Flâneurs in America

I think of French writers and Impressionist painters when I hear the word "flâneur." The word seems to be making a comeback—at least in my circles! Twice in the last week I ran into that word. In both cases, an individual proudly identifies himself as a flâneur.

Makes sense that the art of being a flâneur—strolling, observing and commenting on modern life—is appealing. We tweet our musings. We broadcast the status of where we are and what we think, like or dislike. We proudly share arty pix snapped & photoshopped on our iPhones.

Documentarians Vs. Editors

Lately, I've also seen tweets & posts lamenting too many documentarians, and not enough editors and curators. In other words, creative folks telling folks who have no taste, to stop putting out their crap, and to leave creating to the true creatives and tastemakers.

Those musings bother me. True, we have tons of random, not very well-written, "stupid ugly" stuff strewn all over the Internet. But I applaud any movement where folks are inspired to create more than consume. To explore and express their personal views, more than just read and echo others' views.

To make and create what we need, however awkward or ungainly, adds so much more meaning to our lives than just consuming what the "pros" and "experts" churn out for us to consume and believe. We have lived too long in a consumerist culture—materially, creatively and intellectually. I welcome the blossoming of a million creative impulses! Don't let critics and judgment stop us!

Yes, our collective first scribblings can be ugly and juvenile. Like a child's first drawings. But that's how we grow. At some point, we ask ourselves how we can be more thoughtful, express ourselves more eloquently, do something surprising.

Like reaching out to a 19th century French concept to find guidance.