alias_sqbr

I've decided to do a bit of a summary to get my thoughts re the last couple of posts in order since I was confusing myself in the comments.

In summary, I think my argument boils down to the answers to these questions:

• Q: Does art sometimes have a negative social effect?
  A: Yes. Certainly I don't think anyone would disagree that it can sometimes have a negative effect on an individual person.
  
• Q: Can the artist predict this effect in advance?
  A: Not perfectly, but to some extent.
  
• Can the artist fix this by just working on making the piece better?
  A: No. At least not unless they make the piece perfect, which they never will. So this approach isn't very effective. Also not all artists hold themselves to very high standards, which is fine as an artistic choice, but that doesn't let them off the hook consequences wise. (That argument comes up a lot with fanfic. It's just a hobby!)
  
• Q: Should the artist worry about these consequences if it means the art will suffer?
  A: Worry? Yes, at least a little bit. It's part of every person's responsibility to worry about the consequences of any of their actions. Let it stop them making or sharing that piece of art? That depends, and is a personal decision. Be censored by outside forces beyond negative peer pressure? No.
  

( Some more thinky thoughts )( A note about the context )