Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : My House -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Poet who wrote (3084)	10/29/2002 1:26:58 AM
From: Solon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 7689

I agree with both of you. Well said... The arts are a integral part of the survival of both countries and cities, especially as more countries rise to levels of some economic comfort--if not outright affluence. Cities are more and more the indicator and repository of economic growth and success. As cities compete in the arts, science, technology, industry, and quality of life, it becomes more and more important for any one city, province, state, or country to be able to compete in both natural and human resources. Cities without ballet, opera, art galleries, concert venues, etc. Are doomed to stagnation and decay. The world is increasingly mobile. We no longer walk to our new homestead. The best educated and most economically useful people have a choice as to where they raise their families, and where they contribute to the economy. If it is necessary to subsidize in order to encourage a vibrant city with vibrant people, then by God it ought to be done. Resources are distributed unevenly throughout the world-whether they be natural or human resources. Natural resources get moved around. Human resources move themselves around. Where they all come together is where we find quality of life. Deserts are short of water and grass; meadows are short of sand. The whole world is short on something and long on something else. And the U.S. Is short of decent beer. Art defines itself as a rare resource. It has been entirely subsidized for much of history by churches, kings, and wise and wealthy sponsors. There is nothing to prevent the democratic collective man from emulating this wisdom; for overall we are wealthy in more ways than money; and nothing prevents people in a free society from reaching a democratic consensus to contribute a bit of excess in order for their cities to be wonderful and interesting and stimulating places to live--not cesspools of bitter hearts and impoverished minds. Democracy is not totalitarianism. We don't need to have parks; we don't even need to have roads. We have a choice. Collectively we are all affected by the well being of one another. I no more want people remaining poor and ignorant in my community than I want untreated typhus carriers roaming the streets. People need to stop their obsession with what they think they are being "forced" to do...and start to consider what it is they really WANT to do--and then use their democratic voice to move their society in the direction of progress. Perhaps it is time for intelligent people to understand that money is only a symbol of wealth and labour. The wealth is in the people; and in order for society to tap that wealth we need to wash the floor, make the bed, and hang a painting on the wall. Why do people in a free democracy continue to talk about being forced..as though everything they liked was democratic, and what they disliked was "forced"?? Sheesh! People need to respect democracy; and they need to ask themselves what they want--and then go for it. But they should be thoughtful and involved. They should ask themselves why they would not want to sponsor certain amenities that give them happiness and advantage in the home and in the world...? _________________________________________