Last time, I talked to you about the most boring person I’ve ever met. So, who’s the most interesting person I’ve ever met? I can’t think of too many people. Except for a handful – and that’s being generous, there aren’t too many people I find terribly interesting. And when I say ‘interesting’, I’m not just talking about intellectual insights either. See, I’ve interviewed some folks a while back. Had some fun with it. But I’ve come to realise that most people aren’t passionate about much in their lives, so they don’t have a lot to tell you. Forty-five minutes of chitter-chatter and they’re done – you’ve practically received a print-out of their brains. Perhaps you could squeeze another ten minutes out of ’em, but that would be stretching it. What you’re really looking for, doing these interviews, is that human connection. You actually want to feel something. If you’re still inside your head an hour into the conversation, you know it’s going to be trash. But if what they’re saying is causing you to feel something, anything, now you’ve got something to work with.
Watching one of these Marvel movies today, I’ve realised something similar. It’s competently acted, the CGI is fine, and the list goes on. But what makes it so dreadfully average? It generates no feeling whatsoever. I’m unfazed. And if there’s anything in their entertainment people look for, it’s for something to faze them. A movie about a Peruvian bear creates more feeling than most of these high-budget vehicles starring Hollywood megastars. Ain’t that a kick in the head? I’ve also heard some comedian talk about how other comedians get suckered into feeling they’re better than they are, thinking that just because plenty of people come to their shows, that means that they’re good. ‘No,’ he says, ‘they’re just coming because they like you.’ Hey, that’s as good a reason as any, as far as I’m concerned. Let’s not kid ourselves, it’s half of the reason why we go back to our favourite comedians, musicians and writers.
In a way, isn’t it interesting how we’ve made an industry out of buying and selling emotions? Anyways, that’s some food for thought. Take care.
Kind regards
Vincent J. Dancet