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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Guest&nbsp; 85555" data-source="post: 9400255">I don't know that I have the energy for these sorts of discussions anymore (just getting older and less concerned about what other people think about things I believe). However, while I don't agree with everything here (after all there is A LOT there lol) I think you make a very reasoned and nuanced point. My view probably comes from growing up from reading a lot of old books as a kid, having an interest in history and having to read primary sources but also coming from a family where art, music and movies were highly valued. I tend to not worry about the moral character of the artist and focus more on the quality of art they produced. I even think the better artists usually are the more flawed people. I also can get over whatever warts and boils are in a work of art pretty quick, as I am so accustomed to seeing warts and boils. Doesn't mean I agree with the warts and boils but I can just mentally note the context, the flaws of the person who made it, etc. Like everyone else, I do have lines, but I am not a big believer in moralizing about those lines (as I think everyone has to decide for themselves how they are going to interpret a given work and how a work impacts their sense of morality). That is probably a byproduct of growing up in New England and wanting nothing to do with Puritans or Victorians. I think we do run the risk of becoming a bit like Salieri in Amadeus when expect too much alignment from our artistic idols with our own values (it would be nice if every author I liked agreed with all my beliefs and checks off every box on my moral checklist, but usually the person with the talent to make the thing in question is deeply flawed: [USER=7023840]@Snarf Zagyg[/USER] gave a good list of some people in history who had issues but made great art). Wagner would be a good case in point. I have serious problems with his ideas, with how his music was used, and I take those kinds of concerns very personally, but I also can't deny the incredible beauty and power of his music. I wouldn't want to be denied the magic of something like Siegfried's Funeral music because of that unfortunate history. And I wouldn't want the world to be denied it. People should make their own choices of course. I understand why some people can't abide his music. I will say, I think we all could benefit from taking a step back and thinking about how our reactions to these topics are impacting our interactions with other forum members and other gamers.</blockquote>

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