So JimmyD (http://twitter.com/pgshooter) tweeted the following article From Polanski to “Big Love”: Hollywood’s Twisted View of Child Sex Abuse by Marci A. Hamilton. Some of the article I agreed with, some I didn’t. I read a few of her other things and again, some I agreed with and some I didn’t.
This post isn’t about any particular view that she and I share or differ on. It’s about her apparent non-desire to communicate with her readers. There is no comment system. I could not find an e-mail address anywhere on the site.
I, and many others, especially of my generation and younger, have come to expect the ability to interact with content creators. Be it a musician, photographer, writer, etc., the idea that you’re finished once you’ve created something is very much a last century idea. I know that sometimes in the blogs I follow the comments are more interesting and informative than the original work. I’m not saying that to be detrimental to the creators. The original work is generally outstanding, but the ability to question, appreciate and criticize, especially when paired with the different views, experience and knowledge from people all over the world, makes it better.
Creators that I can’t communicate with seem to be saying “This is what you should think (do, look at, listen to).” rather than “This is what I think (do, look at, listen to).” It’s the difference between a lecture of 300 students, and a discussion with the professor at his/her home. It’s the difference between radio and iTunes. It’s the difference between being passive and being active.
And I would much rather live in a world of active people, who are part of the conversation, than passive people who do exactly as they’re told.
