Here's a comment from National Review that I think makes a fair bit of sense:
Are We Really So Uncultured? [Peter Suderman]
I mostly enjoyed the Post story about violinist Josh Bell playing in a D.C. Metro station that Jonah linked to, but I think it's at least a little bit manipulative. The story is designed as a sort of lament about our collective lack of cultural refinement, but I wasn't the least bit shocked that almost no one stopped to listen to Bell play. The musicians one tends to see playing in subway and Metro stations are, well, let's just say ... not typically world class, and rush-hour commuting conditions tend to be cramped and generally unpleasant. Commuting on public transit in cities like D.C. and New York practically requires one to develop a protective layer of apathy and uncaring—or at least some robust tuning out mechanisms—just to get to and from work every day. (It's not for no reason that people grow so attached to their iPods.)
Here's another thought (not trying to be a smart alec here--I really am curious). If it's illegitimate to criticize art as inferior (e.g., a song by Rich Mullins), why is it legitimate to praise other artists as superior? In other words, doesn't the argument cut both ways? If all criticism against a form of art is dismissed as simply cultural preference, couldn't the same be said for those who praise an artist (like Bell)?
I'm not sure it's a problem to criticize art as inferior as along as it's tempered with a healthy dose of "this is my opinion". We can't have artistic absolutes, but I don't have a problem with a reasoned argument on why one artistic expression is superior to another.
Your question about what some would say should be universal praise...I think this is why i put in my post that it begs the question as to who defines what is beautiful.
In terms of Rich, I don't think I was upset that he was criticizing the song as much as the tone of the post and a majority of the comments. I did appreciate his reply to his post in light of some of the comments.
So yes, I don't think any praise or criticism should be seen at ultimate.
4 comments:
Here's a comment from National Review that I think makes a fair bit of sense:
Are We Really So Uncultured? [Peter Suderman]
I mostly enjoyed the Post story about violinist Josh Bell playing in a D.C. Metro station that Jonah linked to, but I think it's at least a little bit manipulative. The story is designed as a sort of lament about our collective lack of cultural refinement, but I wasn't the least bit shocked that almost no one stopped to listen to Bell play. The musicians one tends to see playing in subway and Metro stations are, well, let's just say ... not typically world class, and rush-hour commuting conditions tend to be cramped and generally unpleasant. Commuting on public transit in cities like D.C. and New York practically requires one to develop a protective layer of apathy and uncaring—or at least some robust tuning out mechanisms—just to get to and from work every day. (It's not for no reason that people grow so attached to their iPods.)
Here's another thought (not trying to be a smart alec here--I really am curious). If it's illegitimate to criticize art as inferior (e.g., a song by Rich Mullins), why is it legitimate to praise other artists as superior? In other words, doesn't the argument cut both ways? If all criticism against a form of art is dismissed as simply cultural preference, couldn't the same be said for those who praise an artist (like Bell)?
Any thoughts on this?
JT
I'm not sure it's a problem to criticize art as inferior as along as it's tempered with a healthy dose of "this is my opinion". We can't have artistic absolutes, but I don't have a problem with a reasoned argument on why one artistic expression is superior to another.
Your question about what some would say should be universal praise...I think this is why i put in my post that it begs the question as to who defines what is beautiful.
In terms of Rich, I don't think I was upset that he was criticizing the song as much as the tone of the post and a majority of the comments. I did appreciate his reply to his post in light of some of the comments.
So yes, I don't think any praise or criticism should be seen at ultimate.
Thanks for the good thoughts.
Z,
Thanks for introducing me to the articles of Gene W.
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