Conundrums

I like the word "conundrums,' and it seems to encapsulate much of what you wrote in your blogs this week. Dusty describes the readings as both "excellent and problematic" and this is true in that they provide a plethora of ideas, and in that they provide a plethora of ideas. But, you're all figuring out your own connections and interests to the ideas in the book, and expanding your own creative ideas even more. Sarah draws some wonderful quotes from the readings and focuses upon some of her own questions (which we are probably all asking). Hannah brings up the issue of using negative labels for people who experience reality in different ways, and also raises the point about "condemning" certain artists for their methods of creativity -- more cultural conditioning? Tim considers the question of whether anyone whose ingested mushrooms (the magical sort, of course) might be considered a shaman, and this is something interesting to ponder. Dusty brought up the circus symbolism, a great example of our unquestioning acceptance of cultural traditions. Many of you considered the contrasts between the last reading and this one, not only in terms of the layout and the graphics, but also in terms of the theoretical underpinnings. As we read more, continue to consider the parallels between the ZPF and the themes that begin to emerge in the other texts.