WMV Music Web Log

Hi, Carl!

Thanks for bringing Mike Hummel's paper to your website.

I believe Schor sees clearly an aspect of US society that works against artists -- for example, painters, musicians (composers and performers), and writers. The view of many folks in our society seems to be that if the output or product of an artist's work, however beautiful and worthy it may be, is not likely to be profitable, then it is not a good idea to support it financially.

This is not to say that there is nothing from pop music and art, movies, and books that become famous and make money are worthwhile or beautiful. However, there are many artists who produce and are capable of producing authentic and truthful and beautiful objects -- works that can inspire and give pleasure to their neighbors and the world at large -- who get little or no encouragement or support, either socially or financially. Such artists are forced to take time and their own money away from more "practical" pursuits and purchases to express themselves authentically as the human beings they were created to be. This means some artists will be discouraged to the point of giving up, and their light will remain hidden.

Schor hints, and I believe, that a society that claims to support "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" hurts itself by choking off artistic expression in favor of material prosperity.

Food, material objects, and efficient ways of making them are part of what we need for the good life, but these are mainly for our bodies. The by-product of taking care of our physical needs without using up all our time and energy should be to free up time and energy for taking care of our spirits, our emotions, our inner life. Art is one of the things that can take care of our inner needs, and the mark of a successful society is a vibrant and well-supported artistic community.

Mike Strand