Lauren Rule- Sublime (Outside Reading #3)

The sublime is an aspect of our lives which we find horrifying, but that also has an intriguing component to it.  Our media is full of the sublime.  In class we analyzed photos with aspects of the sublime.  The dark disturbing parts of the paintings were identified with the sublime.  These images were often dark clouds, dead trees, and such.  We also discussed how we felt safe observing the sublime through this window created by the edges and/or frame of the painting.  I noticed similarities in the 'top stories' of my NBC app.  I live in a nice little protected CNU bubble; most of the time I know little to nothing about the outside world I don't see on social media or through the grape vine of friends and family.  However, now that I am leaving my cozy CNU bubble, I've been trying to expand into reality.  Anyway, there are two stories I read today concerning the sublime.  The first was about a teenage girl who committed suicide after she was sexually assaulted and pictures of the crime were posted online.  The second article was about the reported bombing in Boston during the annual Boston Marathon.  Both of these stories are horrific tragedies and some people may think I'm crazy for writing about them in a Beauty blog, but the sublime is part of beauty.  In both cases there are wronged victims and unnamed suspects.  We, as Americans and human beings, are fascinated with the sublime; our news is littered with it.  We live inside our own worlds and view the outside through the window of media.  At times there are heart warming tales of children and puppies, but mostly they are gruesome crimes which appall us all.  So why then, do we read these stories?  I think it is to get our fix of the sublime.  The dangers in the world can be read about while remaining safely in our own homes.  The news becomes the frame and the article like the piece of art.  The dark aspects of the picture enhance or directly contrast with the light.  We read about the sublime in the news and appreciate the good within our own lives.  Sometimes beauty is hard to find, but with the right contrast, it can really open our eyes.

Boston Marathon Article
Girl Commits Suicide Article