Reflection on Class Discussion (Sublime vs. Beauty) 4/2/24



Sublime, Beauty, and Thrill  

 In class, "sublime" was defined as great, expansive, grand, awe-inspiring, and overwhelming. Then the question is Sublime vs. Beauty, what are the differences? Sublime is overwhelming or even scary while beauty appeals to us. We then went around the class and talked about our different experiences of the sublime. Specifically, skittishness of heights, and it made me think back to my time traveling. The experiences of the sublime that I had not recognized. Distinguishing the experiences from beauty. 

    For example, I think back to 2015 when my family traveled to Costa Rica, where for the first time I went zip lining in the cloud forest over a vast area of tropical forest. I remember being very nervous and scared at first because of the expansive openness and the height but when I was whisked away and on my rapid adventure zipping over the greenery all I remember is being in awe of the beauty of nature. 

Then I thought about the terms sublime and thrill. For instance, when you're on a rollercoaster going up a hill knowing that inevitably once you reach the top a large drop and a rush of adrenaline are waiting. Many people love to go on rollercoasters and other adventurous activities for the thrill. But in that moment sitting and waiting for the drop if that is considered an example of sublime then what differentiates thrill from sublime? Are the two terms interchangeable? 

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