I am a cynical optimist. Big opening weekends are like cotton

Listen closely, O children of the future, for the words of Robert Redford carry the wisdom of experience: "I am a cynical optimist. Big opening weekends are like cotton candy. The films you will remember over time are the films that stick in the consciousness of the audience in a good way." In these words, Redford speaks to the fleeting nature of success and the lasting power of quality. He speaks of the difference between superficial impressions and the deep, enduring impact of meaningful work. Just as cotton candy dissolves quickly in the mouth, so too do the flashy victories of the moment fade away, leaving behind little more than an empty sweetness. It is the films, the actions, and the moments that are felt deeply, that resonate with truth and substance, that remain in the minds and hearts of the people.

In the ancient world, O children, great thinkers and artists understood this truth well. Plato spoke of the illusion of appearances, how the shadows on the wall of the cave may appear bright and enticing, but only the truth of the forms above could provide lasting understanding. The world of form—that which is pure, unchanging, and eternal—was what mattered most, while the world of illusion—the fleeting, ever-changing appearances—was of little consequence. Redford, in his own way, is saying that the initial excitement of a big opening weekend—the rush of instant recognition—is akin to these fleeting shadows. It may be bright, but it lacks the depth and lasting impact that comes from true artistic merit.

Consider the ancient works of Homer, whose epics, though written long ago, continue to resonate through the ages. The Iliad and the Odyssey were not simply stories that captured the attention of the people for a fleeting moment. They were tales of heroism, struggle, and human nature—stories that stuck in the consciousness of the people, that transcended their time and place. Homer’s work did not offer the momentary rush of fame or success, but it provided something far more lasting: a legacy that shaped the culture for centuries. Just as Homer’s stories have stood the test of time, so too will the works of today that carry deeper meaning—the films, books, and art that speak to the soul and not just the fleeting pleasures of the senses.

Redford’s words also remind us of the transient nature of popular success. A film may be a box office hit, but that initial rush of excitement—like cotton candy—quickly dissipates. In the same way, fame or fortune, while enticing in the moment, fades with time. The true measure of a work, whether in film, art, or any other endeavor, is not how loudly it is celebrated in the short term, but how enduring its impact is. We remember not the fleeting spectacle, but the work that leaves a lasting mark on our hearts, that sticks in our consciousness and continues to shape our thoughts and actions long after the initial excitement has passed.

In more recent times, the life of Leonardo da Vinci provides a powerful example of this timeless truth. While his paintings and inventions were not celebrated in his time in the way they are now, it is through the lasting quality of his work that his legacy endures. His art, particularly the Mona Lisa, remains an icon not because of the immediate public excitement it generated, but because of its depth, its mystery, and the universal truths it captures about the human experience. Da Vinci’s genius was not in creating what was momentarily popular, but in creating what was timeless, what spoke to something deep and enduring in humanity.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: do not be deceived by the fleeting excitement of immediate success, whether it comes in the form of a box office hit or a rush of personal acclaim. True greatness lies not in the impressions of the moment, but in the substance that remains. Just as Redford suggests, the works that endure, the ones that truly matter, are those that stick in the consciousness—those that speak to something deep, meaningful, and lasting. Seek not the fleeting rush of popularity, but the lasting legacy of work that speaks to the soul, that carries the weight of truth and purpose.

In your own lives, O children, remember that what truly matters is not the quick thrill of immediate success, but the deeper impact you make through your actions, your words, and your work. Create not for the fleeting moment, but for the future. Live with integrity, with depth, and with the knowledge that the work that truly sticks is the work that speaks to something eternal. Whether in art, in relationships, or in your pursuit of knowledge, strive to create something that will endure, that will leave a lasting impact long after the shadows of today have faded.