From In Search of LOLitanium to Infinity!

Posted on 29 July 2014

After this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival I have been re-thinking my blog. Even though I could say more about comedy, I haven’t been certain if I wanted to remain so narrowly focussed here.

I went into the arts because it’s who I am. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t feel 100% dedicated to serving the world through my creativity. One of my earliest memories is of being in a church for an aunty’s wedding. Just staring at the light coming through the stained glass windows stirred feelings so big for such a little girl that I burst into tears. I wasn’t sad or upset, I was in awe. I couldn’t have been more than five and my parents were concerned because they couldn’t figure out what the matter was. My family have loads of humorous stories about how they could always reason with me: that time was beyond them.

I have also been a social and environmental activist since I can remember. I have long felt that the issues we face in this world can only be sustainably addressed when we change people’s attitudes, when we help them to embrace uplifting and life-affirming values. Forcing people to change via legislation only goes so far before people start rebelling. Lecturing at people only really works with those who are willing to listen to a lecture, and often that’s the converted. However, when you engage with people’s feelings and imaginations, they tend to open up more. The arts are not an optional extra, they are crucial to our development as mature human beings.

Charles Dickens’s portrayal of industrial child labour helped to bring about British child labour laws. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy television show helped considerably in improving US attitudes toward the gay population. The Harry Potter series of books by J.K.Rowling brought about the Harry Potter Alliance and a growing movement of youth charitable involvement. Some people will smile patronisingly when I speak about these things, but these are people who want to seem important, not actually do important work.

We cannot use people who are too proud to care. We can use people who are engaged and joyful. We can use people who are accepting and kind. We can use people who are willing to hold out a hand in friendship to others no matter how strange or different they may seem. Comedy is important to me because it is a strong factor in giving people the resilience and will to do good. Comedy is as noble an art form as any.

So, I have decided to make this blog more about arts, values, learning, activism, AND comedy. Comedy will still be here. Hence the name change from In Search of LOLitanium to Bildungorama in 3D! “Bildung” is the word for a German concept about personal maturation. This is achieved through the harmonisation of heart and mind such that an individual can freely add to social wellbeing. It’s part of my collection of cool words like “ubuntu” and “gambatte”.

If you have been reading In Search of LOLitanium, I hope you continue to read as I take this slight change in direction.

Thank you all for your wonderful support through the years.

Peace and kindness,

Katherine


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