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Topic: "The Asshole Phase"
Replies: 54 Pages: 4 Last Post: Aug 21, 2005 9:16 PM by: jaime longoria

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Replies: 54 Pages: 4 [ 1 2 3 4 \| Next ]

Jill Bernard

Posts: 293
From: Uptown Minneapolis
Registered: Feb 4, 2003

"The Asshole Phase"
Posted: Jan 18, 2005 9:36 PM

I want to get feedback on this to see if it's a universal phenomenon for artists...

I'm an improvisor, and I've noticed improvisors often go through a phase about two or three years in where they really think they've got this #@%^ down, and they know everything and everyone else is just stupid or old-fashioned or hack. These people often grow up to be the real innovators once they're done being jerks.

Does this happen in other disciplines? Do you know what I'm talking about?

jaime longoria

Posts: 1,161
Registered: Oct 7, 2002

Re: quot;The Asshole Phasequot;
Posted: Jan 21, 2005 8:40 AM

> I want to get feedback on this to see if it's a
> universal phenomenon for artists...
>
> I'm an improvisor, and I've noticed improvisors often
> go through a phase about two or three years in where
> they really think they've got this #@%^ down, and
> they know everything and everyone else is just stupid
> or old-fashioned or hack. These people often grow up
> to be the real innovators once they're done being
> jerks.
>
> Does this happen in other disciplines? Do you know
> what I'm talking about?

As a socio-political performance artist; the answer is si!

coyote infinity

Lauren DeSteno

Posts: 1,520
From: Minneapolis, MN
Registered: Oct 19, 2001

Re: The Asshole Phase
Posted: Jan 25, 2005 2:38 PM

Yes, I've noticed this in a lot of places. I don't think it's just one asshole phase, either - I think you have several different kinds as you move through different stages. I'm sure I'm guilty of it - we probably all are - and I have a half-baked theory for you:

It makes sense to me that the "hot shit" attitude cycle (or, as Professor Jill Bernard has so eloquently put it, "The Asshole Phase")

would be easier to fall into in any medium where there is a combination of two factors - a strong emphasis on performing at your best AND a very fast and regular feedback loop from a larger public that approves of your work. I think that combo f*cks very easily with most folks egos.

I see less of this from folks who persue "slower" arts - things where a finished product take a long time, and feedback is irregular and at longer intervals.

For example, I see news reporters/photographers go through a similar "Asshole Phase" where I don't notice it as much in my other fields of study (fine arts and cultural studies). Well, actually, the cultural studies folks *always think they're hot shit, but that's beacuse they are.

I think it takes mellowing out or getting into another uncomfortable situation with folks that are at different skill levels to get out of it.

Just my two cents.

By the way, Jill, nice to see you here again.

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: The Asshole Phase
Posted: Jan 26, 2005 9:28 PM

Assholes.mp3 (275.7 K)

...

Kathryn Browning

Posts: 414
Registered: Apr 22, 2005

Re: The Asshole Phase
Posted: May 25, 2005 1:36 PM

Yes, I know exactly of which you speak. You all have interesting observations. I work with lawyers, they only get worse. I grew up around know-it-alls only to learn how really full of sh!t some of them were as I grew older.

I'm not sure I've been through that phase having served as a humble servant most of my adult life (thinking...) so does that mean I'm going to go through it some time in the near future? Something to ponder...

Shawn Holster

Posts: 74
Registered: Nov 22, 2004

Re: quot;The Asshole Phasequot;
Posted: May 27, 2005 2:44 AM

As far as I can tell, as long as people are agreeing with you, you're brilliant; as soon as they disagree with you, you become an asshole. For everyone, artists to ditch diggers, artful ditch diggers, and ditch digging artists.

Kathryn Browning

Posts: 414
Registered: Apr 22, 2005

Re: quot;The Asshole Phasequot;
Posted: May 27, 2005 9:01 AM

Que sera sera...

Jill Bernard

Posts: 293
From: Uptown Minneapolis
Registered: Feb 4, 2003

Re: quot;The Asshole Phasequot;
Posted: May 27, 2005 1:59 PM

I know people I agree with who are assholes.

Jared Reise

Posts: 17
Registered: May 3, 2005

Re: quot;The Asshole Phasequot;
Posted: May 27, 2005 2:15 PM

There are plenty who I disagree with who ARE assholes...

Self-serving Assholes.

Sociopathic Assholes.

I stay away from assholes.

People who think I'm an asshole just whisper to each other "He's an asshole; nice guy, but an asshole".

Kathryn Browning

Posts: 414
Registered: Apr 22, 2005

Re: quot;The Asshole Phasequot;
Posted: May 27, 2005 2:57 PM

Now categorizing assholes...hmmmm

I know assholes who know they are assholes-does that make them a better asshole because at least they admit it?

Crap, I'm making stuff up again.

This job sucks out all my brain cells. I can only blame myself for putting up with the assholes at work.

Kathryn Browning

Posts: 414
Registered: Apr 22, 2005

Re: quot;The Asshole Phasequot;
Posted: May 27, 2005 3:02 PM

Wait, shouldn't it read as long as you agree with someone you are brilliant and when you disagree with someone, you become the asshole? When they like what you're doing or saying, you're brilliant-take another position, you're an idiot and an asshole. I tend to be labeled the idiot asshole/bitch a lot. Not so much the whispering, I get the dismissive look and then the abrupt change of subject.

Kathryn Browning

Posts: 414
Registered: Apr 22, 2005

Re: The Asshole Phase
Posted: May 27, 2005 3:03 PM

Interesting observation Lauren.

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: The Asshole Phase
Posted: May 27, 2005 3:46 PM

Me: Man, I can't belive i'm turning into such an asshole.

My Friend: You've allways been, you're just gaining more self-awareness.

James Michael Lawrence

Posts: 134
Registered: Jan 3, 2004

Re: The Asshole Phase
Posted: May 27, 2005 5:20 PM

edit

Shawn Holster

Posts: 74
Registered: Nov 22, 2004

Re: quot;The Asshole Phasequot;
Posted: May 29, 2005 3:32 PM

No matter who you are and what you do you're going to be labelled an asshole. Look at it as a sign that you're doing something right, i say. Otherwise you're just blending in and following the crowd. I think creatives need to wear a little lapel pin that looks like this * like the way all these "God and Country right or wrong" types are abusing liberty on their lapels.

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