[Art] What Defines Art from Not Art

Art is an expression of an idea or indescribable feeling that can be conveyed through an image. An especially moving piece of art will be able to sway the viewer into a strong emotional state without any necessary explanation from the artist. Furthermore, this feeling must have some indescribable meaning beyond just the simple descriptions of an emotion such as desire or fear--for instance a graphic photographic depiction of an execution cannot be considered art if it's done in a tasteless manner which only conveys the feeling of disgust.

I believe that the best way to distinguish between what is art and what is not art is through the immediate reaction after viewing the picture in its entirety. Any image examined long enough can become "art" due to long exposure and the association of one's mood with the piece of "art". True art requires only a moment for the mind to crystallize its thoughts and emotions about it.

Some pictures affect almost all of humanity. Others take a little more discretion and whether it's art or not is dependent on the viewer. Without further ado, I present to you some images which may not be universally appreciated:

[Biz] Conducting Efficient Meetings

At Half-Price Books, a great used book store in town, I bought the book The Time Trap (How to Get More Done in Less Time) by R. Alec Mackenzie a few weeks or back. As you can imagine, this book is on how to spend time more efficiently--specifically on management and procedures in the professional environment. Though the book was written in 1972, many of the values still hold today which is very cool considering that the book is falling apart and I only paid $3 for it. That's one reason I like used book stores by the way--you can acquire things that are worth a lot of value in knowledge improvement for a low monetary value.

Anyways, one chapter that struck home with me was on meetings. I don't agree with everything but I'll summarize what I do agree with:

BEFORE MEETING

1. Explore alternatives to the meeting. Is this necessary?
2. Limit attendance to time only needed to make your contribution.
3. Keep attendance small. Only those needed should come.
4. Define purpose before calling meeting.
5. Distribute agenda in advance.
6. Time-limit meeting and agenda. Allocate time according to its relative importance.

DURING MEETING

1. Start on time. No substitute.
2. Start with and stick to agenda.
3. Allow interruptions for emergency purposes only.
4. Restate conclusions and assignments to insure agreement.
5. End on time.

AFTER MEETING

1. Distribute minutes within the next 24 hours. Minutes are a reminder and useful followup tool.
2. Provide followups! List uncompleted actions under "Unfinished Business" for next meeting's agenda.
3. Make a committee inventory and survey committees to see whether objectives have been achieved. Abolish those that are already done.