Artists, Intelligence, and Controversy

There will always be difference of opinion
There will always be contradiction
There will always be war

What one should ask them self is
Is this war worth fighting?
What am I defending?
Am I working for or against what I believe in?

War will always bring pain and casualty.

A certain respect is due those who question our intelligence or belief
It offers us a chance to show we are open-minded, to check our ego, to offer our minds a challenge,
and give us the opportunity to grow intellectually.

No one person has all the answers, and if one does, we will never know.
We would deny that one person the respect and credit they would deserve.
We prove this in our daily affairs, and as open-minded as any one individual may be, at times all doors close.

Some people have a naturally combative disposition towards one another.
This is based on the same principal of attraction and similar emotions.
The truly intelligent learn to recognize this, and attempt to maintain the strength to keep things in a perspective light.

Everyone has an ego and with it comes the desire to defend it, it is part of what gives our inner strength, and times what makes us weak.

What I ask, is it definable as intelligence or truth, when one puts themselves in an elitist position where they have let
their ego get the better of them through what could be maintained as civil debate. Where they are no longer open-minded
and have become opinionated to the point where they feel they or what the belive is redoubtable?

Art is an indefinable pattern of word, color, emotion, and perception. It is not the how or why that art is designed it is that
it was designed at all. If ever the quote "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" it is in reference to art or anything perceivable as art. It also gives presence to the fact the the meaning of art is to each an individual experience. 
If I am wrong in this, and art is actually intended to impose specific opinions that should go unquestioned and hold only absolute
truth with no room for interpretation and personal meaning, then I do not want to be called an artist, and have no room in my life for it.

In closing I must state I would be remiss to separate myself from these statements for I am flawed and at times prone to such behavior at times.
Hopefully in those times I will recognize and correct, or give due respect to those who point this out to me.

Zyrnuvex

Elitism
The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by
virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
a. The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
b. Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.
consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group.

Debate
a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints
a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
to engage in argument or discussion
to deliberate; consider
to deliberate upon; consider
Open-minded
having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments.
unprejudiced; unbigoted; impartial.

Ego
the "I" or self of any person; a person as thinking, feeling, and willing, and distinguishing itself from the selves of
others and from objects of its thought the part of the psychic apparatus that experiences and reacts to the outside
world and thus mediates between the primitive drives of the id and the demands of the social and physical environment.
self-esteem or self-image; feelings: Your criticism wounded his ego.
the enduring and conscious element that knows experience.
the complete person comprising both body and soul.
egotism; conceit; self-importance

Redoubtable
that is to be feared; formidable.
commanding or evoking respect, reverence, or the like.

Opinionated
obstinate or conceited with regard to the merit of one's own opinions; conceitedly dogmatic.