I believe that essay mistakes quantity for quality. I think most authors would prefer a small community that "gets" them than a larger one that doesn't.
I believe most artists care more about the message of their art than about its spread. And if you ask them to choose between "500 people that get it" and "50000 people who don't", the fact that the second number is bigger is not necessarily a better deal.
(Obviously there are considerations for "I need to pay rent", but that's a different issue)
I believe most artists care more about the message of their art than about its spread. And if you ask them to choose between "500 people that get it" and "50000 people who don't", the fact that the second number is bigger is not necessarily a better deal.
(Obviously there are considerations for "I need to pay rent", but that's a different issue)