"Why Do We Need An Escape?" or "Why Do We... Art?"

[BloodyMage]

Whenever anyone asks this question I'm always reminded of an essay by George Orwell about why he writes wherein he commented that anyone who writes must be driven by some amount of pride and conviction that people need to hear what they're saying. I think in my writing I've always connected with that statement. I create because I think I have some worth putting down in words, whether that value is rooted in interest or importance varies, but I submit because I think others should experience my idea. Again, whether their experience is rooted in a desire to entertain or educate varies, but there's a certain amount of selfish confidence evident in putting something out there and suggesting people read it because what you're really saying is that 'I've written something good enough for you spare time and energy on.' Of course, personal opinion doesn't always agree with that statement but that seems like the underlying desire when you put something forward to be watched, read or viewed.

As for escapism, I'd say it really must depend on the occasion. If your home live is particularly crappy perhaps good family films and comedies might allow you to escape or distract you from your worries. Stress might also be alleviated by a drama or action film because you'd escape into people who have more difficult stress-inducing situations, or be distracted by the explosions and such. However, I don't think that we want to be entertained merely as a means to escape. I think we also aspire to the characters or to the world sometimes, not necessarily because our world is so bad but because theirs is so good. Sometimes it might actually just be as simple as wanting to hear what the creator has to say, or whether it is actually worth it. Escapism seems to be one of many factors in why we desire strongly to be entertained by others.