There have been a combination of various life events that have made me wonder about something for a long time, would I be doing more for comics as an art form as a fan or as a creator? Someone once pointed out to me  that so many people that enjoy small press comics are creators themselves and the scene feels self-congratulatory because of it. This really bothered me, it's nice that so many talented people get recognition from their peers but it's disappointing that that's the only place they get recognition from. To paraphrase this guy's basic point people who are not musicians appreciate music, people who are not film-makers appreciate film, people who are not writers appreciate novels, but mini comics are rarely read by people that are not comics artists.
The effect that creators can have on their chosen art form is well-known. Anyone who's ever had their mind blown by piece of art can attest to this. Fans have a very valid and very important place in any artistic medium though. Fans support creators, not just financially but that's a part of it too, and encourage creators to keep creating. Anyway, this is my latest creative identity crisis