It’s non-essential and it’s dangerous.
“Art, as I see it, is any human activity which doesn’t grow out of either of our species’ two basic instincts: survival and reproduction.” Scott McCloud
Many creative pros including those in the entertainment industry are lashing back against a Singapore newspaper poll about how artists are ranked #1 as non-essential jobs. I agree with the people polled.
It was a real poll
I didn’t believe it so I looked it up. Sources
- The newspaper responds
- The original infographic
- The survey company on how it was conducted
- Here’s an article on the backlash
People get angry about the darnedest things
Artists are constantly defending their careers as if speaking up for art is the way that people will continue to want art. Art doesn’t need PR. Art needs more great art. If the world didn’t want magicians anymore, what would be the point in telling people magic is important?
Also, this is a poll. SINGAPORE NEWSPAPER POLL. Three words right there that raise my blood pressure zero.
Art vs Craft
Many people who call themselves artists are mostly really crafts-people. I think of entertainment as a craft because it has an objective purpose. There’s art in it, so I’m talking about art.
For the purpose of this, let’s lump them together. Crafts jobs are also non-essential.
Essential is about Life or Death
The threes of survival are, a human can last:
- 3 minutes without oxygen
- 3 hours in a harsh environment
- 3 days without water
- 3 weeks without food
- 3 months without love
Art isn’t included
Residual art
Even if art was required for life… This poll is about jobs, not about sellable goods ( including intellectual property). We have enough art in the world like Jurassic Park to last a lifetime. So, saying “What about Netflix!!?!” is a worthless argument. If we had enough bottled water in the world to last forever or even for a year and a half, water bottling would not be an essential job right now.
The backlash is dangerous
I feel the need to step up for our role in public safety
I keep seeing entertainers acting like they are essential — going out and doing shows and events and whatnot in public.
These activities encourage people to gather for a non-essential activity. People are doing shows to PROMOTE social distancing! Kinda like drunk driving to promote safe driving.
The most dangerous thing they do is dilute the consensus of essential activities.
The people who are most against quarantine / masks / etc feel that it’s unfair. They don’t agree with how other people are prioritizing activities.
“If You Can Stand in Line for a Cupcake, You Can Line Up to Vote”
I’m not saying we’re going to change all of their minds. I am saying entertainers are very public. We have a responsibility to not just momentary joy, but lasting societal awesomeness. If a construction worker sees a clown in someone’s yard when he can’t get a haircut, he might be pissed and I think that’s kinda justified.
Keep working
We don’t need to stop working. We just stop doing the activities that break public guidelines for non-essential activities. Write your opus!
PS: I like the illustration of what an artist looks like at the top. Some artist drew that ?