it's been a busy month, so today I'm writing about something "easy". In other words, something I've just been teaching.
That lecture started with my favourite painting by surrealist Salvador Dalí, Metamorphosis of Narcissus, which was produced when he was painting subjects in ways that could be interpreted ambiguously. In this case, we have two shapes in the foreground. One is a hand emerging from the ground holding an egg from which a white flower is emerging. Next to it is a kneeling figure, engrossed in their reflection in a pond. Each mirrors the other.
This is Narcissus taking root and becoming a flower, after so much time admiring his reflection.
The classical story, rather than the painting, lends its name to a category of personality disorder, narcissism. Pathological self love. And all of us know someone like this.
Denne historien er fra April 13-19, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra April 13-19, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prÞveperiode pÄ Magzter GOLD for Ä fÄ tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
