Posted by mist on April 6, 2002, at 5:35:35
In reply to Dying Words, posted by Shar on April 5, 2002, at 23:53:55
Shar,
If you were referring to what I posted earlier my point isn't that artists swear more but that in general it's more important to the artistic personality type to express themselves authentically than, for example, to fit it, get the approval of the group or of authority, not make waves, etc. Even though these might be part of what the artist values too, in general self-expression would take a higher place in a hierarchy of values/needs than it would for others.There's a book called The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People that discusses the artistic personality type, mentions its percentage of the population (small—can't remember the exact number), and compares it to other types. For people with this personality type having to suppress their self expression can be extremely painful. It's not just a matter of wanting to "do their own thing" (although there's nothing wrong with that if it doesn't harm others) but that they have to say what they have to say in the way they have to say it or die inside. And I'm talking about things that come from the inner dictates of their gift, which includes the artist's way of looking at the world, not things like verbally abusing others. And there are of course artists who can be as truly rude as anyone else and having that personality type doesn't excuse it.
I don't believe, though, that just because something is considered rude in mainstream society means it's considered offensive by everyone. Nor does it mean the idea that it's rude is based on anything substantial—it could be just that some people don't like it. To me, for something to be truly offensive it has to put someone down—attack them—not just be a word they don't like to hear. When four-letter words are used to call people names they can be as rude as any other insult. But in other contexts, they can simply be used to express a feeling. -mist
> I read this bit of information, but I don't remember where. I suppose it could be an urban legend or something of that nature since I can't cite the source.
>
> Anyhow, some person or group took the time to find out the most commonly used last words recorded on black boxes when planes were going down, crashing. They were "oh, shit" and "oh, god."
>
> Obviously, four-letter words are very expressive for some people.
>
> And...the asterisks? It's like a convention or custom, not much more. Sort of like cleaning up language when kids are around, or one is using one's manners (ie, a formal occasion). I KNOW some people swear no matter where they are and will never stop, and that's fine, too.
>
> I have a tiny, little, itty bitty, teeny weeny, microscopic problem when swearing is related to having an artistic nature. It sounded just a tiny, little, itty bitty, teeny weeny, microscopically elitist, IMHO, of course. And that's fine, too. Nobody here has to write to please me. I guess we all write to please (or at least not catch the attention of) Dr. Bob.
>
> I suppose if I related swearing to anything in one's nature, it would be passion. Or being passionate about an issue in one way or another. And passion.....well, it can be seen in the general population, and not seen in some artists.
>
> I will confess that I have heard the 'artistic nature' explanation MANY times; too many times. Generally, the way me/myself/I have heard it used is to excuse in an individual something that would be rude if anybody else did it.
>
> Shar
poster:mist
thread:3683
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020308/msgs/3926.html