A reply
Archiving it here: my reply to a question about feeling guilty for enjoying works of entertainment made by 'bad' people, or with disturbing elements. Anyone who knows me reasonably well will probably be able to predict exactly what I had to say about that. :)
I've worried about this sort of thing too. Can art be judged by the character of the artist, or by its apparent political underpinnings? Should certain artists be on my personal 'enemies list' because of who they are rather than the quality of their art?
Well, consider these elements of the question. Art and entertainment are produced by earthbound animals called 'humans', not by pure and perfect angels. If our popular entertainment WAS produced by angels without a single darker element to their makeup, it's not likely it would actually appeal to human beings who walk in the dirt every day.
We are not angels, we cannot be and we never will be. We are messy, contradictory bundles of strange, instinctual, tribal, hormonal and experiential qualities, and each of us is unique. Each of us has a right to a unique point of view, and each of us has the right to express that point of view. If I, in effect, tell any individual to shut up and not express his/her POV at all, I am denying that person's rights as a human being, no matter how vile I think that person is.
I don't have to listen to a vile POV if I don't want to, because it's a free country. I can put the book down or turn the TV off or click away from the page. That's MY right to do as well. Exercise that right freely.
But no third party has the right to tell me, "You SHOULD NOT look at nor enjoy this person's work no matter how talented they are, because the creator is imperfect and the work itself has dark aspects." That's the same as telling me, "Do not acknowledge your own darker human nature, even in fictional form. Do not seek self-knowledge and revelation, but self-delusion and suppression. Pretend to be only pure and good and angelic, so that I can pretend right along with you."
Don't let anyone implant that form of 'social consciousness' in you, no matter how noble their intentions might seem. Don't look for approval from people who try to believe that humanity can be molded into angels if we just don't read the wrong books. You don't have to burn those books or execute the authors to be guilty of this kind of intellectual and moral cowardice. It all boils down to the same thing: silencing.
If you enjoy something that seems dark to you, don't run away from that truth about yourself. Don't shut the door and try to lock out the darkness. It will only creep permanently under your bed and disturb your dreams. Arm yourself with a flashlight, and maybe with a brave companion or two. Leave that door wide open, and walk out into the night.
I've worried about this sort of thing too. Can art be judged by the character of the artist, or by its apparent political underpinnings? Should certain artists be on my personal 'enemies list' because of who they are rather than the quality of their art?
Well, consider these elements of the question. Art and entertainment are produced by earthbound animals called 'humans', not by pure and perfect angels. If our popular entertainment WAS produced by angels without a single darker element to their makeup, it's not likely it would actually appeal to human beings who walk in the dirt every day.
We are not angels, we cannot be and we never will be. We are messy, contradictory bundles of strange, instinctual, tribal, hormonal and experiential qualities, and each of us is unique. Each of us has a right to a unique point of view, and each of us has the right to express that point of view. If I, in effect, tell any individual to shut up and not express his/her POV at all, I am denying that person's rights as a human being, no matter how vile I think that person is.
I don't have to listen to a vile POV if I don't want to, because it's a free country. I can put the book down or turn the TV off or click away from the page. That's MY right to do as well. Exercise that right freely.
But no third party has the right to tell me, "You SHOULD NOT look at nor enjoy this person's work no matter how talented they are, because the creator is imperfect and the work itself has dark aspects." That's the same as telling me, "Do not acknowledge your own darker human nature, even in fictional form. Do not seek self-knowledge and revelation, but self-delusion and suppression. Pretend to be only pure and good and angelic, so that I can pretend right along with you."
Don't let anyone implant that form of 'social consciousness' in you, no matter how noble their intentions might seem. Don't look for approval from people who try to believe that humanity can be molded into angels if we just don't read the wrong books. You don't have to burn those books or execute the authors to be guilty of this kind of intellectual and moral cowardice. It all boils down to the same thing: silencing.
If you enjoy something that seems dark to you, don't run away from that truth about yourself. Don't shut the door and try to lock out the darkness. It will only creep permanently under your bed and disturb your dreams. Arm yourself with a flashlight, and maybe with a brave companion or two. Leave that door wide open, and walk out into the night.