They say "Necessity is the mother of invention". . .
I would add "Comfort is the killer of creativity." Steve Jobs did advise creatives to "Stay hungry." I'm not a fan of Steve Jobs but i think this time he's right. Many of the greatest artistic works were done under trying times -- a stressed Michelangelo (lying on his back on a platform while painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling) said "Jeez! -- I'm no painter!. . ."
I'm not saying an artist should love suffering -- i only notice when an artist is most secure and content, the quality of his works become -- how do i say it -- "just-for-compliance," frivolous -- lacking spiritual power, compared to works done while experiencing life's trials . . .
An artist is a kind of prophet -- Jason Mraz calls himself the "Curbside Prophet" -- given special insight into life. So an artist has the duty to call people's attention to better things -- to uplift their spirit, better their condition -- call people to beauty (sometimes despair -- catharsis -- purification by casting off the unimportant).
It's BS when local directors and producers and TV stations give us crap movies and shows and tell us "it's what the masses want." A prophet is not there to give people what they want. He is there to show people what they need. He is the watchman who sees far ahead and warns us. His is the thankless task of showing us there is a better way, a better place, than the wasteland the unshepherded herd is rushing headlong into.
This is the reason why many true visionaries are unpopular during their lifetimes -- they do not pander to popular tastes. Don't get me wrong -- an artist will give you things to keep you amused, flimsy creations in exchange for money to buy necessities [one has to eat after all]. But in his heart, he longs to do something better. And the better for all of us when he does.
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