A Brief Thing: Why Should You Care?

The one voice speaking louder than the thousands shouting for my attention is the voice that belongs to the question, Why Should I Care? Of course it is in good company; Why Am I Here, How Do We Cure Cancer, Why Is Beyonce So Lovely. But every day I turn on the T.V., I open my email, walk to the bookstore, go through the museum and peruse Twitter (the worst of the bunch). The question that bounces around my brain is always Why Should I Care? When I ask this, it is not with arms crossed and a pouty scowl. Understand, I want to care. I really do. Artists, Musicians, Writers, you must meet me halfway or at least somewhere along the way.

Allow me to take a breath before I end up delivering a full out rant. I need not take much time explaining that there are a lot of terribly awful, soul-crushingly bad books, T.V. shows, movies, etc. You have eyes and ears, if they function then you need not be reminded. This is why for years I've put off writing a proper blog (let's be honest with one another, writing or making anything really), I haven't been able to supply an adequate answer to our looming question. The question is modified a bit in this case to be a resounding, Why Should You Care? I simply will not add a blog, short story, painting, or novel to the torrential rains of Twilight, Jersey Shore, and millions of bits of media without being ABSOLUTELY SURE that You Should Care.

I've left taste (taste in music, art, etc.) out of this brief discussion because taste is a devilish critter that mucks up so many discussions about art that would otherwise be enlightening or at least thorough and smart. If we have dissimilar tastes that restrict you from being my audience, then so be it. Taste will endure as long as individuality does, and it must be left off the table to have a worthy discussion. Otherwise, please believe me, I have the gift of empathy dear audience. I am an audience member for most of the waking hours of my life, and I understand. I understand that you are sitting in front of a screen somewhere, reading these words thinking, "Ethan, Why Should I Care? Hm? You're just an artist sitting down at your Macbook with your nose so high in the air you can tell me that the ceiling smells like dust and the fumes of pretension." Well, let's hope you are perhaps a little more forgiving than that, but even if you aren't, it is okay! I understand. I've been right where you are sitting, and you'll just have to believe me, I care about you, audience member, and above all, I care about what I'm writing. 

Hopefully I will throw these ingredients into the internet and come out with something readable and enjoyable, but I cannot make any promises. However, I will show up and find some brief things to blog about, and I will care about them. Hopefully you will too.