My stepson and I had an interesting conversation about “selling out.” We were talking about musicians. With the clear sight of a 22-year-old, he defined selling out as:
YOUR IN IT TO MAKE MONEY, NOT DEVELOP YOUR ART.
That set off bells in my head…the combination of idealism and cynisicm. The clear understanding that creating based on what is within you is life-giving, and the notion that money corrupts everything about that clarity.
Money is just a tool. So what is that statement really saying?
I think it is decrying a person being overly concerned with what others think…in this case, record producer. It’s based on the notion that everything is a job that someone else defines. It doesn’t allow for the myriad of tools — technology and socially — that are available to create one’s own destiny.
I think it is a huge mistake to over-generalize cynicism about money.
Thousands of artists — as well as lesser beings like me — figure out ways to earn a living that don’t result in losing their soul. Deigning to live such a life takes effort, trial and error, and openness. It takes a big heart willing to be broken and not give up.
I hope that his idealism wins out his the cynicism…because if it doesn’t, this beautiful, brilliant young man will be walking right into the same trap that imprisons most people, that there is an inherent conflict between how I earn my living and who I want to be.
Daring to think otherwise – now that is the ultimate creative act.
{ 2 comments }
Ah, the idealism of youth! I recall from the 60’s how anyone who wanted to make a decent living was selling out to “the man.” Most people are more realistic now, I think. Right on!
Beth LaMie
http://onestoryatatime.blogspot.com
You know, I like his clear-sighted idealism! I hope he never loses it. God knows we spend a lot of time trying to get it back as we get older. But I hope he finds a way to nourish that spark. I think he has….he’s on his way to Europe after working at a fast food place for several months and saving up every penny. So life and the challenge of being an idealist and a realist will begin when he returns….can’t wait to see how he thinks. Proud of him!
Comments on this entry are closed.