Comments on: Ignore the Anti-Learning Brigade. http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/ Jon Jones is an Art Outsourcing Manager in the video game industry. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:02:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ryan http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-367737 Ryan Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:58:39 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-367737 The way I try to explain this to people is to make an analogy to sports. The talent vs hard work argument has many parallels there. I tell people that the best basketball players aren't the best just because they're the most talented. They're the best because they constantly learn, and constantly DO, in order to build muscle memory. They shoot thousands of baskets so that during a big game they no loner have to think about it and just throw the ball up. People don't consider art manual labor mu the same principles apply. When you draw something over and over again neural pathways are built in your brain that trigger your muscles to do very specific things, such that you see people drawing almost like automatons, never knowing the time it took to learn how to draw that way. Unfortunately for me, I can be really lazy, and I have to push myself every day to draw instead of writing on someone's blog! The way I try to explain this to people is to make an analogy to sports. The talent vs hard work argument has many parallels there.

I tell people that the best basketball players aren’t the best just because they’re the most talented. They’re the best because they constantly learn, and constantly DO, in order to build muscle memory. They shoot thousands of baskets so that during a big game they no loner have to think about it and just throw the ball up.

People don’t consider art manual labor mu the same principles apply. When you draw something over and over again neural pathways are built in your brain that trigger your muscles to do very specific things, such that you see people drawing almost like automatons, never knowing the time it took to learn how to draw that way.

Unfortunately for me, I can be really lazy, and I have to push myself every day to draw instead of writing on someone’s blog!

]]> By: Dawn http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-366983 Dawn Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:44:35 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-366983 What always makes me laugh is that these people seem to think people will listen to them. Generally artists have got to create art, that's why they're artists. I don't think anyone should give up just because someone says so. But at the same time, I do question someone's vocation and sticking power if one person can make them give it up. What always makes me laugh is that these people seem to think people will listen to them.

Generally artists have got to create art, that’s why they’re artists.

I don’t think anyone should give up just because someone says so. But at the same time, I do question someone’s vocation and sticking power if one person can make them give it up.

]]> By: Matthew Duhamel http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-351644 Matthew Duhamel Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:43:17 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-351644 Thanks for this Jon! My Fiance sent me this link and it has inspired me to keep trying. I've been busting my ass in my animation degree only to keep feeling like I am just behind the curb - when the attitude that I ear constantly is "unless someone says something about your work then you will never noticed" it is hard to go unnoticed all the time. I lived with a roomate these last few years who just had a gift - and not just art but everything - anything creative he could just make sing. I constantly felt like I wasn't good enough despite him never being all that arrogant about it. It is very good to be reminded that those who persist are those who succeed. Thanks for this Jon! My Fiance sent me this link and it has inspired me to keep trying. I’ve been busting my ass in my animation degree only to keep feeling like I am just behind the curb – when the attitude that I ear constantly is “unless someone says something about your work then you will never noticed” it is hard to go unnoticed all the time.

I lived with a roomate these last few years who just had a gift – and not just art but everything – anything creative he could just make sing. I constantly felt like I wasn’t good enough despite him never being all that arrogant about it. It is very good to be reminded that those who persist are those who succeed.

]]> By: Jon Jones http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-342896 Jon Jones Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:40:37 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-342896 Craig, right on. I've spent my life surrounded by people like that, and it's pretty poisonous. Craig, right on. I’ve spent my life surrounded by people like that, and it’s pretty poisonous.

]]> By: Craig Aoyama http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-341956 Craig Aoyama Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:18:06 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-341956 I think it's perfectly fine to know you are good at something but to say it just came to you in a divine bolt of lightning when you were born is retarded. I hear people tell me "only god can give you what you have" or "some people are just born with it i guess" and usually these are people I don't want conflict with so I just nod, but I really hate when they say it. It demeans everything I've worked for. They are saying I could've sat on my ass forever and just one day picked up a pencil and I could draw like I could now. (I'm not tooting my own horn, I'm just saying I can draw better than stick-figure folks). This is a much needed rant to be spread around. I think it’s perfectly fine to know you are good at something but to say it just came to you in a divine bolt of lightning when you were born is retarded.

I hear people tell me “only god can give you what you have” or “some people are just born with it i guess” and usually these are people I don’t want conflict with so I just nod, but I really hate when they say it. It demeans everything I’ve worked for. They are saying I could’ve sat on my ass forever and just one day picked up a pencil and I could draw like I could now. (I’m not tooting my own horn, I’m just saying I can draw better than stick-figure folks).

This is a much needed rant to be spread around.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-457 Anonymous Tue, 10 Oct 2006 12:19:08 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-457 Ateliers are gonna kick your ass.......Jason Manley supports them. Ateliers are gonna kick your ass…….Jason Manley supports them.

]]> By: jonjones http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-446 jonjones Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:10:51 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-446 I agree there, ConceptArt.org is fantastic and I've seen nothing but incredible work come out of Massive Black. I found my concept artist for Dungeon Runners on CA after weeks of searching, in fact. I agree there, ConceptArt.org is fantastic and I’ve seen nothing but incredible work come out of Massive Black. I found my concept artist for Dungeon Runners on CA after weeks of searching, in fact.

]]> By: Artist http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-431 Artist Tue, 03 Oct 2006 07:35:35 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-431 Art can totally be learned. I agree with the comment Jason Manley had previously about art schools not doing a great job nowadays. And BTW, Manley has done more for art and artists than just about any young artist alive right now. ConceptArt.org is a an amazing achievement and Massive Black needs no defending. Shauna "Tina" Peterson Laguna Beach, CA Art can totally be learned. I agree with the comment Jason Manley had previously about art schools not doing a great job nowadays. And BTW, Manley has done more for art and artists than just about any young artist alive right now. ConceptArt.org is a an amazing achievement and Massive Black needs no defending.

Shauna “Tina” Peterson
Laguna Beach, CA

]]> By: jonjones http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-320 jonjones Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:07:26 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-320 Thanks for the comments, guys! Sorry, been on a brief vacation. Chris, awesome! That's exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about. radioact1ve, well, I mean... yeah, online Donkey Kong game. There are some lines one simply does not cross. ;) GBGames, hey man! Good to hear from ya. :) I had only heard about the Thousander Club in passing, but that's an extremely cool idea. Had I some sort of specific project, I'd definitely join. I'm going to pass that one around to my friends! NoSeRider: You raise an interesting point, about not being certain if you can be humble in the game industry. I think you most definitely can... it's just easier to be extremely brash, bold and arrogant to make an impression than it is to be a total humble badass. At some point, yeah, you have to amplify the ego and make yourself heard, but I don't think it's necessarily a choice between EITHER talent OR superego. Or maybe the public forum for the superego isn't where the humble people ever need really aim to be... they just sit behind the scenes, cranking away and kicking ass without needing to be highly visible pompous assholes. :) JM, hahaha, you are correct. Ultimately all people want is to feel important. Most people are happy to get whatever basic validation they can get, and a few actually care about getting better and better and really want to push forward and improve. And thanks. :) Christopher, awesome! Thanks man, I really appreciate that. Is your rant online anywhere, by any chance? Would love to give it a read. Thanks for the comments, guys! Sorry, been on a brief vacation.

Chris, awesome! That’s exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about.

radioact1ve, well, I mean… yeah, online Donkey Kong game. There are some lines one simply does not cross. ;)

GBGames, hey man! Good to hear from ya. :) I had only heard about the Thousander Club in passing, but that’s an extremely cool idea. Had I some sort of specific project, I’d definitely join. I’m going to pass that one around to my friends!

NoSeRider: You raise an interesting point, about not being certain if you can be humble in the game industry. I think you most definitely can… it’s just easier to be extremely brash, bold and arrogant to make an impression than it is to be a total humble badass. At some point, yeah, you have to amplify the ego and make yourself heard, but I don’t think it’s necessarily a choice between EITHER talent OR superego. Or maybe the public forum for the superego isn’t where the humble people ever need really aim to be… they just sit behind the scenes, cranking away and kicking ass without needing to be highly visible pompous assholes. :)

JM, hahaha, you are correct. Ultimately all people want is to feel important. Most people are happy to get whatever basic validation they can get, and a few actually care about getting better and better and really want to push forward and improve. And thanks. :)

Christopher, awesome! Thanks man, I really appreciate that. Is your rant online anywhere, by any chance? Would love to give it a read.

]]> By: Christopher McArthur http://www.jonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Christopher McArthur Tue, 05 Sep 2006 18:22:37 +0000 http://www.thejonjones.com/2006/08/29/ignore-the-anti-learning-brigade/#comment-318 Lovely Rant. I wrote one almost exactly the same one day about Math. I wholeheartedly agree with you here. Lovely Rant. I wrote one almost exactly the same one day about Math. I wholeheartedly agree with you here.

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