If eazy e were still with us he'd whoop my honkey ass
its soap box time....
I'm reading Virginia Wolf, To the Lighthose right now....good stuff
Recently researchers have begun linking Manic-Depression and other forms of major depression to creativity. Many of the artistic and creative geniuses of the past have met modern criteria for such so-called personality disorders. Studies of modern writers, artists, and composers are showing an above average occurrence of depression. An estimated thirty to fifty percent of artists, writers, and composers suffer from some form of Depression; where as under ten percent of the general population are inflicted with such Depression related disorders.
Modern Psychology has become increasingly dependent on physiological aspects of the human mind, attempting to assert its self as a science. The attempt to deconstruct the world into the categorical and logical is leaving a very sterile reality. Nothing is sacred, not even the human mind. Love, passion, and melancholy all have been deconstructed scientifically into chemical reactions and natural laws. The assumption or emphasis that Manic-Depression stems from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain ignores human experience. The idea of experience or perception as means for depression has been tossed out the window.
Treatments for the disorders associated with Depression also emphasize the physiological characteristics. Non-intrusive methods such as therapy are seldom prescribed and emphases on the physical elements of the disorder are focused upon. By focusing at the chemical level of the disorder, treatment is heavily relied upon the prescription of drugs. Such mind-altering drugs as Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers have had great success in controlling Depression, but unfortunately as in any drug there are side affects. These drugs can hinder intellectual capacity and limit emotional and perceptual range. It is these things that breed genius and give us the gift of insight and creativity. It is an ironic predicament in which the drugs whose purpose it is to exterminate Depression and its aftermath of suicide end up killing the recognizable personality of the patient.
In his Notes from Underground, Fyodor Dostoevsky explored consciousness through pain. We are given a portrait of the Underground Man, a bewildered mess of emotion and thought who is torn at the seams by his own perception. Dostoevskys Underground Man asserted pain is the essence of consciousness, by eradicating mental suffering consciousness might cease to exist. A baby cries because it wants, that is the essence of pain. The baby knows it is a living, breathing entity by experiencing this need. They become conscious through their pain of need. Perhaps the Underground man was correct in asserting that pain is the essence of consciousness. Through pain we are given a gift of insight. Those who are completely content question nothing; there is no need to. Through pain we are forced to examine and question our reality. Perhaps genius is the constant dissatisfaction of life. If we are dissatisfied we seek change. The extreme lows associated with such personality disorders, as Manic-Depression might be a necessary means to an end in the artistic mind. Life cannot only consist of happiness. Sorrow is a necessary piece of the human puzzle.
Virginia Wolf was a "Manic-Depressive"
If you read that thanks, for letting me rant
its soap box time....
I'm reading Virginia Wolf, To the Lighthose right now....good stuff
Recently researchers have begun linking Manic-Depression and other forms of major depression to creativity. Many of the artistic and creative geniuses of the past have met modern criteria for such so-called personality disorders. Studies of modern writers, artists, and composers are showing an above average occurrence of depression. An estimated thirty to fifty percent of artists, writers, and composers suffer from some form of Depression; where as under ten percent of the general population are inflicted with such Depression related disorders.
Modern Psychology has become increasingly dependent on physiological aspects of the human mind, attempting to assert its self as a science. The attempt to deconstruct the world into the categorical and logical is leaving a very sterile reality. Nothing is sacred, not even the human mind. Love, passion, and melancholy all have been deconstructed scientifically into chemical reactions and natural laws. The assumption or emphasis that Manic-Depression stems from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain ignores human experience. The idea of experience or perception as means for depression has been tossed out the window.
Treatments for the disorders associated with Depression also emphasize the physiological characteristics. Non-intrusive methods such as therapy are seldom prescribed and emphases on the physical elements of the disorder are focused upon. By focusing at the chemical level of the disorder, treatment is heavily relied upon the prescription of drugs. Such mind-altering drugs as Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers have had great success in controlling Depression, but unfortunately as in any drug there are side affects. These drugs can hinder intellectual capacity and limit emotional and perceptual range. It is these things that breed genius and give us the gift of insight and creativity. It is an ironic predicament in which the drugs whose purpose it is to exterminate Depression and its aftermath of suicide end up killing the recognizable personality of the patient.
In his Notes from Underground, Fyodor Dostoevsky explored consciousness through pain. We are given a portrait of the Underground Man, a bewildered mess of emotion and thought who is torn at the seams by his own perception. Dostoevskys Underground Man asserted pain is the essence of consciousness, by eradicating mental suffering consciousness might cease to exist. A baby cries because it wants, that is the essence of pain. The baby knows it is a living, breathing entity by experiencing this need. They become conscious through their pain of need. Perhaps the Underground man was correct in asserting that pain is the essence of consciousness. Through pain we are given a gift of insight. Those who are completely content question nothing; there is no need to. Through pain we are forced to examine and question our reality. Perhaps genius is the constant dissatisfaction of life. If we are dissatisfied we seek change. The extreme lows associated with such personality disorders, as Manic-Depression might be a necessary means to an end in the artistic mind. Life cannot only consist of happiness. Sorrow is a necessary piece of the human puzzle.
Virginia Wolf was a "Manic-Depressive"
If you read that thanks, for letting me rant
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
chris_sick:
i like that a lot, very sound. one point(this is always a sore point with me for some reason) dostoevksi's book is "Notes From Underground" it bugs me a lot because too often you find people using "Notes From the Underground" to describe their column or radio show or album or somesuch nonsense, never realizing that Dostoevski intended "Underground" to be taken literally, as the narrator lives under the ground, not as a code-word for counter-culture. ahem. but the piece is real strong. if you haven't heard yet, go to the writer's group and look under topic "writers needed". i'm starting something you might be interested in.
ikilledpinky:
EAZY LIVES!!! YES!!