“Forgetting is a prerequisite to human happiness, mental health and action. Without dismissing the value of memory or history, he argues that we spend altogether too much of our energy laboring in the shadows of the past–under the stultifying weight of convention, precedent, received wisdom and neurosis. Like the American transcendentalists, Nietzsche believes that our personal and collective inheritance stands in the way of our enjoyment of life and accomplishment of anything original.
Cheerfulness, the conscience, the joyful deed, confidence in the future–all of them depend on one’s being just as able to forget at the right time as to remember.”
I recently read “The Botany of Desire” by Michael Pollan. It was very different than what I expected. It’s split into 4 parts: Sweetness (Apples), Beauty (Tulips), Intoxication (Marijuana), and Control (Potato). I was expecting more a history lesson than an extremely interesting and thought provoking question (both scientific and philosophical) of whether plants use us as much as we use them. It was very much about the nature of humans as it was about nature itself. I’d highly suggest it.
Really made me miss reading as much as I did in college. Anyone have suggestions of good books you’ve read recently, photography or otherwise?
Just a few images. Mind the dust and scratches. Please mind the gap!
OH and I’m also working on a listing of galleries in NYC to help out with the Link section. Fun project!
Lastly, my company (Bron Imaging Group along with Hasselblad) is having a really huge party at the end of this month. Basically every product that we sell on display, free food and drinks, and free workshops all put together in a huge building in NYC. Anyway, it would be awesome if I saw some of you guys out here. There’s going to be an RIT alum thing one of the days…so GO!
The Terminal Building
11th Ave and W 28th St
New York City
October 28th: 11:00am – 7pm (5pm Happy Hour!)
October 29th: 10:00am – 4pm
6:00pm Event Party!
Hey Chris,
I really enjoy your images. The first one in particular, it hits the memory quote right on the head.
They talk about forgetting in an episode of Radiolab titled, “Limits.” Not sure if that’s were you got the quote from, if not, you should check it out. They mention people who can’t forget, and that these super geniuses who can constantly connect one thought to a million others actually have a hard time coping. Maybe ignorance IS bliss.
This reminded me of the book “Brave New World,” by Aldous Huxley. He fears that we people won’t be motivated to progress once we figure everything out, so proposes that we set up a world were history doesn’t exist. Were the classics are always contemporary. A good read if you missed it in grade school.
-David Szmit
You should try “Invisible Cities” by Italo Calvino
Thanks guys, I was actually thinking about revisiting the classics because I’m sure there are a few that I’ve missed along the way. Appreciate the comments!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nathanael Turner, Sunday and Wednesday. Sunday and Wednesday said: NEW: Forgetting is a prerequisite to human happiness http://bit.ly/drp2IE #sunandwed [...]
Rebecca Solnit, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, its a good book for a photographer, or a person