The Science of the Essence in popular culture | ||
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Pattern recognition
The Science of the Essence can be applied to all manner of things, especially
fashion and design.
Most designs are adapted from an earlier model.
It can be fascinating the seek out the 'classic' example.
Derivation
Often it is easy to see how derivative designs have lost the essence and
become unnecessarily encumbered and lack the substance of the original.
The raw immediacy and sheer functionality of the original is often evident.
Adaptations often look weak, shabby and lacking.
After a long
day at work I might commit 45-60 minutes to watching something we've rented or
bought on DVD. Occasionally a movie. It is supposed to be relaxing; a way to
unwind from dealing with the trials and tribulations of my day job... Yet, so
many modern films are really quite miserable. Last night we tried to watch
Collateral Beauty. Big mistake. It was a bunch of actors talking about
bereavement and cancer. Hey, I encounter the real thing at work. And worse. Why
do I want to watch an actor pretend that they care? DVDs should have more
detailed classification on the back of them. If you rent/buy Moana, it's going
to be pretty safe. But even a so-called 'rom-com' nowadays involves
trauma/upset/death/misery... Why? If I wanted to be miserable I'd watch the
news.
Sifu said that he thinks that films/TV should either entertain, educate or
enlighten. I agree with him but it is exceedingly rare to encounter anything
that educates or enlightens.
(Rachel)
Art
Think of the Science of the Essence in terms of
art.
Art begins with innovation.
The new idea is then explored until the most robust, working example is
produced: the classical phase of development.
Afterwards comes the collapse of the idea: baroque.
Baroque design features pointless ornamentation, convolution and can lead to a
loss of functionality and purpose.
The strongest example
The Science of the Essence is concerned with both the innovative stage
and the classical.
The raw new idea can often be crude and not quite developed.
Different styles, options, choices and preferences may be considered until the
design reaches its strongest example: the classic.
Classic
The strongest example can be seen to most exemplify the
characteristics/nature/essence of the object.
This is what the Science of the Essence seeks.
For example: a duffle coat that looks, feels and functions the most like a duffle coat.
The Montgomery may be the original duffle coat manufacturer but the Gloverall
'original monty' looks and functions better than the real thing.
Entertainment
The Science of the Essence need not be about consumer goods.
It can be applied to virtually everything e.g. movies:
Sean Connery as James Bond
William Shatner as Captain Kirk
Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock
Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau
Alec Guinness as Obi-wan Kenobi
John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn
Even better than the real thing
A Taoist or
Zen-adept aims to live life fully and passionately.
They seek out the essence of things.
Instead of being fashion-led or caught in the flighty winds of fads, they hunt
for the inspiration for things.
Ask questions
What was the original like?
What influences led to its creation?
What were the design elements?
What function/purpose do they serve?
Why was it built this way? Which characteristics are intrinsic?
Why are these characteristics significant, meaningful and necessary?
What should you value?
Find out for yourself
By answering these questions, the exponent gains a more in-depth
understanding and can discover some surprising insights.
With practice, a person becomes skilled at seek out uniqueness.
They learn to see past the derivations and hunt for the source, the inspiration,
the essence.
A
seeker of the
real
Cultivating an eye for pragmatism, functionality, purpose, along with
an understanding of the underlying design features enables the individual to
seek out the really real.
In our phoney, fake, derivative culture it can be refreshing to find things
that are more than just a brand, a label or a price tag.
Become a cautious consumer.
Rather than buy the first thing that takes your fancy, why not dig
deeper?
Ventress: The Dark Side is
strong in me, for I am Sith.
Count Dooku: A bold claim, but you are not Sith.
You wear the trappings of the Sith, you fight like the Sith, but this can be
imitated, however.
You lack a vital quality found in all Sith.
Sith have no fear, and I sense much fear in you.
(Clone
Wars)
Page created
18 April 2005
Last updated
04 May 2023
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