The Loss of Individuality

Today in class, we started a poem by John Keats-'Ode on a Grecian Urn'; or rather, we were given an introduction to the times it was written in. My teacher spoke of how poets and artists were inspired by nature and that as nature was perfect, anything derived from it was also perfect. They also thought of the Greek and Roman eras as perfect. Implying that, all technological progress has brought is discontent and unhappiness in everyone's lives. That was the sentence that struck me. Not only has technological progress created discontent, it has also destroyed creativity. Its like life has become easier, so mankind has ceased to imagine!
I mean, look at it! When there were no facilities, no fancy machinery, only human labour; beautiful buildings like the Taj Mahal, the Notre Dame, the Sagrada Famiglia (although incomplete, incredibly beautiful), the pyramids in Egypt and countless other monuments that we see!
Now we have world-class technology and all we can create are the ugly skyscrapers and malls that we see popping up everywhere! Maybe that's it. When you don't have a lot, you appreciate beauty, and when you do, you pretend to! It's all part of the social status, isn't it? To appreciate Mozart's music, admire a Monet or a Renoir? What are the odds that those very people would not be able to differentiate between Mozart and an ordinary musician? I'm guessing they would be incredibly high.
People love to show that they are spiritual and cultured. That's the key word-show! The moment we start worrying about what other people think off, we cease to think and enjoy for own pleasure. So what if you don't think Picasso is brilliant? So what if you don't understand the works of Stephen Sondheim? Most people don't! At least you have the guts to admit it! We don't live to impress anybody. Nor do we live to conform to anyone else's ideas? We do live for others, but we aren't expected to change to suit their needs. The sad part is, most people already know of all this, but are afraid to raise their voice, afraid to be even a slightly bit different, lest they should be mocked. Brilliant world we live in, don't we? Liberty, Equality and Fraternity indeed!

The Repurcussions of a Quick Temper!

According to my mum, I deserve a huge set of kicks! She says that I lose my temper too often and she says, and I quote, "You storm around the house with a blood pressure of 190!". According to her, when I throw my tantrums, I look like a woman that should be locked up in the madhouse. I do agree that I tend to get a little extreme, and I am short-tempered at times, but what can one do, when being constantly poked by a toothpick? Or being constantly interrupted while exercising, or updating my blog?
She says that in spite of all this I should maintain a sweet and kind demeanour! That no matter what, a lady should always be a lady! Both she and my dear sister know exactly how to get under my skin. And they exploit it every opportunity they get! I know its foolish that I let it get to me, considering I've been hearing it for years and I should have learnt how to respond in a grown-up way by now. But my temper always gets the better of me! I'm writing this right now because my mom just told me off for snapping at her as I was updating my blog! As its fresh in my mind, and I can't think of anything else, I decided to write this! She says I'll chase off anyone who is wants to be my friend, with my shrill voice! Quite a frightening prospect, but intriguing nonetheless! Nonetheless! That's another word that bugs her! She thinks me using it in an argument is preposterous and pretentious and downright impudent! I didn't mean to come across as impudent! I just said it! My mom, although an incredibly interesting person to chat with, has her quirks! Like, she loves to entertain herself by calling me incredibly mushy and nonsensical names just to see my reaction! And then both she and my sister fall into peals of laughter about it! But she reverts to angry as quickly as she is playful. Like right now she is telling me, that after my sister has gone off to college, there isn't anyone who can whip me into shape and thus, I have gone totally wild! I wonder what she will say when she reads this... I think she'll probably be torn between a desire to flick me on the head and and call my sister and talk about my nuttiness!