I don’t actually disagree with you in general. However, I do disagree with you in one respect: we live in a society that strangely enough has valued and made room for and “bigged-up” Frick and Frack far longer than it has Max, Antonius and Cleophas. We have far more room for the mediocre and the frankly awful in our lives, our wallets, our homes, because (I’ll argue in a little while) we have been taught (not in so many words, but almost in so many) that if you’re too good you’re not Bahamian.

I also don’t actually subscribe to the idea of a “limited market” in this day and age. It’s a nineteenth/twentieth century understanding of economics that has lost ground in the internet generation. But more on that very soon. Very shortly.

On another note — not sure why your comment went into the moderation queue — you have commented before. Oh well. Nothing’s perfect.

Thanks again for stopping by.

Of course some environments are less hospitable than others. In these cases one must labour harder, longer, more consistently and be more creative in finding ways to prevail. Eventually, even some of the toughest critics will capitulate and admit you are good.

First though, you must actually be good.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Bahamians who are sufficiently informed will readily tell you that Cleophas, Ronnie, Alia, Jackson, Antonius, Max, etc. are not just good, they are very good. This is however, entirely separate from whether one actually likes their work. But that is a whole other topic.

I imagine that all those listed would appreciate more respect, but they do have some. And whatever amount that is, they have worked hard to earn it.

The Bahamas is the type of less hospitable environment noted earlier, but how likely is A Day of Absence to help the aforementioned. They are supported because people care about art/culture/entertainment, recognize they are quality practitioners and like their work enough to pay for it. Will A Day of Absence significantly stimulate this dynamic? Maybe, but I’m doubtful.

The sense I’m getting is that A Day of Absence effectively throws everyone in the same boat—the good, the bad and the ugly—and says “we” need to respect and support them more.

The thought is nice, but the result may not be.

Having Cleophas and Antonius in the same boat as Frick and Frack will likely boost the profiles and market value of the latter two. Unfortunately this has the unintended consequence of softening the demand for work by Antonius and Cleophas. How? In a limited market there are only so many dollars to go around. If a significant part of the market now accepts that Frick, Frack, and their ilk are worthy of being paid, this leaves less dollars available for Cleophas, Antonius and similarly skilled folk.

This is not only counter to the intentions of A Day of Absence—it’s dangerous!