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0 pointsmunificent11mo ago0 comments

Well, I didn't pick theatre and Photoshop as narrow things, the parent comment did.

I'm saying an artform that is meaningful to its participants and allows them to make a living wage while enriching the lives' of others should not be thoughtlessly discarded in slave to the almighty god of economic efficiency. It's not special pleading because I'd apply this to all artforms and all sorts of work that bring people dignity and joy.

I'm not a reactionary luddite saying that we should still be using oil streetlamps so we don't put the lamplighters out of work. But at the same time I don't think we should automatically and carelessly accept the decimation of human meaning and dignity at the altar of shareholder value.

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pvg11mo ago

I'm not a reactionary luddite saying that we should still be using oil streetlamps so we don't put the lamplighters out of work.

No doubt. A few years ago there was some HN post with a video of the completely preposterous process of making diagrams for Crafting Interpreters. I didn't particularly need the book nor do I have room for it but I bought it there and then to support the spirit of all-consuming wankery. So I'm not here from Mitch & Murray & Dark Satanic Mills, Inc either. At the same time, I'm not sold on the idea niche art is the source of human dignity that needs societal protection, not because I'm some ogre but because I'm not convinced that's how actual art actually arts or provides meaning or evolves.

Like another Thomas put it

Not for the proud man apart

From the raging moon I write

On these spindrift pages

Nor for the towering dead

With their nightingales and psalms

But for the lovers, their arms

Round the griefs of the ages,

Who pay no praise or wages

Nor heed my craft or art.

munificentOP11mo ago

> the spirit of all-consuming wankery.

Haha, a good way to describe it. :)

> the idea niche art is the source of human dignity that needs societal protection

I mean... have you looked around at the world today? We've got pick at least some sources of human dignity to protect because there seem to be fewer and fewer left.

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