Pirates of Culture

It's dangerous, in my opinion—and since these are my words coming to you via my forum, that phrase shouldn't even be necessary—when someone chooses not to exchange money for art. It's more dangerous, still, when one derides another or judges them negatively for doing just that, exchanging money for art. Further still is the opinion that art is worth no compensation at all.

I hope to be paid for my art—these words you're reading may, one day, someday, not be free—so I've been known to take this sentiment (too) personally from time to time to always.

Of course, when I say art, I mean to say any and all artistic endevours: drawing and painting, sculpting and dancing, poetry, prose, sequential storytelling, filmmaking, and all things music alike. To me, all of the above are worth money. Because all of the above, and those pursuits I haven't even listed, are worth preserving. Art is who we humans are. Art is culture. And culture is us. 

But without a demand for art, art dwindles. It'll always exist, sure. No one commissioned the caves at Lascaux. But without a fostering of demand, those without the means to create now may never have the possibility of the means later; so their art is lost before it's had a chance to grow. What the diminishing of art begets is the genocide of artisitc potential.

So, when I buy an album from a band I particulary enjoy or pay to see a film from a writer or director I admire or purchase a painting from a local artist whose works affects me, I'm not only supporting those artists individually, I'm supporting art on a macro level. I'm supporting art culture. I'm supporting the potential, the possibility of more artists like them. Those artists who sit with their guitar in their lap or stare at a blank canvas and say, yes, this is viable. I can do this. It won't be easy, but I choose to try. Because there is someone out there right now who is doing what I want to do and they have support. I'm supporting the license to try.

Perhaps all of the above is a bit lofty an idea to ponder each time you're clicking Buy Album in iTunes.

Especially when this generation—my generation—are the digital pirates of culture. It's so damned easy. Too damned easy. I guarantee I could not spend a cent on art if I didn't want to and still experience and imbibe just as much as those who choose to pay. The Internet is a vast sea of immediate availability. And, sadly, the experience of piracy is often much more pleasurable than the compensated alternative.

Movies are available without fine print and advertising and menus. It's just the movie. It's what I expect. It's what I want. And only what I want.

Television shows are available without commercials. Even via online, paid streaming services that solve the problem of immediacy and anywhere availability, the pirated option is just easier. A universal file format. The ability to play a show anywhere on anything.

Comic books are higher quality and readable anywhere on any device.

Music, well, like the rest of that above, is free.

So, while some attempt to solve the piracy issue by bringing compensated outlets of art delivery as close to their no-holds-barred, high-seas antitheses, I say it's not the method or the practice that needs to be changed; it's the mindset.

It's that dangerous opinion that art, because all I know it to be is free, immediate, and everywhere, is worth only that: nothing at all.

Fostering a love for art and its importance is what's, well, important. Shifting the paradigm so the question isn't Why should I pay for art? but Why wouldn't I pay for art? 

Did you torrent their latest album? No. Because I want there to be another latest album after this one.

Why would you buy that? Because it's beautiful. And I want her to make more things that are beautiful.

Did you see that, I just downloaded it last night? And so you may never see anything like it again because of it.

The opinion that art is a luxury and that it's lesser and other and unimportant is wrong. I've utilized the more artistic-centric aspects of my education far more than important subjects like mathematics. There's a calculator on my phone. Google can teach me how to balance an equation or find the circumference of a circle. But neither my phone nor Google can cause me to feel the importance of Cormac McCarthy's words or Kate Beaton's sequential humor or the potential of some unnamed, unrecognized, possibly unborn artist.

Unfortunately, compliments and Likes just aren't enough in the way of compensation and recognition. Capitalism remains our overlord. So it's with money with which we must speak. Money toward representation in our government that will choose not to limit artistic programs in public schools. Money toward artistic centers in your city where this sentiment can be fostered after our kids leave the school where their artistic programs were cut. Money toward those kids who became local artists. Money toward local artists who became our culture.

And, if not with money—because the consumption of art can be expensive—then perhaps speak with time. The time it takes to say a word of encouragement and provide someone the potential to make great art. Because it's the potential for art that's most important. Without the potential for art, we cease to exist. 

For nothing speaks more about a culture than its art.

Art is the definition of one's culture. One's culture, the reason for one's art.

Though, there is an episode of Doctor Who I missed last week. And I did want to see that Kristen Wiig movie when it was out... just never got around to it...

...I wonder if they're both online. Maybe I'll pick up a few of DC's New 52 while I'm there.