Radical Moderation

My Brother has often referred to himself as a Radical Moderate, although he's really a Libertarian in Republican clothing. But that is neither here nor there. What is of importance in this post is just how much I like the phrase Radical Moderate. There's a movement that has never happened in the history of man. Maybe it's time. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking anyone would follow that banner.

You can spin yarns of Utopian societies and the ultimate freedom of mankind but I'm pretty cynical about all of that. I do not believe that "freedom" is the natural state of man. Why do I think that? Because so few of us actually choose it. We think we want it, but when faced with actual freedom most of us choose the opposite. Because freedom offers great opportunities, but those opportunities often come at a price that most of us are unwilling to pay. The price is often fear and uncertainty. Most people would choose the evil they know over the joy they don't know. As a species we tend to cling to the predictable while only the most adventurous and self destructive among us dabble in the unknown. And even then, most of us take a guide who has been there before.

For example, how many of us stay in jobs that are unfulfilled, that control our choices and dictate our daily lives? Some of us stay to provide our lives with structure. Some of us stay because we enjoy the money. Some of us stay because the alternative is just too frightening. Will we be able to afford our homes? Will we be able to pay our bills? Will we be able to feed ourselves and our families? Some of us stay in relationships that demean us. Some of us sit idly by while others make decisions about our communities and our government. Some of us just accept things as they are because we cannot conceive of an alternative. We willingly choose servitude, because in servitude we get to spread out responsibility. We get to delegate ownership of problems to someone else. The natural state of man is to seek safety and true freedom is not safe.

This may sound completely depressing, but I find it quite liberating. I am not saying that freedom is unattainable therefore we must give in to the machine. In fact, I am advocating the opposite. I believe that, within form there is freedom. At least within a creative sense. We need to fully understand the rules and the structures before we can break them and change perception. That is how it has always been done. That is how great movements always WILL be done.

I believe in the power of art to transform. I believe in the power of art to communicate. But I also believe that, in a polarized society like the one we have today, so called political art is so divisive that it only ends up preaching to the choir. I once read an article about a director who advocated the idea that only showing one side of any issue (the liberal side) is okay because the poor, downtrodden liberals need an outlet through which they can lick their collective wounds. To that I say BULLSHIT.

No. No. No, no no no no and NO.

If you believe in something, I believe you need to struggle to challenge that belief. Art should be on the front lines of the struggle to challenge not just our audience but ourselves. See the other side. Dig into it. Understand it. Be a part of it. Empathize with it. Are you worried you'll be swayed? That you'll change your position? Well. Then maybe you should. Then you will learn. You will grow. That is important for you as an artist, as a human being and it is vital for your audience. I know it is hard, but you must forever try not to have the answers. Art should be about questions not agendas. Express yourself. Express your personal feelings and beliefs, but never stop challenging them. Never. Be uncertain. Walk proudly beneath a banner that proclaims "I JUST DON'T KNOW"! If you really want to change the world then you need to communicate effectively in a way that does not invalidate those who experience the world differently than you.

This does not mean you should not offend or shock anyone. It means that you should do so judiciously. There is no law of God or Man that states "Thou Shalt Not Be Offended"! But this should come from an honest and questioning position, not as a form of attack. Because, quite honestly, who the hell are you to tell people what to think? Just like, who the hell am I to advocate public questioning? No one. Clearly, I am no one.

Maybe it isn't moderation that I am seeking. Maybe I am looking for Radical Understanding. You may be searching for something else. Perhaps my viewpoint doesn't necessarily apply to you. But what if it does?

It never hurts to ask.