Robots!

I finally got around to taking pictures of my BEAM robots. Here are a few:

Fate Vs. Agency

Fate. How many times in movies or stories is this used as the driving force or has a character declared that an event was “fated” to happen in such a way? Is fate actually real or it is just some human invention that was created as a way to explain away inexplicable events and bizarre coincidences? In “Oedipus” it certainly seemed to be the driving force behind his and other's actions, eventually revealing to him his birth parents and the sin that he had committed. It was by Fate that he was saved, and it was also by Fate that his fall was achieved. It is interesting how Fate can seem to work in different directions while still inexorably pushing its victims along an apparently predestined path.
If Fate does actually exist within the world what does that make Agency? If everything was Fated to happen in a certain way, then Agency would not exist. Since we are able to choose and change our life and life style, then it stands to reason that Fate is not the main driving force within our lives. It's not that Fate doesn't exist, it's the fact that it is always portrayed as a powerful and immovable force that I believe to be false. Some things may be Fated to happen, but the main force behind this is the Lord, not some mysterious and unknown power that toys with people just for the fun of it. Our actions also have a major effect on where our lives will lead us. If we choose to pursue a certain path like Oedipus, eventually it may come to pass, for better of for worse.

The True Value of Art

To me, the value of art is not determined by who created it, or when it was created, but by the reaction and feeling one gets when appreciating it. All to often nowadays what would once have been viewed as evil and depraved is passed off as a work of art, when nothing could be further than the truth.
True, there may be some works that are different and a bit disturbing, but this does not immediately disqualify them as works of art. It all depends on one's point of view.
The value of art goes far beyond the price. Art is a most excellent way to express and feel things not easily described or felt. A powerful painting may really strike home a principle or a truth not previously though of. A sculpture can show the beauty and power of the human body, while a soaring symphony can express the inner workings of the mind. True works of art all testify of the Master Artist, the Savior in one way or another. This is the true value of art; to remind us of Him and His sacrifice for us.

Shoddy Characters (Rant #hwan)

One of the more important yet under looked Elements of Tragedy or a story/play/production, is Character. All too often nowadays much needed character development is sacrificed for Spectacle or is cut in order to move the story along. This results in shoddy, convoluted characters who have no real purpose other than to pull a trigger or swing a fist. This results in a bizarre hard to follow plot in which new characters pop up randomly and unexpectedly. This also leads to stereotypes and generic roles of “Nerdy guy who gets killed first”, “Buff man with handgun”, and “Brainless snobby cheerleader”. Such cardboard cutout characters actually harm the story and the audience's reaction because it is almost impossible to identify with, and thus care for them. This in turn leads to predictability in stories and desensitizes audiences to violence. It is no wonder that today's society is worsening in both behavior and actions as they are fed an endless stream of convoluted drivel. If the condition of shoddy characters persists society will mold itself into them, and create real life versions of the gratuities portrayed in the media. Tis is not a desirable position to be in. Hopefully society will pull itself out of the pit it's digging itself but that does not seem likely.End Of Rant

Humanities Blog thing

So as I don't have too much to write about, I will be depositing various Papers and stuff from school. My Humanities class actually already has a Blog and I post stuff there so I've decided that I'll be posting my posts here as well.