Craft involves the creation of objects of utility that also appeal to one or more of the senses

The role of art, on the other hand, is to evoke emotions and thoughts that would not otherwise be imagined. And it’s not necessary for the artist to have a plan either; many of them are working instinctively with barely a grasp on what their art will do to the recipients.

Art is filtered through the senses but processed in the mind. And this processing is unique as compared to other functions of the mind and possibly also quite different between individuals.

You can see therefore why art is so much more subjective than craft.

I can say this about art though; if you hate it, then it worked.

It keeps happening to me … I get talking to people who get all defensive when I have an opinion that differs from theirs.

You’d think they would want to know why my opinions are different just in case I know something they don’t.

Buy no, they generally just don’t want to hear it.

One admittedly dodgy hypothesis that floats around my head has to do with affluence.

I reckon men have fared worse than women under the influence of affluence.

This is because men have gone from projects to purchases.  Way back when, even hunting was a project. It just isn’t the same thing when you instantly get something for seemingly no effort.

Women have gone from collecting and  organizing to collecting and organizing. Much less of a jump.

I hate massive generalizations like this because I know of dozens of exceptions without even thinking hard.

But I can’t help thinking that building a shed is actually pleasurable whereas buying one and getting it installed is rather  emasculating. But only for men. And only some men at that…

Is there even a female equivalent to ’emasculate?

Google says “William Safire in The San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 16,1986, discusses the possible opposites for emasculate. He concludes that defeminate is best, after also considering effeminate, spay, hysterectate, demulierize, gyneclate, degynify, and exogynate.” He forgot menopause.

But better still…”associating an abstract noun like ‘power’ with gender is what forms the nonsensical basis of the misogynist word ’emasculate’ “. There you see, I knew it along, this idea is rubbish even if it makes sense.

Back to the Czechs…they have an old proverb that a man must do three things in his life; build a house, have a child and write a book.

For the women in the audience; I have been thinking about this and I believe that it’s pretty spot-on. And here is why:

The ‘having a child’ bit covers off a few things. Firstly, the ability to get into emotionally stable relationships. Secondly, the capability of being a provider of sorts. And finally the satisfaction of completing our genetic ‘responsibility’ (the true purpose of life according to some).

Building a house requires mastery of manual dexterity. This assumes the Czechs don’t mean hiring an architect and a builder to build a house; I think they mean using your own nous and hands. It also requires a man to have project and planning skills, the ability to find bits and pieces, and all sorts of other useful skills. Most importantly a man who builds his own house gets satisfaction out of the process or he wouldn’t do it, and this satisfaction is a sign of a content and mature man. Building a house is also part of being a ‘provider’ for the family.

‘Writing a book’ is a very clever insertion and the least obvious here. But it implies a nurtured intellect and a control of basic instincts. Also, and again, the ability to plan a project and see it through. A sense of ‘contribution’ is also required; that is, a contribution to society. The respect of a peer group, probably of men, is also required and this is very important to men, no matter how how trivial or important the peer group is. Those without it suffer.

I fear that many modern men are being dragged further and further away from activities that lead them to outcomes commensurate with the Czech proverb’s targets.

My message to the women out there is that if you want happy partners that you like being with, then corral them into activities aligned with those described in this missive; even if at times this seems counter to your own desires, needs and emotions. You won’t regret it.

My daughter’s mother asked me to get her a book for Christmas, “decoding your 21st century daughter”.

I took a peek before ‘wrapping’ the thing and there isn’t a single word in there that isn’t deadly obvious. Almost to the point of condescension.

My explanation? One or more of (a) uncertainty looking for confirmation bias, (b) ignorance looking for education, (c) peer group pressure, and (d) a weird missive to me.

My personal view is that if you are that anxious then don’t have kids.

Can an iconoclast be the source of hagiology?

Back to the prophets…

Imagine how many the imaginary god must have sent down over the years in order for a handful to stick?

Most of them probably ended up as the village drunk sprouting gibberish that no one listened to.

It’s a sad day when you lose a favorite sock.