Television became mostly a morass of commercials, narcissistic reality nonsense, and politically driven piffle. Social media became everything you beautifully outlined—I doubt the devil could come up with a better way to summon the worst in us. What to do then as creatives? I went back to school, having recently been accepted into the University of St. Thomas MFA in creative writing program. Their program is grounded in the classics. Rigorous study of Homer, Virgil, and writers like Flannery O'Connor, and other greats. I want to deepen my prose, and write that masterpiece novel. Quality trumps quantity, and while income is always a persistent reality for creatives in this changing landscape of AI and divided attention, I think we owe it to ourselves to become the best writers, artists, musicians, and creatives we can be. That way, the cream rises to the top. And to your point, that requires deep study, practice, learning, and solitude. Great post, Clint.
"accepted into the University of St. Thomas MFA in creative writing program. Their program is grounded in the classics. Rigorous study of Homer, Virgil, and writers like Flannery O'Connor, and other greats."
Sounds wonderful. I would love to do this someday. I'm happy for you.
I agree with what you have written. I despise what is mostly shown on television, and it hurts me to watch and be inundated with all the crap that is commercials also. It does bother me that everyone is using up their time on their personal devices ... the cell phones and screens ... especially the younger generations. They are missing the nature you mentioned... a love of mine. And it does beg the question about social media and how to promote ourselves in this day and time. If someone is a visual artist, not everyone is going to find several galleries to keep them being able to continue doing so and purchasing their art supplies. Hope that made sense. What is the answer if there is no social media these days? Promoting our art is hard.
I am hopeful that newer, better platforms will arise that are more artist friendly, that is what we've always tried to be at FASO. There is a backlash that has been brewing and seems to be growing. Of course you can use social media if you wish, but I would try to use it only to post and not to consume which is the real time suck. Of course whatever you post will be used to train AI. Promoting art is hard, you are right. It always has been and always will be but just think, artists promoted and sold before the internet existed, so if one is clever and works hard, it is undeniably possible to be successful without ever making a single social media account. I think we all deluded ourselves into believing that google and facebook would somehow change the fact that promoting art is hard, but they didn't and it is. It is what it is. It's part of being an artist.
Enjoyed seeing your passion in this one. I felt every word.
Thank you.
Television became mostly a morass of commercials, narcissistic reality nonsense, and politically driven piffle. Social media became everything you beautifully outlined—I doubt the devil could come up with a better way to summon the worst in us. What to do then as creatives? I went back to school, having recently been accepted into the University of St. Thomas MFA in creative writing program. Their program is grounded in the classics. Rigorous study of Homer, Virgil, and writers like Flannery O'Connor, and other greats. I want to deepen my prose, and write that masterpiece novel. Quality trumps quantity, and while income is always a persistent reality for creatives in this changing landscape of AI and divided attention, I think we owe it to ourselves to become the best writers, artists, musicians, and creatives we can be. That way, the cream rises to the top. And to your point, that requires deep study, practice, learning, and solitude. Great post, Clint.
"accepted into the University of St. Thomas MFA in creative writing program. Their program is grounded in the classics. Rigorous study of Homer, Virgil, and writers like Flannery O'Connor, and other greats."
Sounds wonderful. I would love to do this someday. I'm happy for you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Bravo! 🙌
Thank you so much for writing this! It rings true and it's is CLAIRIFYING!
Mimi
mimifoxmfa@yahoo.com
Your welcome! Thanks for your comment.
I agree with what you have written. I despise what is mostly shown on television, and it hurts me to watch and be inundated with all the crap that is commercials also. It does bother me that everyone is using up their time on their personal devices ... the cell phones and screens ... especially the younger generations. They are missing the nature you mentioned... a love of mine. And it does beg the question about social media and how to promote ourselves in this day and time. If someone is a visual artist, not everyone is going to find several galleries to keep them being able to continue doing so and purchasing their art supplies. Hope that made sense. What is the answer if there is no social media these days? Promoting our art is hard.
I am hopeful that newer, better platforms will arise that are more artist friendly, that is what we've always tried to be at FASO. There is a backlash that has been brewing and seems to be growing. Of course you can use social media if you wish, but I would try to use it only to post and not to consume which is the real time suck. Of course whatever you post will be used to train AI. Promoting art is hard, you are right. It always has been and always will be but just think, artists promoted and sold before the internet existed, so if one is clever and works hard, it is undeniably possible to be successful without ever making a single social media account. I think we all deluded ourselves into believing that google and facebook would somehow change the fact that promoting art is hard, but they didn't and it is. It is what it is. It's part of being an artist.
A great writing. Much food for thought.
Thank you