I try to keep up. I try to know what my colleagues, peers, industry veterans, clear masters, commentators, and to a lesser extend fans are talking about. I want to be aware of the environment of the industry that is both my favored hobby and my livelihood. I also want to look for good ideas and best practices, to constantly re-evaluate my beliefs, attitudes, actions, and game plan. And in doing so I keep noticing: Assholes frequently have more fans than non-assholes. Am I doing professional wrong? Do I damage my own career each time I decide not to go on a venom-fueled rant of half-truths, allusions, accusations of invisible intent, and disparagement? Because I *can* do that. Hell, Ive written some of those rants. I just dont (usually) post them. This isnt about any one issue or any particular ideology either. In nearly every contested issue, be that political, sociological, economic, or creative, there are a few assholes on each side, generally getting more praise and attention that the people Id actually like to keep listening to. Often, its discouraging. But it DOES force me to wonder, using my own rules for reflection, Should I be more of an asshole? A public, opinionated, institutional, asshole? Am I shorting myself (or much less likely, other people) by reining it in as much as I do?
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 22:15:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015