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"[Harold] Bloom answers the rhetorical question, can we conceive of ourselves without Shakespeare? with a resounding no." — Dominic Pettman, Human Error (2011) |
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An illustration from a 1910 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from a 1910 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. The caption reads: "Fairly radiating a charming aura of malice, she sat back, nursing one knee, distractingly pretty and defiant, saying, 'I will call you a god if I like!'"
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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| Did You Hear the One I Just Made Up? |
(permalink) |
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This one's courtesy of Jonathan Caws-Elwitt: Q: What might you call an improv show for rigorous quotation editors? A: Whose Emphasis Is It, Anyway? (Thanks, Jonathan!) |
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An illustration from a 1916 issue of Century Illustrated magazine. The caption reads: "To-night her mind was too full of personal things to permit of strict attention to the text."
Dedicated to Teresa Burritt.
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| [The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from a 1910 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "'My dear,' said my wife, 'I have it. Let the hat make its own vacuum!'" For Jonathan Caws-Elwitt
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1872 issue of Harper's magazine. The caption reads: "Yet still she's looking toward the shore beyond the waters black in night."
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| [The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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 "As we have said, and it bears repeating, the commitment to closing an exit is not a specific event that occurs at a particular moment. It is a process that may take considerable time, sometimes several months." — Harville Hendrix, Getting the Love You Want
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A ghostly illustration from an 1896 issue of Pall Mall magazine. The caption reads: "An irresistible force compelled me to follow."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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Love and loss: two sides of the same coin.
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"The Questioner of the Sphinx": an illustration from an 1880 issue of Scribner's magazine.
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* The most profound secrets lie not wholly in knowledge, said the poet. They lurk invisible in that vitalizing spark, intangible, yet as evident as the lightning—the seeker's soul. Solitary digging for facts can reward one with great discoveries, but true secrets are not discovered—they are shared, passed on in confidence from one to another. The genuine seeker listens attentively. No secret can be transcribed, save in code, lest it—by definition—cease to be. This Book of Whispers collects and encodes more than one hundred of humankind's most cherished secrets. To be privy to the topics alone is a supreme achievement, as each contains and nurtures the seed of its hidden truth. As possessor and thereby guardian of this knowledge, may you summon the courage to honor its secrets and to bequeath it to one worthy. |
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An illustration from an 1861 issue of Harper's magazine. The caption reads: "The lightning goblin."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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| A printed collection of A Fine Line Between... is now available from Amazon.com. |
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An illustration from a 1916 issue of Century Illustrated magazine. The caption reads: "You could see Broadway blazing off to the west, and she'd stare at the lights."
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| [The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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"The sky is an apocalyptic mix of rainclouds, sun, rainbow, snow ghosts and I have no idea what day what month what year it actually is." — Miekal And, author of Bystander: An Irreality
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"I wanted to send her a wireless message that she was an idiot": an illustration from a 1905 issue of Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly magazine.
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1898 issue of Wide World magazine. The caption reads: "The one word, 'salt,' struck us with horror."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from a 1910 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "'I propose, my dear,' I said, 'to let him spin until he is permanently recovered or become too permanently dizzy for any use.'"
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"The Jinn": an illustration from a 1910 issue of Century Illustrated magazine.
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1872 issue of Harper's magazine. The caption reads: "In that instant Dolly's future fate was decided."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1891 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. The headline reads: "Rapid Transit in Great Cities."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1869 issue of Harper's magazine. The caption reads: "The melted bracelet."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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Love him, love his dog. An illustration from a 1910 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "'You're going to have us both,' he said."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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 "The answer couldn't be simpler. Just forget Mary, and use whichever pronoun you'd use if she weren't there.” —Y.M.M.I.A. Improvement Era (1944)
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An illustration from a 1912 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "Concentrate thought on a given matter."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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"A Strange Valentine": an illustration from an 1883 issue of Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly magazine. The caption reads: "Sprinkling the pulverized herbs over the fire, and with her eyes fixed on the bright moon, she pronounced, in an extremely tremulous voice, the invocation."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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Staring into the depths: an illustration from an 1896 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. The caption reads: "So deep the dark abyss, so deep the darkness of the rolling cloud."
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| [The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from a 1909 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "Engaged, evidently, in weaving a tale of magic."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from a 1904 issue of Century Illustrated magazine. The caption reads: "'Skyrocket! Skyrocket! Skyrocket!' he cried."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from a 1912 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "Suddenly I was roused by hearing my name called."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1869 issue of Harper's magazine.
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| [The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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"It is strange that in this world in which everything is sooner or later lost, where losing is the only certainty, one gets attached to even the smallest things and wants to be able to say goodbye even to a pair of pants, rather than have it simply disappear." — Allen Shawn, Twin: A Memoir (2010) |
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An illustration from a 1912 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "A person is able to transmit messages directly and instantaneously to another person though they may be half the world apart."
|
| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from a 1910 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "Luminous waves rolled toward me, covered with the faces of the dead. I saw blue eyes all around the room."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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"Here I may add that I consider that I am still a useful member of society and I believe still capable of being pleasant and amusing when the occasion seems fit." — Leonora Carrington, The Hearing Trumpet
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An illustration from an 1897 issue of The Ludgate Illustrated magazine.
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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"'Suppose you try,' interrupted a suave voice." An illustration from a 1902 issue of English Illustrated magazine.
|
| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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"Despair": an illustration from a 1901 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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This one is dedicated to Jonathan Caws-Elwitt, who asked, "Is the actual orange I returned with [from the nearby grocery store] the same orange as the abstract orange I planned to obtain? It looked pretty similar."
Jonathan quips: And here's another twist of citrus in the philosophical brew: The orange I came home with separates neatly into the Orange-in-Itself and the "orange" that I perceived (not to mention consumed). By comparison, the abstract orange I went out to buy, if considered separately from any actual, tangible* orange, has no Orange-in-Itself identity. I wonder if that affects the flavor.
Also: When I eat an orange, I omit the rind. Whereas when I imagine, see, and purchase an orange, it is an object that includes the rind. So the "orange" I eat is the inside of the "orange" I buy. No wonder it's called the Orange-in-Itself!
*Tangerines are even more tangible, of course.
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Printed collections of Forgotten Wisdom diagrams are available: Volume I from Mindful Greetings and Volumes II, III and IV from Amazon. Selected posters are also available via Zazzle. |
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An illustration from a 1910 issue of Hampton's magazine. The caption reads: "Under the influence of electricity, the columns were condensed miraculously into an intense image of Laurent."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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| Did You Hear the One I Just Made Up? |
(permalink) |
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This one's courtesy of Jonathan Caws-Elwitt: Q. What do you call a fitness coach who isn't fully explicit in her instructions? A. An elliptical trainer. (Thanks, Jonathan!) |
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An illustration from an 1890 issue of English Illustrated magazine. The caption reads: "The secret of life and death was before her."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1896 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. The caption reads: "Luckily the dull radiation arrested him."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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The patron saint of the balloonist: an illustration from a 1907 issue of Life magazine.
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| Who is your favorite imaginary saint? Do share! |
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An illustration from an 1890 issue of Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly magazine.
|
| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1869 issue of Harper's magazine.
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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The caption reads, "One-letter-words 'are only one distance away from a blank character.' —Jonathan Dobbie."
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An illustration from a 1905 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, revealing the diabolical secret of electric lighting.
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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From Prof. Oddfellow's sketchbook:
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Printed collections of Forgotten Wisdom diagrams are available: Volume I from Mindful Greetings and Volumes II, III and IV from Amazon. Selected posters are also available via Zazzle. |
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An illustration from a 1903 issue of McClure's magazine.
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| [The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from an 1879 issue of Harper's magazine. The caption reads: "I'm an owl; you're another."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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An illustration from a 1901 issue of Harper's magazine. The caption reads: "He pranced like a red rubber balloon."
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| [Inexplicable images from generations ago invite us to restore the lost
sense of immediacy. We follow the founder of the Theater of
Spontaneity, Jacob Moreno, who proposed stringing together "now and then
flashes" to unfetter illusion and let imagination run free. The images
we have collected for this series came at a tremendous price, which we explained previously.] |
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Original Content Copyright © 2025 by Craig Conley. All rights reserved.
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"A rose is a rose is a rose, but what is a rhinocer-rose?"
"Don't take this the wrong way but your primary thrust as an artist is hardly in getting guffaws."
"This may surprise you, but being a habitual Pleaser can become a devastating form of control, one that can ruin the quality of your life." —
"A rose is a rose is a rose, but a pig will always be a pig."
