[ExI] Art and myth as systems thinking of a sort

[Natasha Vita-More]

Dan wrote:
 
"I'm not so sure one way or the other. I think art not as a process of
production or creation, but one of reception or experience does trigger
something like systems thinking. E.g., art objects are typically perceived
as "organic" wholes and not as an assemblage or lump. This often folds into
how they are received and criticized -- as in when Euripedes' "Medea" is
criticized for having a "deus ex machina" ending."

Art as an object is a misconception of art.  The artistic process is equal
to its output.  Conceptual art is a valued genre of the arts and is a valued
aspect of transhumanism.  Also, art is judged by its critics by the parts,
not the lump. But I get what you mean and I agree in large part.

[delete paragraph because I already offered my view on Rand and her
manifesto.]

"Also, as to your remarks on video games, an intereting take on them as a
contemporary art form is that of Paul Cantor in his lecture "Commerce and
Culture." I don't want to overplay my hand here, but it seems there's some
overlap between art (both making and experiencing it; in video games, of
course, part of the experience is usually having many alternatives to choose
from) and systems thinking."

I'm not sure why there is any question about video games being art. Of
course video games are art and gamers are artists.  Even if they are
commercialized.  Films are art, even though they are commercialized.

"To be sure, I'm not offering, here, teaching art or art appreciation as a
substitute for attempting to teach systems thinking."

Teaching art and teaching systems thinking are two different field of study.
They cross over, but I doubt most systems thinking courses would not admit
to it, outside of a relationship to the role of aesthetics.  

Nlogo1.tif Natasha Vita-More