One of the most amazing studies in psychology is that when there is an outstanding speech or event, the number of people who say that they were there and really have convinced themselves of that despite the facts – cognitive dissidence – is huge. Neil Gaiman’s speech at the University Arts in Philadelphia in 2012, the keynote address at their graduation ceremony, was one of these. The auditorium held only about 1500 people, but one survey from the university estimated that there could be 20,000 people or more who said they were there. The speech was entitled “Make Good Art.”
The address was directed to new Arts graduates by an famous Art graduate, but most importantly its a metaphor for life.
From Make Good Art:
Life is sometimes hard. Things go wrong, in life and in love and in business and in friendship and in health and in all the other ways that life can go wrong. And when things get tough, this is what you should do.
Make good art.
I’m serious. Husband runs off with a politician? Make good art. Leg crushed and then eaten by mutated boa constrictor? Make good art. IRS on your trail? Make good art. Cat exploded? Make good art. Somebody on the Internet thinks what you do is stupid or evil or it’s all been done before? Make good art. Probably things will work out somehow, and eventually time will take the sting away, but that doesn’t matter. Do what only you do best. Make good art.
Neil is one of the most fascinating writers of our time. He was into comic books and graphic novels before they became major motion-picture extravaganzas. You certainly have heard of his work even if you haven’t heard of his name. He is a major award winner and has a wry English wit. I highly recommend his wonderful essays in his collection “The View from the Cheap Seats.”
At Amy Bush Commercial, we pride ourselves in our responsiveness, reliability, and success in fulfilling your Commercial Real Estate needs. We do what we do best, make good art.