Since the publication of Blogpost # 963, in which we ardently, excoriated the very existence of “fake fireplaces,” and bemoaned the counterfeit production and sale of artificially manufactured eatables and decorative objects, the latter, including, leather, fabric, flowers, plants, palm trees, (the artificial rendition of plants and trees are nothing short of profane), even colorful lollypops, we have taken notice of and were dumbfounded at, the seemingly, unlimited variety of the production, sale, and popular use of, and reliance, upon, non-natural or artificially (ersatz) manufactured phenomena.
Such use, is remarkable, from the terrifying specter of artificialized computer intelligence to the multitudinous robotic devices, such as the wide variety of facial and other personal recognition devices, self-driving and automated braking automobiles, virtual travel agents, marketing chat boxes, aerosol-delivered, simulated hotel scents, automatic investing and gambling, automated investment and banking, social media, computerized literature, and robotics in general (ex. Alexa, vacuum cleaners).
There appears to be no discernable limit in the catalog of artificial eatables. Observably, there exists an unlimited variety of manufactured food substitutes including, artificial meats, even artificial bologna, artificial juices, such as “Tang,” foods, artificial milk, and cream, a virtual plethora of vegetarian food substitutes, including, artificial cheeses (ex. cream cheese, cheddar), artificial seafood, pancakes, syrup, artificial chocolate, artificial sweeteners ranging from plant sources, such as agave, to chemically manufactured artificial sweeteners, like saccharin, there are artificial spices, jellies, candies, pie crusts and fillers, taste essences, even fake bubblegum. It may be, responsibly, observed that many of these faux-food substances are commercially imbued with colors derived from coal tar.
Our nuanced, aesthetic senses are most offended by ersatz fireplaces (as earlier, written) as well as artificial flowers and plants, most especially, plastic palm trees. In our view, cheap and tasteless, attempts at the artificial replication of Nature, amount to an insulting and aesthetic offense and, effectively, borders on a veritable blasphemy of the unique and spiritual beauties of Nature.
However, it is to be observed that a far more consequential exemplar of the unaesthetic and unsuitable use of artifice to replicate or replace nature, is evidenced by the successful result of an entire commercial universe, established to perpetuate the (profitable) myth that consumers (principally women) are capable of sustaining their youthful facial appearance as if it were frozen in time. This message is inviting to the vulnerable, insecure persona, and is, another human artifice, contrary to Nature.
It requires little argument to maintain, regarding appearance, that in the hapless competition between the natural and gradual process of aging and the most hyped and expensive articles of cosmetics, aging is the popular favorite; but, notably, this is far from the point.
As the species naturally matures, the human visage, naturally and proudly, takes on the physical evidence of life and growth, of living and achievement, of survival through times of travail. In the ordinary case, the same can properly be evaluated and properly respected, as an empirical badge of successful living. It morphs in its appropriate stages into successive modes of beauty and nuanced styles signifying implicit accomplishment. In our view, the artificial alteration of natural appearance, by heavy powders and the like, evidences a populist tribute to an immature notion of acceptability.
The contemplation of true and authentic Nature is aesthetically rewarding. Imitation foods, fake potted palms, artificial flowers, and most especially, heavy layers of facial cosmetics, are essentially, futile, vain, and ineffective attempts at the creation of an illusory level of aesthetic beauty. By distinct contrast, the healthy, mature, and innate desire for authenticity, which encompasses the aesthetic appreciation and recognition of the stages of Man’s beauty, as it naturally evolves, is to be contemplated and eternally, admired.
-p.
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