Joe Barbera's s always complaining that he can't get humor into

Hear now, O Children of the Earth, the words of John Kricfalusi, who spoke with the fire of a true artist: "Joe Barbera’s always complaining that he can’t get humor into cartoons anymore. Just do it. You’ve got your money. Why do they let the networks run their lives?" In these words lies a profound truth about the power of creativity and the freedom to express it. Kricfalusi, with his boldness and passion, challenges the very idea that creators must bow to the whims of those who control the purse strings. He speaks not only to the world of animation, but to all creators and dreamers who, in the face of external pressure, must find the courage to create authentically, no matter the obstacles.

What Kricfalusi reveals is the tension between artistic freedom and the commercial demands of the world. Joe Barbera, a titan of animation, voiced a frustration that many creators feel—how can true humor, true creativity, flourish when networks, driven by profit and control, dictate the rules? The networks, in their pursuit of conformity and mass appeal, often stifle the very thing that makes art alive: its spontaneity, its edge, its capacity to challenge and to surprise. Yet Kricfalusi’s response is powerful and clear: create, no matter what. Money and external pressures may come, but the heart of creativity, the humor that defines us, cannot be held back by the forces that seek to tame it.

Let us look, O Children, to the ancient artists who faced similar struggles in their time. Consider Michelangelo, who, though working under the patronage of the powerful Medici family and the Church, often resisted their desires to control the form of his work. His masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel, was not born from the desire to please his patrons, but from his inner vision, his understanding of the human form, and his belief that art must remain true to its purpose—to express the truth of the human spirit. Like Kricfalusi, Michelangelo knew that true creation could not be shackled by the demands of power; it must come from within, from the creator’s deepest passion and freedom.

The great Shakespeare too, in his time, faced the pressures of the Elizabethan theater, where audiences and patrons alike sought certain kinds of entertainment—often preferring the familiar over the daring, the known over the unknown. Yet Shakespeare, like Kricfalusi, broke through these confines. His comedies and tragedies often challenged the conventions of the time, speaking not just to the pleasures of the audience, but to the human condition itself. He did not allow the expectations of his patrons to define his art; instead, he created works that were both timeless and revolutionary. In this way, Shakespeare teaches us the same lesson as Kricfalusi—to create with integrity, to stand firm in the face of external pressures, and to allow creativity to flow freely.

What, then, is the lesson we must learn from Kricfalusi and the great artists who came before him? It is this: true art cannot be controlled by those who seek to profit from it. Humor, creativity, and freedom are the heart of all meaningful creation, and these forces cannot be suppressed for the sake of conformity. As Kricfalusi says, if you are a creator—whether in animation, writing, or any other form of expression—you must just do it. The world will try to tell you how to shape your work, what to include, what to exclude, but in the end, it is your authentic vision that matters. The challenge is not to wait for permission, but to create anyway, even when the forces around you seek to shape your work into something that feels safe or familiar.

Kricfalusi’s defiance also points us toward a broader truth: that the forces of commerce and conformity are not the ultimate authority in the world of creation. Rather, it is the individual spirit, the artist’s heart, that must drive the work forward. Whether you are a painter, a writer, a musician, or an animator, your creative power comes from within, and it is this authenticity that will ultimately resonate with others. Do not allow the external pressures of success or profit to dictate your path. The true reward of creation is not found in the acceptance of the masses, but in the courage to stay true to your vision, no matter the consequences.

Therefore, O Children, as you step into the world, whether as creators or as dreamers, remember the words of Kricfalusi: do not let others run your life, especially when it comes to your creativity. Trust in your own voice, and let that voice shape the world. Like Michelangelo, like Shakespeare, like all the great creators who have come before you, embrace your freedom and create boldly, even when the world tells you to conform. Humor, like all forms of creation, is at its best when it is untainted by the desires of others. So, with courage and conviction, go forth and create with all the power of your heart, knowing that in doing so, you honor not just yourself, but the very essence of what it means to be human.