Fig. 1.
Prithee that more there be,
More than either you or me.
Prithee kindness reigns supreme,
That mercy parts the gloom.
Prithee wisdom shines its gleam,
And grants us grace
Amid impending doom.
sen-tient adj (1632)
1: Responsive to or conscious of sensory impressions.
2: AWARE.
3: Finely sensitive in perception or feeling.
2: AWARE.
3: Finely sensitive in perception or feeling.
sen-tience n (1839)
1: A sentient quality or state.
2: Feeling or sensation as distinguished from perception and thought.
2: Feeling or sensation as distinguished from perception and thought.
nou-men-non n pl noumena
1: That which is apprehended by thought.
2: A posited object or event as it appears in and of itself, independent of perception by the senses.
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary / Tenth Edition
2: A posited object or event as it appears in and of itself, independent of perception by the senses.
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary / Tenth Edition
Fig. 2. Title: First Born. Acrylic on canvas.
Sleep with swans,
Dance with fairies and elves.
Dream of memories yet to come,
Soar from a cliff where the eagle dwells.
Awaken as a flower blooming,
Drink from the morning dew.
Fear not the dark cloud o'erhead that is looming,
Or lightning that flashes while thunder is booming;
They are only passing through.
One Part Of All
All Part Of One
Welcome to NOUMENOMICON, home to various thoughts, ideas, and opinions about the universe both in general, and in particular. A key principle underscores the thinking found here and suggests that a fine line only, separates the twin provinces of art and writing. Many writers, though gifted story tellers, are also excellent artists, often capable of painting vivid “word pictures”. While many artists speak volumes through the canvases they create, occasionally an artist decides to tackle both palette and page. And attempts to span the slender but significant gap between each.
To some extent, the contents of these pages reflect a rather verbose and bombastic self-indulgence. One in which the author felt free to ramble on about his favorite topics, as if everyone -- or anyone -- cared what he thought about anything. To the degree these essays, mental meanderings and other materials read in such manner, the writer apologizes and offers a multitude of lame excuses, shallow rationalizations, and shabby justifications.
At this site you may peruse numerous writings on various topics, choose to download or print whichever documents seem worthy of keeping, passing on to others, or lining the cage bottom of your favorite pet creature. Please give me the appropriate credit if you find something of particular value. Including the cage.
To some extent, the contents of these pages reflect a rather verbose and bombastic self-indulgence. One in which the author felt free to ramble on about his favorite topics, as if everyone -- or anyone -- cared what he thought about anything. To the degree these essays, mental meanderings and other materials read in such manner, the writer apologizes and offers a multitude of lame excuses, shallow rationalizations, and shabby justifications.
At this site you may peruse numerous writings on various topics, choose to download or print whichever documents seem worthy of keeping, passing on to others, or lining the cage bottom of your favorite pet creature. Please give me the appropriate credit if you find something of particular value. Including the cage.
Fig. 3.
Introduction
T h e N O U M E N A S I U M
A layperson's guide to how things lie
NOUMENOMICON is essentially a collection of miscellaneous mental sketches. Though admittedly naive about some of the subjects addressed, an honest sense of the unified, interconnected nature of all things is enthusiastically embraced and presented. This perspective underscores much if not all of the thinking expressed in these essays.
Words form images in the mind, creating picturesque scenes as real as any photograph or movie. It is perhaps why literature stands equal, if not superior, to any other art form except for music. If viewed historically, writing is arguably the most powerful, often feared, certainly influential, intellectual expression known to exist. Music again fares equally, but on a more emotional level. Whereas both the writing of prose and music are fired by the intellect, the two together might well represent the very yin and yang of human existence.
The thoughtful, imaginative use of written words, when thoroughly edited and refined with time and precision has, more than once, changed the course of human history. By contrast, paintings or sculptures are not normally reputed to have forever altered the destiny of any civilization, especially not in any truly dynamic sense. If anything, great art is typically the archeological leftovers, the residual remnants from a once mighty empire or dynasty.
Artworks tend to be passive and contemplative. They generally capture the results of human endeavor, while literature and music generate and produce more active behaviors based upon mutual responses among different people. Language whether written or spoken, is inclusive and not exclusive. Prose is communally empathetic rather than abstractly sympathetic. Words are the one voice that speaks, musical notes the one song that sings, inside everyone, that can incite to riot, or give comfort and hope to the disheartened.
If art is the poetry of heart and mind, writing and music are the verbal ballet choreographed by the soul itself. It is why books are sometimes hated and burned, but paintings only mocked or admired, bartered, sold, or used as propaganda pieces. Writing reveals the whole person behind the instrument. It is the fabled wizard without a curtain to mask his or her machinations as they rant and preach and dissertate about everything, everyone, everywhere.
In this spirit, the writings found in NOUMENOMICON aspire to make sense of the insensible, to counter the information overload that most people are either forced to confront, or do so voluntarily in their pursuit of games and hobbies. Much of our entertainment draws from technological stacks of complex equipment only enthusiasts fully comprehend. An example is the current home entertainment system, complete with a big-screen TV, theater quality video and sound, plus limitless access to films, videos, and music of every genre imaginable.
Compared to the enforced societal necessities of technical know-how, both for work and pleasure, philosophical examinations of various esoterica seem more intimate, even quaint alongside the streams of pure data pouring over us. New paradigms dissect topics such as life on other planets, politics, religion, the future of humankind, ad infinitum, and have found new speakers with new audiences, young and old, unencumbered by stale notions derived from obsolete machines or outdated ideas.
Speculation and conjecture are more vividly enhanced by our increased awareness of the harsh realities of life. A young child today knows more about the truths of the world than did any of his or her predecessors. Or at least has access to more -- much more. Unfortunately, minor details such as the who, where, and why of things continue on a need-to-know basis, rather than want-to-know. Nearly everyone, however, has opinions about almost everything.
An old saying suggests that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Primarily because it brings forth an endless barrage of opinions. Even worse, it results in beliefs, which are opinions become dangerous. Wisdom is the ability to choose between what knowledge remains a benign opinion, and which is worthy of adoption as an entrenched belief. And thus acting upon. It is to this end that NOUMENOMICON is heartily dedicated.
Words form images in the mind, creating picturesque scenes as real as any photograph or movie. It is perhaps why literature stands equal, if not superior, to any other art form except for music. If viewed historically, writing is arguably the most powerful, often feared, certainly influential, intellectual expression known to exist. Music again fares equally, but on a more emotional level. Whereas both the writing of prose and music are fired by the intellect, the two together might well represent the very yin and yang of human existence.
The thoughtful, imaginative use of written words, when thoroughly edited and refined with time and precision has, more than once, changed the course of human history. By contrast, paintings or sculptures are not normally reputed to have forever altered the destiny of any civilization, especially not in any truly dynamic sense. If anything, great art is typically the archeological leftovers, the residual remnants from a once mighty empire or dynasty.
Artworks tend to be passive and contemplative. They generally capture the results of human endeavor, while literature and music generate and produce more active behaviors based upon mutual responses among different people. Language whether written or spoken, is inclusive and not exclusive. Prose is communally empathetic rather than abstractly sympathetic. Words are the one voice that speaks, musical notes the one song that sings, inside everyone, that can incite to riot, or give comfort and hope to the disheartened.
If art is the poetry of heart and mind, writing and music are the verbal ballet choreographed by the soul itself. It is why books are sometimes hated and burned, but paintings only mocked or admired, bartered, sold, or used as propaganda pieces. Writing reveals the whole person behind the instrument. It is the fabled wizard without a curtain to mask his or her machinations as they rant and preach and dissertate about everything, everyone, everywhere.
In this spirit, the writings found in NOUMENOMICON aspire to make sense of the insensible, to counter the information overload that most people are either forced to confront, or do so voluntarily in their pursuit of games and hobbies. Much of our entertainment draws from technological stacks of complex equipment only enthusiasts fully comprehend. An example is the current home entertainment system, complete with a big-screen TV, theater quality video and sound, plus limitless access to films, videos, and music of every genre imaginable.
Compared to the enforced societal necessities of technical know-how, both for work and pleasure, philosophical examinations of various esoterica seem more intimate, even quaint alongside the streams of pure data pouring over us. New paradigms dissect topics such as life on other planets, politics, religion, the future of humankind, ad infinitum, and have found new speakers with new audiences, young and old, unencumbered by stale notions derived from obsolete machines or outdated ideas.
Speculation and conjecture are more vividly enhanced by our increased awareness of the harsh realities of life. A young child today knows more about the truths of the world than did any of his or her predecessors. Or at least has access to more -- much more. Unfortunately, minor details such as the who, where, and why of things continue on a need-to-know basis, rather than want-to-know. Nearly everyone, however, has opinions about almost everything.
An old saying suggests that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Primarily because it brings forth an endless barrage of opinions. Even worse, it results in beliefs, which are opinions become dangerous. Wisdom is the ability to choose between what knowledge remains a benign opinion, and which is worthy of adoption as an entrenched belief. And thus acting upon. It is to this end that NOUMENOMICON is heartily dedicated.
If not now, when? If not you, who?
Fig.4 Compass Universalis
NOUMENOMICON continues with its own Table Of Contents on page NOU1.
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Q: Why a contact form in NOUMENOMICON?
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The NOUMENOMINAL Mini-Gallery
The "You Are Here" (outside the box) theme is an original concept by Robert Anton and is rendered here for your amusement, contemplation, and purchase as signed and certificated prints. Anything with numbers or letters attached to it is probably for sale. And if it doesn't have either, but you like it, we can talk.
NG2-000
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". . . this world is indeed a living being endowed with a soul and intelligence . . .
a single living entity containing all other living entities, which by their nature are related."
-- Plato, 4th Century B.C.
Used without permission. Truth and justice don't need it.
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