On Beauty
Letter From The Founder
Welcome one and all to the debut issue of the Symposium, the latest and greatest collaborative initiative from all of us at the Soaring Twenties Social Club.
The idea is this- each month in the Discord we vote on a set topic, and then we create to that remit. In this debut attempt the word was ‘Beauty’ and so what you have here are essays, stories and poems that centre on this word and this idea. All of our writers were free to interpret it exactly as they saw fit, and this fact highlights the depth and breadth of the creative talents and intellects we have in our roster.
A special nod needs to be given to the debut writers, to those who have been loyal long-time collaborators, sounding boards and supporters behind the scenes who have been lead to publish work by this Symposium. So thanks to Jeanne, Felix (who had a big hand in organising and conceiving of this project), book club leader DB, Med Flaneur F.B., Sam and his typewriter and all around good bloke Gaz. I hope we can coax more out of these behind the scenes regulars in future issues.
So pull up a chair, settle in, pour yourself your drink of choice as we contemplate the topic of Beauty.
Until next time,
Live well,
Tom.
Essays
A Dirge for Eastern Redwoods by Charlie Becker
This was featured in an Omnibus a little while back but it holds up incredibly well and I would argue it is Charlie’s best piece to date. Short but impactful. If you haven’t read it yet now is your chance.
In the room by Craig Burgess
Craig the Contrarian takes something of a left field approach to discussing the topic of beauty, but he manages to pull it off. As a fellow adherent to the ‘one shot’ school of writing, I very much enjoyed this ‘follow the pen where it leads piece’. The repetition is what makes it shine.
Beauty, Truth & Human Consciousness by Clint
Beauty, truth, Physics, Keats, stained glass, consciousness, fashion, creativity. It’s all here in this masterclass from Clint. His best essay to date without question. Remarkable stuff.
Beauty by Adam
There is an awful lot of insight, depth and poetry in a mere 7 paragraphs here. This is one of those ones that catches the breath and demands to be read again and again.
On Beauty by Brady
Yes, I enjoy Brady the short story teller and the poet- everyone with an ounce of sense and taste does- but his deep dive philosophical essays, the famous BWoT’s (Brady’s Walls of Text) as we call them in the Discord, are my favourite medium of his. And this is a prime example of that. Loved it.
Sense of Booty by Kieran Moran
The beauty/booty pun was there like a piece of low hanging fruit and naturally our man Kieran was the guy to come and grab it. Great comic writing as always but also with a real sense of perspective and a great concluding message. Excellent essay.
The Beauty of Everyday Things by Thomas J Bevan
After various technological mishaps here is my own humble contribution to this project. I won’t comment on it (it’s not my place) other than to say that if you like my work, you should enjoy this one as it very much concerns the themes I usually touch on.
I Thought I Knew by James
Our resident hymn writer submits an essay. And it’s a corker. Turns out he’s a medium spanning polymath. Outstanding and poignant prose here, you can clearly see our man is a poet.
On beauty by Vita
‘I wrote this for myself as much as for you, as a reminder to not get stuck in that A-to-B absent mode of being. I wrote this to not let the next beautiful moment pass me by, unnoticed. I wrote this to transcend the world of productivity, practicality, and predictability, if only for a moment.’
What more can I say? This was excellent.
bookmark #408 by Deepansh
Given the nature of his contempkative and poetic daily meditations, you always knew Deepansh would excel when tackling the subject of beauty. And so it has proven. Any of his ‘bookmarks’ would’ve fit the bill but this was a very apt choice.
Remastered: The Truth of Beauty by Pr0ph3t
‘… Instead of trying to convince your mind, I am aiming for your heart.’
And he pulls it off too. Wonderful, wonderful writing here, razor sharp, incisive and deeply, deeply human.
Field Notes - Beauty, Wedding Weekends, Full Tilt, etc. by Tony
‘Life as a hopeless romantic is complicated, confusing, and outright depressing at times, but I would have it no other way. If everything is beautiful, then nothing is beautiful, and there is great liberation in that concept.’
Join Full Tilt Tony as he embarks on another rampage/escapade. The rogue. And of course if goes without saying that the prose is great.
A Theory Of Beauty by Felix
His Substack was created yesterday but already Felix has blessed us with a banger. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a powerful body of work.
🌲⛪️ by Jeanne
‘It is beauty because it is vivid. It is vivid because it is beauty.. Everyday in my life I see pretty things, hear pleasant sounds, feel a soothing touch, breathe in a smell and taste the air I breathe. But on this day, and only this day all of those senses, all at once were ignited for a fleeting moment and burned into my brain. I am a fortunate being.’
Wow. You need to read this.
Pain and Beauty by Gaz
Gaz is known as the STSC’s ‘all around good bloke’ but evidently there beats the heart of an artist in his chest. Just goes to show. I suspect that he wouldn’t label himself a writer by any stretch but on the strength of this he clearly is.
Do You Trust Me When I Call This Beautiful? by DB
Another Substack created yesterday. Finally filmmaker DB has entered the fray and I hope this that cites his own excellent photography is only the beginning. Extremely incisive and thought provoking. Can’t wait for more.
Moments of Beauty by F B Fanat
We’ve finally coaxed a piece out of F.B. What a coup! Instead of envy inducing food photos and pictures of the Mediterranean flaneur life, F.B. has given us a written piece that captures that same spirit of laid back observation and wisdom. But will there be more?
Beauty by Sam McFadden
‘You can submit essays, stories, or poems’ I said ‘preferable in the form of Substack or website links.’
Instead Sam here decided to write a list on his typewriter and send a photo of it. And honestly, I can’t fault it. He may be on to something here.
Fiction
The Testimony Of Sixth The Second by Ivan
‘A courtroom is packed as a jar of sprat, where the air is stale and the brine of room is salt and oil, for every spectator is sweating, all, except androids – androids don't sweat, don't shit, don’t shed a tear, say no lies, and see no dreams, except seldom electric sheep, and mere meandering into the neural latent space.’
That’s how you open a story. I know I say it every time, but Ivan really is in a league or his own with this stuff. A true original.
Be The Supple Beauty Supply by Ryan Lambert
Ryan got in right under the wire. But it was worth the wait. I don’t even know how you’d describe this honestly. All I know is it’s an experience that had to be experienced. Which is what art is all about, after all.
Poetry
Every tree trunk looks like Gettysburg by Yuelian
It’s amazing how much Yuelian says and evokes in under 70 words. Such is the power of poetry. This was incredible.
Twinkles of Truth by David
David has knocked it out of the park here- rhythmic, evocative, disciplined yet free. Exactly what I look for in poetry. Perhaps David will further explore his obvious talent for poetry in future Symposiums?
So that was the first STSC symposium. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Thank you for your support with these projects we put together, thank you for reading them and thanks for all of your comments, feedback and notes. Thank you for taking the time to share them and pass on the word.
And of course above all thanks to all of the contributors and those who help support the STSC via my personal Substack, especially the lurkers and those who keep a low profile, I hope we will be able to coax you into participating in future issues.
This is just the beginning of what we as a collective have in store.
Cheers.
It warms my heart to see such a high standard of work coming from everyone in STSC
A random message sent just over a month ago. Now we have collated art, with unique takes, voices and viewpoints around a theme. Even if the output was poor, the swell of collective creative effort together is amazing. It's not though, as is apt - it's beautiful.