Be right back.

AHA! The Little Mermaid (1998) with Ariel!

Jeff: It’s true from that point of view. I added that in to emphasis that something as unique as a painting is not you either. To bring out the emphasis on the decision to improve and paint. The painting itself is a vehicle for others to see this decision, a representation of your mind at the moment of painting. It served only as a message.

Whereas all the other points relate to material possessions (money, cars, house), a painting is an expression of yourself. Material possessions are how society defines us — which is to say, superficially — but art is how we define ourselves, deep from inside.

This is a very good question. See economics dictates that every single country has some sough of comparative advantage (at least in a two sector model) where no matter how effective you, Nation 1, are at producing something, the opportunity cost (that is – the chance to produce something else) is still there. So while you may be effective at producing one thing, you aren’t good at producing something else. Which is where Nation 2 steps in. They have the comparative advantage of producing a good which you, Nation 1, can’t. So to maximize production, we agree on terms to trade, and engage in specialization – resulting in economies of scale and leading to greater production.

Of course, that’s all theory and economics (read: cold capitalist heart, unable to beat and thaw).

Secondly, fulfilling. What do I mean? Well, lets say you’re really good at one thing. For example, you are a mermaid/merman and you’re a fantastic swimmer — what’s that Disney flick again? bah! Anyway, you swim very fast, but you can only achieve that. But because the human heart desires what the human heart cannot obtain (at least – in part), then as a mermaid/man, you’ll want to walk — what’s that duaaaarn Disney flick!?

Anyway, the point is, to fulfill human desires, we need a variety of experiences. Or else there is no point in achieving anything. To be human is to be fundamentally diverse. No two artists paints the same picture no matter how skilled they are. Just the same way that no two runners will run in the same path because the footprints they leave behind will always be different. Yes to be human is to be diverse. Or else we’re just programmed machines.

There have always been people with wonderful talents, and they have exploited that to their great advantage. They have become world renowned for their field of brilliance. But whatever happens, that flame will burn out. Sportsmen will want a break, skilled workers will want a vacation, actresses will want to quit (Keira Knightley!)

I was tempted to compare this to a computer game where everything is much more simplified. That players who specialize their characters often be regarded as powerful, strong, etc – but whether they enjoy mindlessly beating computer bytes for hours and hours is fulfilling. I ’spose for the sake of vainglory it is.

I’ve typed quite enough. Just some theory thoughts.