For most of my career, I have been working on a novel in the hopes of one day living off the proceeds of my creative output. The idea came into my head at a very young age, just as I was beginning to enjoy reading novels independently rather than having them read to me and I understood just how much effort and sacrifice it takes to create something like it. Of course, it is incredibly hard to survive as a writer, and has been for the better part of civilization, even if it requires ample amounts of blood, sweat, tears, and a little piece of one’s soul to create the stories and art we tend to enjoy frivolously. The reason often amounts to one of a multitude of reasons: everyone can write, stories are unproductive, and they are fundamentally untrue, so what relevance do they actually have?
Admittedly, in my worst moments, I have considered how valuable writing can be if society fails to compensate it properly at different points in my career, because the economy is believed to be similar to a great computer. It processes immense amounts of information into a digestible format, so that someone can determine at a glance what might be valuable in the marketplace. In theory at least, this ensures that no effort is wasted, resources are allocated according to need, and all boats get lifted out of the worst aspects of poverty.
There are many issues one can take with this theory, but assuming that stories — and art more generally — have no purpose overlooks a critical piece of the economic puzzle, even within the theoretical framework. Culture and its artifacts offer an opportunity for people to gather and connect with others around shared experiences, which creates the kinds of networks that enable society’s functioning. They can facilitate the development of common ground and shared perspective which makes it possible for organizations of every stripe to operate effectively. Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities delves more deeply into this idea, but it’s something that one can see in the ways that teams bond over shared stories about current events, the latest television shows, or the narrative put forth by corporate. It helps build a sense of camaraderie among group members who share a frame a reference, which makes it far easier to work together when it’s necessary to meet a challenge of the modern world.
Art and culture may not be the clearest example of economic productivity because it doesn’t manufacture something that a person can eat, clothe themselves with, or do much that keeps the body’s survival mechanisms in motion. But it does build a sense of shared understanding and meaning, which can justify the actions needed to keep on living through whatever difficulties someone faces and help foster the connection and insight people need to develop new, innovative strategies for survival, even if that survival instinct is being applied to a desk job tied to a business’s larger success.
And if art and culture can help keep the great gears of the economy grinding forward, then what’s more productive than that?
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A Feel Good Place
Once an Inn, Now an Incredible Event Space
Valley Green Inn isn’t the easiest to find; nestled within the Wissahickon Park, you have to walk almost a half mile before you catch sight of it, depending on where you start, because it’s situated on an old path through the greenery that used to be a main thoroughfare. The building still maintains that feel, seemingly dropped out of the 18th century or a fantasy novel with its cobblestone walkway leading up to a stone porch seemingly prepared to welcome a weary travelers from their carriage. Walking through the doors maintains that appeal, with wood furnishings and molding that makes it easy to feel like you’re looking at a museum rather than a fully operating restaurant and event space.
My wife and I have had the opportunity to dine there and even hosted our wedding at the venue, making it meaningful to us personally, but if you do find yourself looking for an incredible night out, there’s a reason why Valley Green Inn might be the right place for some feel good vibes.
Something Read
LEGENDS AND LATTES BY TRAVIS BALDREE
Viv wants to retire from mercenary life. Having gone on plenty of adventures as a member of Rackam’s Ravens, she’s built up a nest egg that will allow her to do just what she’s dreamed of doing for some time: open a coffee shop.
For Casual Readers: The book will likely appeal to anyone who’s needed to pivot in their lives, whether professionally or personally. It also offers a feel-good, low-stakes adventure for readers interested in fantasy novels, but don’t want to delve into a thick fantasy novel that typically explores heavier topics.
For Writers: The book offers a great example of how to take something seemingly mundane and turn it into an adventure, which is a useful skill to have regardless of genre you’re writing in.
What Comes Next
Enjoyed this issue? Here’s what you can expect from the next newsletter:
A reflection on fathers, father figures, and the roles they play in our lives
A breakdown of how a pizza shop pivoted out of its closure.
A review of a book that deals in found family and love at an orphanage.
As always, while this project may be a space where I share some of the things I have been thinking of, I also want to make sure it delivers value for you. So if you have feedback on what you would like to see, let me know and your recommendation may make it into the next issue.
