The easiest way to confuse and indulge an audience is to provoke fear and sadness in them - and this is why art that depends on this specific type of manipulation is hollow - Art is letting your soul speak louder than your voice ever could. You're right about that.
And it must take some courage for you to write whatever you did in this post. Within ourselves, we find answers to almost everything that haunts us... When we find inspiration, words flow - I believe you can.
It makes sense. I get that a story requires a conflict but there is this idea that happiness has no depth or richness to it, which just isn't true. I get it, because I thought the same thing for a while - that happiness was an absence or a simplicity. But trying to attain happiness has been one of the most complex and strange things I've ever attempted.
And thank you for believing in me.
Of course, if there's one thing I realized in my past experience, it's that humans thrive on positive influence and reinforcement. If we can't, through the simple process of words, then really - what good are we? Spreading love and giving hope to those who seek for it is amazing. And trust me, I might never be able to explain my thoughts and feelings as beautifully as you have... Of course I believe in you - and am following you for more posts.
On the matter at hand, yes. You're right. Sadness is a loud and simple emotion, and often overwhelms us which is why we sometimes overlook the quieter and subtler one - happiness. And in your own words - such a complex and strange experience. I'm not saying that there should be limitations on what art is supposed to rouse in the audience, but if you're depending only on the manipulation that eventually gets a few tears from them - that's not art. Kindling the smart of happiness in someone is perhaps the best feeling of accomplishment. <3