Passion and Capitalism

Michael Palma was very down-to-earth and talked insightfully about the logistics of art. Our system values and rewards currency, for better or worse, and so if one wants to play the game of our system, they would try to make as much money as possible and achieve security. This is not, however, human nature, as we have an innate desire to seek meaning, and so unless you see ultimate meaning in $$$, there’s more to life than working for a living. Thus, a perspective of life is the balance between working for a living, and seeking whatever other meaning there is to you.
Michael is a great example of a person who did not compromise, and instead succeeded in achieving both simultaneously. A career in the arts is difficult and many people decide to go for a practical career and do art or whatever passion they have on the side, only to drop their passion due to life getting in the way. Michael showed how you can be practical about art if you are serious about it, and thus maybe this corporate society we live in isn’t so restrictive. Even more impressive is that he’s been able to do this twice, with theater and photography, accruing an income from both. While this path is not for everyone, or even the majority, it is definitely inspiring, even just the fact that he formed his own path at all.