Human Values Art and Beauty

I recently viewed a video where Jeff Bezos brought this up during an interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the 2024 New York Times DealBook Summit. If you're interested, you can watch the full interview here.

Jeff Bezos's appreciation for art and beauty, as highlighted in various contexts, can be connected to the practice of journaling, particularly art journaling, in several meaningful ways:

• Art as Expression of Human Values: Just as Bezos values art for its historical and cultural significance, art journaling serves as a personal canvas where individuals can express their own values, emotions, and experiences. The act of journaling becomes a way to capture beauty and art in everyday life, much like the ancient pottery he discovered on his ranch, which tells a story of human expression through time.

• Journal Decoration as a Form of Art: The idea of journal decoration aligns with Bezos's appreciation for beauty. Decorating a journal with drawings, collages, stamps, and other mixed media elements not only makes the journal visually appealing but also transforms it into a piece of personal art. This process mirrors the intrinsic human need to beautify and personalize our spaces and belongings, much like how Bezos integrates art into his life and projects.

• Combining Creativity with Reflection: Bezos's mention of the Emerson quote on his fridge, emphasizing the appreciation of beauty, can inspire journalers to use their journals not just for writing but for creative expression. Art journaling allows individuals to reflect on their thoughts and experiences through both words and visual art, making the journal a holistic record of one's life, much like the multifaceted approach Bezos takes to his endeavors.

• Preservation for the Future: Bezos's vision for space exploration and the preservation of human culture can be paralleled with the act of keeping an art journal. Journals, especially those decorated with art, serve as a personal history or legacy, capturing moments, thoughts, and beauty for future reflection or for others to appreciate. In this way, journaling can be seen as a microcosm of cultural preservation, echoing Bezos's broader aspirations for humanity.

• Therapeutic and Motivational Aspects: Just as Bezos finds motivation in art and beauty, art journaling can be therapeutic, offering a space for self-care, stress relief, and personal growth. The act of creating art within a journal can help individuals process their emotions, visualize their dreams, or simply indulge in the joy of making something beautiful, aligning with the human pursuit of aesthetics and well-being.

• Community and Sharing: Bezos's engagement with art and beauty isn't solitary; it often involves sharing and inspiring others. Similarly, art journaling communities exist where individuals can share their creations, find inspiration, and connect with others. This communal aspect can foster a sense of belonging and collective appreciation for art, echoing Bezos's broader impact through his public endeavors.

In summary, Jeff Bezos's valuation of art and beauty can inspire journaling practices by encouraging individuals to see their journals as a canvas for personal expression, a means of capturing and preserving beauty, and a tool for reflection and motivation. Art journaling, with its blend of art and writing, embodies the human values of creativity, beauty, and legacy that Bezos holds dear.

Our work holds value because, as human beings, we inherently appreciate art and beauty. It serves as a visionary means to express our emotions.

Continue the great work, everyone! Share your creations with our group!