Art and Culture # 117: Streaming as a “Hard Job” is not Art

If Descartes once said, “Cogito, Ergo Sum” or “I think therefore I am”^[1] streamers don’t have to think too hard, as their existence is defined by a computer screen, not philosophical thought, or room for doubt. You can see a streamer or game player in the bottom right corner. As they themselves exist, streaming games or talking about politics, is one of the most dumbest “I’m going to India for a year and backpack through the countryside” argument that anyone can attempt in 2024. The contempt one feels when the enemy of the people, meaning online social slacktivists, who think sitting in front of a computer all day, is art or hard work, is why I don’t find much currency in social media activism. But to be clear, streaming and social media streaming content makers, for the sake of this article, is not an art form. And whether streamers preaching about “soul sucking” days against 9-5 jobs, doesn’t create a debate. Depending on the streamer and how they approach their work, in positive or negative fashion, Hasan Piker, Ben Krafta, or Rhyno Lion, creates the discussion of whether or not there is artistic merit in streaming “content.”

           

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            Hassan Piker, a social media activist, who continually streams online, preaches “the rich must pay” at a celebrity gala, takes the prize as the worst person of the decade. His understanding of “streaming all day” is worst than “9-5” job makes me remember why I dislike social media/youtubers on a whole. Part of me agrees with Hasan Piker, even though he has no idea what a job is. It takes a great artist and lonely person to make a piece of art. Streaming all day, commenting online in real time, doesn’t mean you are a great artist. It’s a parasitic lifestyle that takes no craft, diligence, or professional aptitude, to do. And streamers like Hassan Piker, are not artists.

            A list of hack commentators as goes are Cenk Uyger, Asmongold, The Act Man, and any other social media commentator, is not an artist. Real art is learning that not everyone is a winner. It’s realizing that being okay with being average or even unknown is okay. It’s okay to be known, but streaming, in its own way, is not a real job. People who do stream have to show up, sit down, and even play games that they don’t want to play. And they aren’t artists. Pretending to care about social issues from a computer doesn’t make them an artist. And art itself isn’t always based off commentary work, either. Hassan Piker isn’t Gay Talese or Norman Mailer.

            That would be a waste of time for me, as a player and reviewer. I would prefer to write, read, critique or even play games, that I would enjoy. Art itself doesn’t serve the basis of one communal profession, like streaming. Pottery, itself, is a lonely profession, and nobody has to know they exist. But they do. Twitch Streamer Rhyno Lion^[2], was once a streamer, creating pottery art, but it’s unclear whether or not he still is actively making pottery on Twitch. So whether it’s a steady job or a professional voyeurism, makes it clear, that hobbies are now profitable, if people will watch it. The scene from Patrick Swayze’s classic film “Ghosts” where his ex-wife is making pottery, watching her from the dead, helping her mold the clay, is so sexy, defiant, and private. Thusly, art allows us to see what a private moment can be. This was before the Internet, and somehow it’s so erotic and personal, because it was a private moment.

           

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            But in the age of the Internet, nobody has to be alone, but to choose a profession that requires loneliness, can help strengthen your art. Ben Krafta’s article “Artist Reviewing Art Career-Did I Waste My Life” provides a lengthy detailed article covering his life as a graphic designer tattoo artist but also detailing what it means to be an artist. From learning the craft, diversifying his skills, but also covering the lonely aspects of being an artist. “Working on my own all the time wasn’t easy. After years spent working as a web and graphic designer, I branched out to become a part-time tattoo artist. Not only did this help give my eyes a break from an entire day of staring at a screen and dealing with constant eye-strain, but I was able to get some social time with my customers face-to-face. It was a great opportunity for me to combine my love of art with my desire to help others. I was always amazed by the transformations that people underwent when they got a tattoo and I loved being a part of that process.”^[3] This doesn’t apply to the argument, but creates a real world perspective most streamers don’t get to do. Most streamers can’t even talk about a process that most artists have.

Playing games online, or covering political/socio economics online doesn’t mean you are actually better than anyone. It might mean you are good at it, and seeing millions of players throw their controller after losing repeatedly to Nightmare difficulty on Doom Eternal sparks that curiosity. And negative opinions on social media streaming apps doesn’t mean you are generating money or equates to real world currency. Does negativity really work when approaching streaming. Yes, and no, depending on the way one approaches it, but in the social media age, everything is currency. And seeing someone fail is the ultimate rush.

            So, whether or not you’re a streamer, bad actors like Hassan Piker and Rhyno Lion, can make profit off commentary or pottery, but either form, gives no real bearing/ultimatum on what levels of artistic merit are profitable. In an age where everything is currency, no one stands to win or lose, and privacy is now just a past time exhibition. Voyeurism, in the Internet age, is the art form, but whether you choose to show it, demands the greater question. Whether Art itself matters or not. And the streamer is the ultimate faker, not the best artist.  

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^[1] https://philosophybreak.com/articles/i-think-therefore-i-am-descartes-cogito-ergo-sum-explained/.

^[2] https://mixerstreammarvels.com/rhyno-lion/.

^[3] Ben Krafta. https://www.benkrefta.com/blog/artist-reviews-art-career-did-i-waste-my-life/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20biggest%20challenges,a%20traditional%20workplace%20can%20provide. Found 03.09.2024. Published 02.08.2023. www.benkrafta.com

-Louis Bruno is the author of more than 21 books, including, The Michael Project, The Michael Project: Book 2: The Lost Children of Eve, Thy Kingdom Come, The Disintegrating Bloodline Part 2: Chaos, The Data Chase, The Disintegrating Bloodline part 3: Solvè, The Disintegrating Bloodline (and the original text re-released in 2019), Apocalypse Soldier, The Data Chase, Selection: The First Book of the Life and Death Saga, and Blinking Eyes: The Second Book of the Life and Death Saga, Hierarchy of Dwindling Sheep, The City of Sand, The God of Curiosity, To the Moon and Back, The Villain Lives and The Villain Lives: The Divided Pinpoint, Come Home, Young One, City of Sand: Book 1: The Holy Terror, and The Voices Are Alive, and The City of Sand: Book 2: Jerusalem Ignited. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Phoenix. His books can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lulu. He can be found on Gab, https://gab.com/thereallouistbruno, Minds https://www.minds.com/lbruno8063/. Instagram @lbrruno8063 and @louisbrunoofficialbook. Twitter: https://twitter.com/LouisBr88881650. He has written for the Intellectual Conservative and Ephemere. His newest books, The City of Sand: Book 3: America the Free, is out now.