I’ve been listening to a lot of Darby Hudson lately. His Instagram in particular (and his refreshingly brief podcast) has a lot to say about self-censorship, creating art, being creative and the current culture right now in general. He’s got a perspective I don’t encounter too often given my circles and geography.
Refreshing really is the word. He’s got a rambling , stream-of-consciousness style that I enjoy but also find enlightening. For me personally, its encouraging to hear from someone that doesn’t seem coached, produced or glamorized. Most interesting to me: how does he say all this shit and not seem to give a crap about what others think about it. Even saying that right here makes me think I’m revealing too much about myself.
There seems to be a tension between the mantra that one should “create out loud” but also the message that you’ve got to get it right the first time or you’ll never claw back your audience (if you ever had one). Of course, its all fear. One thing I’ve learned in my 48 years is that most action (or inaction) from most people is motivated from some form of fear. Certainly self-censorship comes from fear, that one is obvious. But even the most aggressive, narcissistic asshole is motivated primarily from fear: he or she just fears “being found out” more than being thought an asshole.
There is a lot of messaging out there about “just doing it” but of course that’s easier said that done. People take pills and attend therapy in order to “just do” something, in some cases activities that many of consider basic life functions. So given that that is true, consider the barriers between people and their art, whatever it may be.