Artist's Manifesto

This Manifesto does not seek to answer or solve the problems presented here. Instead, this Manifesto is a set of rules and guidelines any Artist can stand by and point to if they so choose.

1. Art is a sacred thing. The act of Creation is powerful, and Artists must use their power wisely.
2. The digital age saw Artists move their tools to software. This does not mean the Machine does the work for them. A canvas does not paint for them. A sketchbook does not sketch for them. The Machine is simply another tool.
3. Any art made by peoples living or dead is art. Once the brush is passed to the Machine, it no longer holds meaning. The Machine is merely guessing. The Artist puts thought and effort into their work.
4. Any persons who have dedicated themselves to the act of Creation are Artists. Even if they've only done it for five minutes.
5. Any persons who have prompted the Machine are users. They do not have the powers of an Artist, and they, and the Machine, do not engage in the act of Creation.
6. Artists have every right to protect their work. Shielding their work from theft is not "abuse". It is common sense.
7. Artists have every right to be compensated for their work. The act of Creation is work just as laying bricks or cooking food is work.
8. Artists should be free to share, discuss, make derivatives and parodies of, other Artists' work. Digital copyright laws do not accurately reflect the current digital landscape, and unfairly impact artists of all kinds.
9. Art is necessary. Without art, there would be no entertainment, no graffiti, no doodles in the margins of your notes. Art keeps us sane.
10. If no one else is going to stand up for Artists, they are going to stand up for themselves. Their art will be unusable in datasets. Their art will be signed, watermarked, or otherwise protected. They will support their fellow artists.