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The Purpose of Art, in Response to Oscar Wilde
Fay’s Christmas Painting, 1958John Altoon (American, 1925-1969) In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde famously ends his preface with the line, “All art is quite useless.” At first glance, this may suggest that art has no place in practical life. After all, it’s food and water we survive on. But art is not about…
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Understanding Our Fascination with Conspiracy Theories: A Psychological Exploration
From whispers of secret societies to debates on the moon landing, conspiracy theories have run through human history for centuries. With the rise of social media usage, these theories can spread at lightning speed. But what draws people to them? Let’s explore the psychological reasons behind our collective curiosity about the unknown. The Desire for…
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The Different Types of Unreliable Narrators
Truth is slippery. One thing we can be sure of is that when someone tells us a story, we are not dealing with reality itself. It doesn’t mean we are dealing with a lie. It just means that, at that moment, we are being given access to their version of reality, which is a completely…
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Why perfectionism is killing your creativity
Creativity is not a state of achieved perfection; it’s a willingness to dialogue with chaos, to dance on the edges of the abyss of “I don’t know”. When I was 11 years old, I wrote a poem about Brazilian folklore legends for a Portuguese class. When it was time to hand out the assignments, my…
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Does Pain Make Great Art? Challenging the Starving Artist Trope
We’ve all heard the stories—Van Gogh cutting off his ear, Sylvia Plath’s tragic end, the countless artists who struggled with hardships and emotional disturbances which led them to create timeless masterpieces. The stereotype that suffering fuels creativity has been around for centuries. But is it really true, or just another harmful romanticized myth? The Problem with the…
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A Day in the Life of a Perpetual Student: The Never-Ending Quest for Knowledge
Being a perpetual student isn’t just something I stumbled into—it’s become part of my identity. It’s a lifelong commitment to curiosity, chaos, and the humbling reality that no matter how much I know, there’s always more to uncover. While most people view learning as a temporary phase before real life begins, for me, the pursuit…
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The Quest for Autonomy: Philosophical Insights into Modern Freedom and Purpose
Introduction In an age where connectivity promises liberation yet often fosters new forms of constraint, the pursuit of personal autonomy has become a central theme in modern discourse. The notion of autonomy, deeply rooted in philosophical thought, challenges us to navigate the intricate balance between freedom and purpose in our lives. This exploration delves into…
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Why Mental Health Matters More Than Ever (And What We’re All Getting Wrong)
Have you ever felt like you’re running on a treadmill that won’t stop? Life keeps throwing work deadlines, family responsibilities, and endless social expectations at you. You feel drained, but you tell yourself, “I’ll be fine. I just need to push through.” Sounds familiar? You’re not alone. In the health and fitness world, people…
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The Scales of Suffering: Weighing Justice in a Utilitarian World
Life, much like the scales of justice, teeters between opposing forces—right and wrong, virtue and vice—hovering delicately on either side. Yet, the scales I envision are not the precise instruments of a scientist or chef, but the figurine of Lady Justice: blindfolded, holding the weight of moral dichotomy in her hands, symbolising balance amidst chaos.…
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