It’s a vicious quote! I keep thinking about it. I can’t say I entirely agree with all of it to be honest, but mostly. We do all steal but some go real far and start “programs” and shit, writing books about ideas they got from somewhere else in a tone that suggests they thought it up, and that’s nasty. (Bill Mollison, the permaculture guys comes to mind). It’s good practice to pay proper respects where and when respects are due, and I think this is what the whole “decolonize writing” thing is coming from. Which is spot on. People are making lots of money off ideas they straight up stole. And that's not cool. Tough one, though, cause where to draw the line? There is a lot of grey area for sure. And it’s all pretty stinky. I think I smell what he’s stepping’ in though! Ha! Cheers, Shasta! ;)
A big thank you Gregory for sharing your thoughts , feelings and process on this, such a great teaching about finding your way through trying out and abandoning what does not feel healthy and grounded in the soil you want to grow from
The plight of the artist is knowing when to urge payment and when to let it go. I love Lewis Hyde's "The Gift" as it helps me know when to ask for payment. I ask for payment for services like 1:1 sessions and teaching. I offer my art and writing as a gift. When a gift circles back to me from a reader or follower in the form of payment, I feel the sacredness of the gifting circle, knowing that their payment honors and credentiales me. I am in awe of artists called to make a living through their art. It requires specific skills, drive, tolerance, endurance, and the payment of others who keep their businesses afloat. Many bows.
Nicely done. It takes a lot of integrity to continually look at one's decisions and own when something is out of alignment with one's values, and then apologize and re-align. Three bows, Gregory.
To witness a person try a thing, have it wear on their soul, then listen and act - thank you.
The writers as colonists quote made me think! He’s not wrong!!
It’s a vicious quote! I keep thinking about it. I can’t say I entirely agree with all of it to be honest, but mostly. We do all steal but some go real far and start “programs” and shit, writing books about ideas they got from somewhere else in a tone that suggests they thought it up, and that’s nasty. (Bill Mollison, the permaculture guys comes to mind). It’s good practice to pay proper respects where and when respects are due, and I think this is what the whole “decolonize writing” thing is coming from. Which is spot on. People are making lots of money off ideas they straight up stole. And that's not cool. Tough one, though, cause where to draw the line? There is a lot of grey area for sure. And it’s all pretty stinky. I think I smell what he’s stepping’ in though! Ha! Cheers, Shasta! ;)
Yes, for sure. I’m with you.
When he spoke of writing about lovers or intimate details of those in our lives - what’s a writer to do!!
totally! :) :)
Hi Gregory,
Good job. I concur.
In fact, I concur so strongly that I wrote this piece on the same topic earlier this month:
https://parissedeza.substack.com/p/a-quick-note-on-paid-subscribing
And I covered the use of money at length in my first piece in March:
https://parissedeza.substack.com/p/consciousness-and-creativity-humanitys
Blessings and love, Parisse
A big thank you Gregory for sharing your thoughts , feelings and process on this, such a great teaching about finding your way through trying out and abandoning what does not feel healthy and grounded in the soil you want to grow from
The plight of the artist is knowing when to urge payment and when to let it go. I love Lewis Hyde's "The Gift" as it helps me know when to ask for payment. I ask for payment for services like 1:1 sessions and teaching. I offer my art and writing as a gift. When a gift circles back to me from a reader or follower in the form of payment, I feel the sacredness of the gifting circle, knowing that their payment honors and credentiales me. I am in awe of artists called to make a living through their art. It requires specific skills, drive, tolerance, endurance, and the payment of others who keep their businesses afloat. Many bows.
Nicely done. It takes a lot of integrity to continually look at one's decisions and own when something is out of alignment with one's values, and then apologize and re-align. Three bows, Gregory.