The Futility of Utility

Author’s note: In 2016, Kanye West released his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo. The record was a mess. Tracks were disjointed. The production value on some tracks had soaring grandeur, while others were clearly unfinished. In response, West called the album a “living breathing changing creative expression.” He tweeted: 

I’ve often reflected back on this moment. To me, it was the biggest and loudest shift in what content is. The internet changes the materiality and meaning of creation. In previous eras of music, the record was literally that: a record. With the internet, the album is an updatable hyperlink. Four months after the album’s release, West added an additional track. In an interview with GQ in 2020, West was dismissive of the critics saying he should leave the album alone, telling the magazine, “Nothing is ever done.” 

This essay is my attempt to treat my work in the same way as West. What would happen if I constantly rewrote or re-examined my previous ideas? I published v1 of this essay a year ago and have been dissatisfied with it ever since. Today’s post is v2. Ima fix wolves.