How 'Bout Me?

As you may or may not know, in college I studied the fine arts. I took a core art history class wherein the professor requested the raise of hands of everyone that was an artist.

We all sort of glanced around, knowing we were all in the same major, and hands slowly started darting up around the room. He thanked us for our half-hearted participation and the asked a follow-up question. "How many of you have a favorite print up - one from your favorite artist, in your apartment?" This time, slightly more hands went up - and most of the room was represented. He gazed around the room and his smile turned downward. What followed is something that while initially rubbed me the wrong way - has stuck with me ever since.

"Look around the room. You're surrounded by talented artists. Why are you putting PRINTS up on the walls of your home. Support art - buy it - trade it - share it. You shouldn't' have art on your walls unless it's original."

I rolled my eyes, of course. For years I'd admired the Salvador Dali print shown above, as it hung in my room - among other favorites of well-recognized paintings. It even has a catchy name that just rolls off your tongue: Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea which at Twenty Meters becomes a Portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Say that 10 times. I left the class and didn't think much of it.

Days passed and I found this professor's words sticking in my brain and I was annoyed with my realization that he really was right.

I'll spare you the boring details. I changed my ways, and to this day avoid putting prints (unless they're lithographs or typography) on my wall.

Why tell you all this? I guess I shouldn't assume you're even still reading....

I was watching the most random documentary on PBS the other night. It was interview style, but flashed between commentary from famous people that were answering random questions.

I couldn't even piece together what it was all about, but got sucked in right about the time that some comedian was going on about Social Media. I don't recall all the details of what he said, but his whole point was that social media isn't really all that social at all - but more than anything it's just an elaborate way to indulge each of our own narcissistic sides.

I rolled my eyes, of course. Social media was my (total and absolute life-overtaking) career for some time, and it's a topic I tend to think I have some expertise in.

I'll be honest - this guy's social media blabber has stuck with me all week.

Don't get me started - there are obvious benefits of social media - the list goes on and on and on - but why should I assume that anyone cares that I died my hair brown? (I did by the way - I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it.)

How presumptuous of me.

Now this guy has gotten into my head.

The moral of the story for me is simple - I can't always assume I have one single stance on something.