Playing The Game

We're all playing the game but sometimes it's not so apparent.

Sometimes we get caught up in what we perceive as the negative side of things then shout about how life shouldn't be this way.

We want to hold someone or something accountable for the apparent injustice then join others who feel the same and form a bitching shop. As if that will help resolve any of it.

As if there is something to resolve.

We take a screwed up single dimensioned view of something and rather than accept our own misshapen ideas, we single out others as responsible for the apparent problem.

Take the world of art and creative endeavour for example…

Comparatively speaking, only a few artists ever become renowned worldwide, commanding high fees for their work and appearances.

We set it up as a subconscious benchmark for success and while many of us like to imagine achieving this exalted status, we at the same time have a serious hangup about it.

These dual beliefs are problematic for us. You could say that they keep us from the joy of the work.

Besides, is that success really what we're after? How much success actually qualifies as successful?

Caught In Other People's Ideas

Too much attention to things outside our control is a distraction.

In The Artist's Manifesto you'll read about the importance of finding the silence in order to create great work. You'll also read about insulating yourself from the world.

These things are vital to creating something worthwhile.

What is worthwhile?

It's being present enough with our self that we can be happy in our work regardless of circumstances. I don't care what it is you make, if your caught up in how it will be received you'll make a ball of shit.

If you're caught up in how nasty the music or fine art business is you'll make a ball of shit.

There's simply no way to escape this. Other people will make what the will make and that's none of our business.

Business people will seek to exploit the most creative of us to their own ends and the most naive of us will fall for that. That must be ok because that's their road.

The thing is that you can't make that a problem and expect to “make it”. You can make great things if you are railing against the injustice of the business. You've just got to get wide to the game and play it.

Or don't play it, that's your choice.

The Talent Show Problem

What got me thinking on this recently is the TV show The X Factor. I watch every week without fail… for research purposes you understand…

Ok, not really. My wife and kids tune in and I happen to be in the room at the same time. Honestly!

It's a show that many of us love to hate citing it as the epitome of a business that kills everything good about music.

It's a highly scripted, edited and formulated show designed to achieve a particular end – no doubt about it.

What end is that?

To make money of course.

The show is a licence to print money with sponsorship deals with some retailers extending into tens of millions. Here, check out some of the numbers for yourself.

Although viewership numbers have been falling since the 17 million height in 2010 it's still a massive show that manages to rake in mega dollars.

Also take into account that the franchise is worldwide.

The focus of the show should be ok because it exists by virtue of the tens of thousands who believe it's their ticket to stardom and the millions who tune in to it and vote every week.

Look guys, the world is asleep at the wheel. I've written about this many times. But why should that take you and me away from our good place?

The X Factor and shows like it fulfill a need in many people.

It's an indulgence in the idea that we all can achieve celebrity status, that we will be loved. It's not really about pursuit of success per se, but more of a fulfillment of unsubstantial desire.

It's like seeking out a sugar rush when really what we need is a proper meal.

The Bottom Line

Shows like The Kardashians, The X Factor and everything on E-channel paint a picture of the perfect life – they're playing the game. Many of us poor gobshites fall for it hook, line and sinker.

And so be it.

As William Blake said;

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The fool who persists in his folly will become wise

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I say leave them at it, it's none of your business and you shouldn't make it so.

The bottom line here is that there will always be stuff you don't like. There will always be aspects of the business we choose to be in that we disagree with, but we can't allow that dictate our vibe.

If we are focused on all the things about the industry that aggravate us, how can we ever make something great?

I don't believe it's possible.

Besides, do we expect to save all these silly people who queue up for days to get an audition in front of Simon Cowell et al?

Of course not.

Everyone is walking their own road and it's nobody else's business.

How frustrating the music business is or not should be of little concern to you and me. Our only job is to focus on the work and do that.

That's playing the game our way.