In Theory
You ever notice that the best things in the world are often short-lived? The Beatles, WKNR "Keener 13" in Dearborn/Detroit, Mozart, the Renaissance?
I have my own anecdotal theory on why this is:
You see, anything of high quality requires whoever's producing it to go all the way to create and maintain it.
But that such perfectionism is so taxing it leads to eventual exhaustion.
They use only the best materials, which, being more expensive, can tax one's finances to the point of depletion.
A perfect production takes a lot of planning, rehearsing, and editing and reediting---costing a lot of time, money and effort.
Presentation takes a lot of creativity, stamina, and analysis---also quite taxing as well.
What ends up happening is an eventual state of chronic "burnout", when maintaining first-rate quality becomes a bigger chore than the project itself is actually worth, or what one is getting in return for one's own efforts (and investments).
One of two things happen: either the project is suddenly discontinued
...or it does continue, but the quality gradually and incrementally diminishes.
You ever notice that the best things in the world are often short-lived? The Beatles, WKNR "Keener 13" in Dearborn/Detroit, Mozart, the Renaissance?
I have my own anecdotal theory on why this is:
You see, anything of high quality requires whoever's producing it to go all the way to create and maintain it.
But that such perfectionism is so taxing it leads to eventual exhaustion.
They use only the best materials, which, being more expensive, can tax one's finances to the point of depletion.
A perfect production takes a lot of planning, rehearsing, and editing and reediting---costing a lot of time, money and effort.
Presentation takes a lot of creativity, stamina, and analysis---also quite taxing as well.
What ends up happening is an eventual state of chronic "burnout", when maintaining first-rate quality becomes a bigger chore than the project itself is actually worth, or what one is getting in return for one's own efforts (and investments).
One of two things happen: either the project is suddenly discontinued
...or it does continue, but the quality gradually and incrementally diminishes.
The other way is to die in your prime, like James Dean, Buddy Holly and 2Pac.
ReplyDeleteOr, maybe, the notion that continuous motivation takes a lot of energy, stamina and a continuation of faith in oneself, and if any of those elements start to waver whatever one's invested in starts to fall apart or become substandard as well.
DeleteI think another good theory would be that every project, at its start, has a "mission" it wants to accomplish---an agenda all its own.
ReplyDeleteBut, in time, a lot of outside elements are allowed to eventually work their way into it, and, after numerous compromises and modifications, the project winds up so far removed from its original incarnation it seems to have "lost its way", no longer in touch with its original visions.
THAT'S when a lot of them either start falling apart, or continue in a substandard state---still hanging on to their namesake and image, but without the substance they once comprised during their heyday.
This notion hit me shortly after writing this post, so I though I'd go ahead and "tag in on" via a comment.