It is all About Story.

The more and more that I think about my situation I come back to one truth, it is all about story. I have a hard time thinking about why am I suppose to do something. I like to make things, but what is the point? Where is the value? I could make a great artistic box, or chair, or cool syfi gadget but why spend my time doing that? Then I am thinking about how easy it is to create things with new manufacturing techniques and technologies. We can make all kinds of things, but should we?

I think at the core of it all is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. We as a civilization are getting pretty good at the survival bits. The things that really get us out of the bed in the morning to do what we need to do so we do not die. Now we are transitioning to the things that make life worth living. We are moving up the hierarchy to social needs. Then I think about my original core idea or why do we even need to make anything if all our needs are met? It is about those social needs we all crave. To be apart of a group. To find our tribes. To find our place in the world. I think this is going to be the struggle of generations to come.

I also think about the one other reason why artist do what they do. It is about story. If it was not for artist we would not have history. Literally, we break down history into history and pre-history. The difference is some art on some cave walls. Artist have always been the ones that record what is going on. Even when new technologies come into the mix, the best stories come from the human experience. Yes, A.I. can write a story but it is the human written and human delivered pieces that get us engaged. Even with all the electronic bits in this world we are still the tribe that sits around the fire telling stories. Artist tell stories.

I think that is the next part in my journey. To tell stories. To tell my story, to tell other peoples stories, to make the props in the day to day lives of others. Mass production has its place but it is the story that sells the piece of art. It is the selling and value of a creative work.