Nine bodies of the infamous Romanov family, murdered by the Bolshevisks, were found in 1991. Two bodies, however, remained missing. For years professionals have searched for the two missing members of the Russian royal family. The Bolsheviks explained their strategy for burying the two seperately: they hoped to throw the Russians off the trail of the remains so that the people could not use the bodies as a rallying point against the Bolshevik regime. In this, they succeeded.
Years later, however, the bodies of the Romanovs remained missing and the legends of their reign had grown to gargantuan proportions. Thus, the search continued. Finally, it seems that the mystery was solved by amateur sleuths who found bodies (presumed to be the Romanovs: Alexsei and Maria) only 210 feet away from the other burial site. Why did everyone miss what was right under their noses?
I applaud these amatuers´ability to change approaches and look at the puzzle in a new way. They realized, astonishingly enough, that the killers themselves (proud of their accomplishment) wrote that the two bodies were buried nearby. So they just started to search in the area. They found them. After all of the crazy in-depth investigations, the amateurs won the prize. Why? Because they stepped back and looked at the available facts.
I personally think we could all take a page out of their book.
mercoledì 28 novembre 2007
mercoledì 21 novembre 2007
Thanksgiving Feast: American Style
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, Americans are looseinging their belts and preparing to stuff their faces. Tables laden with turkeys, stuffing, potatoes, and cranberries immediately come to mind when the 3rd Thursday of November is mentioned.
As its name implies, this dayis designated for giving thanks. What is interesting is that Americans choose to express their thanks by overeating. America is often referred to (by Americans at least) as the land of plenty, but there is a time when appreciating the land´s bounty turns to excess anbd enjoyments turns to indulgence.
The American clture of eating is a bit of a dichotomy. On the one hand, Americans are known around the world for being diet-concious. On the other, we have one of the fastest growing rates of obesity.
It seems that over-indulgence on Thanksgiving is just one sign of American´s unhealthy attitude towards food. Very few people find a blance with food that they incorporate into their lives. Instead food has become an obsession. We live in a fast food cutlure, but also of eating disorders. Americans indulge in tfood when they are upset (nachos, beer, pizza, french fries etc...) yet American women are always upset about how much weight they ´need´to lose.
What is the solution? Obviously a lifestyle overhaul is in order. It is a huge problem, but instead of getting upset about it.....I think I´ll run out to McDonald´s and forget about it.
As its name implies, this dayis designated for giving thanks. What is interesting is that Americans choose to express their thanks by overeating. America is often referred to (by Americans at least) as the land of plenty, but there is a time when appreciating the land´s bounty turns to excess anbd enjoyments turns to indulgence.
The American clture of eating is a bit of a dichotomy. On the one hand, Americans are known around the world for being diet-concious. On the other, we have one of the fastest growing rates of obesity.
It seems that over-indulgence on Thanksgiving is just one sign of American´s unhealthy attitude towards food. Very few people find a blance with food that they incorporate into their lives. Instead food has become an obsession. We live in a fast food cutlure, but also of eating disorders. Americans indulge in tfood when they are upset (nachos, beer, pizza, french fries etc...) yet American women are always upset about how much weight they ´need´to lose.
What is the solution? Obviously a lifestyle overhaul is in order. It is a huge problem, but instead of getting upset about it.....I think I´ll run out to McDonald´s and forget about it.
mercoledì 14 novembre 2007
Art as Catharsis
¨Designs for Fragile Personalities in Anxious Times¨This startling title of the newest exhibit at Geneva´s Center for contemporary art is aimed at exploring the blurred line between design and art. The trio who worked on this show are testing whether design is necessarily only function or if it can also be considered art. In this case, the exhibitors have created designs that attempt to answer or worst fears: atomic bombs, spiders, aliens etc...
If this exhibit fufilled its purpose, the designs would work as a catharsis. Rub worry beads shaped like atomic bombs and forget your fears. Sit in a chair shaped like an alien and forget being abducted by them. The designers claim that this goal moves their creation into the field of art. The underlying assumption is that catharsis can be one facet of art.
This view of art has been expressed in different ways throughout the centuries. In Baroque times, an artist would hope to inspire the viewer towards meditation or even ascension to God. In contemporary art, many pieces are suppossed to be experiential. The artist wishes to invoke images or elicit feelings from his viewers. In this case it seems that the designers could be using their art to promote feelings of security in the face of strong fears. However, these designers see design as functional and art as something else. Yet this art is still primarily functional - to elicit feelings is also a practical function. It is my theory that perhaps the line between design and art is even fuzzier than imagined.
If this exhibit fufilled its purpose, the designs would work as a catharsis. Rub worry beads shaped like atomic bombs and forget your fears. Sit in a chair shaped like an alien and forget being abducted by them. The designers claim that this goal moves their creation into the field of art. The underlying assumption is that catharsis can be one facet of art.
This view of art has been expressed in different ways throughout the centuries. In Baroque times, an artist would hope to inspire the viewer towards meditation or even ascension to God. In contemporary art, many pieces are suppossed to be experiential. The artist wishes to invoke images or elicit feelings from his viewers. In this case it seems that the designers could be using their art to promote feelings of security in the face of strong fears. However, these designers see design as functional and art as something else. Yet this art is still primarily functional - to elicit feelings is also a practical function. It is my theory that perhaps the line between design and art is even fuzzier than imagined.
martedì 6 novembre 2007
Hogwart's Margin Notes
The press is buzzing about JK Rowling's recent revelation that high profile character Albus Dumbledore is homosexual. While this is never stated or even strongly implied in the book, Rowling insists that this sexual orientation was always the intention for his character.
From glancing at the coverage of this 'out of the closet' media moment, both CNN and BBC quote the Rowling's many supporters over this character choice. It is no suprise that these major news outlets do not coverage the many negative reactions, except for to say “Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft.” While casually discounting a Christian standpoint, journalists sensationalize Rowling's choice to expose new fundamental elements of her characters.
Although Rowling created Harry Potter and the characters who compose it, is the real Dumbledore gay? This might seem like an odd question, but my implication is merely this: Are books a world unto themselves or are marginal notes legitimate additions to the already completed literature? In other words, from the Harry Potter series there is no way of knowing Dumbledore's orientation. People could make guesses, but there is not even an undeniable hint that he might be homosexual. If the reader is left to his own conclusion, then can we take Rowling's statement as an appendage to the books or merely another suggestion?
Literature is a form of art. A piece of art is often complete in itself. Some of the world's most beautiful works of art leave the viewer to discover the meaning of the painting for themselves. Just look at the Mona Lisa- generations have been pondering and guessing this mysterious woman's secret. Personally, JK Rowling's 'admission' that Dumbledore is homosexual takes away from an already complete work of art. It seems a cheap ploy for more publicity instead of a revelation that will enrich readers' experience.
From glancing at the coverage of this 'out of the closet' media moment, both CNN and BBC quote the Rowling's many supporters over this character choice. It is no suprise that these major news outlets do not coverage the many negative reactions, except for to say “Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft.” While casually discounting a Christian standpoint, journalists sensationalize Rowling's choice to expose new fundamental elements of her characters.
Although Rowling created Harry Potter and the characters who compose it, is the real Dumbledore gay? This might seem like an odd question, but my implication is merely this: Are books a world unto themselves or are marginal notes legitimate additions to the already completed literature? In other words, from the Harry Potter series there is no way of knowing Dumbledore's orientation. People could make guesses, but there is not even an undeniable hint that he might be homosexual. If the reader is left to his own conclusion, then can we take Rowling's statement as an appendage to the books or merely another suggestion?
Literature is a form of art. A piece of art is often complete in itself. Some of the world's most beautiful works of art leave the viewer to discover the meaning of the painting for themselves. Just look at the Mona Lisa- generations have been pondering and guessing this mysterious woman's secret. Personally, JK Rowling's 'admission' that Dumbledore is homosexual takes away from an already complete work of art. It seems a cheap ploy for more publicity instead of a revelation that will enrich readers' experience.
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