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| Illustration by Stable Diffusion |
I'm not an art person. I do not know anything about the art world.
I'm just an ordinary person, but I know that art is often seen as an extension of the artist. It's like that the art is a window to their innermost thoughts and feelings.
It is also a reflection of the creator's experiences and their perception of the world.
But since artists are normal humans, of course they do both bad things and good things.
When they do bad things, what should we do? Should we cancel them?
The question becomes more complicated when the artist's actions are morally questionable or harmful to society. It becomes very difficult to look at a piece of work and not think about the person behind it.
However, it is arguably necessary to look beyond the creator and focus on the work itself.
One of the most prominent examples of separating the art from the artist is the director Roman Polanski.
Polanski was charged with the rape of a minor. Despite his reprehensible actions, his films continue to be celebrated and revered.
Some argue that the quality of his work should not be judged by his personal life, while others believe that his work should be boycotted entirely.
Similarly, in the music world, Michael Jackson's legacy has been tarnished by allegations of child sexual abuse. Fans of his music argue that his art should be appreciated for its cultural significance, while others believe that listening to his music is a way of supporting his actions.
Of course, separating the art from the artist is not an easy task.
We have to recognize that no one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. Separating the art from the artist is not just a way of appreciating art but also a way of recognizing the complexities of human beings.
Trying to cancel and avoid someone's great work because they are problematic sounds like religion to me. It's like purity culture, but secular.
I think this also applies to affiliate marketing and business in general.
One easy example is Elon Musk.
His actions and views have generated criticism from some quarters, but it is undeniable that his companies like SpaceX and Tesla have been successful due to the value they provide to customers.
There was a time when I was an ardent admirer of him. However, my perception of him has shifted over time, especially since he bought Twitter, and I find myself holding a more nuanced perspective.
While I may not feel as positively towards him as I once did, I still recognize the impressive accomplishments of the companies he has founded.
This is an example of how it is possible to separate the product from its creator and judge it based on its own merits.
As an affiliate marketer, sometimes when I wanted to promote a product that I thought was good, I saw the creator's views on Twitter, and I was discouraged.
But then I reminded myself that no one is perfect. All I can do is try my best to evaluate the products or services themselves. Then, it is up to the customer to decide whether to separate the product from its creator and judge it based on its own merits.