Pirates Plank

Archive for the ‘Arts & Culture’ Category

Even though most people who adopt the trappings of the old-school pirate are aware that it’s a fantasy, there is something in it that speaks to a very contemporary need.  Looking at the ideas of fantasy and fairy tales in terms of contemporary psychology can do a lot to unfold some of the mystery, but without taking away the fun.  Two thinkers in particular,  Bettelheim and Jung, have ideas about myths that make the contemporary obsession with pirates entirely reasonable.

Bettelheim, in his Uses of Enchantment, speaks of how fairy tales are not simply escape stories, meant to lull children to sleep.  They are, in fact, very useful metaphors of living, speaking directly to overcoming difficulties and obstacles.  In that sense, then, the community of pirates, in the most romantic sense, is a bit like a circle of linkedin communities, organized informally around some central concerns and tasks.  Unlike other models of business, however, where there is a necessity of pretense for selfless concerns, the icon of the pirate commands that people live up to the idea that there is a certain selfishness at the center of all our ideas.  This makes it possible, then, to take responsibility for the pursuit of the things that we really want, and for children, it’s an honest lesson.

Carl Jung’s notion of the archetype can illuminate this even further.  Archetypes stand for those icons that occur and recur across cultures, and in terms of the pirate, the Hollywood obsession is a reaction to the public at large just as much as it is a creation of the filmmakers’ imagination.  Again, under Jung’s theory, the notion of the pirate would feed into an imaginary ideal, especially in a time when most people make their living by concealing their desires and needs.  Having to pay attention to customer reviews, our employers’ demands, as well as the desires from our family members for us to stay securely employed, can lead to an imbalance in the psyche.

The notion, then, of taking to the high seas, where greed and lust are the motivating factors, can seem like a wonderful idea.  However, what is more appealing here is that these desires and motivations are laid bare.  There is no pretending, the pirates in the movies are doing what they want, and going after things that are not theirs at all.  In watching these films, then, the hidden parts of the self come to surface, asking for attention, trying to bring the self back into balance.

The Island of Corfu is located in the Ionian Sea . It is part of the, and actually the second largest, Ionian Islands. It is well known for its major academic Institution, the Ionian University, though it is also well known and popular for its amazing beaches and incredible views. As is true for much of Greece and its associated islands, Corfu has endured a dramatic and complicated political history.

However, it’s most recent history as well as the present is one of peace and beauty and it remains an extremely popular tourist destination for travelers from around the world. Any one of the great hotels or a beach resort will demonstrate the harmonious atmosphere of the island and the incredible beauty it possesses. In addition the luxury Corfu hotels will have excellent information and resources on some of the island’s top attractions.

There are a number of attractions and things to do on the island in addition to the obvious beach oriented activities and waters sports that are extremely popular and one of the main associations. In addition there are great examples of architectural styles and genres and the island has numerous interesting archeological surveys and studies conducted on it. The Achilleion, an amazing palace with great examples of Greek statues and Kaiser’s Bridge are excellent examples of great architecture and engineering feats that also serve as major tourist attractions and landmarks.

The rich cultural fabric that has always been the central component of Phoenix’s identity as a city is one that continues to unfold in unpredictable ways. The cultural scene within the center of the city is one that takes some time and attention to recognize, and it almost seems to mimic the growth of the cactus. The root systems are very complex, and durable, but instead of growing deep, they are close to the surface of the ground, and they extend wide in order to support the plants above the ground.

This is a metaphor that can very aptly apply to the Arizona Latin Art and Cultural Center . Known as ALAC for short, it’s a downtown space that’s defined much more by its collaborators than it is by its actual geographic location. Guests in Phoenix luxury hotels have the opportunity to take advantage of the showings at ALAC throughout the year. However, on the First Friday of every month, the gallery night that takes over the downtown area offers a rather more lively showing than other times during the month. Here one can see work by hundreds of local artists, and get a real taste of what the city has to offer. The taste is one that demonstrates a remarkable collection of committed artists and citizens, working toward new definitions of identity in a city that’s always changing its feathers.