Easy to do

It's easy (and fun) to rip every idea to shreds.

It takes zero skill to question the motives of every arts funder, declare the death of an art form, or bash a stylistic choice.

Anybody can sing the virtues of their small (but ultimately powerless) artistic clique and snicker at everyone else.

That's 101 level stuff.  Easy to do.  Easy to spread. 

But it takes real courage to try and make ideas work in the real and messy world.  It takes heart to face the difficultly and possible ridicule that comes from trying to make something happen on any significant scale.

When you are thinking about who you want on your team avoid those who do the easy stuff, the bashers and cynics.  Place a value on that small (but vital) group of people who take the risk, fail but ultimately get stuff done.

 

 

Comments

[Don Hall]

Adam -

Bullshit.

To pass off legitimate criticism of "feel good brainstorm" nonsense as simply "easy cynicism" is to drink that Kool-Aid with reckless abandon.

I'm not saying it's particularly difficult to cast a critical eye at local theater but the reason so many keep their criticisms anonymous or unheard is fear of repercussion in an industry defined by it's happy-crappy cheerleading and a tendency toward the very blackballing you advocate here.

The 'easy stuff" is not defined by those who criticize but by those who pander and compromise and equivocate. That shit is easy. And cheap.