The Absurd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RECLAIMING THE WISE CONTRARIAN

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While 'absurdity' commonly leads to vague-amusement, agitated-concern or contemptuous-mockery,

'The Absurd' is far more than the merely haphazard or ridiculous. 

Rather, it is a logical illogic, arriving from an opportunistic social-substratum of community smarty-pants, aimed at counteracting conventional tyranny, banal censorship, categorical dictation and generally unconscious society-management.

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The Absurd, as an academic study, runs throughout literature, theatre, philosophy, and all visual and performing arts and stems from ancient beginnings. Like irony (a literary technique used originally in Greek tragedy, satire and comedy), the Absurdist employs language, imagination, embodiment and music in an oppositional way to what is expected, to elicit humorous insight and emphatic, often paradoxical effect and significance. 

The Absurd is always already a micro-facet interwoven within all forms of art, fashion and expression.

When beheld casually and placed at the forefront of any endeavor, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage.

When made the aim of any single individual (as in self-parody or world-view disenthrallment), personal liberation and transformation become accessible.

Correct application is critical to well-being, as well as longevity.

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absurdist: noun

= a writer or artist who deals with absurdist themes:

the French absurdists of the fifties.

an imaginative yet compelling and revealing work of absurdist nonsense.

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absurdism: noun

= intentionally ridiculous or bizarre behavior or character:

the intended absurdism of the Dada art movement. 

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Compare with..

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absurd: adjective

= preposterous; ridiculous; incongruous; illogical; irrational; unreasonable;

farcical; unorthodox; outlandish; eccentric:

The allegations were patently absurd. 

She was being absurd and imagining things.

His reaction, although absurd, was the only response available to him in good conscience.

 

In common usage, “absurd” has a negative slant or connotation, and so, ultimately comes to suggest that which is undesirable, unpredictable and, so, is quickly relegated as either too obscure to take seriously or else personally offensive and threatening.

 

In contrast, and supported by it's academic, artistic and philosophic argumentations, the absurd is allocated it's clout precisely because it flies in the face of falsehood, corruption and tyranny. Be it petty or state-condoned.

Absurdism is, therefore, a liberation-lens of the human condition.

 

 

SISYPHUS SMILES HERE

 

 

 

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(MORE TO COME)

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