Bryan Santos
Benjamin Wilson
ENC 1101
31ST October 2018
Unappreciated Art
The word art has a different meaning to each individual. Whether you limit your definition of art to music only, sculptures, painting or even dancing it is wrong to say that art is a “waste of time.” Art has influenced our world as far back as we can track back in history. In the article “Is Art a Waste of Time?” the author Rhys Southan talks to a group of people who are a part of “Effective Altruism” a movement that “want to reduce suffering and increase lifespan and happiness” (Morgan 436). This group that people who are occupied by art are doing the word no good.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of art is skill acquired by experience, study, or observation. This means that in order for someone to produce art, they must first acquire the skill and experience necessary. For some artists, their goal is to become the best, no matter the odds or the cost. Artists have often played a key role in social movements in the United States, addressing issues ranging from immigration to sexism to gun violence. Through their expressive talents, artists can challenge cultural narratives, shift imagery and inspire emotions in a way that traditional political methods alone rarely do.
However, there are artists who have only one goal and that is to help those in need by changing how people see the world. Art can be used to change many things, including social behavior. In order for art to change social behavior though, it would need something to target. Over the years there have many ways that people used art to make changes in the social aspect of our lives. When people think of art, they usually first think of paintings or drawings of some kind. But there are many different kinds of art. Art could be music, or a specialty, or just the way you do something. Every artist does what they do for a specific reason. I believe that these reason’s almost always stem back towards helping for the greater good. For example, a song artist writes and performs a song about a person dealing with depression and them living with depression. This could help someone in the same position to connect to their music and it can actually bring them out of their current state and could ultimately save their life. That is why Rhys Southan quotes Steven Soderberg when he said live would be unlivable without art.
In order for social change to occur, one must first target areas where social issues exist. For example, in 2003, the singing group called The Black Eyed Peas performed a song called “Where Is the Love?” This song talked about the lack of love that people have for each other. In the song, there is a verse that states,” but if you only have love for your own race, then you only leave space to discriminate”. They’re talking about racism in this verse and they’re goal is to fix the social problem we all know as racism. There are some people who believe art does not have the greatest return in reducing global suffering. However, in my opinion, there is no other profession that reducing global suffering more. Artists, both music and painters put their hearts and their care into their work. They give their all to show their world what they have to say. They can reach those who are not affected by politics such as young teens or children. They can reach those who don’t believe in religion. What people don’t realize is that art has its own way of affecting people’s lives. It’s not something that can just be made out of nothing. Art requires time and commitment to create. While Effective Altruism wanted to make the world a better place according to the greater good, they never understood the full spectrum of opportunities they had. This was clear when Southan quoted Steven Soderbergh’s acceptance speech. According to his essay, Sam Hilton, the man who organized the London pub meet-up where Southan first heard about the movement, was confused when he quoted Soderbergh.
Art can come in many forms and be used in many different ways. One primary way is through communication. Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of communication have an intent or goal directed toward another individual, this is a motivated purpose. In today’s society, we are too lazy to do many things, one of those being read. Art allows detailed information to be communicated in a quick manner, rather than reading an entire article. Illustrative arts, such as scientific illustration, are a form of art as communication. Maps are another example. However, the content need not be scientific. Emotions, moods and feelings are also communicated through art. Where I think the EAs go about social issues the wrong way is observed on page 436. Southan talks about how it is essentially a competition to do good amongst the movement. This meant that you had to do better than the other person next to in order for your work to actually be worth it. I personally agree with Southan when he states this is a disconcerting concept. When you think about it, you might not have as much to give as the person next to you, therefore, what you give doesn’t mean as much the next person who can offer slightly more. EAs believe that art is not effective in creating social change because they believe they make art while the rest of the world burns. On page 439, Southan talks about Australian writer Chris Rodley pointed out that while sometimes art can have an effect, it is usually a double-sided blade. For example, he talks about the TV series called Will & Grace which may have made people more open minded and accepting towards gay people while also imposing “homonormative” expectations on how they should act. They believed that this caused more problems than it fixed, therefore, inside of creating social change, they created more social problems.
Art in this sense is communication; it allows people from different cultures and different times to communicate with each other via images, sounds and stories. Art is often a vehicle for social change. It can give voice to the politically or socially disenfranchised. A song, film or novel can rouse emotions in those who encounter it, inspiring them to rally for change. An example of a novel would be Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The novel changed the opinions of many white Americans against slavery during the time it was written. However, it also created damaging stereotypes because of the actions depicted in the novel. While it seems as though Art also has utilitarian influences on society. There is a demonstrable, positive correlation between schoolchildren’s grades in math and literacy, and their involvement with drama or music activities. As the National Art Education Association points out, art is beneficial for the artist as an outlet for work. Art not only fosters the human need for self-expression and fulfillment; it is also economically viable. The creation, management and distribution of art employs many.
At the end of it all, Southan calls himself the Net-Positive Man, someone who points everything bad that happens but doesn’t ever actually do anything about it. Instead they like to stand idly by while posting a video and saying that something needs to be done about it. However, I believe Southan is not truly a Net-Positive Man. Yes, he believed in art as he was an aspiring screenwriter, but that doesn’t mean he was selfish in that sense. He joined Effective Altruism group with the goal to help reduce the greatest amount of suffering. Both Southan and Epstein decided to help those in need at the cost of their own time, effort, and knowledge. Epstein used her skills and knowledge as an art to help those in need to search for the AIDS vaccine, and Southan tried to use his knowledge on art to inspire the members of EA. Art, in my opinion, can move mountains in terms of creating social change.