The highest calling

I think art is the highest calling you can follow in life.

I think the performing arts (dance, music, theatre) are the most noble of all the arts.

What do you think?

educating. definitely.

I have often thought art was the most self-absorbed calling in life.
Don't get me wrong, I like 'art' have attended lots of openings, go regularly to see live performance, dance and opera being favorites. Some of it is thought provoking, some beautiful, but it all seems self absorbed and pretentious eventually.

I like the people who plant, grow and harvest food.

Besides what the fuck does 'highest calling' and 'noble' mean.

Peristalsis is the highest calling I can think of. It really makes me pay attention.

It's not necessary to get nasty. I'm fucking making conversation.

art for art's sake is self-absorbed. now, if that art affects positive change in the world then, yes, it qualifies as a high calling.

as in flatulance?

Given the anti-authoritarian disposition of most around here, I think you should expect some flack when throwing around what you think is 'highest' and 'most noble'. People generally don't talk like this casually any more. They tend to take it literally and tend to take offense at the supposition that you are pronouncing a judgement that goes far beyond your mere personal preference. You aren't just saying you like it, you're implying some kind of objectivity or imperative - that others must agree.

That said, I think spending large amounts of time pointlessly pontificating on message boards is the super-uber-ultra-highest calling, and far more noble than the combined efforts of every saint, activist and religious leader who ever lived.

But I am saying I think it has objective truth.

That, I am not saying. I have a very low opinion of what I think I know (and what everyone else thinks they know, for that matter). I'm very much a skeptic.

But I still think performance art ownz joo.

it all depends on what you are good at. If everyone was an artist we'd be screwed. we need everybody. it's pretty dumb to say that. I understand that you think it is really important and i'm not "getting nasty" at all. I just totally disagree. Different people enjoy different things and have different "callings" (so to speak). some people have several different "callings".....etc....
btw- I do think that art is important in helping people explore themselves fully....but some people find that doing so in science or being in nature does the same thing...it all depends on the person

I think it's whatever you wanna do.

Even if it's putting babies on spikes.

It's the American dream.

I think the highest calling is one that actually helps the most amount of people, such as doctors and teachers.

Artist... some think art is frivilous. In some ways it is, for I would much rather have more doctors than artists. Hell, anyone can be an artist. But a good artist that can bring joy and inspiration to people... I'd say that's a high calling indeed.

If that's how people feel... maybe they should lighten up. Because believe it or not, there are higher callings than most and there are professions that are more noble and useful than others. And if they are offended by such statements, then it shows either insecurity... or a very thin skin.

Gotta love sarcasm...

I think anyone actively researching ways to continue our ability to live on this rapidly dying planet annihilates any perceived importance of a guy sitting in his basement in tears while hurling feces at holy icons. I mean artists.

Ooh, snap.

Well, that'a a schizo response. Is it objective or not?

Actually, I think we need a lot less "everybody"... like about 5 or 6 billion less. To me, the fact of ridiculous overpopulation and continuous, explosive birth rates is precisely the reason I am too cynical about the future of civilization to care much about helping people or trying to fix things. I guess the fact that most people I encounter seem to exhibit a depressing blend of stupidity, selfishness, and incivility doesn't help much either.

as in flatulance?

the highest calling? Professional Killer.
those dudes take life whenever it appeals to them, just like a god, except they do it for money, which is a lot smarter.

God does it for the chicks, therefore God wins

I'm an art student and I disagree. Sure there are lots of ways you can change the world for the better through art. I know I love what I do and I do volunteer work teaching kids. However, there are so many self-gratifying antisocial artists who never accomplish anything for themselves or anyone else.

I'm a huge supporter of the arts, but to call them the "highest calling" is going way to far.

That makes sense, cause God is a chick. Just like I do it for the hairless monkeys. So who's the winner now? Chicks or hairless monkeys, hmmmmmmMM?

I don't know about calling but you should strive for personal happyiness and to achieve quality in whatever it is that you end up doing.

That said art truly does make the world a better place so yeah, maybe.

Hairless monkeys because god is a fabrication.

I have spent the last 5 years in art college and university and i have to say that a lot of art is cack. I mean there was a guy who won the turner prize a couple of years ago for a crumpled up piece of paper of somrthing. Come on, that's rediculous and it undermines artists who actually do something. But i do appreciate good, talented art - Lichtenstein, Giger, worhol.

Nothing comes close to music for me though. I can appreciate a picture but a song can really affect me.

But isn't music art?