PhiloMadrid Skype meeting: WEDNESDAY 27th September 8pm: The causes of Terrorism.

Dear Friends,

This Wednesday, 27th September at 8pm (20:00), we are continuing with:
The causes of Terrorism.

Norma proposed the topic. We have discusses this subject twice already
as "Terrorism" and once as "Terrorist or Hero?" The relevant links are
below.

Terrorism 2017
Essay by Lawrence
https://www.philomadrid.com/search/label/TERRORISM

Terrorist or Hero? 2008
Essays by Richard and Lawrence
https://www.philomadrid.com/search/label/Terrorist%20or%20Hero%3F?m=0

The subject, therefore, does not require any introductions, but we might
consider the options we can interpret our question this week. Whilst we
all agree that terrorism usually involves physical violence against
civilians, should it always mean the use of explosives or other physical
means such as knives, gunfire and so on?

And if we accept that economic issues might give rise to conventional
terrorism, can we extend the definition to economic terrorism? That is
using economic violence against civilians for political aims: e.g.
increasing staple products to encourage unrest in support of a political
ideology.

Another big issue is terrorism inflicted on the local population. For
example, are civil wars a form of terrorism?

NEWS 01 – Book by Diego
Diego has sent me details about his published Manifesto: The Beehive
Complex: Dare to Dance in the Dark and Rejoice in the Most Astonishing
of Illusions.

The Beehive Complex is available here: https://amzn.eu/d/9U4AwmH
It's a short book and to the point!

NEWS 02 – Don't forget the books by other members
--Un giro en el aire
Lucinda Maxwell (Teresa)
https://libros.cc/Un-giro-en-el-aire.htm?isbn=9788411753296
Also from Amazon.es ( https://amzn.eu/d/a6RY3AP )

--Oscar's book is now available from Oscar himself:
"Toranzo, 88 ilustraciones y coplillas" by Oscar at €35
https://www.philomadrid.com/2022/09/toranzo-88-ilustraciones-y-coplillas-by.html

--It is with great sadness that I have learnt Julian Martelli passed
away early in October this year, 2022. Julian was very active during our
meetings in Molly Malone and participation was always respected by all.
Christine kindly wants to share with us a photo of Julian with her and
friends. You can find the FaceBook link below.

I also include a link for our visit to Toledo in 2008 when Julian came
with us on the day trip.

Julian
https://www.philomadrid.com/2022/11/julian.html

--Jorge has kindly sent us the link to his book which is available for
Free Distribution at:
Evolution of Thought and its Influence on Society and Technology
https://www.adneli.com/store


Please let me know if you need the Skype link: preferably by WhatsApp.


Best and take care
Lawrence


telephone/WhatsApp: 606081813
Email: philomadrid@gmail.com
http://www.philomadrid.com


PhiloMadrid Skype meeting: WEDNESDAY 27th September 8pm: The causes of
Terrorism.

PhiloMadrid Skype meeting: WEDNESDAY 20th September 8pm: The causes of Terrorism.

Dear Friends,

This Wednesday, 20th September, we are discussing: The causes of Terrorism.

Norma proposed the topic. We have discusses this subject twice already
as "Terrorism" and once as "Terrorist or Hero?" The relevant links are
below.

Terrorism 2017
Essay by Lawrence
https://www.philomadrid.com/search/label/TERRORISM

Terrorist or Hero? 2008
Essays by Richard and Lawrence
https://www.philomadrid.com/search/label/Terrorist%20or%20Hero%3F?m=0

The subject, therefore, does not require any introductions, but we might
consider the options we can interpret our question this week. Whilst we
all agree that terrorism usually involves physical violence against
civilians, should it always mean the use of explosives or other physical
means such as knives, gunfire and so on?

And if we accept that economic issues might give rise to conventional
terrorism, can we extend the definition to economic terrorism? That is
using economic violence against civilians for political aims: e.g.
increasing staple products to encourage unrest in support of a political
ideology.

Another big issue is terrorism inflicted on the local population. For
example, are civil wars a form of terrorism?

NEWS 01 – Book by Diego
Diego has sent me details about his published Manifesto: The Beehive
Complex: Dare to Dance in the Dark and Rejoice in the Most Astonishing
of Illusions.

The Beehive Complex is available here: https://amzn.eu/d/9U4AwmH
It's a short book and to the point!

NEWS 02 – Don't forget the books by other members
--Un giro en el aire
Lucinda Maxwell (Teresa)
https://libros.cc/Un-giro-en-el-aire.htm?isbn=9788411753296
Also from Amazon.es ( https://amzn.eu/d/a6RY3AP )

--Oscar's book is now available from Oscar himself:
"Toranzo, 88 ilustraciones y coplillas" by Oscar at €35
https://www.philomadrid.com/2022/09/toranzo-88-ilustraciones-y-coplillas-by.html

--It is with great sadness that I have learnt Julian Martelli passed
away early in October this year, 2022. Julian was very active during our
meetings in Molly Malone and participation was always respected by all.
Christine kindly wants to share with us a photo of Julian with her and
friends. You can find the FaceBook link below.

I also include a link for our visit to Toledo in 2008 when Julian came
with us on the day trip.

Julian
https://www.philomadrid.com/2022/11/julian.html

--Jorge has kindly sent us the link to his book which is available for
Free Distribution at:
Evolution of Thought and its Influence on Society and Technology
https://www.adneli.com/store


Please let me know if you need the Skype link: preferably by WhatsApp.


Best and take care
Lawrence


telephone/WhatsApp: 606081813
Email: philomadrid@gmail.com
http://www.philomadrid.com


PhiloMadrid Skype meeting: WEDNESDAY 20th September 8pm: The causes of
Terrorism.

PhiloMadrid social meeting: Saturday 16th September 2023. at 17:00pm the Retiro terraza, Casa Remigo

PhiloMadrid social meeting: Saturday 16th September 2023 at 17:00pm the
Retiro terraza, Casa Remigo
- no need to RSVP but check with me via WhatsApp or calling is the
weather is not suitable to meet…..

Dear Friends,

Another meeting at the Retiro on the 16th September 2023.

These are the details for our social meeting at the Retiro, Madrid.
Date: Saturday 16th September 2023.

Place: Retiro at the terraza (Casa Remigo) on the right from the main
gate (Puerta Real). Google Maps approx:
https://goo.gl/maps/oZZjkx3PQWrPmDQK7

Time: 17:00pm or 5:00pm at the terraza, but I'll be there a bit early to
make sure we get a table.

I'm the guy with the white beard but without the white dog – he prefers
to relax at home!

Best
Lawrence
telephone/WhatsApp: 606081813
Email: philomadrid@gmail.com
http://www.philomadrid.com


PhiloMadrid social meeting: Saturday 16th September 2023. at 17:00pm the
Retiro terraza, Casa Remigo

PhiloMadrid Skype meeting: WEDNESDAY 13th September – 20:00pm: What makes a cliché? + NEWS

Meeting 12th September – Retiro Meet up 16th September


Dear Friends,

Our next meeting is on the 13th September at 20:00pm – 8:00pm (apologies
for last week) and the topic is:

What makes a cliché?
https://www.philomadrid.com/2023/09/what-makes-cliche.html

In my short essay I outline the real values of clichés.


NEWS 00 – Next get together at the Retiro Saturday 16th September 2023
I will send the usual details maybe tomorrow. BUT if the weather makes
it impossible to meet please confirm with me via WHATSAPP or Call.
Sending a message via Meetup or email might not reach me in time.

NEWS 01 – Book by Diego
Diego has sent me details about his published Manifesto: The Beehive
Complex: Dare to Dance in the Dark and Rejoice in the Most Astonishing
of Illusions.

The Beehive Complex is available here: https://amzn.eu/d/9U4AwmH
It's a short book and to the point!

NEWS 02 – Don't forget the books by other members
--Un giro en el aire
Lucinda Maxwell (Teresa)
https://libros.cc/Un-giro-en-el-aire.htm?isbn=9788411753296
Also from Amazon.es ( https://amzn.eu/d/a6RY3AP )

--Oscar's book is now available from Oscar himself:
"Toranzo, 88 ilustraciones y coplillas" by Oscar at €35
https://www.philomadrid.com/2022/09/toranzo-88-ilustraciones-y-coplillas-by.html

--It is with great sadness that I have learnt Julian Martelli passed
away early in October this year, 2022. Julian was very active during our
meetings in Molly Malone and participation was always respected by all.
Christine kindly wants to share with us a photo of Julian with her and
friends. You can find the FaceBook link below.

I also include a link for our visit to Toledo in 2008 when Julian came
with us on the day trip.

Julian
https://www.philomadrid.com/2022/11/julian.html

--Jorge has kindly sent us the link to his book which is available for
Free Distribution at:
Evolution of Thought and its Influence on Society and Technology
https://www.adneli.com/store


Please let me know if you need the Skype link: preferably by WhatsApp.


Best and take care
Lawrence


telephone/WhatsApp: 606081813
Email: philomadrid@gmail.com
http://www.philomadrid.com


PhiloMadrid Skype meeting: WEDNESDAY 13th September – 20:00pm: What
makes a cliché? + NEWS

What makes a cliché?

 

What makes a cliché?

 

The consensus about clichés is that they are ideas, expressions and even artistic works that have become overused making a cliché meaningless and, in many cases, irritating.

 

But first some examples: A waste of time; In the nick of time; Old as the hills; What I want to focus on; and in a political context, I won’t comment on individual cases! The list of clichés is endless but I included these examples to save you the bother of searching for examples.

 

As I suggested in the introduction, clichés are in all aspects of our life, and our language is the main source of clichés since we mainly interact with each other through language. In the 21^st Century, visual communication, through photos and videos, is as important for us as any other form of communication: eg emoticon, avatar, images, videos, fancy fonts and so on.

 

In art, we can refer to Caspar David Friedrich paining, Wanderer above the sea of fog, as an image of the back view of a man overlooking a cliff, as a clear example of excellent artistic work. Today such an image could very well be a cliché in art, and by art I include photography. Of course, this is not the only painting of such a composition and won’t be the last. But with the advent of photography, and digital photography in particular, taking images of back of people is regarded as a cliché. Some Facebook groups on street photography aggressively discourage cliché photos in general, and backs of people in particular.

 

And for those who follow vloggers (especially American vloggers) would be familiar with such emotional expressions as: “it’s awesome”, “cool” and the one I dislike most, “I’m so excited…!” But I am the first to recognise that these words/expressions are legitimate terms and should not always be considered as negative forms of speech. There is a place for everything.

 

Even if an expression, or idea or whatever has become overused to the point of being annoying, has no meaning or maybe has no effect does this mean that clichés have no intrinsic values. I would argue that clichés might be bad writing, but this is not enough to make clichés outcasts from human communication.

 

We need to distinguish between overuse from improper use. Hence, the problem does not start with the language expression (or visual expression) itself (i.e. the cliché) but with those who use these clichés. For example, no one regards “I love you” as a cliché or “how about a kiss?”: maybe not the latter.

 

Even in the 21^st century, people can still be wrong and can still misuse language. This means that sometimes clichés do have a legitimate use, do have a meaning and are not always negative.

 

Many have argued (search the topic) that clichés have no meaning, or lost their meaning and may or may not be true. But language and visual expressions do convey a meaning and do have a purpose. That purpose is, I would argue, to arouse or engage the emotions of the listener or viewer. Unfortunately, the emotional characteristics of language are easily forgotten in the regimented approach of teaching and learning languages. It is not that something might not be cool, or fab, or great, or exciting but not everything is cool, awesome, great or exciting.

 

In politics, clichés have an important role in understanding political philosophy. Take the example I gave above: I won’t comment on individual cases. This is a very common utterance by politicians and in most instances it is used to avoid answering awkward questions about something they or their party are responsible for. We know why they use this cliché and it’s precisely to avoid saying something ridiculous that might incriminate them later on. The abundant use of clichés by politicians maybe an indication of high levels of political bovine manure!

 

Best and take care

 

Lawrence

 

 

 

 

 

telephone/WhatsApp: 606081813

 

Email: philomadrid@gmail.com

 

http://www.philomadrid.com

 

 

 

 

 

PhiloMadrid Skype meeting: WEDNESDAY 13th September: What makes a cliché? + NEWS