Contenting Content

´Content.´

What a despicable word. I’d rather not even use it.

Depending on the pronunciation, you may be referring to either a state of mind or a noun. Both, though, horrible in their own but similar ways.

The former implies one’s description in relation to something else. As in, ¨I’m satisfied, comfortable, with my work.¨

When was a creative person ever satisfied with their work? You are satisfied when you have run out of ideas and you want to get it over with. When you are unable to continue creating.

Obviously there has to be a point when you have to print the last full stop, or emit the ending brush stroke. But these are not the closing curtains of a play, but simply the continuation of an act that jumps onto the next one. You start the next paragraph or bring out a new canvas.

The other pronunciation is for them to use, not for you. The other guys play with you and your work; they like to describe what you are doing. Stick an ‘executive tag’ on it. Define you. They want to categorize you in order to sell you. How are they going to refer about what you do otherwise? They don’t get you, and thus they use some generic term to package your work more ‘agreeably’ in order to ship it to as many people as possible.

Never be satisfied with your work. Never let others talk for you. Don’t be a package. Don’t make ´content.´