*The Big Lie

Artists should be grateful because they are doing something they love instead of a boring job, so they shouldn't expect to make a living at it, or get paid like other people (editors, gallery owners, caterers, janitors, speaker systems maintenance crew) who do the (presumably) boring jobs.

Corollary: Art isn't necessary or useful, unlike the work and products made or sold by people who are (presumably) bored.

Corollary 2: Bored and unhappy people need stuff to compensate them for their boredom and unhappiness, things like bigger houses, more electronics, lots of clothes and Imelda closets of shoes, because they don't get to work (for free) at things they love.

Corollary 3: Therefore, selling bigger houses, electronics, clothes, shoes and toys is necessary and practical work which ought to be well compensated unlike painting, dancing, writing, and so on.

Does anyone else see the flaw in this logic?

Filed under: Literature, Politics & Economy Tagged: assumptions