Nothing's Distinct, Nothing's the Same

Nothing's Distinct, Nothing's the Same

We know it as fact, even identical twins are not exactly the same, not even biologically. The universe is a series of events, people, and things that are not quite like the next. The cultural phenomena of individuality is nearly as absurd as a person revamping the record player as a new fad (not that record players aren't splendid creations, but they have been an American staple for a long time).

On the other hand, we have phrases like, "history repeats itself," or "the circle of life." In a way, these sayings stem from the idea that nothing deviates too distinctly from anything else. You abide in an uniquely shaped living space, but the basic rundown is always the same: a place to sleep, a place to eat, and the toilet. Perhaps a few other inconsecequential rooms like a den or library. The pattern doesn't deviate far.


WHAT'S THE POINT?

There is nothing in this world that someone hasn't already come up with. Perhaps not a physical representation, but a least a vision of something that could be. Leonardo da Vinci designed airplanes long before the Wright brother's grandparents were even conceived. You will never make anything new. It's actually quite a depressing thought.

I know what you're going to say, "Someone had to be the original idea holder. Sure, communication across distances wasn't a new thing, but Bell did invent an entirely new way to communicate. Traveling wasn't new, cars were." You're absolutely right. I change my statement: you will never make anything entirely new. Concepts will always be there before your time, originality isn't creating something out of nothing---it's finding a need and solving it better.

What then of art? Frankly, art is technically not a necessity. It is the ventilation of a stagnant society. The variety of meanings of art I will not go into now, it in itself is a series of long topics. However, as far as entertainment goes, our priorities for survival seem to rank it very low. Art changes like everything else, with help from that which came before. Same notes, same sounds. We know what we like, what colors move us. It's just taking an old dress and rehemming it with lace.

WHY DOES IT MATER?

I'm not sure it actually does. That being said thoughts:

The dreamlike desire of a child over a vision of their future is an unfounded, ridiculous misconception of how the world works and that is a beautiful thing. Sometimes, you have to explain the old in a whole new way for those of us who won't understand it if you don't delve into the intricacies. It's okay to tackle a problem a second time, we're stupid humans. Most people don't get the point the first time you tell them.

People like things because they recognize them. Have you ever listened to a song for the first time and found it bland, then as you hear it over and over again on the radio it grows on you until you sing it unabashedly (except when the friends that you told the song was trash happen to be riding in your car). We're creatures of habit that recycle our old ideas and turn them into a beautiful new mess of what we already love...like record players.