Introduction
How do you feel while watching this video? That's not a rhetorical question, I want you to really think about it. If you're sentimental like me, you probably feel touched by the beautiful illustration of humankind's capacity for artistic expression. It's most certainly a deeper, more meaningful experience than purchasing a snack or a pair of socks; taking in this video is not equivalent to dispassionate "consumption". Importantly, also, take note of the conclusion stating the intended message: "All creative work builds on what comes before." The three symbols below the credits indicate the video is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike (CC BY-SA), meaning anyone is free to copy, share, and adapt the video so long as credit is given and any derivative works are distributed under the same conditions. Even more thought-provoking, QuestionCopyright.org is a site with the tagline "when copying is outlawed, only outlaws will have culture." In my Proteus Project I will explore the language and attitudes surrounding so-called intellectual property and what it means for human creativity and freedom, so I think this is a good intellectual appetizer.
Furthermore, let me ask you this: have you ever encountered a work of fiction that felt like an almost spiritual experience? I personally have, with the stage musicals Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (particularly the Josh Groban finale "The Great Comet of 1812") and Hadestown. My father said when he was in college, he felt The Hitchhiker's Guide the Galaxy was spiritual. I have heard several people name Spirited Away, a film that takes a stand against consumerism in favor of spirituality, as such as an experience. When we experience these works so meaningfully, what does it mean to describe them as "content" and our experience as "consumption"?
Many people, especially Gen Z internet users, use phrases like "content creator" and "media consumption" without a second thought. It may seem trivial to analyze individual words, but the way society talks about art and the structures surrounding it (e.g., copyright law) can reinforce deeper attitudes that have serious ramifications. As someone who deeply values human creativity and art, and as someone who often questions corporate attitudes surrounding intellectual property, there is a lot I feel can and should be explored here.