The difference between the right word
and the almost-right word
is the difference between the lightning
and the lightning-bug.
--Mark Twain
19th Century Presbyterians and Abortion
-
When the Orthodox Presbyterian Church affirmed in 1972 "that voluntary
abortion, except possibly to save the physical life of the mother, is in
violation...
3 weeks ago
3 comments:
That is very true. I am amazed at how poor our culture is today, especially in words. My research photographer for the photo class is Julia M. Cameron and just reading the books about her from that era is a rich experience not mentioning their faith and worldview. (last half of 19th century)
That is why God's Word is attacked so much in our day, because The Bible contains the VERY WORDS of God not ideas or concepts or thoughts.
Wisdom from Mr. Clemens, to be sure. And he certainly had the gift of quickly finding that lightning bolt rather than settling for the lightnin bug.
This points out one of the major failings of the government school system, in that few who survive it ever gain a command of our mother tongue. Becoming literate and widely read is simply not something encouraged in that system. Which is why those of us who diligently persue widely varying reading WILL have not only a command of our language but, to a large degree, a command of the social, economic, and political arenas of our culture.
And Viktor, interesting you are studying the history of photography. I've spent considerable time in this line of interest as well, and do remember Julia Cameron's work. I have been particularly fascinated by others of that era, their incredible work (Matthew Brady, the Curtis Brothers, and others. I've actually heard some of the greats of the last half of the 20th century lecture and teach firsthand, and knew one man (now gone) whose Grandfather started a photography company in Oregon the year before George Eastman started his little company.... which fact Bill (my friend) never allowed the Kodak regional rep to forget!!! Bill's son Greg (also gone on) was the 4th generation principal of this company).
In these days of easy digital equipment and computer magic the true mastery of photography as a medium of comminication is largely lost. Twain's words about words apply equally to the visual world. The difference between the lightning bolt and bug are very small.. but powerful.
A book on Matthew Brady is what gave me the jolt to get into photography, seeing how noble an occupation it once was and is (depending who is occupied with it).
It seemed to me that successfull photographers (those that can live off it) MUST get involved in perversion/nude stuff, and taking a few classes and visiting galleries only confirmed my fears, until I read about the early days of photography and Brady.
I have to disagree with you on your last paragraph, Nick. True, computers do make life much easier and us more productive, but to make good photographs you still must work for it, and master it. :)
Lightning and lightning bug difference applies well in visual world-light is everything in photography.
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