Reading Joss's blog post about the writers' strike was probably the most interesting assigned reading we've had in this class so far. Interesting to me because it was actually enjoyable and did not hurt my head in trying to keep up with the lingo or keep my eyes from blurring due to walls of text (sorry I had to be honest here). There was one term he used, "popinjays" which I did have to look up via my best friend Google, yet I know it wasn't a major item in the text. In case you're wondering, the term is used to describe "a vain or conceited person" per Merriam-Webster's online dictionary.
Regardless of learning a fun new word the article actually gave me great understanding as far as the idea that "art" isn't work. I'll admit, I have felt that those who are "artists" in the loose sense of the word are not really bogged down by the horrible idea of having to do "work" because their job is different than the typically business 9-5 corporate idea of one. Yet, this blog helped me understand that they do "work" in the essence that they too have to get out of bed and complete a task, whether it is writing for studios or painting in them. Sitting at home in bed all day watching television is not working, but when you are producing a product in some way, even if it is a funny script, you should be properly compensated for the demands and pressures of fulfilling that job requirement. The idea that the writers are there for story telling was a great point to make by Joss. Since the beginning of time, even before written text, storytelling is what allowed information to be passed down through generations and keep history within cultures and nations. Even the bible began as simple storytelling.
The author mentions how he is piggy-backing off of this blog and as it is a blog for other writers etc. he may be "preaching to the choir." Do you think he should have taken the extra effort even if he was "sick" to post this where more people besides those in the strike would have seen the information he presented? Or do you think the location of his blog was just fine to get his voice heard and his ideas out to the public?
I agree with you on this blog! I found it very interesting!! I think that if he wanted his information to help others understand, like he clearly helped us, he should have put his ideas more out in the public since they were well explained. His preaching the choir is good and all but I think it could have benefited more people if he put it more out in the public.
Natalie