Everywhere I turn, I see people I know making loud, public statements against AI. Most of it framed as a defense of artists. Of human labor. Of creativity. It would surprise no one to learn that this is a sentiment I largely agree with. But if you’re one of the people raging in the comments of a r
I’m fortunate that nearly all of my close friends own something I’ve made. But online? In comment sections? In all the loud posturing about the impending AI takeover?
I keep coming back to the same question:
When was the last time you bought something directly from an artist?
While I understand the sentiment I think focusing the buy to be directly from an artist is a bit weird.
Does me visiting the local theatre not count?
Does me buying a vinyl with music not count (none of my musician friends has the tools to make vinyls, that’s for sure)?
Does me buying an older oil painting from the local auction not count?
Does me buying a 4k UHD movie not count?
Do I not support an artist when I buy the poster they designed as a commission from the company that sold it? (Kirsten Tinds posters of edible plants and berries and so on sold through Koustrup & Co. are gorgeous: http://www.kirstentind.dk/Plakater_og_Kortmapper.html)
Does me lending a book from the library not count?
The article is too much about direct remuneration. It reeks of a failed business-person’s bitterness.
It’s not all about the money, and every artist should know that.
The article is just ragebait. And it’s 10 months old. It speaks poorly of OP that they felt the need to share it. There are much better ways of starting this discussion.
I also pay for products and services that spend a portion of the revenue on artists. Just about anything I buy at a physical store with packaging had to hire an artist to design that packaging. Anyone that produces advertisements had to hire artists to create them. Anyone with a website that comprising of more than stock photos would’ve had to hire an artist for the visuals. Paying for any of these indirectly puts money into the hands of artists. I want the money I spend to continue doing so.
It’s not just about artists though. At the end of the day, what I care about is that the money I spend goes towards improving the lives of as many people as possible.
If you actually care about supporting artists, most of those don’t count. If you only really care about having art you like, then all of those are great. Spending $5/month on patreon would be more impactful.
While I understand the sentiment I think focusing the buy to be directly from an artist is a bit weird.
Does me visiting the local theatre not count?
Does me buying a vinyl with music not count (none of my musician friends has the tools to make vinyls, that’s for sure)?
Does me buying an older oil painting from the local auction not count?
Does me buying a 4k UHD movie not count?
Do I not support an artist when I buy the poster they designed as a commission from the company that sold it? (Kirsten Tinds posters of edible plants and berries and so on sold through Koustrup & Co. are gorgeous: http://www.kirstentind.dk/Plakater_og_Kortmapper.html)
I’ll add to that:
Does me lending a book from the library not count?
The article is too much about direct remuneration. It reeks of a failed business-person’s bitterness.
It’s not all about the money, and every artist should know that.
The article is just ragebait. And it’s 10 months old. It speaks poorly of OP that they felt the need to share it. There are much better ways of starting this discussion.
I also pay for products and services that spend a portion of the revenue on artists. Just about anything I buy at a physical store with packaging had to hire an artist to design that packaging. Anyone that produces advertisements had to hire artists to create them. Anyone with a website that comprising of more than stock photos would’ve had to hire an artist for the visuals. Paying for any of these indirectly puts money into the hands of artists. I want the money I spend to continue doing so.
It’s not just about artists though. At the end of the day, what I care about is that the money I spend goes towards improving the lives of as many people as possible.
If you actually care about supporting artists, most of those don’t count. If you only really care about having art you like, then all of those are great. Spending $5/month on patreon would be more impactful.