I wish the learning curve you mention would become more common knowledge. I do wonder though, if the symbiotic connection between decent quality of life employment and country’s creative output is completely lost on many.
As a young immigrant I was alway struck with stories and examples of American creativeness. After all, it is sold as the cornerstone of this country’s exceptionalism. This perception of myself somehow missing it, and not having luxury to pursue it, weighed heavily on my experience. Though fully immersed, I felt I was handicapped by the lack of it. Later it became evident, and your story beautifully illustrates, that pursuit of creative “happiness” is increasingly futile for so many against the backdrop of our financialized economy.
Thanks, Dario. That's a really interesting perspective. It took me a long time to understand that everyone is creative all the time, it's just part of what makes us human. Yet we're often told that it doesn't "count" unless it's been approved by the official gatekeepers of the creative economy and turned into a book, or movie, or hung in a gallery. It took me even longer to realize I wasn't a complete failure if 100% of my income wasn't coming from my most passionately held creative endeavor. And in fact, that I would probably be a lot happier with a stable lifestyle that allowed me enough income and freedom to pursue those creative endeavors without having to worry about making money from them.
I wish the learning curve you mention would become more common knowledge. I do wonder though, if the symbiotic connection between decent quality of life employment and country’s creative output is completely lost on many.
I think you're 100% right, Dario. That connection is completely missing.
As a young immigrant I was alway struck with stories and examples of American creativeness. After all, it is sold as the cornerstone of this country’s exceptionalism. This perception of myself somehow missing it, and not having luxury to pursue it, weighed heavily on my experience. Though fully immersed, I felt I was handicapped by the lack of it. Later it became evident, and your story beautifully illustrates, that pursuit of creative “happiness” is increasingly futile for so many against the backdrop of our financialized economy.
Thanks, Dario. That's a really interesting perspective. It took me a long time to understand that everyone is creative all the time, it's just part of what makes us human. Yet we're often told that it doesn't "count" unless it's been approved by the official gatekeepers of the creative economy and turned into a book, or movie, or hung in a gallery. It took me even longer to realize I wasn't a complete failure if 100% of my income wasn't coming from my most passionately held creative endeavor. And in fact, that I would probably be a lot happier with a stable lifestyle that allowed me enough income and freedom to pursue those creative endeavors without having to worry about making money from them.