A parable.

A photographer, an oil painter, and a cave man who drew with charcoal on his cave walls, all lived near one another, and would oftentimes come to meet and discuss their respective arts.

The oil painter would show his work and say "I can do this, and I have these skills, and it lets me produce images thus."

The photographer would say to the painter "You do excellent work, my friend. It is very nice indeed. Few have your discipline and skill."

Then, the photographer would show his work and say "I can do this, and I have these skills, and it lets me produce images thus."

To which, the caveman would reply, "OoohWOW! You do good job! Me like! Not many do good stuffs like you!"

The oil painter would then ask the cave man, "Friend, what have you done lately? Shall we venture to your cave to see?" And it was readily decided and agreed that they should.

"See, I draw Grugh kill dinosaur," explains the caveman. "Note detail and texture in dino scales! Oh, wait, that just lumpy wall."

The photographer and the oil painter, nonetheless, were impressed and respectful of the caveman's drawings. Said they, of one accord, "Grugh, you do wonderful drawings! Few have your discipline and skill."

One day, a newcomer came to the artists' meeting, and said, "I bring you my hand-colored photograph. I have developed my skills to this point."

The artists replied "Welcome, friend, you have done well. Seek always to improve. Let us lend you our knowledge, and we will do what we can to help you excel." Even Grugh, the cave man, was able to lend insight and wisdom. After all, some papers are textured, and present challenges similar to lumpy cave walls.

The newcomer took the wisdom of his teachers, and went out, and excelled. The world was better for the beauty of his work.

Another newcomer came to the artists' meeting, and showed his work. "I have done this, is it not wonderful? Am I not the greatest artist who ever lived? Look! and marvel!"

The three artists looked, and said "Welcome, friend, you have done well. Seek always to improve. Let us le--"

"What?!" cried the newcomer. "Improve? What do you think you can possibly teach me?! I am Fabulous! You are SOOO Snobs! Purists! Lame-o's!" And then he departed, but weekly came back to revile the artists who sought only to help him.

The oil painter remarked: "How sad. He has many tools... if only he would listen to us, then he might learn, and his work could exceed all which was done before, even as our other student's has."

The photographer agreed: "Yes, if he would but listen. But, alas, we should not waste our breath, for he cannot be convinced."

Even Grugh, the caveman, was disgusted with this newcomer's behavior. "Like tick in my armpit!" he cried. "He come back, Grugh bash him with club!"

One day, Grugh did indeed become enraged, and bashing-with-club ensued. Sadly, the artists were quick to find, new technologies in manufacturing of the newcomer's medium had made it plentiful, and many who shared his attitude were taking up the "art." Weekly, more and more of them were visiting the artists' meetings. No amount of gentle suggestion could sway their attitudes, nor could any amount of bashing-with-club keep them at bay.

The artists grew weary, and the newcomers overtook them, flooding the world with mediocre works, obscuring the value of the true art, and keeping the knowledge and wisdom of experienced artists from those who, like the first student, were willing to learn.


Taken from a random website a friend liked me to during a rant of mine.