UCSD-TV Blog

The Greek philosopher Aristotle distinguished between “mere life” and “the good life.” Mere life involves the fulfillment of necessities like food and shelter. The good life, on the other hand, involves the thoughts and deeds, ideas and actions, that express our highest ideals: life as we would like to live it. Not food as nourishment, but food as delight and pleasure; not shelter as mere protection from the elements, but shelter as artistic expression.

For some, the definition of the good life is the task of philosophy and theology. For others, it involves politics and economics, psychology and sociology. More recently, cognitive and neuroscientists have taken up this topic.

At all times and in all places, the definition of the good life has been controversial. For example, the Declaration of Independence proclaims the “self-evident” truth that “all men” have an inalienable right to “the pursuit of happiness.” But what is happiness? How do we pursue it? How should we pursue it? And are there times we should refuse to make the pursuit of happiness our life goal?

Hear from some of UC San Diego’s finest teachers and scholars as they explore what the good life means to them. Programs available now with new programs through April.

Watch The Good Life online now.

From her first onscreen appearance in 1912 to her last in 1987, Lillian Gish was an icon of American film. Though she performed in over 200 films and TV productions, Ms. Gish will perhaps always be best known for her seminal collaborations with movie pioneer D.W. Griffith, forming the first superstar director/actor combo in film history.

Don’t miss this week’s movies:

Way Down East
The callous rich, portrayed by Lennox, think only of their own pleasure. Anna is but a poor country girl whom Lennox tricks into a fake wedding.
(USA, 1920, 110 mins, dir. D.W. Griffith, with Lillian Gish & Richard Barthelmess, silent)


Hearts of The World
A group of youngsters grow up and love in a peaceful French village. But war intrudes and peace is shattered.
(USA, 1918, 115 min, dir. D.W. Griffith, with Lillian & Dorothy Gish, Silent)


Broken Blossoms
D.W. Griffith’s tale of London’s Chinatown at the turn of the century. Cheng Huan is a missionary whose goal is to bring the teachings of peace by Buddha to the civilized Anglo-Saxons.
(USA, 1922, B&W, 91 mins, dir. D.W. Griffith, with Lillian Gish & Richard Barthelmess, silent)


Orphans of the Storm
Henriette and Louise, a foundling, are raised together as sisters. When Louise goes blind, Henriette swears to take care of her forever.
(USA, 1922, B&W, 115 min, dir. D.W. Griffith, with Lillian & Dorothy Gish, Silent)


Visit World Cinema Saturdays on UCSD-TV to see what’s playing in the weeks ahead.

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the red curtain?

San Diego Opera Spotlight takes an informative and entertaining look behind-the-scenes of San Diego Opera’s traditional production of Verdi’s popular grand opera, A Masked Ball.

Meet the singers, directors, conductors and stage crew who work together to create the opera; get a sneak peek at rehearsal footage; and hear exclusive interviews with the stars.

Watch A Masked Ball online, or check the TV Schedule to watch on UCSD-TV.

Visit the San Diego Opera Spotlight archives to watch additional videos of your favorite operas.

Join the conversation on Twitter: #SDOpera, #UCSDTV

Carl-Theodor Dreyer was a Danish filmmaker whose perfectionism and experimental sensibilities tragically ensured a career of sporadic masterpieces with long periods of inactivity. Dreyer prided himself on taking a different stylistic avenue with each of his films, but they have thematic similarities: strong heroines living in oppressive social systems, characters with deep-rooted faith and mystical connections with the Divine, and psychological struggles with the imminent versus the transcendent. Dreyer’s singular films convey intense stories about life, death, suffering, freedom, intolerance, and supernatural forces.

Don’t miss this week’s movies:

Vampyr
Young traveler David Gray arrives in a remote castle and starts seeing weird, inexplicable sights (a man whose shadow has a life of its own, a mysterious scythe-bearing figure tolling a bell, a terrifying dream of his own burial).


Ordet
A Danish farm family struggles with misfortune.


The Passion of Joan of Arc
Early silent movie about the last hours of Joan D’Ark. The film covers her trial, and exacution. Moving and passionate this film, although a hard one, is a must see for anyone who enjoys moving films.


Day of Wrath (Dies Irae)
In a 17th-century Danish village, an old woman is accused of witchcraft.


Visit World Cinema Saturdays on UCSD-TV to see what’s playing in the weeks ahead.