"You know, the whole philosophy of ad hoc combinations has its strengths and its weaknesses"
- Evan Parker
About this Quote
Evan Parker's quote speaks with the concept of ad hoc mixes, which is the practice of integrating aspects from different sources to produce something brand-new. This method has both its benefits and disadvantages. On the one hand, it enables a lot of imagination and flexibility, as it enables the combination of components that might not have actually been meant to be utilized together. On the other hand, it can lead to a lack of cohesion and structure, as the aspects may not fit together in a sensible way. Eventually, it is up to the individual to choose whether the benefits of ad hoc mixes exceed the prospective disadvantages.
"I think philosophers can do things akin to theoretical scientists, in that, having read about empirical data, they too can think of what hypotheses and theories might account for that data. So there's a continuity between philosophy and science in that way"
"What I mean by photographing as a participant rather than observer is that I'm not only involved directly with some of the activities that I photograph, such as mountain climbing, but even when I'm not I have the philosophy that my mind and body are part of the natural world"