Such a good ‘thinking’ piece. For some reason it makes me miss the ‘good old days’ when building my clunky website; lugging art to shows that mostly my tribe came to, where we danced around the fire, heads thrown back in laughter — and that meant everything to me. Social media was great because my tribe was there too and as my tribe grew so did the idea of my business. This post makes me notice what has already been living beneath the surface for too long, my growing distaste for the emptiness of “social” media. That virtual hug or nod or handshake is just not the same. I am a huge fan of local and push every small business into the light here in my community. Wait, this is sounding like I’m complaining … sigh, I am.
Agreed! Attention is not owed, small audiences are great, the act of creating and sharing is what it is all about. If you want attention, you have to pay attention. Want an audience-build a community. I think if you feel like you aren't getting what you want out of your creative pursuit, then you may need to look at what motivates you to create. If you aren't doing it for the love and joy it gives you, then maybe that isn't the way.
My partner recently learned about Spoilt Pig Syndrome; a term from the pet pig enthusiast community.
She thinks that the certainty of a pig behaving badly if it is given treats without earning them is a concept that she has observed amongst colleagues in her professional environment.
As creators we've never been properly credited for our efforts. The problem is the paywalls anywhere we go whatever we do. We already pay for an internet provider for hookup and access to the WWW. Every platform has its cost in one form or other, even if it's just time spent. Also as you say, we might reach 8 people with anything we publish. Some not found until years later depending on the algorithm or you pay to publish your work, ie. writer, musician or painting. All media tech activity is invasive. It is the reverse of originality. It turns creative into commercialism. AI makes it worse. It actually sucks the soul from a work, turns the artist/author into an object. The internet of things. I would love to find a handful of people who would like to learn to draw in nature, without a device attached to their brain. Change the energy feed from electronic tech to human in nature. 7.8 Gauss Barefoot in the grass, like you with your camera/cellphone chasing elusive moments of beauty and grandeur. (See John Ruskin) - Anyway, love you man. Have a great day.
“attention is scarce, competition is fierce, and nobody owes us an audience.”
Yes. That’s it. Well said. The whole piece.
15 years ago I could write a piece about a neighborhood and within a day it would be on the bottom of page one of Google. I took if for granted. My guess it will take 2 years to have my stuff seen here and only then will I know whether any one likes it. Most won’t. Maybe some will but the 18-24 month wait to find out is like pre- 1950s. We all may become beloved posthumously.😎
for all the people complaining i have an answer, the same answer for every single complaint: "get a life!"
Such a good ‘thinking’ piece. For some reason it makes me miss the ‘good old days’ when building my clunky website; lugging art to shows that mostly my tribe came to, where we danced around the fire, heads thrown back in laughter — and that meant everything to me. Social media was great because my tribe was there too and as my tribe grew so did the idea of my business. This post makes me notice what has already been living beneath the surface for too long, my growing distaste for the emptiness of “social” media. That virtual hug or nod or handshake is just not the same. I am a huge fan of local and push every small business into the light here in my community. Wait, this is sounding like I’m complaining … sigh, I am.
Agreed! Attention is not owed, small audiences are great, the act of creating and sharing is what it is all about. If you want attention, you have to pay attention. Want an audience-build a community. I think if you feel like you aren't getting what you want out of your creative pursuit, then you may need to look at what motivates you to create. If you aren't doing it for the love and joy it gives you, then maybe that isn't the way.
My partner recently learned about Spoilt Pig Syndrome; a term from the pet pig enthusiast community.
She thinks that the certainty of a pig behaving badly if it is given treats without earning them is a concept that she has observed amongst colleagues in her professional environment.
I suspect it can be universally applied.
As creators we've never been properly credited for our efforts. The problem is the paywalls anywhere we go whatever we do. We already pay for an internet provider for hookup and access to the WWW. Every platform has its cost in one form or other, even if it's just time spent. Also as you say, we might reach 8 people with anything we publish. Some not found until years later depending on the algorithm or you pay to publish your work, ie. writer, musician or painting. All media tech activity is invasive. It is the reverse of originality. It turns creative into commercialism. AI makes it worse. It actually sucks the soul from a work, turns the artist/author into an object. The internet of things. I would love to find a handful of people who would like to learn to draw in nature, without a device attached to their brain. Change the energy feed from electronic tech to human in nature. 7.8 Gauss Barefoot in the grass, like you with your camera/cellphone chasing elusive moments of beauty and grandeur. (See John Ruskin) - Anyway, love you man. Have a great day.
“attention is scarce, competition is fierce, and nobody owes us an audience.”
Yes. That’s it. Well said. The whole piece.
15 years ago I could write a piece about a neighborhood and within a day it would be on the bottom of page one of Google. I took if for granted. My guess it will take 2 years to have my stuff seen here and only then will I know whether any one likes it. Most won’t. Maybe some will but the 18-24 month wait to find out is like pre- 1950s. We all may become beloved posthumously.😎
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! This is so brilliantly written and was so overdue!