So Because You Can’t Do Something, It’s not Valid?

I believe all vocations are valid, but I’m finding it difficult to parse a phenomenon I’ve noticed in recent years when it comes to vocations.

“I don’t understand something, therefore it’s bad or negative.”

For example, I personally don’t like or follow soccer, but good for the people that love soccer.

I think it is a waste of time to deconstruct the reasons why I’m not into soccer.

My understanding of soccer is that it takes a special set of skills, and I believe that’s amazing, but I personally don’t follow the sport.

But does that mean that people who play soccer aren’t happy doing what they love?

Of course not!

People who look down on others’ interests are the worst people.

Also, the people someone is critiquing as useless or a “waste of time” are usually more successful than the person critiquing what they find so offensive.

Think of the AI boom in recent years. I find generative AI (and I’m the first to admit I fell for AI art in the past) to be unworthy of the mantle of art. But that doesn’t mean AI can’t study bone diseases and help to find a cure for them.

All things in their proper place, and all things in the proper perspective.

Authors used to fear computers because they were used to typewriters.

But that doesn’t mean computers are immoral. AI is different in that it takes no real human input to create a soulless picture, so in that way the argument makes sense.

There are people who don’t think writing is an actual job and that it isn’t as hard as construction work.

Physically, sure, but try writing ten thousand words in one day and tell me that’s not work. It might be more draining than laying flooring for some people.

I’ve worked in maintenance roles before, and I understand the value of physical work. But these are apples, oranges, and unicorns. Not the same thing at all. That’s like me on a soapbox arguing why basket weaving is more intensive than playing a bass guitar. What is the comparison there?

Much flak comes to streamers these days, as an example. But if someone made money that doesn’t involve selling their soul to a company or sweating their ass off physically, doesn’t that just make them smarter than someone who wouldn’t think to try that?

Who is really winning there?

Plus, it is easy to criticize something when you don’t understand it, but have you ever tried to do what it is you’re criticizing? It might not be as easy as you think.

“I paint for seventeen hours a day. That’s not actual work.”

To which I say, “You don’t have to do that. Find something that makes the greatest impact for the least amount of suffering, and you’re golden.”

Not knocking the painter here, but if you can’t figure out how to do something, that doesn’t mean others can’t figure it out. Your limitations are often self-imposed restrictions. But they don’t apply to everyone.

I don’t look down on anyone’s profession, so don’t take me out of context.

But why wouldn’t you choose something that gets better results?

Just a quick thought to combat the misunderstandings out there.
Shalom and blessings to you. May what you put your hands to be blessed abundantly.