[kayodelycaon]

> The whole point of publishing an idea or art piece is to influence people.

As an author, I throughly disagree with this statement. Humans like to tell stories and entertain each other.

My primary goal for publishing my stories is for people to find them enjoyable. Some of my stories have a secondary goal of showing less common perspectives for the purpose of introducing people to ideas they may not have considered.

Any idea can influence someone, but does not mean all ideas are published to influence.

[saltcured]

I would agree with you if one takes "influence" to mean something ulterior like propaganda or social programming.

But I also can't help but think of art and literature as a bit like a radio transmission. It depends on your being in tune enough to influence the receivers, or no signal comes across at all.