Fasting

How can we have art if entertainment is everywhere? – Robert Bly

What an interesting question. There are so many layers to this question that it requires a deep pondering. But it also has value just at the surface.

If I never reflect can I produce? And if I am continually entertained will I ever reflect?  Yet, often what is produced has some entertainment value, so am I contributing to the problem? But is the art I produce done so for entertainment value?  Hmm.

I think there are any number of ways to think about this – many of which are rooted in justifying my reliance on external entities to satiate me. If I step back and ask myself what I am allowing to fascinate me, to control my attention and my energy, then Bly’s question becomes an indictment of my time and energy choices.

From what do I need to fast? Traditionally fasting has been to refrain from food and drink. For centuries, the acquisition of food and drink was (and in far too many places still is) the primary focus of each day’s activities. That is not the case for me and for most of the people I know.

I find that as I allow “entertainment” to consume more and more of my time, I have little ability to focus on wonder and reflection. I lose the appreciation for what it takes to create, even for what it takes to create entertainment. My energy to create is dissipated and numbed.

Maybe Candy Crush is not the answer.