The psychological value of the arts
7.5 billion people in the world and somehow we find ways to be consistently lonely. How is it that we can interact with dozens, maybe even hundreds of people in a given day and yet when our heads hit the pillow we can feel so invisible, insignificant, and alone.
No matter how much we value individuality and no matter how much we wish to reject the norm we are all hardwired to crave and seek belonging; some kind of trait or experience that links us with the rest of humanity; in other words, normalcy.
Our error lies in our concept of what is normal. The picture we paint in our minds of what is normal for humanity is often skewed because of our inherent biases. I know what happens between my ears but there is no way that anyone else is experiencing what I am. Everyone else seems to have it together when you are at your most anxious. You feel certain that you have thoughts about others that are meaner, sillier, or more sexual than any "normal person" would ever have. You must be the exception, the reject, the monster. This asymmetry between self concept and concept of others effects your day-to-day life in more ways than you might be aware of. You become shy or reserved. You don't feel like you can connect with or relate to others which naturally leads to behaving in ways that pushes people away from you, further exacerbating the initial problem of feeling disconnected.
Our only vantage point is a self-centred one which blinds us from seeing the common, or the normal within us, since normal is only measured in relation to the other.
Enter culture. Enter art.
Good art is a window into the experience of the other. Alain de Botton said, "The task of culture should be to compensate for the failings of our brains by assisting us to a more correct vision of what other people are normally like."
Good art portrays states of mind that we thought we were alone in experiencing. It invites us into the vantage point of a fictitious but accurate representation of another person. Think of the novels, films, or television series that most moved you. Think of the richness and vastness of human emotion portrayed and how you were able to connect with the character even though they were flying a spaceship or fighting a zombie.
Good art invites us to see human experience outside of ourselves and then revel in the fact that we have felt that way too. And even though it's all fiction we connect with the characters and for a brief moment, we are not alone.
That is the contribution of the artist.
So as a human being that sometimes feels alone, to artists I say, "thank you".
If you'll indulge me I will list some of the artists/ works of art that have most helped me. Side note I'm always cautious to share my "likes" because there is always room to disagree about who is good and what is art. I also have always felt pressure to not like artists who were too mainstream because I didn't want to look like a sheep following a fad. These might look mainstream for some and obscure to others. I could have come up with "cooler" examples but if I'm being honest with myself, these are my favourites. No apologies. The neat thing though is that if you're reading this maybe you share one or some of these favourites and I can then feel more connected to you through the artist.
Ben Folds
Josh Groban
Les Mis
Nirvana
Elliott Smith
Radiohead
Pink Floyd
Jerry Seinfeld
Stephen Colbert
Tina Fey
It's a Wonderful Life
Bret Hart
Alanis Morissette
Breaking Bad
Homeland
I invite you to share this post and add which novels, tv shows, etc. have best helped you get out of yourself and enjoy the "other".
No matter how much we value individuality and no matter how much we wish to reject the norm we are all hardwired to crave and seek belonging; some kind of trait or experience that links us with the rest of humanity; in other words, normalcy.
Our error lies in our concept of what is normal. The picture we paint in our minds of what is normal for humanity is often skewed because of our inherent biases. I know what happens between my ears but there is no way that anyone else is experiencing what I am. Everyone else seems to have it together when you are at your most anxious. You feel certain that you have thoughts about others that are meaner, sillier, or more sexual than any "normal person" would ever have. You must be the exception, the reject, the monster. This asymmetry between self concept and concept of others effects your day-to-day life in more ways than you might be aware of. You become shy or reserved. You don't feel like you can connect with or relate to others which naturally leads to behaving in ways that pushes people away from you, further exacerbating the initial problem of feeling disconnected.
Our only vantage point is a self-centred one which blinds us from seeing the common, or the normal within us, since normal is only measured in relation to the other.
Enter culture. Enter art.
Good art is a window into the experience of the other. Alain de Botton said, "The task of culture should be to compensate for the failings of our brains by assisting us to a more correct vision of what other people are normally like."
Good art portrays states of mind that we thought we were alone in experiencing. It invites us into the vantage point of a fictitious but accurate representation of another person. Think of the novels, films, or television series that most moved you. Think of the richness and vastness of human emotion portrayed and how you were able to connect with the character even though they were flying a spaceship or fighting a zombie.
Good art invites us to see human experience outside of ourselves and then revel in the fact that we have felt that way too. And even though it's all fiction we connect with the characters and for a brief moment, we are not alone.
That is the contribution of the artist.
So as a human being that sometimes feels alone, to artists I say, "thank you".
If you'll indulge me I will list some of the artists/ works of art that have most helped me. Side note I'm always cautious to share my "likes" because there is always room to disagree about who is good and what is art. I also have always felt pressure to not like artists who were too mainstream because I didn't want to look like a sheep following a fad. These might look mainstream for some and obscure to others. I could have come up with "cooler" examples but if I'm being honest with myself, these are my favourites. No apologies. The neat thing though is that if you're reading this maybe you share one or some of these favourites and I can then feel more connected to you through the artist.
Ben Folds
Josh Groban
Les Mis
Nirvana
Elliott Smith
Radiohead
Pink Floyd
Jerry Seinfeld
Stephen Colbert
Tina Fey
It's a Wonderful Life
Bret Hart
Alanis Morissette
Breaking Bad
Homeland
I invite you to share this post and add which novels, tv shows, etc. have best helped you get out of yourself and enjoy the "other".
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