Mere Anarchy

The restrained optimism of art historian Kenneth Clark
This is the world that I think we're losing, when we deviate from the standards I've been writing about in the last few posts. Renowned (and my favorite) art historian and critic Kenneth Clark talks about standards, beauty, creativity, nature, and above all confidence in this short video.

Here is the quote that fits exactly what I’ve been trying to say

We can destroy ourselves by cynicism and disillusionment just as effectively as by bombs.

He goes on to quote a section from W.B. Yeates's poem The Second Coming:

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

"Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world."

Clark is mildly optimistic. And I am too. During my Biblical Art scavenge, I found some real gems. I'm sure there's more to come.

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