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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Snarf Zagyg" data-source="post: 9400682" data-attributes="member: 7023840">I think that this lies at the heart of why the conversations can be so fraught. The (very long) essay I wrote identifies the issues, but at the core the problem with the discussions is that many people want the line that they have to be the line that everyone has.Which ... doesn't work. As I wrote, the perfect is the enemy of the good, and we are all hypocrites about something. But discussing the issues is the best way to identify how we should approach it. As Socrates said, I drank what?Um, I mean, The unexamined life is not worth living.Generally, I think that it's helpful to think of some of these things in the following way:1. Is this an artist, or an art issue? In other words, is the problem just with the artist, or is that problem reflected in the art? To use your examples, The Usual Suspects has Kevin Spacey in it, but the actual work doesn't reflect what is problematic about him. On the other hand, some of Woody Allen's movies do reflect some of the issues that make him kind of a creeper.2. Does your patronage matter? This is the JK Rowling conundrum. Buying D&D books doesn't support sexism (as far as I know!). But JK Rowling still profits from the Potterverse, and money that goes to that goes to specific anti-inclusive causes.3. Is this a current issue? I believe in fearlessly looking at history, but the past is different. That doesn't excuse actions, but I also think it's easier to separate the art and the artist when there has been the passage of time. We can talk about the issues of the artist, but properly contextualize them. For example, the re-examination of Gauguin (vis-a-vis Tahiti) is overdue, but while it isn't fun, it helps put his later art in a better perspective. But yes, the line is different for everyone. To give you an example, I was at a Madonna concert (her most recent tour) and she had a sequence that had her "dancing" with Michael Jackson as a tribute with Billie Jean playing. The crowd roared. But I have to admit, my initial reaction was ... ick. I was able to enjoy it, but it was a visceral feeling at first.I think that issue (the line issue) is why the discussions can be so contentious. When someone says, "This is my line. Therefore, you have to have the same line," that's going to raise hackles. On the other hand, when someone says, "How dare you criticize this person who made something I like! I just want to like something without ever thinking about bad stuff!!!!" .... well, that's not a great attitude either. Oh, that Austrian artist? That's not a line. When I say it's different for everyone, well, if you don't have that line, I don't want to know you.</blockquote>

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