Actively engaging the mind to what is being looked at begins the process of discovering what greater significance the icon may hold. Communicating a specific message or influencing the observer is the main objective of most images. As persuasive and pleasurable the message may seem, it can only be understood when truly looked at and analyzed by the viewer. Although the words used to describe these two perspectives appear to be similar in context, they each contain their own valuable meaning. Once the two are distinguishable, it becomes simpler to realize when you are only seeing an image compared to when you are really looking at it.
I found it to be so true when Appiah stated that “Talk of authenticity now just amounts to telling other people what they ought to value in their own traditions”. The reason why I found this to be so true because I feel that access to info does influence the decisions people make. For an example, people from different backgrounds won’t be bullied by being told what they can or can’t do. Even though there is a variety of cultural backgrounds out there to signify diversity, Appiah believed that there existed a unity between all of us. In other words Appiah felt that even though we are so different that in some way, shape, or form there is some type of unity amongst us.
Transitionary elements such as weather, natural disasters, lighting and seasons all make up a part of these landscapes and impact how we feel towards them. Thus in my opinion an imaginative landscape is simply the meaning one adds to a physical landscape. There are many connotations behind a landscape and more significant, profound meanings that affect each individual contrariwise. Each piece of the ground has its own story to tell, its own history and its own memories. Our culture and backgrounds make a huge difference in how we perceive a landscape.
This search can involve the traveler understanding both positive and negative facets about themselves, including articles, perspectives and traits. The identity, which they are searching for, is what makes the traveler unique and identifies them from others. The identity can help distinguish and appreciate a person or their own belief, culture and origin, as well as giving insights into who they are and the core values that are key constituents for their lives. In texts of a variety of genre, there is an indication of a physical journey, whether it be physically moving in a fantasy world or travelling in the “real” world. The character may sometimes not indicate any revelations in a change of identity, but the reader would be exposed to this new identity through changes in tone and attitude.
Such contemporary thoughts include the idea that imagination is much more than an image or a “mental” photograph, but a portal to another place that allows it’s creator to entirely experience it. A simple image encaptures the two dimensional appearance of a moment in time. Imagination, however, is a tool that allows a person to transport themselves entirely to the place of their own desire or creation. It enables them not to simply observe an image they form, but to experience it. This reading is established from my close analysis of the text’s descriptive language and imagery.
Perceptual consistencies are important in allowing us to experience continuity. They are responsible for allowing us to perceive objects in a consistent manner, despite the fact that the angles and distance from which we see theses objects is constantly changing. Without perceptual consistencies, our world would be a very confusing place, and it would be hard for us to adapt to our environment. Scientifically put, visual constancy allows us to focus on the permanent features of objects, rather than the changing retinal images. For example, we are able to identify our friends and family members by their permanent features and markings.
My preference in learning about life is through my own personal experience. The advice from others can be more realistic and reliable but it varies from person to person;however, individual personal experience enhances your maturity. Learning through personal experience is preferable because experience is more memorable and essential in life. Advice from my personal experiences are don’t interfere with other peoples conflicts because you might get hurt. Another personal experience is learning how to drive and being aware on the road.
Appreciation for the smaller things in life allows one to make the best out of a bad situation. An appreciation of these things may be vulnerable to the influence of one’s mood. This becomes apparent to Alain de Botton when he states, “When we are in a good mood and it is sunny, it is tempting to impute a connection between what happens inside and outside of us, but the appearance of London on my return was a reminder of the indifference of the world to any of the events unfolding in the lives of its inhabitants” (59). There is a common misconception that the external environment can affect one’s internal mood ones, though it is moderately the opposite happening: mood affects how we perceive the weather; however, that is not the case. The environment can play a major role in one’s mood, but in another aspect; a person’s temper is a factor in how they perceive the weather.
We can practice going against our own nature by focusing on the blessings we have been given in life, which can be as simple and common as the breath each of us has the ability to partake of. In our conversations with others, we should focus on positive things instead of seeking attention through creating woes. This will increase our positive mood as well as theirs. When trials and tribulations come our way, we should find a way to view them as opportunities. This change in mindset can do several things for us: give us a more positive outlook on our situation, help us get through the actual situation, and give us strength from the experience we have endured.
We choose success or failure. Through self-awareness, which is an ability possessed only by humans, we can identify the areas in which much energy is expended and to change them in order to be more proactive. Being proactive is taking responsibility for our own life. We cannot blame our shortcomings in life on our genetics, circumstances, or conditions. Proactive people recognize that they are “response-able” which means they have the ability to respond in a positive and effective manner.