Influence of Megalomania in the Art Industry (Essay Sample)

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Influence of Megalomania in the art industry
What are the uses of doubt? What impact does doubting oneself has in a writing career? Do artists really accept that at one point they ever doubted themselves? At what lengths of denial and justification does doubting take writers and artists? I have never been in a creative writing workshop but having read this essay, felt like I had attended such a workshop repeatedly. I felt inspired by each author and writer mentioned in the book. The book is an oasis of knowledge and thought hence there are a wide range of topics, cultures and thoughts to pick and discuss. Having gone through it, I have acquired enough skills and inspiration hence I cannot doubt my ability to write a descriptive reflection of the deeply felt essay of Stacey D’Erasmo, "The uses of doubt.”
However, there is an intriguing issue on how megalomania affects artists as well as the quality and influence of their work (Withers 463). What exactly is megalomania? How does it or rather will it affect final art product or piece of writing. Megalomania, being the greed and obsession of domination over others or rather the delusion and boast over ones power and importance, is a major phenomenon among both digital and analog writers.
Art especially painting and writing are subject to change over time. Content written may depend on current and trending issues and hence the validity of such artwork entirely depends on time. The success of artwork entirely depends on struggle, advertisement through all means and aesthetics. This brings uncertainty in the art market as well as existence. Uncertainty and unpredictability of artistic work creates tension among artist. The main causes of this tension are due to the fact that the society doubts their work hence rendering the art market unpredictable. It is even harder to define the value of an artwork since the society does not entirely embrace art. This causes even the artist themselves to doubt themselves. The uncertainty may wash upcoming and weak artist away. However, since Artist work in a field of uncertainty, DErasmo argues that artist should implement aesthetic skills to come up with new art forms and ways of fighting the uncertainty that surrounds their career.
According to Stacey D’Erasmo, most writers are megalomaniacs regardless of whether they are fictional or non-fictional. When Muriel Sparks declares that she has never doubted herself, and adds that she has never faced any hardships during writing, it somehow sound relatively megalomaniac. Lachmann argued that the fact that she had not published her first novel until she was thirty-nine clearly shows that probably she had doubted her ability to write and deliver a desirable novel over the years (510). These remarks by Muriel Sparks are meant to display confidence and to please the audience. She feels uncomfortable and uneasy to declare that probably she delayed her publication all those years due to fear of uncertainty surrounding the writing business. However, when the audience hears the crystal cracking egocentric remarks of their greatly admired writer, they gain confidence, trust in the writer, and hence yearn to get and read their publication. Additionally, upon such remarks the writers tend to find his or her writing talent simple as well as gain confidence and believe in his work. Stacey D’Erasmo states these megalomaniac statements and self-praise are just myths, and lies of varied degrees. However, these lies are powerful as they trigger the confidence of both the audience and the writer.
John Cheever adds that ‘all writers are naturally egocentric; He further states that his dear friend Yevtushenko also has egocentrism. Stacey D’Erasmo describes John Cheever’s statement in a way that reveals that John Cheever has embraced egocentrism and further show that his friend as well appreciates it. This is a major proof that all egocentrism and megalomania a culture that writers have adopted over time. Writers and artists do not hesitate displaying it all over their work and speeches. It is easy to point out megalomania and egocentrism on an artwork or on a work product of a writer. Actually, according to Stacey D’Erasmo, This self-praise and ego is evident in, on, and all over the work of a given writer. However, this evidence and megalomania clauses can tell the real character and confidence of a writer. The uncertainty of a writer on his or her work and the context, in which the writer or artist explains his position over other, reveals to the audience that he or she doubts himself/herself. Sometime artists use descriptions that literally show that the writer or artist is not confidence enough and somehow doubts his ability. Several factor lead to desperation of writers and artist at large. However, according to Stacey D’Erasmo, these factors can only be well dealt with at an individual level.
However, megalomania of a writer does not necessarily have to be displayed or pointed out as egocentrism. Some writers are radiant and talented and their work and product rekindle the urge of the audience to keep following. Mahoney noted that the work of a writer who is passionate and a believer that his or her product work will land on a willing ear and influence the targeted audience is evident and attracting (321). These writers never lack words whether on a book, an article or even on a newspaper, one can always tell the kind of a writer behind a given work. Stacey D’Erasmo encourages writers to be self-believers and never doubt their prowess. She gives an example of Norman Mailer, who according to her, he has never lack words. She continues to state that though he is sometimes foolish, his articles and work products are radiant and his work prose flows chronologically hence keeping the audience following.
In the society today, Megalomania has been adopted and used as a culture or a way of covering up the fears and doubts of both upcoming and veteran writers and artists. Megalomania has been entirely been embraced by digital artist used as a swag. Though it is powerful and influences audience, Megalomania has been misused and used as a shield to cover uncertainty and vulnerability. Stacey D’Erasmo addresses upcoming artists and encourages them by positing that doubting begins to tug when it nears something fertile, fluid, and underground. Meaning that doubt when is examined and evaluated, it can lead to discovery of new aspects and dynamics of works. Doubt helps Stacey D’Erasmo to pursue self-knowledge and grow (Katunarić 214).
Through self-reexamination and evaluation, Stacey D’Erasmo was able to make necessary life change that lead to better transformation. In the same manner, artists should conquer their doubts and even though it is not limited to be a megalomaniac, they should let their work products define them. The quality and aest...