Idea Blog XV - Reflective / Critical Thinking

With my imagery I hope that people will make a reflective reference to something in their past or possibly in a dream. To me, when looking at my images, it makes me think about how I got to the point where the project is. I feel by keeping this connection it heightens the interest to myself and to the viewer. Looking at where I started helps me make informed evaluations of what’s working and what’s not. “In reflective problem solving and thoughtful decision making using critical thinking one considers evidence (like investigating evidence), the context of judgment, the relevant criteria for making the judgment well, the applicable methods or techniques for forming the judgment, and the applicable theoretical constructs for understanding the problem and the question at hand.[1]” It’s important that your work be informed by deep thought and research so that you can be prepared for any questions that may arise from your audience. That also encourages me to ask the question: Is there any true originality? Paul Butzi states “But the vast majority of the time, there are multiple people who independently invent things. Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray independently and pretty much simultaneously invented the telephone. The arguments surrounding these events tend to focus, not on whether both participants made the invention, but on who invented it first.[2]” My feeling is that who invents it first isn’t really important; it’s about self expression and pleasing ones self. It is best just to focus on your own work and make work that makes you happy. Don’t worry about what others are doing, or if they will beat you to the punch.


[1] "Critical Thinking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2010. .

[2] Butzi, Paul. "Originality « Musings on Photography." Musings on Photography. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2010. .