I've become a bit dejected in recent years. We all spend our time promoting ourselves, or even worse, tearing others down. I'm afraid the "perception is reality" school of thought is running strong. It seems we invest more now in what someone says rather than what we actually experience. We have a situation here where we find comfort in the familiar and don't have time or room for new ideas. All of my heroes were those that created something different. Something that becomes part of the popular culture even though it's not familiar to begin with.....and it's rarely been materialistically rewarding for my heroes. It seems it's worse now than ever. This last Presidential election I'd like to believe most of us didn't subscribe to fear politics, misinformation or status quo. Honestly, I think we had to be a little desperate to shake us out of complacency. I can only hope open mindedness finds it's way to the arts, where I spend most of my time.