Cult-ure: Art and Influence in the NFT Space
Greetings Warriors!
In a world brimming with cutting-edge technology, blockchain advancements, NFTs, and the allure of novelty, I find it essential to pause and discuss other topics that occupy my mind. For those of you who have been following me for sometime may have noticed I tend to conduct various social experiments to get a general feel or consensus of how the community is doing. I absolutely love to engage with the community and do deep dive into topics that may be the current buzz in the NFT space whether it’s plagiarism, inspiration for art, AI technology or nudes being sent to collectors lol. I like to get into the nitty gritty of it all. Like a skilled surgeon I carefully dissect each organism piece by piece, revealing new layers, diving deeper to fully understand the anatomy at length.
However, today, warriors, I wish to turn our attention toward a topic that has been quietly simmering in the recesses of my mind—a topic that has evaded clear expression until now. To be entirely honest, I cannot guarantee that I will articulate my thoughts flawlessly at this very moment, but I do hope that our collective journey will lead us to a greater understanding. Brace yourselves, for we are about to embark on a thought-provoking exploration together, fully aware that some among us may diverge along the way. Nevertheless, with resolute determination, let us forge ahead.
Allow me to reiterate a fact I've mentioned before: my area of expertise lies in the realm of IT Support, specifically in supporting the trade life cycle after execution. Folks let me tell you this… there’s so much that can go wrong after a trade is executed, there are literally thousands of people working to make sure a trade gets executed, booked, and cleared properly. At every twist and turn, hurdles and pitfalls threaten to undermine the successful completion of a trade. Naturally, given the complexities of our world, problems are bound to arise;This is a fact of life. We live in a complex world, spilled milk will happen from time to time. Life = Problems. Problems are not always bad, they encourage growth through learning. A significant portion of my daily routine revolves around problem management—a realm where the first step is to identify the existence of a problem. Without awareness, one cannot hope to discern the root cause and ultimately rectify the issue. It is as straightforward as that—to fix a problem you must discover the problem.
And now, my fellow warriors, there is an issue looming on the horizon, one that I fear may have eluded the attention of many. This concern weighs heavily on my heart, particularly given the aspirations of web3 to transcend the limitations of web2. In the hustle and bustle of daily life I think we often get lost in the grind. We do what we must to make a name for ourselves, to be seen in the community, to make sales and earn hard cash money. I can’t blame you, money equals power, and power equals respect in this world.
In this grind mode we may exhibit cult like behavior and conduct ourselves in a manner we would not otherwise condone. Our inhibitions loosen, self-awareness wanes, and we readily make allowances and excuses for actions that, under normal circumstances, we would swiftly condemn. From the outside looking in, many may say I’m justified in the points I’m about to make in classifying it as cult-like.
Let’s start off with the technical definition of a cult:
- A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
- A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.
"a cult of personality surrounding the leaders"
Within the NFT space, we encounter a diverse array of individuals, creatives, artists, collectors, promoters, and influencers. I, for one, consciously strive to avoid being pigeonholed solely as a collector. I prefer the title of "community builder," as it encapsulates the broader scope of my aspirations. Nevertheless, I cannot deny the fact that I possess an extensive collection which by default puts me in the collector ring… woohoo yay me… NOT 🙃… anyway I digress from the main point. Artists often seek guidance from collectors on a myriad of topics, both within and outside the realm of NFTs. Discussions may range from artistic inspiration to questions of moral values and the very essence of life itself. Let us not ignore the proverbial pink elephant in the room: collectors collect art and invest substantial sums of money, inevitably granting them influence. Money, power, and respect—the trifecta that permeates our world. It’s all about the cream ya’ll.
The NFT ecosystem is an instant Kingmaker to an individual with a few coins to spend. This feeling is gratifying, intoxicating, and like ecstacy to most. Like ambrosia given to a mere mortal straight from the gods… you are elevated. With this new elevation you are granted notoriety and a growth in following. I hate to use this term, to the shepherd the sheep will follow.
Allow me to delve deeper into a topic that has been weighing heavily on my mind lately. It pertains to the dynamics of engagement between collectors and artists within this space and how it can lead to a symbiotic cult-like relationship with one entity feeding the other. Let us not forget, no collector should be deified, nor should any collector assume a position of absolute power. We collectors are mere mortals, subject to the same basic human needs of sustenance, rest, and breath as anyone else. While we may assume leadership roles, it is essential to recognize that we are far from infallible. Never should you believe that a collector is inherently flawless or superior to you in any way. No collector is god, no collector is king… myself included.
In the event that you find yourself in a situation where a collector's words, actions, or requests make you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, it is important to recognize that you possess the power to assert your autonomy. You have every right to refrain from obeying their words or complying with their demands. Remember, you are an individual and accountable for your own actions. No one has the authority to strip you of that inherent right. Stand firm, trust your instincts, and assert your boundaries when necessary.
Always remember: You are your own person, and no one can take that away from you.
I purposely started off criticizing myself and collectors alike in order to knock us down a bit and to remove us off the pedestal we have been placed on to express to you the artist that we are normal people with normal problems like the rest of the world.
Now, harsh words for my fellow artists. Money is king, I get that, it makes the world go round and you can’t survive long without it. This fact is woven into the fabrics of our society. With that being said we must never lose ourselves to the cult. Always maintain a high level of integrity for yourself and your art. No amount of money should compromise this.
Respect is earned not given. If you encounter a collector that disrespects you, that should be your signal to stop and disengage. Please do not undermine yourself and start shilling for a person that placed you under their heel. This is extremely sad, disappointing, and looks weak on your part. No level of reverence/love for a person should allow you to compromise yourself in this way. Sometimes we get lost in the cult and forget to check ourselves and the cringe behavior that may follow.
Your art is an expression of your unique vision and creativity. Embrace it fully and take ownership of it. While seeking advice from collectors on art choices, especially if the art is intended for a specific collector, can be valuable, it is crucial to never compromise your artistic style against your own wishes merely because a collector demands it. Such actions may yield short-term gains, but they will ultimately have a detrimental impact on your artistic psyche. Doubt and uncertainty will permeate your creative process, and you will develop a false reliance on the whims of collectors. I get it sometimes there are trends that are hot and you want to ride that train, don’t get lost in the cult and allow this to dictate your art completely.
I love art contests and have conducted a few myself. It’s always amazing to see all the artistic brilliance that emerges from these competitions. I believe contests should allow some level of freedom for the artist to remain true to their style. This may ruffle some feathers, Your art is your art and should not be signed or marked with a collectors personal controversy. By succumbing to such pressures, you risk becoming a mere pawn or puppet for someone else's agenda. It is important to consider the consequences of marking your art with personal conflicts that are unrelated to your own journey. Doing so may deter certain collectors from engaging with your work, as it signals a potential impressionability on your part. Your art belongs to you, don't follow the cult and rifle it with controversy of others or something that has nothing to do with you.
When you immerse yourself in the world of art, let your focus remain solely on the art itself. It is crucial to be aware of certain tactics employed by cult leaders, who often manipulate situations to sow division and discord among their followers. They intentionally generate controversies and exploit them to create rifts within the community. They may even manipulate their devoted followers to carry out their dubious agendas, spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt. If a collector ever asks you to engage in spying or to act against another artist, it becomes difficult to associate such actions with a genuine appreciation for art. In these moments, we can find ourselves lost in the crowd, compelled to commit actions that go against our true nature or influenced by an individual to an extent that we disregard our own judgment. Don’t get lost in the cult, be your own person.
Those are my points warriors, with great dismay I have seen acts of great bedlam in the recent months and further decay. I love this space and simply want to point out what I have seen. In conclusion, my brave warriors, I urge you to embrace self-awareness and self-reflection as guiding beacons on this remarkable journey. I’m not asking to act, but to simply self reflect before taking any action and to ask the question “Am I part of the cult?”.
What do I know? At the end of the day I’m just some guy on the internet. It’s your life, do with it as you please.
If you have any questions or like the content don’t be a stranger, leave a comment below.
