Why the world needs art

There are two types of people in the world. Those who make it possible to live here and those who make it worth living here.

You can't have one without the other.

Why do you think it is that the most famous, the most idolised, the most widely revered people on earth are all entertainers? Scientists don’t have massive fan clubs. Even the cancer-curing ones. They don’t trend as often or get as many hits. They don’t get in the news every day.

But Miley Cyrus does. So do the Kardashians.

And while it’s hard to classify reality TV and certain publicity stunts as art, they do fall into the category of entertainment that is expressing something. So, technically, art is what they are. Even if only because they fulfill our basic emotional need to feel good about ourselves by watching others fail.

So why do we work all week, wearing ourselves out, to earn money in reliable jobs that don't necessarily make us happy, and then spend it all on movies, music, and some food and booze to wash it all down with?

Because we need art. We love art. Without music life would be unbearable. Without stories we would curl up and die. Because humans are defined by their stories. By their art. It's what separates us from the rest of the animals. We tell each other stories to make life worth living.

So why do we all think artists are lazy for not getting real jobs? Why is a ‘real job’ defined as something that is guaranteed to benefit the doer, that takes no risks in keeping them comfortable, when a ‘real job’ should be defined by how it benefits everyone else? Like a nurse. Or a charity worker. Or a philosopher. Or an artist.

Why do we get angry at them for chasing things that aren’t guaranteed? For trying when they might fail? Why would they strive to make something meaningful when they could just sit, safe and sound, in front of their TVs and criticize people for trying stuff that might not work?

All good questions.

I think it's because it's scary to hope and it's easy to despair. I think it’s because it's hard to risk failure and easy to guarantee mediocrity. I think it’s because it’s foolish to act on courage without knowing things will work out. Brave is only brave if you know everything will work out in the end. Apparently.

So we hate the people who have the balls to try. And its not like artists have exclusivity on this. Loads of people do jobs with no guarantees. But NO artist works with a guarantee. Not in the same way that an engineer might, or a gardener might, or a liquor store clerk might.

We resent artists in particular because deep down we know we need art as much as anything else. From the ladies gossiping about the latest celeb scandal, to the scientists turning up the Bach as they study the universe. And the reason we get angry at artists - call them deluded and lazy - is because we know they've chosen the harder option. The option that has all the work of 'real jobs' with much fewer guarantees. The option we couldn't so even if we did have every guarantee.

We recognise the need in ourselves to have stories and art and music. Because this is what connects us. It's what we work for. What we wait for. What gives us hope when hope seems foolish. When we need courage. This is what makes the world turn.

So if you think it’s not a real job to try to make things better. To make art and give hope and bring new ideas to the world, then maybe you should turn off your TV, stop listening to music and going to the movies – and see how you deal with your life then. See how long it takes before you lose your way, or your will. Because making art is just as hard as building a house or balancing accounts. And we need it like we need houses. Like we need medicine. Like we need air.

Because we all know deep down that there are two types of people in the world. And we need both kinds for the world to work.

Unless you think surviving is the same as living. Then you're on your own.