I think there’s significant merit in your conception of art as something people need to do, as opposed to art having the purpose of helping us. Or, rather, it’s a reflexive relationship, so depending on which side of the binary you start from…)

That which differentiates us from the other critters is that we create stuff we don’t need to live or get the materials of existence. Monkeys will use tools, but people do art, figure out how to make pate de fois gras, even how to get extra horsepower out of an engine by slowing down the speed of air inflow. From one philosophical point of view, the history of humanity is about arranging society such that the rulers have the leisure to both create and enjoy such things.

Yet, as you say, we are a social species and thus what we create is not particularly meaningful if we don’t share it with our fellows, and get feedback from them. this conception, I think, is the root of the concept of alienation in capitalist society. In a plain human sense, whether it’s the ashtray we make in kindergarten, the novel we write, or the meal we cook, how others value it is a big deal to the creator.

By the way, I’ve really enjoyed, on a number of levels, your novels. Most particularly, _To Reign in Hell._

If you’ll ping me (the website has a “contact me” tab), I’ll gladly send it on to you once it’s finished.

skzb: :D The “I GET IT!” moments are why I go back and re-read The Sun, The Moon, The Stars on a yearly basis. Every time, something new clicks. Every time, the “kick w/ the knee” thing reminds me to listen for other things clicking. Thank you for that, and for this.

Now that I’ve heard you talk I’ve rejigged my mental profile of you.

I was correct on the wit and smarts but I had it in my mind that you had an overall angry, pessimistic view of the world.

You could of knocked me over with a feather when you said you said you are generally happy in the way that humanity is going along (or words to that affect). And to a less extent what you define as “evil”.

And, you have a puppy!