Perhaps you imagine that I am talking of a campfire. A flame that wards off danger, yet welcomes strangers. But no, I speak of writing.
Specifically, phrases and thoughts that speak of its 'value'.
I have often heard the line, "words are cheap" taken out of context and then used to determine value of words in general. I find that revolting, personally, but my point of view comes from the angle of context. If anyone can recall the phrase "words are cheap" is usually spoken near or alongside or even after something that sounds like "actions are louder than words" or "a picture is 1000 words". Which is fine, and truthful. Striking a gong is going to be louder than me saying that I strike a gong. Likewise the foundation of comprehension when one looks at a single image can often conjure up a dictionary of words by description and association.
But that isn't what I find troubling.
What I find troubling is that these phrases are often used to devalue written work, or to describe one's stance on apples and oranges.
Over the puzzling years I've spent going up and down the slides of life, I've found myself at the framed gates of other minds. Those that I wish to collaborate with, or those that I admire (as in their works, I hardly know them as persons). Sometimes (not all the times) I come across a gated community whose perception of reality is to my Van Gogh to their Picasso. We speak in completely different languages (of art) which is to be expected of our evolutionary paths; yet the system of values truly doesn't branch both ways. Those gates were closed to the value of writing, which was apparent beyond just their phrases on the matter. They threw around words with hardly a thought. Their concepts left mute to rot without a sentence, nary a word or phrase that could gild their picture frames. Nay, the space for words were often left barren. A desert for speech with a mute presentation. "Let it speak for itself!" And how! Could we get a word or two to go with this piece? Perhaps something other than the jingle of a sponsor that tries to sell us on the secret of a mother that the IRS will really hate?
Here, let me shoot down this flying sheep. Cut away the wool, let's get to the meat.
On my mind has been the relative value of the written word. Try to pitch the writing craft and it seems that one hits a rebounding wall, a barrier that doesn't accept your currency.
You go around in our entertainment rich world and you'll probably hear, "I don't have time to read" this, that, a book, what have you. Try to hand off a book for free, a manuscript, a gem in the making and you'll likely get a healthy plate of rejection. It's like the plague, or perhaps raw meat.
Don't have time to read... or for those fellow writers who are struggling they might decree that they don't have time to write! And yet I am sure that you are doing it at every moment! The reading! The writing!
It may not be a book, but it's probably something on your computer, phone, etc.
The 'why' of not having enough time isn't what I'm going to cover at the moment. Let's continue the conversation of value.
So no one wants the thing for free. You pass it around and get blocked or ignored. Then you get these quips back, spun like gold by their owners yet you know that these words they say are hollow. Beyond the statement of 'no time', there is often the rather knife wound phrases like, "It's not worth anything" or "anyone could do that" or "It's not the movie, game, web app" and so on. Suddenly it's not enough to just say they aren't in the mood for in depth reading, thinking and topic discussion; now they have to convince themselves (and you) that such levels of comprehension has no value.
Perhaps a disturbing trend is when the apples and oranges have their mailboxes exchanged. Go to an animator friend and you'll likely hear a similar tale of woe. Oh sure they can try and force your eyes on their work - make you look at their magic of making things come to life - but the speed of demonstration does not stop the endless peril of anyone who works in creative art; even here, it is often devalued. No industry is sacred, just check their checkbooks or hear their grumbling. I'm not going to paint a grotesque picture that hyper-boles the truth, but these many words have been strung together to point out that they are often not paid much for their worth. Animation, games, even film. Consumers often see the numbers of those that reached success, "Millions of dollars in sales!" and then they distress. I'm not sure if it is the green eyes of envy, but I can say with a glum face that the consumer rarely sounds happy. At least, I will add, those with the loudest voices amongst the crowd.
Value in a sense isn't limited to cash, though in some ways it can speak in a more universal illusion. When I ponder on this topic, the defining matter of value goes much deeper. Entertainment in general is often not valued as highly as another fruit. I dare
Confused? Do you think I am mistaken? That free is wondrous and needs no declaration?
Sorry, we stand on separate fords. I mean the sides of rivers, not cars named after a horse. Let me just rephrase that. We stand on separate sides of the river of values.
If one experiences that which they had little need to invest into, they might become poisoned with the idea that other experiences should likely require so little investment. Criticism of this nature turns one into a blithering idiot. I say that in the most zombie apocalyptic way. Nary a day goes by that the blade of rationality doth not turn in the spine of its latest acquisitions; like a key to wind a robot that will mine endlessly without thought. Since I've taken you for a spell this long I suppose I should at least glance into the mirror with you to try and allow the cogs of the mind to crank.
Are you the kind of person who likes a steak or a potato chip?
Do you find yourself defending with strength, that which was most expensive or that which was a cheap fake?
Do your flavors in life color a picture which is filled with a variety of texture? Or do you prefer it all black, flat, and desire none of that?
I am not saying that things given out as gifts, or that are given out for free have no value; contrary, I say that they often can have more value than that which has a price dictated in monetary value. What I am saying (if you can piece the bits) is that my grief comes when one does not appreciate the gem they get. Lack of appraisal is a concern, and is part of an ignorant machine which I see that ever turns. Station, reasons, and positions aside, when one says that words (or any entertainment quite frankly) has no value, my eyes go dead. I feel a glaze go over my head. A protective balm that tries to cover the fragile spirit these words attempt to sunder.
Take for instance a pyrite coin flung your way, "This has no value." Followed by, "If only it was better." An example case is the perception that by partaking in video games one might decree that there is no value in the story; yet what do you often hear? "I wish it had a better plot." That "if only the writing were better" then it'd be a top sell. Then somewhere in that conversation you hear the phrase that this apple is better than that orange, but if only it had that citrus tang.
Truly the contradictions never cease to amaze me...
This kind of coagulation of thoughts and experiences has turned into a nightmare pudding that sloths through my head. A monstrous entity of double standards which I wish to slay with my pen.
Have you figured it out yet? The kernel of light, a nugget of gold hidden in this treasure chest that I write? Rhymes and spice aside I think that this meat has been sizzling long enough.
What I've wanted to say, express and put into so much word, is that I sense a trend against the written word. Which is odd to say the least, considering how pervasive written speech, how foundational it really is.
You enjoy a Tv show? It wouldn't happen without good writing.
You feel that movie was flat? Better writing could have fixed that. (Acting, I can't help you with.)
Does this game bore you or excite you? Writing is often to blame, though delivery is more likely the culprit you should hang.
A song that reaches your soul probably had lyrics to tickle your ego.
A lot of work goes into writing. The best of us can be skilled and quick to deliver. That skill did not come without cost. In fact, the best writing often costs a heart.
You see, in order to convey that human connection and bridge the gap across our mental fences, the writer has to first bleed. We get dirty in the world and see with eyes that recognize the past we wear on our sleeves. We try to lasso a future where we can all breathe. We're crafting experiences from the building blocks that broke us, made us, delivered us. We cut our teeth, skin and bones against the world to bring back the runes that will build a new world.
It cost an eye to see.
It cost an ear to hear.
It cost us to touch, taste, and smell fear.
It cost us a heart, wrenched out by love and loss.
It brought us memories to entrust, to you.
Art. Written or not. Costs a heart.
Something human, and of value.
