There’s a filker I know named Phil Textor, who’s been trying for quite a while (maybe since Joe Ellis first moved away? maybe since Simon Fairbourn played bassoon at his wife Talis Kimberley’s concert?) to advocate playing filk music on classical instruments. Preferably as a group, with actual sheet music arrangements.
But he didn’t have much success, until this year. This year, he wrote arrangements, emailed everybody who’d ever admitted in his presence to playing band instruments as a kid, and actually managed to convince four like-minded folks to rehearse and play. They weren’t great, but they were good enough. As I watched, I could see the audience’s mental lightbulbs flicking on. It was obvious that the thing could be done, and reasonably well. So not only did Phil win his point and convince people to try for something bigger and better next year; he planted seeds in other people from other parts of the country, who now want to do something similar. (But better, of course! Everybody always thinks they can do it better, and that’s a good thing!)
I was reminded of this by a blog I ran across this morning. Somebody with some kind of foodie and dietetic interests recalls some good advice:
“We don’t need to try to convince people; we just have to seduce them with the food.“
This is one of the most significant passing comments I’ve heard in school so far. It’s really stuck with me. I made it the scrolling message on my computer screen saver at work. I find myself repeating it to myself silently…
I think seduction is always more convincing than argument. It’s about illuminating and unveiling something good and desirable instead of wielding carefully crafted arguments about the correctness of a course of action.
Could I give clients, friends, and family long, persuasive, informative lectures about why they should stop the 64-oz coke habit or add leafy green vegetables to their diets? You betcha! It’d be a damn good argument, too. But it wouldn’t work.
Here’s what works: Feed them. Shut up and feed them. This is the lesson I’m attempting to learn. Save the arguments (only use them if you’re asked for them) and bring them a plate of bulgur wheat and sauteed greens (all of it luscious, fresh, and flavorful)!
This seems to be an important principle of art and life. Arguments do have their place, but most of us are probably more likely to be convinced by showing us proof of concept or giving us a taste of what’s supposed to be so good. It’s not the artistic manifesto that wins support; it’s the art.
