civilized ku # 2655 ~ the restless many
Monday, February 3, 2014 at 01:31PM 
Purple vase ~ Au Sable Forks, NY - in the Adirondack Park • click to embiggenIt's the day after (the Super Bowl) and I have finally managed to scrap the top of my head off of the ceiling above the couch and get it reseated where it belongs - while I was watching one of the commercials which aired during the Super Bowl game, the top of my head launched like a Saturn rocket and was sent spatting onto the ceiling.
To be completely accurate, the volcanic eruption-like event was triggered at about the 10sec. mark of the commercial in question. It was at that point when the phrase, "... stillness is what actually kills us ...", struck my ears and cerebrum with the same effect as a sharp stick in the eye. It literally almost took my breath away.
OK, OK. The commercial's intent was to sell a particular vehicle, one which it was suggesting was a great means of conveyance to get "the restless many" to a destination(s) where they could engage in an activity which could not be described with the word "stillness". OK. I get that - the phrase stillness is what actually kills us, when considered in that context, could be understood to mean, if you spend all your time sitting on a couch, you are most likely gonna die sooner rather than later, or, exercise is better than sloth, which is certainly true enough.
However, that written, I would venture that it is our consumer-culture's lack of stillness - def: the state or an instance of being quiet or calm - which leads directly to a population comprised of "the restless many", those who are, def: marked by a lack of quiet, repose, or rest and are not able to rest, relax, or be still.
IMO, it should go without noting that "the restless many" are so affected due to the fact that their restlessness state of mind is fomented, fostered and pandered to by corporations - when I'm watchin' my tv and a man comes on to tell me how white my shirts can be. But, he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me - which convince them that they must have the next big thing / take part in the next big thing or risk not being a real (wo)man.
In effect, implanting the notion that the "restless many" must motion, most preferably a spend-and-get motion - mental, emotional, physical - in order to avoid the state of stillness. A state of stillness which could promote / instigate thoughtful contemplation, introspection, and self discovery / awareness.
A state which might actually bring one to question the notion of why they are so restless. Why do they desire and seem, in fact, to need non-stop motion? Why, when they are restless, is stillness a thing to be avoided? Why does it always have to be the next big thing which occupies their mental, emotional, and physical attention?
And, god forbid (corporation-wise), a state of stillness which leads one to contemplate meaning in life which transcends the spend-and-get fixation of the "restless many".
FYI, what does this seemingly off topic entry have to do with the picture making medium and its apparatus? Simply written, attaining a state of stillness is one of the primary reasons I prefer, in my picture making, to contemplate the quietness of everyday / commonplace being.
Reader Comments (3)
Mmmm, Tuesday must've been a good day.
Best wishes for all of 2014 too!
Sincerest regards, Jim Roelofs
Mark, now that I've actually read the text, here is my take on "stillness". And no need to post this if you so desire.
Here's my current spin on "stillness".
I have been P****d off for the last few years by stillness because I finally became totally deaf.
And now that it has been restored by a Cochlear Implant, I go through a lot of personal stillness, whilst I immerse myself in all kinds of beautiful noise, such as birdsong etc.
And I avoid TV like the plague, as its mostly BS these days.
Sincerest regards again, JR
I have to admit that I did not read the text, it's late in the night here and I feel tired, but I like very much this photo. The colors and the composition give the idea of the day after.
robert
PS: I'll come back tomorrow to read, promised.