People say that artists should impact social change. They say that they have the power to change the world and "not just make it feel entertained" as someone so bluntly put it. Like entertainment was some sort of activity that was beneath them. Given their pretentious, elitist attitudes, I'm sure bringing joy to the masses probably IS beneath them in their minds. I put to you a question: If artists have the power to change the world, why is everybody still in the same boat they were in decades ago? If art is somehow "degraded" from what it once was, why are you shouting with the quietest voice of all? And for that matter, just who do you think you're going to influence with your art? Do you think your exquisite painting of Obama descending from heaven to cast the republicans into hell is really going to do anything? Do you think the UN Peacekeepers actually give a fuck about your artistic vision? Do you honestly think screen prints on T-shirts help at all?

Sorry, buddy. But you have to face the facts. In the end, people don't want to think about things that are unpleasant. They don't want to have the negative aspects of life pointed out. The only people you may end up convincing are the pretentious college students who just took their first political science class. People aren't going to suddenly care about Genocides and slave labor in developing countries just because you carved a statue of a soldier eating a baby's entrails. People aren't going to question the sacred nature of the american flag because you made it into a floor mat. That's not raising awareness. That's just stirring up shit. And take it from someone who pretty much lives on the internet: It's not difficult to get people temporarily riled up. But nobody wants to be angry forever. People will get bored, and people will eventually calm down and forget why they are protesting... or simply lose interest. Besides, regardless of how much protesting happens, life pretty much goes on the same as it always has. It's a cakewalk for some, and a nightmare for others. In the grand scheme of things, picketing around the White House with signs isn't gonna do much. YOUR ART WON'T CHANGE THE WORLD. THE WORLD WILL CHANGE WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT.

Instead of going on and on about how horrible the rest of the world is, why not do something to make it better? I can't speak for foreign nations or third world countries. But one thing I can do is add a bit of humor and fun to a person's day with my art and cartoons. For some people, who have no social lives to speak of, that's the only ray of sunshine in their lives. And if you can't enjoy a good movie, book, or painting for what it is, if you can't look at anything without trying to consider a hidden meaning, then what kind of life do you have?

Don't be an artist because you want to change the world. Don't be an artist because you want to be remembered. Don't be an artist because you want to make money at it.

Be an artist because you ENJOY IT. When your hobby becomes your job, what happens is just that: Your hobby is now a job. And it won't be long before it becomes a chore.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go draw some large-breasted women and fap until I can't feel my arm.