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Edward Goode's avatar

Donna, you are absolutely correct that beauty can be experienced in all of those other forms as well. Like you, I have experienced them in those places myself. Which is another reason why it’s so sad that schools focus so much on STEM learning and athletics to the exclusion and diminishment of the arts.

One question. Is your choice of “appalled” tied to what I reflected or about Dostoyevsky‘s quote?

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Toni's avatar

I am such a nature person and I love reading your thoughts on your time in Nature. It really makes me furious that humans have harmed the Earth for animals, plants, sea animals and flying creatures. We are to blame for the mess the Earth is in.

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Donna Hoffman's avatar

I'm a little appalled by what you've written: "”Beauty will save the world.” While I love the sentiment, I have really struggled with it all day. "I agree that beauty can save the world, but that quote can also be read as taking the responsibility away from us and putting it on something external of us." Your implying that only nature is beautiful. Of course, your premise is your experience of Acadia. But, God makes beauty through human beings, too. I have been stunned in museums by what I see artists have made. I've been made breathless by moments in a stage play. I've thrilled over live dance concerts. I've yearned to play an instrument so I could make beautiful music. And, I think its obvious that I appreciate the making of art more than the viewing of it. I don't think there is any chance of me not making art because I expect nature to be the end all of art.

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