web + aesthetics

[Norman Watts <Norman_Watts@zzzzzzz>]

I didn't want to go back to this aesthetics business because it had a
long going-over some time ago. But I do want to respond to some things
that were said. The fact is, its a very rainy day in DC and my plans to
hiking in the Shenandoah are bust so I came to the lab to "be home". I
like it here when is quiet and I have the place to myself.

About the aesthetics. I see Bill's point. Sculpture may not be about
aesthetics, but it often is. We have no end of mention in this forum of
"lovely stone", removing tool marks, polishing, etc. All this tells me
that others also value the pleasing appearance of what they make. And
so does a lot of the public. People looking at art almost always say
"Oh, I like that one, its pretty!" Who's to say they don't count?
Moreover, some sculptors do it for the money. Nothing wrong with that
either. I do science for money. So thats why I said that stuff about
the "aesthetics". Moreover, cr said he didn't want sales but
recognition. I would assume that viewers attention and recognition will
increase if they see what they like. So what I was describing were
examples of what has caught my eye while surfing.

That said, I appreciate that there was, once again, a description of
how to get the search engines to find you. I know nothing about this
aspect and soak it up readily. I work with computers all day, but they
are not my favorite machine and I hope to never own one myself, but
this is another instance where they help you get the attention you
need. I for one am interested to learn about what makes things appear
on this amazing medium. Conversely, I value the fact that  -despite all
appearances-  the web is not the whole world but only a very select
view of it. There is so much out there that is not on the web, its the
new blank areas on the map, and I for one am glad of it.

n

Norman Watts, Ph. D.
National Institutes of Health
50 South Drive, Rm. 1509
Bethesda, MD 20892-8025
Phone: (301) 402-3418
Fax: (301) 480-7629