Only when there is a surplus can new things be created. Surplus means having more than what is necessary. Creating something new requires an initial investment in advance. Whether it’s labor or capital—that is, whether labor is purchased with capital—energy can only be used for new work if there is a surplus. Only with prior investment can something entirely new, never seen before, be made. The existence of something that did not exist before in this world results from someone putting in their surplus first. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
A painting embodies both media and authority. The mural in the medieval cathedral catered to the illiterate, who could not read the Bible. Access to written information was granted solely to priests, representing a form of power. The Reformation diminished this authority. New forms of media transform power dynamics, either generating or redistributing power. This influence shapes our everyday experiences. Writing, photography, and graphics continue to affect power structures. To understand the shifts in power, you must engage in a blend of art and business. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”