From the Inspirational Thought Unit
I've been pondering the age old question: How does the artist/writer/performer/teacher/musician make an impact with their work?
Do they bend their work to fit with what sells? Or do they make something for that narrow niche of audience that aligns with their unique interests?
Or do you balance the two?
Comedian Janeane Garofalo had this to say on it (taken from this NYTimes article)
“Being popular and well liked is not in your best interest.
If you behave in a manner pleasing to most, then you are probably doing something wrong. The masses have never been arbiters of the sublime, and they often fail to recognize the truly great individual.
Taking into account the public’s regrettable lack of taste, it is incumbent on you to not fit in.” - Janeane Garofalo
This resonates with me...but the key ingredient to be successful doing this, ingredient that she doesn't mention is: You have to be really REALLY good at what you are doing.
(Via Chip Zedarsky's Newsletter. Thanks Kohl for sharing it with me)
-Jake