Universal literacy was supposed to educate the common man to control his environment. Once he could read and write he would have a mind fit to rule. So ran the democratic doctrine. But instead of a mind, universal literacy has given him rubber stamps, rubber stamps inked with advertising slogans, with editorials, with published scientific data, with the trivialities of the tabloids and the platitudes of history, but quite innocent of original thought. Each man’s rubber stamps are the duplicates of millions of others, so that when those millions are exposed to the same stimuli, all receive identical imprints. It may seem an exaggeration to say that the American public gets most of its ideas in this wholesale fashion. The mechanism by which ideas are disseminated on a large scale is propaganda, in the broad sense of an organized effort to spread a particular belief or doctrine.
The point of NFT (Non-Fungible Token) art lies in its ability to create a unique, verifiable digital asset on the blockchain. Here are some reasons why NFT art is significant:
1. Proof of Ownership and Authenticity
NFTs serve as digital certificates of authenticity and ownership for a piece of art. While digital files can be easily copied, the NFT associated with the artwork is unique and cannot be duplicated.
2. Empowering Artists
NFTs allow artists to sell their work directly to collectors without relying on traditional galleries or auction houses. This removes intermediaries and provides artists with more control and profit.
3. Royalties
Many NFT platforms enable artists to earn royalties automatically whenever their art is resold. This ensures artists benefit from the ongoing appreciation of their work.
4. Global Accessibility
NFTs make it easy to buy, sell, and showcase art worldwide. Collectors can access art markets digitally, opening up opportunities for artists to reach a broader audience.
5. Digital Ownership in the Age of Digital Art
As more art is created digitally, NFTs provide a way to establish ownership and value for pieces that exist purely in the digital space.
6. Community and Interaction
Many NFT projects are tied to communities or larger ecosystems. Owning an NFT might grant access to exclusive events, collaborations, or additional content, fostering a sense of connection between artists and collectors.
7. Speculation and Investment
For some, NFTs represent an investment opportunity. Collectors may buy NFTs hoping they will increase in value over time.
8. Exploring New Creative Mediums
NFTs encourage artists to experiment with new forms of expression, such as interactive or evolving digital artworks, which aren’t possible in traditional formats.
While some critics see NFTs as overhyped or problematic (e.g., concerns about environmental impact or speculative bubbles), proponents view them as a revolutionary way to value, share, and engage with art in the digital era. For artists, NFTs could provide a platform to share their digital creations while building a sustainable income.
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“Modern people are unhappy then because they cannot experience completion. Always there are new – and higher – standards to meet. Inevitably, there is “unfinished business.” Everyone is urged to move forward, but no one knows if they have already reached their destination or if that end-point is years ahead.”
“Look, I don’t really know where we should take this bus. But I know this much: If we get the right people on the bus, the right people in the right seats, and the wrong people off the bus, then we’ll figure out how to take it someplace great.”
“Hatred has to be learned, Golden says: ‘We are all born with the capacity for aggression as well as compassion. Which tendencies we embrace requires mindful choice by individuals, families, communities and our culture in general. The key to overcoming hate is education: at home, in schools, and in the community.’ According to Dutchevici, facing the fear of being vulnerable and utterly human is what allows us to connect, to feel, and ultimately, to love. She suggests creating ‘cracks in the system.’ These cracks can be as simple as connecting to your neighbor, talking with a friend, starting a protest, or even going to therapy and connecting with an ‘Other.’ It is through these acts that one can understand hate and love.”
“What’s so interesting is that we seem to intuitively understand that if we can get ourselves to believe something first, we’ll be more effective at getting others to believe it,” says William von Hippel, a psychologist at The University of Queensland, who co-authored the study. “So we process information in a biased fashion, we convince ourselves, and we convince others. The beauty is, those are the steps Trivers outlined—and they all lined up in one study.”
“If we understand the mechanisms and motives of the group mind, it is now possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing it. In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.”
