Do you think you have to be a decent person to write good literature, to take good photos, etc.? I mean, naturally, you won't do without some technical skills, the knowledge of the tradition, general experience, all kinds of sensibilities and whatnot, but something that comes after the technique, and i believe something definitely comes after it - can you create something really important, both aesthetically and ethically, if you are a jerk in your everyday life?
i have a suspicion you can't. something will always be missing. or maybe i'm just under the influence of my BA.
yesterday we saw a film that centered around the life of dylan thomas. it's claimed that the film is biographical. if that's true - man, was mr thomas a jerk. he's supposed to have written beautiful poetry, and, for instance, i personally liked that famous play of his, under the milkwood. but man, was he a jerk.