Surely the Mona Lisa would be just as important and as popular a work, if Leonardo had painted a guy in the background waving his private parts around.
Surely Michelangelo's reproduction of David would be just as fitting a piece of art if the subject was depicted in a state of arousal with his tongue hanging out.
Surely the Cistine Chapel would be a fine example of social enlightenment, if it had been depicting the 101 favorite sexual positions of the ages.
Surely Michelangelo's "Pieta" would be much more interesting if the Virgin had been depicted with her gown pulled up and legs spread wide open.
Surely the eloquent words of Abraham Lincoln would be just as significant if some racial slurs were thrown in for artistic emphasis.
Surely the music of the Beatles would have been more popular and important had they used more colorful lyrics- "I want to @#$%! hold your #@%$# hand!"
All these polls? Can’t we just use common sense?
"The fact that this poem has adult content significantly reduces its artistic value."
Surely we can see that all these works would be just as valuable (probably MORE valuable and MORE important) today if the artists and authors had really had the freedom to be hip and cool and in tune with what is REALLY artistic.
And while we're at it, I'm with the 30+ percent who think there should be no rules at all here. That means I can delete their poems and replace words that don't fit in other poems I see. No rules rocks!Surely if I really thought this way, I would be a fool. Surely if I really thought this way, I would be a fool. Surely if I really thought this way, I would be a fool. Surely if I really thought this way, I would be a fool.
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great!
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Surely you must know about the manifestations of light and darkness--which are not only aspects of nature, but are aspects of the spirit world.
Negative energy is the manifestation of evil thoughts and evil deeds of the heart.
Positive energy is the manifestation of good things.
...Surely you must know better than I do that exhibiting negative energy produces destruction--either quickly or over time.
...And in order to be good, you must BECOME good. Your nature and personality have to change because you were born with corruption.
...What if EVERYONE started manifesting evil? Well, than God would eventually destroy the earth because it is becoming of a different nature that's opposed to His own.
However...IF you become one with God, then you could have freedom of speech--because if you're one with God, you would be manifesting His personality on the earth.
...And this goes back to the Pilgrims who founded this country. They allowed this "freedom of speech" because they realized that if a person was to be one with God, that He would act like God.
...And we know that God, in order to be God, must be good.
www.bruderhof.com/articles/Karma.htm
Edited on Jul 06, 2:58 p.m. because ''. -
Dearest Jane, what kind of @%&#$ comment is that? Don't you know this is a #!)&% respectable page and I won't allow any @$&$% comiing in here and $&^%!# saying something like "!@#$%^&" or anything close to it. And no nudity either thank you.
(Thanks for the #%$@!!&# comment
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!@#$
I don't understand what the !@#$ your !@#$%^& problem is !@#$face! But then, obviously, you never lived in !@#$%^& New York City did you! So *((()_+, why not let us express our !@#$%^& selves with true !@#$%^& reality!!!!!!!!! !@#$ It! (some of this message is !@#$%^& cryptic!!!! -
FAMOUS LAST WORDS !!! HA! HA! HA!
Taranand
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I agree 100% and have nothing to add because you wrote it all so nicely. i'll just shut up and applaud!
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Great write! Haven't laughed this hard in days!! (Hard meaning "much," of course.) You, gifted Poet, have made your point here exceptionally well! Vulgarity has become commonplace? Perhaps this is true. Yet it seems so childish in a way. It is like preschoolers running around yelling, "Pee-pee, poo-poo" and "I'm going to doo-doo on your head, fart face!" This makes them feel important because it gets the attention of others and they are saying something "bad." Here we talking about some (emphasis on "some") adults (?) doing the same thing and calling it "artistic" because it gives them a feeling of power and control. Guess that's what it does for some of the kiddies, too. There are exceptions, of course, as nothing is black and white. (Has anyone else mentioned that?)
Freedom of speech is one thing and yes, essential to what makes this country great. But it is doubtful that the Founding Fathers had coarse and crude words in mind when they were writing the Constitution. Most likely they were referring to the right to have beliefs and opinions and to express such without fear of retribution. There are serious poets and frivolous ones, childish poets and mature ones, cultured bards and gutter bards, wise minstrels and foolish ones. And there is room for us all. Yet the world is falling down around us in more ways than one. Who has the courage to ask - why? Socrates, where are you????
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Amusing, yet has a point. But I think the poll needs to be taken with a spoonful of salt, eh? For me, the answer was "greatly disagree." I value freedom of expression. I don't think any one person or group should dictate what anyone else says/writes/ etc. It invites way too much bias with personal views to cloud judgement. That said, I do think rights should be excercised with COMMON SENSE. Common sense, though, appears to be quite rare. Certain works, though, have a certain mood and point to make- classical art you mentioned were not done to shock or amuse... which I think are good applications of cursing or vulgarity. I don't think overuse is a good thing (and that applies to words, beliefs, and nearly everything!) but when used to a purpose then I don't think it takes away artistic value. The important thing to keep in mind is that words lose and gain meanings through use and time... what was once innocent and polite (Gay, for example) could now have a ruder connotation... and words that used to be considered rude are now more widely accepted and considered tame (listen to prime time TV nowadays and compare to the 50's and 60's). Also, the context of use is important to consider. The Bible uses the words Hell, Ass, and other words that sometimes people object to when used in other contexts. People will bring their own interpretations and opinions to any piece they read, and the writer's intent may not be understood... the only way to let writers express themselves is to allow them to do so with their own word choice. Excepting, of course if they enter a contest where the rules disallow certain words or subjects to be used- they can chose to write a poem about that for themselves, or write one that fits contest rules. As long as someone isn't being FORCED to listen or read something they find offensive, then they shouldn't object to it. In this I mean if they don't like a radio or TV show, change the station or channel. If they find conversation rude, walk away. if they don't like a poem, then don't read it further.
Edited on May 02, 8:52 p.m. because 'spelling errors'. -
I'm not sure what happened to common sense and sensibility? Where did it go? Good column.
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You're from one of those red states, aren't you?
Here's the thing. No, those works of art stand as they do because they were crafted by incredible artist. For every piece you name, a piece of art work from the renaissance period can be found to counter your claim. Things are not black and white, no matter how much you would like to believe it is.
Mary -
I'm a total libertarian on the subject. I feel we should let people swear and curse as much as they want to...but that's me. Nice article. Keep up the good ole work.
Cheers,
Yossarian -
I never did see the results of that poll, which is probably due to the fact that it didn't interest me. But you have summed it up here quite succinctly. And please, do NOT read any of my work, as some of it contains adult language! lol...
peace
doug
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Surely there's a difference between erotica that does nothing to enhance the art and erotica that helps. Surely it's never just black and white.
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The way I feel, There shouldn't be any boundries for art. What we catorize as profound weather languige of content is an expression of Emotion. Art is art and this isn't preschool so take away boundries and express how you feel in any manner that you see fit. Cause art has no limits, only people do.
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I like your satirical approach to this topic! Especially about the no rules
And WONDERFUL examples of "art"! Since this is a column under education, under featured it IS labeled as children's, so you might want to be careful with that (Don't ask me WHY this education = children's under featured...you're not the first person I've said this too...gah) Good job!
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rad
This made me giggle. (okay, on the inside)
Which is a feat in itself.
Super coolness has been achieved, well done. -
I completely agree, i was amazed that over 60% of the people who took that poll could strongly disagree. I've found it always took away and you've drill the point across well. Take care and God bless.
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If anything, controversial subject matter would gretaly increase the value,- finacially, historically, and socially-to a piece of art/writing. an interesting debate. You should read my poem "Heart Strings." I've been told by those who depise cursing/profanity in poetry, that not only did they enjoy this work, but the language helped enhance the message. In fact, please read any/all poems posted on this site by k-dense (myself).-Curtis Meyer
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Amen.
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