I maintain and amateur interest in everything.

The urge for order satisfies itself, it seems, regardless of the quality of the evidence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/health/06mind.html?_r=1

How Nonsense Sharpens the Intellect

I read a bit of an article in the Nytimes today that tenuously linked the idea on nonsense helping to stimulate the brain in pattern recognition. That is a bit of an over simplification but its what i took away. Its interesting that what i did with the article is almost exactly what it suggested one does when encountering a confounding situation; try to make sense of it by fitting it to known scenarios to find what seems to be the most reasonable answer or solution.

Reading this article reminded me that ive been trying to write a post linking style-writing in particular but general visual arts as well to the music rhythm and pattern. The goal was to begin to build a set of guidelines by which to critique various forms of style writing.

So far i have about 8 pages of ramble, each paragraph leaving me further away from my points then when i started.

basic ideas:

• style-writing is similar to a music.
• as with patterns the ones the keep our interest are the ones the have enough info to allow you detect the presence of pattern but leaves enough room to make you search for it and in good cases it takes a few tries to figure it out; thus allowing room to intellectually participate in the experience.
• the process is furthered by the layering of patterns or motifs which interplay with each other setting of dissident pattern reactions throwing you off the trail you initially started.
• SO good style writing follows the idea of layered patterns that create a visual rhythm.
• the rhythm is followed and broken so that at each break you must re-think what you thought you new as the pattern.
• reassessment leads to deep engagement by the viewer.

is that confusing enough? I feel like there’s something in there i just haven’t gotten to it yet. Its not groundbreaking in any event, but does seem so common-sensicle that its over looked by most and stumbled upon by many. It also assumes a certain artistic motivation, which for many simply isnt really the concern.

Still, the new research supports what many experimental artists, habitual travelers and other novel seekers have always insisted: at least some of the time, disorientation begets creative thinking.

NYTimes article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/health/06mind.html?_r=1