Least Common Denominator: From those of greatest ability to those of greatest need.
June 15, 2006

         There was a day in the not too distant past when we strove for the brass ring.  John F. Kennedy asked us to shoot for the stars, and we did.  Ronald Reagan asked us to tear down our walls, and we did.  Franklin Roosevelt asked us to rein in our fear, and we did.
         Currently, it seems leaders and visionaries in our world are less inclined to ask others to stretch.  In fact the days of setting agendas have been supplanted by a feedback loop.  Leaders respond to focus groups.  Focus groups respond to how questions are framed.  Questions are framed by the budgets of those hiring focus groups.  Budgets are affected by the success of marketing.  Marketing affects focus groups.  What results is homogeneity.  A consensual cocoon.
         Artists are particularly susceptible to being forced to choose between feedback loops and riding point.  I have been influenced by a parable a comrade of mine from China shared with me.  It spoke of a bird flying around a pine tree.  Nothing brought the bird more joy than flying.  Beneath the tree strode a hunter with a bow who awaited the bird to light on a branch.  As the bird could not fly indefinitely without resting on a branch, the dilemma the bird faced was dignity or life? 
     By refusing to dumb down our work, artists give our society dignity.