"My work is being destroyed almost as soon as it is printed. One day it is being read; the next day someone's wrapping fish in it"

Al Capp, the American cartoonist best understood for his timeless cartoon "Li'l Abner", supplies an honest reflection on the ephemeral nature of his resolve this quote. By mentioning, "My work is being ruined nearly as soon as it is printed. One day it is reading; the next day somebody's covering fish in it", Capp highlights the short-term presence of printed media and the fleeting attention it often receives from the audience.

In essence, Capp is regreting the impermanence of creative works, specifically those connected to current occasions or serialized formats like cartoons, which were typically printed in newspapers. Newspapers are a medium with an extremely short life expectancy; they are developed, consumed, and then disposed of typically within a day. Capp's work, therefore, exists in this cycle of fast obsolescence, where the very medium promoting his imagination and creative expression also guarantees its fast disappearance. The example of "wrapping fish" adds a layer of paradox and humor, as it underscores the utilitarian usage of something that when held artistic or intellectual value, reflecting social indifference to what was once an artist's labor of love.

This observation can be theorized to larger discussions about the arts and media intake in society. Despite being revered as an innovative genius in his field, Capp challenges the reality that not all audiences or industries provide long-lasting value to innovative outputs, particularly those implied for quick consumption. His belief might resonate deeply with developers across fields who prefer enduring acknowledgment in the middle of evolving and often fickle public interests.

In a more comprehensive sense, Capp's reflection encourages a re-evaluation of how society connects with media. It speaks with the artist's hope that even if the work itself is transient, the ideas and commentary within can promote an enduring effect or stimulate a conversation that outlives the physical medium. It's a commentary on the dichotomy between art's potential to influence and the mundane fate of its physical type.