My only problem with this stance is, if you can’t separate the “art from the artist” I feel that life becomes less enjoyable. Dig deep enough and most people aren’t great. So does it become our responsibility to know if anyone we like has done something bad? Or is it only when we’re made aware, because feigning ignorance is an easy way to avoid that.
IMO a person and what they create are different. I don’t think Michael Jackson’s music was bad just because he was a bad person. I don’t think you should give them money and support those bad people of course! But if I had a CD and said “I’m never listening to this again” I feel like I’m robbing myself, I’m not really changing anything for the better.
Anyways, just my take, very open and respecting of not wanting to engage with it at all though.
I can sometimes separate the art from the artist. Roald Dahl was a massive antisemite, but I still think he was a terrific writer. He also didn’t actually hurt anyone with his antisemitism, he was just a bigoted asshole.
In the case of Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and even Bill Maher now that I know he grooms kids, I can’t do that. And honestly, I can’t listen to Michael Jackson anymore either.
Maybe it’s because I’m a parent, but I cannot think about any of those people without thinking about children coming to harm. That makes life less enjoyable when I pay attention to them. Meanwhile, there are countless other artists to enjoy who are also terrific. Far more than I ever have time to give my attention to. So why give my attention to them?
My only problem with this stance is, if you can’t separate the “art from the artist” I feel that life becomes less enjoyable. Dig deep enough and most people aren’t great. So does it become our responsibility to know if anyone we like has done something bad? Or is it only when we’re made aware, because feigning ignorance is an easy way to avoid that.
IMO a person and what they create are different. I don’t think Michael Jackson’s music was bad just because he was a bad person. I don’t think you should give them money and support those bad people of course! But if I had a CD and said “I’m never listening to this again” I feel like I’m robbing myself, I’m not really changing anything for the better.
Anyways, just my take, very open and respecting of not wanting to engage with it at all though.
I can sometimes separate the art from the artist. Roald Dahl was a massive antisemite, but I still think he was a terrific writer. He also didn’t actually hurt anyone with his antisemitism, he was just a bigoted asshole.
In the case of Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and even Bill Maher now that I know he grooms kids, I can’t do that. And honestly, I can’t listen to Michael Jackson anymore either.
Maybe it’s because I’m a parent, but I cannot think about any of those people without thinking about children coming to harm. That makes life less enjoyable when I pay attention to them. Meanwhile, there are countless other artists to enjoy who are also terrific. Far more than I ever have time to give my attention to. So why give my attention to them?