St. Augustine, Milosz, and Networkism as Alternative to Postmodernism

Primarily I don't really like Postmodern art theory and view of things as
encapsulated very well by the link Lee posted:

Art Theory Contexts
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/visualarts/art-theory-intro.html


I haven't liked this view of things since I first encountered it as an
undergraduate in 1987, now literally 20 years ago. I think it's frankly
dopey and gloppy. Yet many big art people like it and they may be more
competent than me, or they may be less competent. Networkism is what I've
named the alternative on which I've worked for 20 years. So, people can
choose which one they like best, that's all I'm asking. Yet many people
outside the art scene find such a perspective on art very curious and
laughable, in fact idiotic. So, either the link above reflects great
minority wisdom or a crappy conventional wisdom bred of professional
stagnation and herd-delusion (as Groote and the Preface speak against).

Therefore I'd like to continue working on Networkism as an alternative to
Postmodernism, which I think is quite poor. I also think Post-Postmodernism
is by its very existence quite a shoddy state of affairs. Again this is
just my opinion and I can't prove it, so take it with a grain of salt. This
stuff all contains a big element of purpose, effort, and belief so it
doesn't lend itself to technical proof.

To illustrate what I do believe is better and can safely and responsibly be
offered as a preferable alternative to Postmodernism, I work on Networkism.
That's how I articulate the alternative and try to get to understand it
better myself in the process–for my own artistic needs, and if proper for
others to consider as an option as well. Responsible sharing of information
in hopes of potential aesthetic evolution in one's self and one's
population.

One example of Networkism is the idea of St. Augustine's "City of God." I
have the following scan from a book I got at a used bookstore in 2006 or so
at

http://www.geocities.com/genius-2000/Augustine.jpg

It talks about how to contemplate the Good and how to interact with others
vis-a-vis the Good as you interact with yourself vis-a-vis the Good. Groote
and the Preface also talk about this at

http://www.geocities.com/genius-2000/Groote_Wordsworth_Essay.html

It would also be highly appropriate here to mention that Czeslaw Milosz's
last book of poetry before his death is probably the strongest resemblance
to my idea of Networkism that I have seen in any medium since I first got
the idea for Genius 2000. It is titled "Second Space," was published in
2004, and is located at

http://www.geocities.com/genius-2000/booksource8.jpg

and

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060755249/Second_Space/index.aspx

In it the poems are about topics and themes that are very relevant to
Networkism as an alternative to Postmodernism. It's also very nice to read
and it doesn't really discuss computers at all, except perhaps to allude to
them as bean-counters. It's more about poetry, history, religion, personal
flaws, innocence and guilt, human evil, and human good. It's very much
about the 20th century, which Miloscz saw a lot of and deep aspects of that
most of us born since 1950 can't really comprehend.

Be that as it may, the idea of a "second space" is incredibly good and
relevant to the Network Period and Networkism. I think it's as good a way
as any to look at the main quest, perhaps indispensable. And in all honesty
I don't think Postmodernism is helpful in this effort, rather it's usually
very unhelpful or foolish.

Also please note that Miloscz won the Nobel Prize in 1980, and his work is
very well known. So to lean toward something non-Postmodern is not evil or
impermissible or any such thing, in fact it's been highly praised and even
encouraged or set up as a good example to emulate and contemplate, if done
with aesthetic integrity, responsibility, dignity, etc. Not that anything
non-Postmodern is equally praiseworthy but some things that are
non-Postmodern can be extremely highly praised and valued without upsetting
the apple cart, and this is a good example of that.

Best regards,

Max Herman
The Genius 2000 Network
Rolling Submissions OK Through 9/15
www.geocities.com/genius-2000

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