Diana Diehl Presents
An Eclectic Mix of Art, Commentary, and Whimsy (Legacy Site)
Eclectic Tastes in a World of Specialization
Society admires focus. It expects us to narrow our vision to the nitty gritty of a single profession or avocation. And, oh, how it loves labels and pigeonholes. Abrupt or frequent changes in career are frowned upon. We must be One Thing.
Eclectics, Polymaths, and Society
Those who change paths and sample a wide range of experiences often hover at the fringes. Only in historical perspective do we honor the “Renaissance Man” and then only when genius and good fortune have brought them long standing fame. Da Vinci may be revered, but woe be to the everyday eclectic.
Who Dares to Walk Many Paths?
Eclectics dare ask: why be just one thing when the world is a smorgasbord of inspiration, a playground of possibilities?
Origins of the Word
The word “eclectic” came from the Greek word for “select.” Those ancient philosophers who selected such doctrines as they wished from various schools, instead of adhering to one school did not fit into a neat pigeonhole. So one had to be created for them. “Eclectic” became the umbrella label to encompass all those who embrace the miscellaneous and the sundry.
A Fanciful Mix
With that background in mind, welcome to my mix of activities and creations.
Eclectic
“Hard by, the central slab is thick with books
Diverse, but which the true eclectic mind
Knows how to group, and gather out of each
Their frequent wisdoms….”
– Arthur Joseph Munby