Never Stay the Same

Why is it that in modern society, to be ‘consistent’ is seen as good, and to be a ‘flip flopper’ is seen as such a negative trait?


We love the predictable

This is my theory:

People want you to be consistent, so you can be predictable. This is because unpredictable people are scary.


Why is contradicting yourself seen as so bad?

In modern society, to contradict yourself is seen as one of the worst ills.

Why?

Maybe it is because we are uncomfortable with change? We don’t like chaos and uncertainty. When things change too much and stir up the status quo; we somehow feel uncertain of ourselves, and scared.


What would a life look like if you never contradicted yourself, and always stayed the same?

Let us consider the life of an individual who never contradicted themselves, and always stayed the same. But from which age forth?

Let us assume that the age of an adult is 21 years old. Imagine: would it be good if your opinions as a 21 year old stayed consistent throughout your whole life until you died at age 120? Of course not!


Never stay the same as a photographer/visual-artist

As an artist, imagine if your aesthetic style stayed consistent until you died.

For example, imagine that Picasso never evolved into doing his cubist-styled paintings. He would have never made an impact!

Imagine if Richard Avedon only shot with a Rolleiflex his whole life, and never allowed himself to evolve to shoot large-format 8×10 portraits.

Always change.

My conclusion:

As artists, we must allow ourselves to evolve and change. To stay ‘consistent’ is undesirable.


Get lost in the eternal stream of becoming

"Piano Keys." Korea, 2009.

Furthermore, we must learn to see contradiction as a good thing. Because too often, we let the fear of contradiction hold us back from evolving and changing!

For example, of course my opinions on photography from 2010 until 2018 have changed!

Furthermore, there is no ultimate ‘truth’ in wisdom or knowledge. Thus, perhaps the most wise person must also be the most contradictory person?


Love the change and chaos!

Sparking Coins. Korea, 2009

Allow yourself to be random, chaotic, and messy. Don’t strive to stay the same.

"Elegance" Seoul Kore

Also perhaps, don’t strive for too much consistency in your photography. I still prefer that certain photography projects have a consistent aesthetic and look, but allow your aesthetic style to change, evolve, and grow over your lifetime.


Together in the rain

Never stay the same!
ERIC