h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was discussing with a friend in Hong Kong the other day, the idea of writting peotry. I spouted out some simple little blurbs, just playing around... And she was stunned by them. Now, I will be the first to admit that I am no Willy Shakespeare. Heck, the three that I posted in the past few days are the only ones that people have seen of my peorty in, oh, about FIFTEEN YEARS!

She said that she wanted to write poetry, but was not any good at it. Her friends had told her that her writtings were too sad... The only sad thing I could see is the idea of berating an example of one feelings. Poetry should elicit emotion. Just like painting or sculpture or song. That is what makes it 'art'.

Good, bad, happy sad,... it is all the same. What is the most impressive thing about art, to me, is people *trying*. It doesnt have to succeed. Just that they have tried is the beauty that stuns me.

Poetry is a form of self-expression, and a method of communication. It is as valid as using 'normal' English. Just a bit more loaded. Being an English Major (And I can relate to you about your attempt towards an Art degree-- what's the use in a degree saying that I can speak my native tongue?) I've been exposed to a lot of it. Some good, some bad, all unique. Your friend in Hong Kong (in my not so humble opinion) should write if she feels the urge. Someone famous (I forget who now) said something like "You have to write an awful lot of manure before you write that one gem." OK, that's seriously paraphrased, but you get the idea, I hope. Just a bit of advice.

Inferno.
Self-proclaimed Chaotic Bard.

About the only thing that you can do is teachit to someone else. I think english has a much higher employment rate than an Art degree does... especially with the arts being constantly cut down in school budgets.

I have already told her that the time will present itself for her to write... she only need to not give up hope. Best advice I know... now if only I would follow it

Contemplation

I can agree with you there. I'm all for science and math and the like, but the arts are getting severely cut out of schools. I wonder if it's just an American thing, or if other cultures are facing similar problems. I'd find it hard to believe, for example, that China would be one to cut down its Art teaching in schools, since they have such a rich heritage in that regard. Who knows though? So, the question poses itself: What can we do to alter that state of affairs. Surely there's enough people in the gathering that could come up with some way around it. After all, in the old days, science and art were intertwined. That's a large part of how some of the discoveries were made. Anyway, I think I'm starting to ramble. So I'll stop for now.

Inferno.

Artists and Liberals and Thinkers, Oh My!

No, as long as the old school holds power over budgeting in the schools, and it is treated as a buisness rather thatn an educational system, then the arts will always be cut down in favour of the sciences and athletics, things that can get federal funding or are reflected in most standardized tests. In the SATs, you have math and verbal, but not art? Till a reason can be found to emphasise art in the educational system, it will not be taken seriously, especially in the public forum.

Hey, we could always have a bake sale

Contemplation