Recently I watched a particular Youtube video. Ted Forbes talked about why you keep working on your projects and creations. It is called “Nobody Cares About Your Photography.” It stirred something that has always kept me thinking. He is one of my favourite content creators in this day and age. Also I recently finished Douglas Adams‘ “The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy” and his story in becoming an unexpectedly successful writer tells a lot about how something seemingly redundant can become relevant.

You see, the reason I write is simply because I enjoy it. You learn as you write, proofread, edit, research and routinely refine all those skills. When a hobby becomes rewarding enough you continue it. Sometimes you wonder and ask “who cares?” and doubt about your efforts enter your mind.

Thing is the answer to this question cuts on two sides like a double-edged blade. On the one side potentially nobody cares and your work and creations will be ignored. Sometimes this a matter of stupidity and sometimes preferences and lack of interests are big factors.

One the other side everybody cares because what you make speaks to many, fits certain preferences and attracts interest. In the arts and entertainment this happens all the time. From one-hit-wonders to big hit leads to successful careers, many cases in public history tell fascinating stories.

Between the two sides is the artist or creator doing what he or she loves to do. Sometimes a work requires a bit of effort and time to appreciate or even understand. Think of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon” and how Douglas Adams’ strange science fiction story at one point found an audience. Think of how Picasso broke with existing rules of art to create a new way of conveying his feelings. Look at “Guernica” and study it. (I am grateful I took art classes at school.)

In the gray matter of what we remember only the things with a significant meaning matter. It is watching the rain and then standing in the rain to feel the rain drops. In general you become wet, nothing more. Then one rain drop falls on your hand, you look at it and remember it.

Nobody cares about a rain drop until it hits them and someone looks at it…