DragonOfTheAerie
Vala
I will now attempt to express my thoughts.
First off, I would like to say that I do not as much think of this as a "duty" or "obligation" as a responsibility. There is a subtle difference.
As writers/artists/creators, we have power. Great power, in fact. I feel that bearing the pen is to bear responsibility. (Insert Spider-Man quote here.) We have the ability to affect people and society and well, I think that ability should be used with some level of care. I also believed that the art itself should be treated with a level of respect.
Now, I absolutely do not think that writers are obligated to write social commentary, or change the world, or promote values. Pure entertainment has an important place in the world. And, since it brings joy to people, entertainment is a good thing. A wonderful thing.
I do, however, believe that writers do have certain responsibilities that come with wielding the pen.
As writers, we have a responsibility to portray people and their cultures and perspectives with RESPECT and avoid harmful, offensive stereotypes, out of respect for the real people represented by our writing. We have a responsibility to treat serious issues with the gravity they deserve and avoid dealing with them in a way that's flippant and vulgar, out of respect to the real people they affect. I would even venture to say that we have a responsibility to avoid contributing to harm and depravity.
Also, I have respect for the art itself. I'm CREATING things. When I write, I'm doing something very beautiful and very powerful, and I seek to glorify the art rather than sully it. I do that by doing the best work I can, and by writing everything with the greatest degree of honesty, care and respect that's within my ability.
Writing disgusting porn or disturbing gore without any meaning, in my opinion, is an insult to the art of writing. We have the ability to write things that are meaningful. I'm using meaningful as a broad term here. Whether a piece of writing is meaningful to the writer and only them, or it is meaningful only in bringing joy and happiness to others, or if it is meaningful in portraying human struggles and emotions with honesty. We can choose to write whatever, but the ability to write is a responsibility. I honestly believe that if we CAN use a power for good, we SHOULD. I told you guys I hated that word, and I do, but I believe it now. What "using the ability to write for good" will vary vastly. I don't mean it in a way like "you can't write X" or "you should write Y in Z way." But I ask that writers be conscious of what they are doing when they write.
You are affecting people. You are putting something into the world that was not there before. You can, if you choose, change people's lives and fill them with joy and happiness. I feel like writers should consider this more deeply.
Do I believe a responsibility exists? Yes.
Do I have the ability or right to impose that on other people? No.
For me, these beliefs have a deeply spiritual, even religious root. (Though I no longer like wearing the label religious. It has a far too institutional feel.) I see making art as an inherently spiritual act. So, my "responsibility" may not extend to those around me, and I can't make them adhere to responsibility. But I don't treat my own ability to write lightly. I...do not know if anyone here can relate to this view, and I don't know if anyone can argue with me, my reasons for believing this way being so extremely personal.
First off, I would like to say that I do not as much think of this as a "duty" or "obligation" as a responsibility. There is a subtle difference.
As writers/artists/creators, we have power. Great power, in fact. I feel that bearing the pen is to bear responsibility. (Insert Spider-Man quote here.) We have the ability to affect people and society and well, I think that ability should be used with some level of care. I also believed that the art itself should be treated with a level of respect.
Now, I absolutely do not think that writers are obligated to write social commentary, or change the world, or promote values. Pure entertainment has an important place in the world. And, since it brings joy to people, entertainment is a good thing. A wonderful thing.
I do, however, believe that writers do have certain responsibilities that come with wielding the pen.
As writers, we have a responsibility to portray people and their cultures and perspectives with RESPECT and avoid harmful, offensive stereotypes, out of respect for the real people represented by our writing. We have a responsibility to treat serious issues with the gravity they deserve and avoid dealing with them in a way that's flippant and vulgar, out of respect to the real people they affect. I would even venture to say that we have a responsibility to avoid contributing to harm and depravity.
Also, I have respect for the art itself. I'm CREATING things. When I write, I'm doing something very beautiful and very powerful, and I seek to glorify the art rather than sully it. I do that by doing the best work I can, and by writing everything with the greatest degree of honesty, care and respect that's within my ability.
Writing disgusting porn or disturbing gore without any meaning, in my opinion, is an insult to the art of writing. We have the ability to write things that are meaningful. I'm using meaningful as a broad term here. Whether a piece of writing is meaningful to the writer and only them, or it is meaningful only in bringing joy and happiness to others, or if it is meaningful in portraying human struggles and emotions with honesty. We can choose to write whatever, but the ability to write is a responsibility. I honestly believe that if we CAN use a power for good, we SHOULD. I told you guys I hated that word, and I do, but I believe it now. What "using the ability to write for good" will vary vastly. I don't mean it in a way like "you can't write X" or "you should write Y in Z way." But I ask that writers be conscious of what they are doing when they write.
You are affecting people. You are putting something into the world that was not there before. You can, if you choose, change people's lives and fill them with joy and happiness. I feel like writers should consider this more deeply.
Do I believe a responsibility exists? Yes.
Do I have the ability or right to impose that on other people? No.
For me, these beliefs have a deeply spiritual, even religious root. (Though I no longer like wearing the label religious. It has a far too institutional feel.) I see making art as an inherently spiritual act. So, my "responsibility" may not extend to those around me, and I can't make them adhere to responsibility. But I don't treat my own ability to write lightly. I...do not know if anyone here can relate to this view, and I don't know if anyone can argue with me, my reasons for believing this way being so extremely personal.