Great piece about navigating the artist’s purpose despite external factors attempting to unmoor you from your creative mission. These people are always waiting under the bridge to fling rocks.
Let Me Live By the Side of the Road was like an ancient, portent lullaby. Those who are tempted to be haters will always operate from a deep internal tug of their own inadequacies.
It makes me think that poor sod was told his deeply felt poetry or songwriting or whatever was called “twaddle.” And now him seeing anyone doing something valuable and vulnerable cuts him into a million uncomfortable pieces. I always think good art triggers strong feelings in the listener/viewer, whether it’s a negative feeling or positive one…it is a sign your artistic alchemy is powerful. And also, fuck him!
A really interesting response to a comment I saw too. Good thoughts from you about it all I think. I find I get worked up not about people attacking me no-one does that as I'm not in the public eye at all but about stupid responses to some dumbass newspaper article posted on its FB page usually, I'm not on Twitter any longer. I thought maybe trolling the offending newspaper e.g. by posting the poem Mein Kampf by David Lerner, apropos of nothing, might be a good response, but in the end all you're doing is helping drive up traffic which is what they all want. When you look at the numbers commenting etc. it's usually tiny. I love your considered, escalier d'ésprit, response. Always worth doing, as it'll help you deal with hecklers better in future as if you're a stand up comic. Sometimes one can't help being a bit angry and flustered, as you say especially maybe when there's a grain of truth in the hurtful comment. I try and avoid looking at social media when I've had a drink. I've been banned off Twitter and FB a few times but that of course doesn't happen any more! I'm rambling on now. Anyway more power to you, I think you're doing fine! Practice makes perfect in all things.
There is enough hate in the world and sometimes this has to be called out. That said protecting your peace and staying focused on your own path is the best way to handle the haters. When you choose to tune out the noise, you reclaim your time and energy for things that actually matter. Whilst the haters are left only with their hate
ps like another post I love the French phrase l'esprit de l'escalier and often wish I had the quicker wit
It’s utterly baffling to me that people just trash things they don’t like. I’m sure it comes from low self-esteem. I review books—I won’t take one on that I think is bad. What’s the point? I’d rather uplift good or promising poets.
You did the right thing! I think it’s important to stand up to your bullies. It may make him think twice next time, you never know~ and then we send him metta for his suffering 🙏
It really does say something about the commenter as well. I’ve recently had experience with people making cutting comments like this. My psychiatrist (who is sort of a historical artifact with a psychoanalytic, New York style and with whom I talk at length) made me laugh by his unexpectedly informal use of the word haters when I described my distress. He said “when you’re talented, hardworking, and willing to dedicate resources to something, you will acquire what I like to call ‘haters.’”
He discussed how much of this energy is projection - when our hard work and talent make others feel insecure or unloved, they claim we’re spoiled, shallow, or otherwise, and sometimes it’s such a clear projection the words they use often better describe THEM than us.
(Of course, life is complicated and there are role changes - I’m sure I’ve been a hater before, especially when I was younger - it’s not necessarily a static group of haters and us “good” people - but some people do stay stuck in a place of status-seeking and insecurity and perpetually do this to others.)
yeah, being on the receiving end of negative critique has definitely given me much more self awareness when my own strong judgements rise - usually it is a shadow of mine and not an objective truth.
(I have a pretty fun illustration of your psychoanalyst in my mind's eye)
Screw the haters. They exist only to wreak havoc and boost their own fragile egos because most of them have never had a creative thought in their lives. Speak to your fans instead. My own creative work has been both revered and vilified. After responding to my first hater, I quickly realized what they were all about and built an armor against them. Now I speak only to my fans, they’re the ones who matter in my tiny niche in the world.
Let me live by the side of the road is humanitarian greatness that shows how deeply immersed you are in the human condition.
yes, thanks for the reminder! It's funny how one negative comment can drown out a hundred positive ones. and ALSO not everyone needs to like my music - obviously - and, in fact, the smaller the niche the more connected we all feel.
One thing I don't understand is the urge to publish what you don't like on the Internet. If I don't like a music video or an artist, I just don't listen or see it. Strangely this Jerk also has to say that he think you're hot. Is that to say, that if you look good, you shall make music or video that he likes?
We're used to getting valued from birth, continues in school and work. There's not much we can do about that, sadly.
Just remember, even though you don't make music that goes #1 on Billboard doesn't mean that it is worse than the €/&^ that does. And... there are some people who appreciate your music very much. Looking so much forward to your new album. 👌
Don’t let the bastards wear you down. I enjoy your work. That guy‘s obituary will one day read, “He was a great heckler,” and his funeral will be poorly attended.
Great piece about navigating the artist’s purpose despite external factors attempting to unmoor you from your creative mission. These people are always waiting under the bridge to fling rocks.
Let Me Live By the Side of the Road was like an ancient, portent lullaby. Those who are tempted to be haters will always operate from a deep internal tug of their own inadequacies.
🙏 <3
It makes me think that poor sod was told his deeply felt poetry or songwriting or whatever was called “twaddle.” And now him seeing anyone doing something valuable and vulnerable cuts him into a million uncomfortable pieces. I always think good art triggers strong feelings in the listener/viewer, whether it’s a negative feeling or positive one…it is a sign your artistic alchemy is powerful. And also, fuck him!
That guy obviously doesn't live in or come from a rural area.
A really interesting response to a comment I saw too. Good thoughts from you about it all I think. I find I get worked up not about people attacking me no-one does that as I'm not in the public eye at all but about stupid responses to some dumbass newspaper article posted on its FB page usually, I'm not on Twitter any longer. I thought maybe trolling the offending newspaper e.g. by posting the poem Mein Kampf by David Lerner, apropos of nothing, might be a good response, but in the end all you're doing is helping drive up traffic which is what they all want. When you look at the numbers commenting etc. it's usually tiny. I love your considered, escalier d'ésprit, response. Always worth doing, as it'll help you deal with hecklers better in future as if you're a stand up comic. Sometimes one can't help being a bit angry and flustered, as you say especially maybe when there's a grain of truth in the hurtful comment. I try and avoid looking at social media when I've had a drink. I've been banned off Twitter and FB a few times but that of course doesn't happen any more! I'm rambling on now. Anyway more power to you, I think you're doing fine! Practice makes perfect in all things.
All the best,
Richard
thank you for teaching me this new great phrase " escalier d'esprit" -
story of my life.
No worries, you're welcome. It was news to me until fairly recently.
There is enough hate in the world and sometimes this has to be called out. That said protecting your peace and staying focused on your own path is the best way to handle the haters. When you choose to tune out the noise, you reclaim your time and energy for things that actually matter. Whilst the haters are left only with their hate
ps like another post I love the French phrase l'esprit de l'escalier and often wish I had the quicker wit
It’s utterly baffling to me that people just trash things they don’t like. I’m sure it comes from low self-esteem. I review books—I won’t take one on that I think is bad. What’s the point? I’d rather uplift good or promising poets.
You did the right thing! I think it’s important to stand up to your bullies. It may make him think twice next time, you never know~ and then we send him metta for his suffering 🙏
just now making the connection between "Meta" and "metta" - the former = suffering, the latter = the balm 😂
It really does say something about the commenter as well. I’ve recently had experience with people making cutting comments like this. My psychiatrist (who is sort of a historical artifact with a psychoanalytic, New York style and with whom I talk at length) made me laugh by his unexpectedly informal use of the word haters when I described my distress. He said “when you’re talented, hardworking, and willing to dedicate resources to something, you will acquire what I like to call ‘haters.’”
He discussed how much of this energy is projection - when our hard work and talent make others feel insecure or unloved, they claim we’re spoiled, shallow, or otherwise, and sometimes it’s such a clear projection the words they use often better describe THEM than us.
(Of course, life is complicated and there are role changes - I’m sure I’ve been a hater before, especially when I was younger - it’s not necessarily a static group of haters and us “good” people - but some people do stay stuck in a place of status-seeking and insecurity and perpetually do this to others.)
yeah, being on the receiving end of negative critique has definitely given me much more self awareness when my own strong judgements rise - usually it is a shadow of mine and not an objective truth.
(I have a pretty fun illustration of your psychoanalyst in my mind's eye)
Screw the haters. They exist only to wreak havoc and boost their own fragile egos because most of them have never had a creative thought in their lives. Speak to your fans instead. My own creative work has been both revered and vilified. After responding to my first hater, I quickly realized what they were all about and built an armor against them. Now I speak only to my fans, they’re the ones who matter in my tiny niche in the world.
Let me live by the side of the road is humanitarian greatness that shows how deeply immersed you are in the human condition.
yes, thanks for the reminder! It's funny how one negative comment can drown out a hundred positive ones. and ALSO not everyone needs to like my music - obviously - and, in fact, the smaller the niche the more connected we all feel.
Dear Lael
One thing I don't understand is the urge to publish what you don't like on the Internet. If I don't like a music video or an artist, I just don't listen or see it. Strangely this Jerk also has to say that he think you're hot. Is that to say, that if you look good, you shall make music or video that he likes?
We're used to getting valued from birth, continues in school and work. There's not much we can do about that, sadly.
Just remember, even though you don't make music that goes #1 on Billboard doesn't mean that it is worse than the €/&^ that does. And... there are some people who appreciate your music very much. Looking so much forward to your new album. 👌
Thank you, Finn : ]
Don’t let the bastards wear you down. I enjoy your work. That guy‘s obituary will one day read, “He was a great heckler,” and his funeral will be poorly attended.
haha