tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17769303724969051792024-03-12T18:17:47.403-05:00Rollan Dane WengertWriter. Capable in a jack mess of trades--from manly trades such as home construction and auto repair to poindexter pursuits such as philosophy and Greek--but haven't mastered any so as to become a professional. My great occupational joy is writing--the best route for following my passions. Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-64427108133198502962019-10-25T02:46:00.001-05:002019-10-25T02:46:15.600-05:00The Current War Review<a class="irc_mutl i3597" data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjI0pPT87blAhUGCKwKHTKyDc8QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=%2Furl%3Fsa%3Di%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dimages%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiB2bXQ87blAhVDKqwKHRp_BTwQjRx6BAgBEAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia.org%252Fwiki%252FThe_Current_War%26psig%3DAOvVaw3RJP_5HM-TgFpL5EWG29yn%26ust%3D1572075464872819&psig=AOvVaw3RJP_5HM-TgFpL5EWG29yn&ust=1572075464872819" data-noload="" data-ved="2ahUKEwjI0pPT87blAhUGCKwKHTKyDc8QjRx6BAgBEAQ" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjI0pPT87blAhUGCKwKHTKyDc8QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=%2Furl%3Fsa%3Di%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dimages%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiB2bXQ87blAhVDKqwKHRp_BTwQjRx6BAgBEAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia.org%252Fwiki%252FThe_Current_War%26psig%3DAOvVaw3RJP_5HM-TgFpL5EWG29yn%26ust%3D1572075464872819&psig=AOvVaw3RJP_5HM-TgFpL5EWG29yn&ust=1572075464872819" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;focus:irc.rl" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; outline: invert; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for current war" class="irc_mut" height="200" 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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago, I attended a prescreening of the movie<i> The Current War</i>. I can’t lie. I kind of feel special. My wife was sponsoring the event for her work, and I’ve never been to a pre-screening before. This happened to be a movie I wanted to watch. But honestly, anyone could have gone. You’d just have to look up AARP’s Movies for Grown Ups and sign up online. Regardless, I’m going to pretend I’m someone, and leave a review for it the before the masses get to see it.<br /><br /><div>
Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, <i>The Current War</i> delves into the race to power America. Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, with a sprinkling in of Nikola Tesla, fight for the best method to create electricity. A while back, I watched a documentary about the alternating current (AC) vs direct current (DC) debate. As I watched the movie, I had a mental check list of all the key events I remember seeing from the documentary. To my delight, every one of the milestones was portrayed in the movie. Perhaps because of my interest in the history of the race, I found the movie even more enjoyable. But is it a good movie? Is it worth spending the money to see? Using Aristotle’s six elements of drama, I’ll break it down.</div>
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<b>Plot. </b>The most important question I ask concerning plot, “Does it pull me in?” There is no real science to this question, but in this case, the answer is simple, “Yes.” I was never bored watching this movie. Does this mean the plot is perfect? No. There are certain plot points of this movie I’d have wished they dug into more deeply. There are other elements, that could have been shorter. Plus, I like surprises. Unfortunately, since I already know the history of the events, I knew who was going to win. My most noticeable problem with the plot concerns the ending. Not that it is bad, it was just sudden. The movie finished with end credit subtitles that simply told the audience the rest of the history. It may have been nice for some of those story beats to have been shown. </div>
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<b>Character. </b>This is the strongest element of the movie. The characters are flawed, yet human. I loved how Gomez-Rejon sets up early what drives both Edison and Westinghouse. He illustrates each has a strong moral Crux. As the battle between Edison and Westinghouse intensifies, each has his highest value tested. In addition, Benedict Cumberbatch (Edison) and Michael Shannon (Westinghouse) add depth and humanity to their roles. Now Nicholas Hoult is great as Nikola Tesla, but the movie could have used more of him. He is thrown in and out of scenes as needed, without a natural transition. Tom Holland was good in the movie, but he didn’t feel believable. He is too boyish for the part. (My wife even commented that she will only see him as Spiderman--Spider Man and Dr. Strange reunited.) If Holland was only playing Edison’s assistant, I may have not mentioned his performance, but later in the movie he is given a role by a board of big wigs. I do not believe the shareholders of a major company would have offered Holland’s portrayal such a position. </div>
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<b>Diction.</b> I think here’s where the movie has the most problems. These are mostly minor nitpicks (I do need something to write about). First, some of the camera angles and transitions are awkward and jarring. I usually don’t notice the cinematography elements of a movie, but I did pick up on these. Curious to see if it was just me, I checked out some other reviews (only to verify my opinion), and sure enough other critics have commented on the very same thing. A couple critics suggested that the camera shifts were meant to represent the chaos of alternating current. I didn’t get that. Now, this kind of thing doesn’t bother me, but for some, it may be an issue. Yet, the movie does have some great moments of camera work. The light bulb scenes lighting up the night sky are awe-inspiring. And, Gomez-Rejon adds a mood invoking old movie slide show transition to glance over a darker place in the story. </div>
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<b>Music. </b>First, the score is good. One of the pieces incorporates the drama of an old orchestra but adds electrical hues to create them right mood. The tone is spot on. Concerning pacing, a lot of the elements coincide with my issues with the plot. Some scenes transition to fast, while other hold their breath just a hint to long. Nothing, horrid, just noticeable. </div>
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<b>Theme. </b>Without spoiling anything, I love the way both Edison and Westinghouse wrestle with each of their individual cruxes as the competition grows more heated. I can identify. The themes in the movie are universal, and not controversial, so audiences are not likely to be turned off by the questions the movie is asking. Nor are the themes subtle. Thus, some may say the movie lacks depth, but hooey on them. However, the themes are nuanced. They don’t yell at viewers and say, “This is how you are supposed to see things!” The themes simply ask questions. </div>
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<b>Spectacle.</b> No one expects a historical biopic to emphasize spectacle, but this movie does have some nice effects, particularly the beautiful displays of old timey lightbulbs. My guess is these effects were CGI, but I couldn’t tell. </div>
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All-in-all, I really enjoyed <i>The Current War</i>. But would I have spent nine bucks to watch it? Not a fair question to ask me, because I rarely go to the movies. It’s not a movie I would have rushed to go out to see, but I was wanting to watch it at some point. So, if I were at the right place, at the right time, and I had spent money to watch it, I would not have regretted my decision. <br /></span> Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-73394627265078765962019-10-07T02:13:00.000-05:002019-10-07T06:09:48.893-05:00Raiders of the Lost Arc (Pun Intended)<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />One great criticism people have with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is that they say Indiana Jones’ accomplishments do not do anything to influence the plot. As in everything would have happened exactly the same if Jones had done nothing. An episode of The Big Bang Theory explored this. After Sheldon showed his girlfriend, Amy, the movie for the first time, he challenged her to find a flaw with the movie. She told Sheldon that very same criticism--Indy did nothing to change the actual outcome of the movie. Thus, Sheldon told it to all his friends. And they were bummed thinking their perfect movie was destroyed. Thus, they kept trying to find some sort of way to explain this “Fault”.<br /><br />I want to call bologna on that. Bologna that this “Plot hole” is even a fault. So what… I say. So what if he doesn’t affect the outcome? I know everybody in the literary circles talks about having active characters, or characters that influence the story. But, sometimes that's not life. Sometimes we don’t influence the large scale controversies in life. I get it. So often we want to sit there and think, “Why does it matter if I do anything, if it what I do doesn't get any results? If what I do doesn't change anything?”<br /><br />And that's where I'm afraid of where we so often tie our meaning. Results. “Actions only matter if they get results!” So often we tie the meaning of our actions into getting the results we want, or having our actions somehow make sort of difference in the world, or some sort of legacy. How many people go through life just living in despair, because their actions make no impact? Or don’t ultimately change anything?<br /><br />Yes, everything in Raiders of the Lost Ark would have turned out exactly the way it did if Indiana Jones had done nothing. The ark would have fallen into the Nazi hands. It would have killed those who opened it… (In fact, I heard one argument that suggested if Indiana Jones hadn’t tried so hard to get the ark, it would have flown directly to Hilter… Thus, it would have killed the dictator right off, as opposed to a few lesser schmoes. But to those people I would say, “It’s a movie, ya’ll!!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />Regardless, I want to shift my ramblings to an actual point. Jone’s arc… not ark. Perhaps Jones’ relationship with Marion was the more important thing. Or his evolution as a person? Is how Jones changed the story as important as how the story changed Jones? In the face of evil, are we supposed to do nothing, when our actions cannot possibly affect any outcome?<br /><br />No.<br /><br />We are still morally obligated to take action. Regardless of the results...regardless of whether we get results. Sometimes it's not how the actions lead results, but how our actions change us. How did Jones actions, change him? In fiction, how a character evolves is called a character Arc. Jones’ ark was his arc. <br /><br />All this think of Raiders, reminds me of a quote by CS Lewis concerning prayer. “I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.” I think that is really the crux of what Lucas and Spielberg were hinting at in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Sure, it ends in a deus ex machina (God out of the machine), or in the movie’s case “God out of the box”. But that’s the point, it's not how our actions have to get results. But how our actions change us. <br /><br />Ultimately, a changed world is irrelevant if there is no changed hearts.<br /><br /></span><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-91053460166868939392019-09-22T23:31:00.000-05:002019-10-07T02:46:17.585-05:00The Risk of Humor<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I think of all the dumbest things I have ever said, a great majority came from me trying to be funny. With all the comedians out there, it seems like they keep saying worse and worse things. Why is that? Another question I would pose, why do people base jump? Why do people skydive? Why do people bungee jump?</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br>Often times, trying to be funny involves risk, whether being embarrassed or being offensive. Yet, I feel the rush of a great joke when it lands. Now, I'm particularly a fan of dad jokes, but sometimes they get tiring. Their reactions are rarely memorable. And they usually only work once (my wife cringes every time I repeat one of my go to jokes to a new person). In fact, most jokes usually only work once. So, in order to get the rush again, funny people try to push new boundaries. Just like a skydiver wants to try to get closer and closer to the ground before he opens a parachute.</span></span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-risk-of-humor.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-82113309887775261512019-07-21T06:06:00.000-05:002019-10-07T02:46:27.726-05:00Declare vs question<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I prefer orchestral music to band music. More specifically, I am more moved by woodwind and string instruments than brass and percussion. Likely this is why I am drawn to Mozart in particular. He did not use a lot of brass or percussion. It may have not helped that his father blasted a trumpet at him to scare him into performing better. So, why am I drawn to the wind and string sections? I think it’s the way they approach emotional exploration. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">String and winds question. As they explore various emotional experiences, these two groups simply ask questions. A somber song moves in such a manner saying, “Why am I sad? Should I really be sad? What events caused such sorrow?” The same goes for the emotions of joy and anger. Or, if there is a problem that needs to be tackled, the music questions understanding. In addition, an orchestra is more subtle with its emotions. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/07/declare-vs-question.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-1175673410611155262019-07-10T03:59:00.000-05:002019-10-07T02:46:45.599-05:00Goal-Oriented Outgoing vs. Organic Outgoing<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both my wife and I are generally outgoing individuals (although I've had a tendency to be less so lately). When I say outgoing, neither of us are afraid to introduce ourselves to others and strike up a conversation. Yet, although we are both outgoing, the way we go about our conversations is a lot different. She is what I would call a goal-oriented outgoing person. I'm what you could call a organic outgoing person. The other day, I met a person who was more of an introvert, and started pondering the different approaches the two types of personalities have as they speak. Both have some advantages and disadvantages. I'm sure there's some Briggs-Myers personality types that also explain this, but I'm going to throw out my own observation.</span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/07/goal-oriented-outgoing-vs-organic.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-91048822442181268622019-06-18T01:51:00.001-05:002019-10-07T02:46:55.719-05:00Cell Phone Fraud<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those commercials for fraud pop up from time-to-time. I never thought much of them. “It couldn’t happen to me.” I thought. Yet… Well. I think you know where this story is going. A few days ago $4500 worth of phones were sent to our house. They came from Verizon. We have not had a Verizon account in nearly 2 years. Shortly after the phones arrived, my wife received a call from a man who said his name was Jason Hanes claiming to be from the Verizon Verification Department. He told us that Verizon accidentally sent us phones and that we needed to send them back. A FedEx delivery driver was en-route to our house. In order to add urgency, he stressed that we would face legal action if we did not send the phones back.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, the whole lot smelled rotten. We did not send the phones back with the FedEx delivery driver. Instead, we called Verizon’s fraud department directly. We learned the thieves set up an account in my name, using my SSN. Yuck. They knew our numbers and our old Verizon information. Verizon told us we needed to go to a certified store to send the phones back, and then file a fraud claim. Fun stuff.</span></span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/06/cell-phone-fraud.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-48605844809588901612019-05-21T01:52:00.000-05:002019-10-07T02:47:05.053-05:00Mary Sue and the Crystal Skull: Part Three<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/04/mary-sue-and-crystal-skull-part-one.html" target="_blank">last two posts</a>, I dove into the literary term Mary Sue: a seemingly perfect<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Character_(arts)"> </a>character who can perform tasks beyond the character’s experience or ability. I also mentioned two reasons why writers create a Mary Sue. One, wish fulfillment. Two, fear of making a certain type of character look bad. Jumping on the second reason, I said that Indiana Jones from <i>Kingdom of the Crystal Skull </i>was a Mary Sue, or the male equivalent, Gary Stu, because Lucas and Spielberg didn’t dare tarnish the Indiana Jones legacy. Last week, I addressed how the movie set up a character who had his world under control. Now, we venture on to my final points: Jones versus the big baddy<i> mono e mono</i>. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br>To gain full background, let’s explore the first three movies where Jones faces this ultimate, big bad threat. In <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark</i>, it is the muscle bulging Nazi with a shaved head. He looks a lot like me. Breaking down that fight, how well did Jones fair? There are gobs of back and forth punches. Many of Jones’ first blows have little effect on the giant. As they fight, Marion jumps into a fighter plane, in order that she might shoot an advancing truck of Nazi soldiers. As Indy fights, he struggles to grab his gun, the plane circles, Marion is locked in, and a looming threat of fire beckons death. </span><br>
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<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/05/mary-sue-and-crystal-skull-part-three.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-21597401057215578152019-05-01T02:03:00.000-05:002019-05-21T01:53:51.541-05:00Mary Sue and the Crystal Skull: Part Two<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last post, I introduced the literary term Mary Sue: a seemingly perfect<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Character_(arts)"> </a>character who can perform tasks beyond the character’s experience or ability. I also mentioned two reason why writers create a Mary Sue. One, wish fulfillment. Two, fear of making a certain type of character look bad. Jumping on the second reason, I said that Indiana Jones from <i>Kingdom of the Crystal Skull</i> was a Mary Sue, or the male equivalent, Gary Stu. I stressed that the reason Lucas and Spielberg turned Indiana Jones into such a character was that they wanted to overcome Harrison Ford’s limitations. I compared the opening of <i>Crystal Skull </i>with the other three movies. Thus, I will continue where I left off.</span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/05/mary-sue-and-crystal-skull-part-two.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-33060334857893837272019-04-24T05:02:00.000-05:002019-04-24T05:04:50.246-05:00Mary Sue and the Crystal Skull: Part One<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A literary term has been floating around lately… Mary Sue. Some grumble about it’s use. They say it is derogatory. A term meant to belittle characters. A term that is misogynistic--although it was created by a women. So what is a Mary Sue? It is a seemingly perfect</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Character_(arts)"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">character who can perform tasks beyond one’s experience or ability. Why are Mary Sues created? At times, a creator wants to shed a super positive likeness of unto a character, usually to because this character matches what he or she wishes to be. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, I also think there is another reason writers create a Mary Sue, because they are afraid that if they add flaws to particular characters, some people may denounce such portrayals. “What? You don’t think so-and-so can do such-and-such?!” Thus, at times, female characters both receive the Mary Sue doctoring treatment, and the brunt of the Mary Sue criticism (even when the character is not a Mary Sue). I am not ready to go into that dark cave of analysis. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet, there are still clearly gobs of male Mary Sues--or as some people call them, Gary Stus. One such specimen is Indiana Jones in the movie Kingdom of The Crystal Skull. The movie did not bode well with a lot of Indiana Jones fans (I still like it, but it is not the same), while there are gobs of reasons, him being a Mary Sue was a contributing factor. Indiana Jones did not feel right in the movie, because he did not feel like Indiana Jones. </span><a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/04/mary-sue-and-crystal-skull-part-one.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-34004398824595068522019-04-14T06:14:00.002-05:002019-10-07T02:47:19.486-05:00Aristotle's 6 Elements of Compelling Art Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVxiqyn80VcqM_rOi_n5RjkV0sStUB_NhZ4C-28sVHIadzDOjutLLGzTtn_aKvBYo3XB6qkiIcKEFrUqTI8_j4BvBtTqip_f5OCfpJjh1YCOQs5H9Alupr3DccZck49qT4f3S7eDFh7E/s1600/Fire+6.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVxiqyn80VcqM_rOi_n5RjkV0sStUB_NhZ4C-28sVHIadzDOjutLLGzTtn_aKvBYo3XB6qkiIcKEFrUqTI8_j4BvBtTqip_f5OCfpJjh1YCOQs5H9Alupr3DccZck49qT4f3S7eDFh7E/s320/Fire+6.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Centuries ago, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=aristotle&linkCode=as2&tag=roll0d-20&linkId=YIBYIXNZG4LP2Y6R" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Aristotle</a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> discovered the six substances of compelling art. Why art? Sure, Aristotle coined them for drama, but these elements apply to all forms of art. They are the elements that draw us to mediums: movies, music, paintings, speeches, etc. I like to apply them to writing. Like a general contractor wielding raw materials, these elements determine the type of structure we will create, and make it livable, or even more importantly make it enjoyable.</span><br>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are the elements and their purposes? How much of each is one to use? That depends on the type of structure we want to create. Continuing with the structure analogy, let's explore each element's purpose. You can click on any of the subtitles to see me dig further in depth concerning each point. </span><br>
</div><a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/04/aristoless-6-elements-of-compelling-art.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-34127817086020412882019-04-12T04:48:00.000-05:002019-04-14T06:15:19.587-05:00The 80/20 rule of branding<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marketing has never been one of those terms I’ve thought highly of. I mean… Isn’t it just a bunch a annoying guys screaming, “Buy my stuff!” over and over again? But lately with my new ventures, I’ve been trying to figure out this marketing thing. I’ve listened to a lot of guru-esque folks on that newfangled thing called a podcast. I’ve read some blogs and other articles. And, I’ve sucked in some famous quotes from ‘successful’ people. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A great gob of them throw out this peculiar term, branding. They speak over and over about building a brand. In fact, I remember one of my business classes in college. The professor said that giant companies will often spend more money building their brand, than on the product itself. Such a statement did not make me particularly fond of the term branding. “So, does that mean a company’s primary goal is to get people to believe their pleather is actually leather?” Such thoughts wandered in my head. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-8020-rule-of-branding.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-46282349978962367712019-03-28T03:58:00.000-05:002019-04-12T04:48:32.614-05:00 Prioritizing Priorities<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do you do if your brain is fried? Overwhelmed with all the comings and goings you got going on in your life? Right now I’ve got a crazy load of things going on. Working on finishing my basement, which makes the house a mess. Now, I have to deal with recent flooding. Then I have to add cleaning the house to my list. Kid’s homework and activities. There’s marketing and ordering of books stuff I’ve got to do. Adding people to email lists. Social networking on social networks. Analytics. Along, with personal writing goals. And, I’m working on helping others with their own publishing projects. And reading. </span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is anyone any different really?</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those gurus out there speak of prioritizing and discipline, and yes… They’re right. When crazy things are coming at you, you do need to slow down and focus only on one task… Or one form of fun. But, how do we make such prioritization? Ultimately, all the things we need to and want to accomplish fit into three categories.</span></span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/03/prioritizing-priorities.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-41009897605320927782019-02-02T06:07:00.000-06:002019-04-12T04:48:49.203-05:00Entertainment vs. Amusement<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, that I’ve wrapped up my series on the six elements of compelling entertainment (<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/11/compelling-entertainment-plot.html" target="_blank">Plot</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-character.html" target="_blank">Character</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part.html" target="_blank">Diction</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-music.html" target="_blank">Music</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-my-series-on-elements-of-compelling.html" target="_blank">Theme </a>and <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-spectacle.html" target="_blank">Spectacle</a>), I’d like to answer the question, “So what?” Why does all this stuff matter? I don’t know. Perhaps, I’m just looking for something to write about. Perhaps, I’m--as my wife might say--a guy who simply overthinks things. Or maybe--as I like to think--I’m out to offer some tools that others could use in order to help more effectively communicate thoughts and idea. Or, gain more understanding from a work of entertainment. Who knows? But, I have to write about something, so I’m going to nerd out. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When some people approach entertainment, they’ll say something akin to, “I don’t want to think. I just want to shut my brain off and escape from this crazy world.” Honestly, that is not always bad. I too just want to do that. There is a place for that… Yet, if that is all we do, seek out mindless distraction in order to escape reality, what will that do for our well-being? Or, if we simply yell at people saying, “Well, that’s just the way it is!” How can we get them to find what we have to say compelling? </span><br>
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<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/02/entertainment-vs-amusement.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-25595025971585725742019-01-28T04:11:00.001-06:002019-02-02T06:51:23.514-06:00Compelling Entertainment: Spectacle<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Spectacle!! Spectacle!! Spectacle!! Get down to the Super-Mega Extravaganza of all Awesometacular Crazy… Dangerous… Stunts, Explosions and Wild Carnivores. </b>Ok… I’m done. But, it is hard for me to think about exactly how to explain Spectacle. We all know it when we see it. Spectacle is “Wow Factor.” And the last element in my series on compelling entertainment. (<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/11/compelling-entertainment-plot.html" target="_blank">Plot</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-character.html" target="_blank">Character</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part.html" target="_blank">Diction</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-music.html" target="_blank">Music</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-my-series-on-elements-of-compelling.html" target="_blank">Theme </a>being the others.)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br>Way back in the day, Aristotle (the author of these six elements) declared that Spectacle was the least important of the six. I’m not sure that message has absorbed into entertainment sensibilities today. Now, all too often Hollywood starts with Spectacle and builds (sometimes) the other elements around it. And, thus snobby critical people tear it apart for lacking depth.</span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-spectacle.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-48587450519970057542019-01-16T03:59:00.000-06:002019-01-28T04:12:47.022-06:00Compelling Entertainment: Theme<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my series on the elements of compelling entertainment--<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/11/compelling-entertainment-plot.html" target="_blank">Plot</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-character.html" target="_blank">Character</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part.html" target="_blank">Diction</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-music.html" target="_blank">Music</a>, Theme, and <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-spectacle.html" target="_blank">Spectacle</a>--it’s Theme’s turn. What is Theme? The message/morals an author wants their art to carry. Or the questions they want to ask. Now, one of the worst labels a movie or book can have is “preachy” or “heavy handed”. And, one of my biggest turn-offs in any art comes when the creator unfairly vilifies my worldview. When they do this, I shut down. I don’t even contemplate what they have to say. I don’t care how well it is presented. And, vice versa… I see gobs of people contemplatively shut down when someone I agree with unfairly tears down their worldview. Does this mean I can’t like something with themes in which I disagree? No. I simply ask that they be fair. Ultimately, isn't art a means to get a audience to contemplate themes? (At least good art.) Here’s the questions I ask concerning as to whether themes are compelling. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-my-series-on-elements-of-compelling.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-86083471177133300532019-01-04T03:36:00.000-06:002019-01-28T04:13:14.155-06:00Compelling Entertainment: Music<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Continuing my series on the elements of compelling entertainment--<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/11/compelling-entertainment-plot.html" target="_blank">Plot</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-character.html" target="_blank">Character</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part.html" target="_blank">Diction</a>, Music, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-my-series-on-elements-of-compelling.html" target="_blank">Theme</a>, and <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-spectacle.html" target="_blank">Spectacle</a>--I will cover Music. Last post, I wrote about <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part-2.html" target="_blank">Diction</a>, the language of art. Diction’s job is to convey the shades of meaning, to impart understanding. In addition, Music is a part of an artist’s voice, but Music’s job is a hint different. It too carries meaning, but it’s a meaning beyond understanding. For instance, when we hear a sad song, we usually know it is sad even if we don’t know the words, and even when we don’t know why it is sad. Pairing strong words with the right music has birthed some of history’s most iconic art. Unlike Diction, It’s ok for Music--from time-to-time--to draw attention to itself. Poetry focuses largely on the Music element. And, movies are filled with great music montages. In fact, Amadeus places the music in position of a character.</span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-music.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-7635883133430954942018-12-19T01:40:00.000-06:002019-01-04T03:37:10.289-06:00Compelling Entertainment: Diction (part two)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last post, I wrote about <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part.html" target="_blank">Diction</a>. I defined it and explained why the element is so important to compelling entertainment. Quite simply, Diction is the language of art. It’s purpose is to grant an audience full access into creator’s thoughts and feelings. This goes beyond simply listing information and having proper grammar. While grammar rules are important, voice makes a work complete. Voice let’s an audience experience what a creator wants an audience to experience. Thus, here are the questions I ask as to whether an artist accomplishes great Diction. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part-2.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-44100120522146195382018-12-12T01:42:00.000-06:002019-04-12T04:55:27.385-05:00Compelling Entertainment: Diction (part one)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Continuing from the last two weeks, I spoke on the elements that make certain works compelling: <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/11/compelling-entertainment-plot.html" target="_blank">Plot</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-character.html" target="_blank">Character</a>, Diction, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-music.html" target="_blank">Music</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-my-series-on-elements-of-compelling.html" target="_blank">Theme</a>, and <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-spectacle.html" target="_blank">Spectacle</a>. So far I addressed the questions I ask concerning Plot and Character. To many… To most… These seem to be the most important elements of a story. Yet, there’s more. Yes, the backbone of compelling entertainment is Plot and Character, and if a book or movie has a good plot and great characters, I can forgive other faults… But, the way a story is told is important too. How does one draw the picture that paints both amazing plots and interesting characters? Diction.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is Diction? Quite simply, it is the language artists use to express themselves. There are gobs of ways to tell the same story. Not just through books and movies. Ultimately, all art strives to tell some sort of story. To give insights into some sort of personalities. Yet, even within books or movies, there are so many different languages of storytelling. Movies come in all forms, genres, and such: Action, shorts, horror, thrillers. When you break down even the genres, there are several different considerations, lighting, transitions, etc. Having all the same genres, books speak in various formats: short stories, narrative, journal, documentary. All carry their own language. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-51163083966883454372018-12-05T23:51:00.000-06:002019-01-28T04:14:33.967-06:00Compelling Entertainment: Character<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last post, I spoke on the elements that make certain works compelling. These elements are Plot, Character, Diction, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-music.html" target="_blank">Music</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-my-series-on-elements-of-compelling.html" target="_blank">Theme</a>, and <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-spectacle.html" target="_blank">Spectacle</a>. The previous post I focused the questions I ask concerning <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/11/compelling-entertainment-plot.html" target="_blank">plot</a>. I love a good plot… Some, however, are character people. All they need is characters they can latch onto, and they don’t care where the ride takes them. What is Character? Ultimately, Character is more than simply individuals. It is the personality of people, animals, settings, and even objects. But, what elements make compelling characters? It’s subjective, but these are questions I like to ask. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-character.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-67178054878780089052018-11-28T22:48:00.001-06:002019-01-28T04:15:02.276-06:00 Compelling Entertainment: Plot<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When watching a movie, or reading a book, tastes often vary. How can anyone say something is objectively good… Or for that matter… Objectively bad. Many people will simply take in a movie, and say, “I liked it” (or didn’t), and will care little concerning why... Which is fine. I don’t think as consumers--who simply want to escape the humdrum of everyday life--we need to know why we like something. Yet, whether or not we think about the elements that make certain works compelling, they are still there. Good use of certain elements pull us in. Capture our attention. Inspire. Make us feel something. Wow us. What are these elements? Plot, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-character.html" target="_blank">Character</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/12/compelling-entertainment-diction-part.html" target="_blank">Diction</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-music.html" target="_blank">Music</a>, <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-my-series-on-elements-of-compelling.html" target="_blank">Theme</a>, and <a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2019/01/compelling-entertainment-spectacle.html" target="_blank">Spectacle</a>. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have mentioned these elements in a former post, but now I’d like to break each one down over the next few weeks, pointing out the questions I ask as to whether or not a work hits the mark in any given area. Different people prefer one of these elements over the other. I, myself, am a plot guy. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is plot? Quite simply, it is the series of events that drive a story forward. Conflict, tension, rising action, climax, and resolution. That stuff. On paper we were taught these terms in high school English, but how does one create a compelling plot? Again, there is a lot of subjectivity, but I ask the following questions--whether consciously or unconsciously--as I delve into a plot. </span><br>
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<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/11/compelling-entertainment-plot.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-46266345682090703652018-11-16T07:53:00.001-06:002019-04-14T06:15:39.159-05:00Quick Fix Essentials<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s a given. Things fall apart. As, <a href="http://www.redgreen.com/" target="_blank">Red Green</a> says, “If I ain’t broke, you’re not trying.” Sometimes we don’t have the time to repair things right. We need them to work right now. For Instance, a while back, my sump pump had issues. I couldn’t go out and buy one, because we were leaving to visit family for a couple of days. So, I jerry-rigged something. Redneck-repaired it. Or, whatever kind of name you might call the deed. But, not only do we at times not have time to fix something right, there are other instances we don’t have the money, and the repair just needs to be good enough, until we can fit the fixing into our budgets. With that being said, I figured I’d offer a list (top 8) of quick fix essentials, that are good to have around the house. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/11/quick-fix-essentials.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-61807786939091670282018-10-28T03:52:00.000-05:002018-10-28T03:52:09.943-05:00In fairness to postmodernism: part two<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/10/in-fairness-to-postmoderism.html" target="_blank">Last post</a> I spoke on how Kierkegaard began this new wave of philosophy, which were the seeds of what became existentialism. Contemplating passions and the human will, he shifted from the objective to the subjective in order to determine human purpose. Now, he did not suggest that right and wrong were a matter of individual preference, but that purpose/morality is a matter of passionate and willful obedience to God, regardless of His commands, even if they do not fit an objective instruction found in scripture. Thus, according to Kierkegaard, passion and will are the primary identifiers of purpose, simply following God’s word is not enough.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I agree that passion and will are crucial, in order to have healthy relationship with God, I do not agree that passion and will are the determining factors of purpose. Revelation is. Passion and will are gifts that spring from revelation. In addition, I do not believe that God will give us a command that contradicts revelation. (Although, being a bit simple minded and stubborn, I may not understand what revelation may actually say on any given topic.)</span></div><a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/10/in-fairness-to-postmodernism-part-two.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-38735553583548237192018-10-09T04:29:00.000-05:002019-02-21T17:44:54.421-06:00In fairness to postmoderism<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few times I have spoken less than flattering about postmodernism. Plus, I have also written about the importance of not beating down those one disagrees with. So yes, I have some great problems with postmodernist thought, yet, I understand why it is embraced.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is postmodernism? You know, that is one of trickiest parts of postmodernity, defining it. Deconstructionism, relativism, anti-traditionalism, such phrases are thrown around, but none of them fully, or fairly, encompass what binds all postmodern adherents. I’d say the highfalutin term I’d throw around that best encompasses the tenets of postmodernism would be existentialism. (Yes. It’s more complicated than that, I mean, I can’t even figure it all out.) </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ok. So what is existentialism? In the history of philosophy, existentialism represents a shift from modernism. Descartes, often considered the father of modern philosophy, used the idea of radical doubt in order to find some sort of objective foundation, upon which we could build truth. Quite simply, modernism is the pursuit of an objective truth, or an objective reality, even if people don’t agree on that objective truth. Ultimately, existentialism’s underlying principle is that we create our own purpose. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/10/in-fairness-to-postmoderism.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-17287428629108413602018-09-25T23:26:00.000-05:002018-09-25T23:26:09.319-05:00Revelation, reason and experience<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spoke last post about two foundations upon which determine truth, reason and experience. Such traditions stem from the rationalist and empiricists. Yet, most truths we believe as true do not come from either. This is not to say, we do not apply both reason and experience to every truth we come upon, just that it most often not the first step in discovering truth. So what is this truth foundation? </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revelation. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think about it this way, of all the facts, truths, and principles you stick to, how many of them first came to you by reason or experience? Sure, you could say, that those truths came through the reason and experiences of others (which I will get into later), but primarily most of what we know to be true has been revealed to us. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/09/revelation-reason-and-experience.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776930372496905179.post-49729297606064535502018-09-09T23:19:00.000-05:002018-09-09T23:21:41.071-05:00The foundation of truth... <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We’re all trying to figure out a gob of gunk, as the world throws at us what it thinks we should think. But, how do we determine which voices to listen too? What is that foundation we rest upon where we declare, “This is my authority as to where I determine what I see as true?”</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being a philosophy/theology major (because I wanted to go through life having people ask me what I would do to make money), I learned of two camps of two authoritarian foundations: the rationalist and the empiricists. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rationalists start with the idea that within in ourselves, there are the tools necessary to discover truth. Simply stated, as a rationalist one would say, “It makes sense to me, so so-and-so is true.” Again, very simply stated. In our core, we hold many things as true, just because they make sense…to us at least. Descartes, the father of modern philosophy, was a rationalist. He began his philosophy with the idea of radical doubt. He asked,”What is one truth, where one can’t possibly get me to doubt it as true.” He considered all his perceptions, and asked, “What if a crazy demon is playing a trick on me?” Clearly, such philosophical questions have been played around within movies: The Matrix in particular. </span><br>
<a href="https://rdwengert.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-foundation-of-truth.html#more">Read more »</a>Rollan Wengert Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01494098473336990404noreply@blogger.com0