Scott Fitzgerald quote and "the definition of an artist" > > Alas too much critical distance - here I thought we could have a > contest > and give a prize for the best possible appropriation of this glib bit of > wisdom - > > On Sat, Jun 9, 2012 at 10:24 AM, Tom McCormack <[email protected]> > wrote: > > Oy. A clarification I myself should have made. When I said, "Alas, I >> > have > >> to >> agree with William." I did not want to convey dismay about my ever >> > agreeing > >> with William. Despite our frequent wrangles, I often agree with him. I >> should >> have said something more like, "Alas, admirer of Fitzgerald though I >> > am, I > >> have to agree that his often-quoted remark is more than a little >> > muddled." > >> >> >> >> On Jun 9, 2012, at 9:58 AM, [email protected] wrote: >> >> > In a message dated 6/8/12 7:29:59 PM, [email protected] writes: >> > >> > >> >> Frankly, I don't find this [the Fitzgerald quote, "The test of a >> >> first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed >> >> ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to >> function.] >> >> to be a very revealing >> >> idea . . . . It's one of those >> >> quips that sounds much more intriguing than it really is, despite >> >> originating >> >> with a truly great writer. >> >> wc >> >> >> > Alas, I have to agree with William. >> >> >> > > -- > Saul Ostrow > *Crtical Voices* > > 21STREETPROJECTS > 162 West 21 Street > NYC, NY 10011 > > -- Saul Ostrow *Crtical Voices* 21STREETPROJECTS 162 West 21 Street NYC, NY 10011
