Aesthetics for Birds

Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art for Everyone

A woman sits at a kitchen table and peels the first potato out of four. She stares at it vacantly. Her outfit is drab, and so is her kitchen which houses an utterly routine assortment of household items.

September 16, 2025
by Aesthetics for Birds
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In Praise of Boring Art

We miss out on something important about life and art if we want things to be constantly stimulating, interesting, and engaging. Continue reading →

Ani dancing happily with her eyes closed, surrounded by people in a club-like setting, bathed in vivid blue and magenta lights.

February 27, 2025
by Aesthetics for Birds
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Oscar-Winning Film Anora on the Life-Giving Power of Love and Sex

Sean Baker’s film Anora tells a story that challenges our current, libertine sexual climate. Continue reading →

A still photo from the show "the Bear." Carmy and Richie stand in the walk in fridge, looking at each other with hostility. Marcus is peeking in the door between them, looking hesitantly at Richie.

July 26, 2024
by Aesthetics for Birds
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What FX’s The Bear Says About the Art of Hospitality

Dedication to craft purifies living. But how pure is the kitchen of The Bear? Continue reading →

Natalie Wynn - head and shoulders - faces the camera directly, appearing nearly nude. She artfully holds an apple with the fingertips of both hands, nails red to match. Blond hair tumbles down out of a flower headband, all set against a green and floral background.

May 30, 2024
by Aesthetics for Birds
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How Autofiction, the Buzzy Literary Category, Helps Us Make Sense of YouTube

A media scholar explains autofiction and looks at how it is embodied in Natalie Wynn’s ContraPoints videos. Continue reading →

May 9, 2024
by Aesthetics for Birds
1 Comment

Embracing the Chaos of Adult Swim and Frisky Dingo

Adult Swim’s style was messy, chaotic, and pointless. That’s what makes it bad, but also what makes it great. Continue reading →

A photograph of a cake. The cake is placed on the middle of a wooden table. It is covered with light pink frosting and adorned with a circle of quartered strawberries. Imperfections make it clear that the cake is homemade.

February 29, 2024
by Aesthetics for Birds
80 Comments

The Hidden Privilege of “The Great British Bake Off”

A show about home baking should actually be about home baking. Continue reading →

Action shot of a school-aged boy dribbling a basket ball.

October 5, 2023
by Aesthetics for Birds
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On Being Inspired by Movies: The Wonderful Silliness of My Childhood Hoop Dreams

Most of us will never be superstars, but movies inspire us to pursue stardom. Is there anything wrong with that? Continue reading →

Five bright, peach-colored flamingos appear from the neck up against a dark green pond in the background.

January 19, 2023
by Aesthetics for Birds
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Accessibility and the Problem of Alt Text: Who Is It For and How Could It Be Better?

An analysis of the intricacies of how alternative text is used to communicate fundamentally visual information in a linguistic mode. Continue reading →

A man in a suit stares dejectedly at a slightly disheveled woman sitting on a bed.

September 8, 2022
by Aesthetics for Birds
1 Comment

What Should We Do about Problematic Characters and Their Bad Fans?

Bad fans think morally condemnable characters are good and admirable. Are they wrong? Continue reading →