It feels that it might become more and more futile to put things online. Not only do we feed the social media machines of big corporations when we do that. If it’s any “good”, it gets copied immediately. And AI bots will scoop it up in 0.001 seconds.

It’s instantly stolen, if you like.

But fine art, the kind that makes you think perhaps, the kind that perhaps captures a truth that is hard to put in words even, the kind that ultimately matters, I mean.. that’s a bit different.

It’s less commerically useful. (Unless you are a collector or art dealer..)

It’s not happening in the mainstream and therefore it’s of limited use to thieves, copycats and AI bots.

So, if we’re lucky, those who make that kind of art may keep on producing, even if the rest give up.

And therefore, the mainstream saves art because that’s where the money is made instead.

P.S.: I notice that the excessive use of social media has corrupted my thinking in implicitely assuming that it matters a lot, even when it doesn’t. It’s just entertainment. Counterpoint: Jesus Christ had just 12 followers, and look at the impact he has.

P.P.S.: The image is AI generated, but inspired by the art of Jeffrey Smart. Check out some of his works here.