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| Adrien Brody |
PBS has called him the "Sage of Concord" and YouTube has created several dozen audio clips of his readings. Ralph Waldo Emerson, if you look at him purely based upon today's media, is quite literally a celebrity of his time.
Emerson was a guy with charisma and a whole lot of talent. He was kinda like George Clooney- only with Adrien Brody's nose.
Actually, comparing Emerson to Clooney is a little unfair. Emerson speaks of his philanthropic efforts as duties, or dues, that he is required to pay because of his public image. Clooney, on the other hand, really does want to help people. The fact that Adrien Brody and Emerson have the same nose is still something that cannot be denied.
Actually, comparing Emerson to Clooney is a little unfair. Emerson speaks of his philanthropic efforts as duties, or dues, that he is required to pay because of his public image. Clooney, on the other hand, really does want to help people. The fact that Adrien Brody and Emerson have the same nose is still something that cannot be denied.
In Self-Reliance, Emerson addresses society's limitations and the "necessary" daily activities of life as two key components that force an individual to take the great leap forward in becoming individuals of worth that could, y'know, actually help society become something bigger and better than what it was before.
Based upon his writings in Self-Reliance, it sounds like in today's world he would only be a really great motivational speaker for the college circuit. It turns out, though, that Emerson knew a thing or two about public speaking AND knew a thing or two about self-reliance.
Based upon his writings in Self-Reliance, it sounds like in today's world he would only be a really great motivational speaker for the college circuit. It turns out, though, that Emerson knew a thing or two about public speaking AND knew a thing or two about self-reliance.
First, after losing his wife and returning to America after a two year hiatus in England, Emerson began a sort of tour, or circuit, as a lecturer.
Second, Emerson was forced to bear the burden of losing his first wife, his mother, two brothers, aunt and dealing with other personal tragedies like the loss of his home after a devastating fire.
When you look at his background, you can see why Emerson voiced some of his concerns the way he did. In "Self-Reliance," Emerson stresses that individuals, young and old, cannot rely strictly on the church, culture, society, or the arts to bring them forward as mature adults. Emerson argues each sect fears the originality or creativity because it's different.
Really, it's not that different from today's time.
Today, people have to look like Nicki Minaj or Lady Gaga to get attention, but most of society deems those two as too extreme.
Today's society demands a balance between old and new. An understanding to learn from past mistakes that will, in turn, lead to success.
An understanding that personal achievement should be marked by one's own standards and not by the terms of others.
An understanding that a man or woman should stand by his or her personal decisions.
An understanding that although books or (certain) television programs can offer a person knowledge, it is up to that person to take that information and blend it into a thought that can be used in his or her daily life.
Emerson isn't just speaking to his society. He's speaking to every society. He's telling people, like you and me, to stand up, stand proud, and adhere to the values you find most important. Finally, once a person has learned to value his own self-worth, then, and only then, will he become a true asset to society.
That's why Emerson is a true motivational speaker. He's telling people throughout that years, "Baby, you were born this way."
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