It's probably quiet telling that i enjoy writing when i don't have to do it so the process of writing this 3000 word draft is like pulling teeth. While typing up some (seemingly relevant) lectures from last term i came across a talk by Karsten Schmidt where he talks about Anton's speech in Ratatouille. I haven't seen the film (yet) but this is good:
In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defence of the new. The world is often unkind to new talents, new creations. The new needs friends. Last night, I experienced something new; an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking, is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto, "Anyone can cook". But I realise — only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.
