Friends of Aesthetic Realism
       Countering the Lies
“It’s a lie, and not a well told one at that.
  It grins out like a copper dollar.”

                  —Abraham Lincoln

Statement by Sally Ross, High School Science Teacher

The assertions by Michael Bluejay and Adam Mali that Aesthetic Realism does not welcome criticism or questioning are utterly false. From the beginning of my study of Aesthetic Realism, I was asked to question everything I heard, to test it, and not to agree with anything I did not see for myself. I studied in classes taught by Eli Siegel for 4 years. I know for a fact that he wanted people to give Aesthetic Realism a workout based on one criterion alone: Is it true? He was against anyone trying to curry his favor or to agree with him without looking critically at the content of what he was teaching. The idea that he was after devotion or “worship” is outrageous and absurd; it would be laughable except that it is such a vile misrepresentation, such a gross insult to the man and his purpose.

As to higher education: Aesthetic Realism has the utmost respect for knowledge; it sharpens a person’s perceptions and widens one’s outlook. To say that it discourages anyone’s pursuit of higher education is ridiculous. I began to study Aesthetic Realism midway through college; I graduated summa cum laude from NYU, and subsequently got my MA in Science Education with honors from CCNY. I have been teaching science in New York City for 24 years using the Aesthetic Realism Teaching Method as my basis, and have earned at least 30 credits beyond my MA. Discouraged from pursuing higher education? Nothing could be further from the truth.

As to vacations, family, and “group”: Aesthetic Realism is a philosophy, not a membership organization. There is no “group” and nothing to join. As to Adam Mali’s inane statement, “No time is spent on vacations,” and his and Bluejay’s contention that Aesthetic Realism weakens family relationships—these, too, are simply untrue; they are put forth in an attempt to present Aesthetic Realism as something it is not. Through my study of Aesthetic Realism, there is greater closeness, kindness, respect, and love in my relationship with every person in my family (and they don’t study Aesthetic Realism). You can see, right here, a picture of me and my husband on vacation in the Adirondacks.

Sally Ross and Derek Mali in the Adirondacks

READ WHAT'S TRUE—
  • Read statements by many individual men and women
  • Reviews from the NY Times Book Review, Saturday Review, Library Journal, Harlem Times, Popular Photography, and more
  • The poetry by Eli Siegel, so greatly respected by William Carlos Williams and many others
  • Read lectures by Eli Siegel on subjects as diverse as literature, love, & economics
  • What is learned in classes taught by Ellen Reiss

  • A Little Anthology of Comments (Some Funny We Hope) on Further Misrepresentations.

    >> Continue

    "On the Pleasures and Advantages of Anonymity: An Ode"—
    >> Continue

    A Dramatic and Cautionary Tale about an Unknown and Very Unimportant Person

    There once was a young man of ancient Greece named Milos. And Milos knew Socrates. He did not like Socrates because the great man asked far too many questions.... >> Continue

    Statements by Friends of Aesthetic Realism

    Barbara Allen
    Frances Amello
    Jerry Amello
    Christopher Balchin
    Mara Bennici
    David Berger
    Alice Bernstein
    Rachel J. Bernstein
    Barbara Buehler
    Gina Buffone
    Beverly Sue Burk
    Maureen Butler
    Jeffrey Carduner
    Margot Carpenter
    Lori & Robert Colavito
    Albert Corvino
    Nicholas Corvino
    Henry D'Amico
    Matthew D’Amico
    Ernest DeFilippis
    Vincent DiPietro
    Carol Driscoll
    Donita Ellison
    Anne Fielding
    Lorraine Galkowski, RN
    Pamela Goren
    Edward Green
    Avi Gvili
    Ames Huntting
    Mark Lale
    Dale Laurin
    Rose Levy
    Timothy Lynch
    Lorraine Mahoney, RN
    Derek Mali
    Glenn Mariano
    Haroldo Mauro Jr.
    Joseph Meglino
    Pauline Meglino
    Allan Michael
    Marvin Mondlin
    Robert Murphy
    Michael J. Nadeau
    Meryl Nietsch-Cooperman
    Ruth Oron
    Arnold Perey, PhD
    Lauren Phillips
    Jack Plumstead
    Maria Plumstead
    Rosemary Plumstead
    Rev. Wayne Plumstead
    Marcia Rackow
    Zvia Ratz
    Ann Richards
    Anthony C. Romeo
    Leila Rosen
    Rhonda Rosenthal
    Sally Ross
    Claudia Senatore
    Sheldon Silverman
    Jeffrey Sosinsky, MD
    Barbara Spetly McClung
    Joseph Spetly
    Faith K. Stern
    John Stern
    Arlene Sulkis
    Devorah Tarrow
    Jaime R. Torres, DPM
    Dennis L. Tucker
    Francine Weber
    Steve Weiner
    Miriam Weiss
    Carrie Wilson

    Also see the Aesthetic Realism Online Library  the Aesthetic Realism Foundation  Terrain Gallery  What scholars, writers, artists & teachers are saying  the Aesthetic Realism Theatre Company  & Links

    Home: Friends of Aesthetic Realism   |  site map  |  < Previous  |  Next >

    © 2004-8 Friends of Aesthetic Realism—Countering the Lies. All rights reserved