Everything is monetized nowadays, even people’s lives.
For the average Joe, any activity in which one partakes must have some sort of tangible goal to be considered worthwhile. This could be monetary profit, attracting the opposite sex, or bettering one’s self to some vain end.
If you haven’t noticed, pianos have been gradually going extinct in your typical household. The piano symbolizes playing just for the sake of playing and not expecting anything in return, apart from the inexplicably satisfying feedback from somewhere inside that is not associated with reptilian survival.
If you observe a dog, the majority of his time will be spent playing, not looking for food or trying to get other dogs to like him. Dogs don’t kill themselves or have nervous breakdowns.
Sometimes, I find myself at the piano and don’t even remember sitting down. The only one around to listen is Pablo, my dog. I will never be a professional, and don’t intend to play for others, but it brings joy. The whole world melts away. Every morning is Christmas morning because I can play the piano for an hour after breakfast. I’m not even that good.
“Pointless” activities such as playing the piano, reading a fiction book, going for a walk, or smoking a pipe have gradually declined in popularity and acceptance in today’s society due to the social pressure to infinitely produce like insects combined with slot-machine-like distractions, which are a product of the same social pressure to be efficient.
The vast majority of the ‘civilised’ world’s souls are enslaved. The bodies’ health and appearance always reflects to what extent.
The soul seeks authentic expression and experience, not money or notoriety.
True artists don’t paint for profit, and everyone is a true artist at heart.
