On Sun, 07 Dec 2008 at 17:30:29, Jim Muth wrote:

I try to keep my ambitions out of the FOTD fractals as much as possible, making them look like clear photographs of fractal scenery rather than "look-Ma-I'm-an-artist" abstract paintings.

On Mon, 08 Dec 2008 at 14:12:25, Jim Muth wrote:

....and let's get that old controversial fractal-related philosophy rolling again.

Speaking of controversy, fractals, and artists (especially the online variety).... Here are some definitions for 85 percent of them: _ART GALLERY_ n. -- A site for the merchandising of reputations, of which art is the incidental by-product. _ARTIST_ n. -- 1. Anyone talented enough to win foundation grants and critics' kudos by making an impression at the right parties. 2. Anyone who tweaks middle-class properties with the intention of generating free career publicity (such as those hosting and controlling fractal art contests). _ART_ n. -- This word has no definition. Its origin is related as follows by the ingenious Father Gassalasca Jape, S.J. One day a wag--what would the wretch be at?-- Shifted a letter of the cipher RAT, And said it was a god's name! Straight arose Fantastic priests and postulants (with shows, And mysteries, and mummeries, and hymns, And disputations dire that lamed their limbs) To serve his temple and maintain the fires, Expound the law, manipulate the wires. Amazed, the populace that rites attend, Believe whate'er they cannot comprehend, And, inly edified to learn that two Half-hairs joined so and so (as Art can do) Have sweeter values and a grace more fit Than Nature's hairs that never have been split, Bring cates and wines for sacrificial feasts, And sell their garments to support the priests. Sincerely, P.N.L.