Separating the Art from the Artist

What does it mean to appreciate a piece of art, whether performance or painting? It is a tacit endorsement of the person who produced it? Felix and Matthew discuss this issue and grasp for some resolution. 

This is one of those conversations that went places we didn't plan. We started talking about how a story becomes a law or a religion and ended up with Felix asking Matthew if he thinks he's going to hell. What is hell and the concept of judgement anyhow. We hope you are as surprised as we are with how it went and what we covered. 

We explored Spiritualism versus Scientific Materialism. Today we are discussing Economic Materialism. Greep, avarice, profit and corporations. How do these all function in American culture. Felix asks, "is there a size of corporation that can not be good?" How do we address our own greed and desire for material excess? All this an more on this episode on greed and materialism. 

Hoping for no hate. Keep us feeling good about humans. We wanted to have an open conversation across the aisle between a father that vaccinates and one that doesn't. Before grabbing a pitchfork, take a listen to the side you don't agree with and see if there is anything you can relate to or at least understand. This is one of the most galvanizing issues in America. How do we learn to talk to those we don't agree with, how do we hear each other, how do we find the right balance of concerns? 

Matthew is an absolute pacifist and Felix is generally non violent. What do we have to say about gun control? A lot. Matthew was raised in gun culture and pro second amendment, Felix has never been around guns. We try to articulate a direction we could move that might start a conversation across the aisle between the gun community and the gun control advocates. As always, feel free to share your thoughts with us. This is all about civil discourse. 

In a strange mix, Felix has had more bad experiences with the police and feels more charitable to them then Matthew. Hear us talk about how we feel about law enforcement and why. Police have had more than a little exposure and controversy in the last few years. Matthew is looking for a friend with a badge to explore his feelings. Hit us up if you have a contact. 

How do we approach difficult life circumstances? What about biochemical clinical depression. Is suicide ever a reasonable response to mental or physical health crisis? Felix weighs in on his own suicide attempt in his youth.

Felix and Matthew have 13 children between them, granted 11 of them are Matthews.  They have both spent a lot of time and energy considering the education of their children. In spite of the differences in their respective world views they have both come to some very similar conclusions about the right kind of environment to educate children. They have both chosen to educate in a non traditional setting outside of the public system. Hear them explain why. 

Can meaning be derived from matter? If we feel grateful or hopeful do we need an identity to direct our emotions to? Do all of our experiences consist of material physical things like hormones and electrical impulses. Where does beauty and aesthetics come from. Felix and Matthew discuss these age old questions. 

There are few issues more polarizing in America than abortion. Protests and activism, money and lobbying compete on both sides. Felix is pro-choice, Matthew is pro-life. How do we work towards understanding each other across such a divisive issue? At Talking in the Chasm we are as interested in the conversation as the conclusions. Take a listen.