Response to Denise's question

"'In a society where beings can communicate emotions directly, such as one where all of the members are empathic, would art exist?' This is the question my friends ask this week, or rather the question which provoked the most thought. I have in fact read a book which had a related environment. In the deep future, when Homo Sapiens has splintered into hundreds of different species the main character visits one world, where short, squat (to deal with the high gravity) furred humans have evolved telepathy. It takes the main character months to realize it though she feels something is missing. After two long months, she discovers what was missing, she hasn't heard music in months, hasn't seen a hint of color other than what naturally occurs, hasn't even seen bodily decoration. Why would one need to express themselves when they can lay bare the contents of their mind directly? The idea intrigued me, and I thought on it for weeks upon weeks. It puzzled me as to why they wouldn't play music, the reason I play is to share the melodies which thrive within my head, but then I realized: they can share that wellspring of beauty and emotion directly, without interpretation, or alteration. The notion still intrigues me, had I grown in such a society, would I even have the music that plays in my head?" The dragon glanced at me, and responded "Likely not, though it sounds like you answered the initial question entirely on your own little one, you are growing in mind. Though I would ask that last question of your friends, they might have some interesting answers."