Posted by mist on April 8, 2002, at 18:37:07
In reply to Re: Civility vs. Propriety – Words, posted by Shar on April 8, 2002, at 3:24:30
Shar,
I don't think artists should have special dispensation—I never said that. My point is that artists (writers) use words as part of their art, which makes words especially important to them. By the same token, most people value their body and physical health--and should--but for athletes the body, and health and fitness, have a special, additional importance.
My belief is that no one should be told what words they can and can't use, artist or not.
However, there are differences among people. For example, I'm introverted, other people are extroverted. I'm terrible at math and sports. Others are great at those things. But it's also not clear who is and isn't "artistic." Just because someone isn't devoting 100% of his or her time to their art doesn't mean they aren't an artist. Some people live with hidden, unexpressed talent all their lives and suffer for it. Some people are artists because of the way they respond to life, and a need to create something to express that response.
>I love words, it is a major weakness of mine that people who couch things in certain ways can seriously get to me. Even if that person is a carpenter.
I don't see carpenters and artists as opposites. A person can be both a carpenter and an artist. I personally don't see artists as an elite, separate group at all. I also think if you love words the way you say you do there must be something of the artist in you too. Why should you exclude yourself from that group if you clearly have something in common with them?
poster:mist
thread:3683
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020308/msgs/4020.html