2. The Map Thief: 4. Many espouse the idea that cultural theft is from us all.

[Carol]

4. Many espouse the idea that cultural theft is theft from all of us. Do you agree or disagree?

[Darlene]

I agree with this, however, how do we then justify people privately owning famous pieces of art where practically no one gets to see them?

[Angela]

I agree. If we can learn from something, but are prohibited, that's not fair. I'm not counting stuff that is blocked by inability to pay--that's another argument, since at least it's available to some degree. Personally, though, I don't care about seeing art originals. It's cool, but I'm perfectly content to view a copy or simply a Google image result.

[Ayse_]

I always find this a troubling issue, theft is a crime on its own, and cultural theft is stealing from us all, but some countries/cultures cannot hold on to their heritage due to lack of education, wars, disasters etc. and then its lost completely..

[Carol]

These are really good comments folks! Awesome. I'm proud to say I know you. This book has caused me the opportunity to think on a different level than I/We ordinarily would. I don't like giving Smiley credit for this, but I do give him credit for being quite brilliant. It takes a lot of know-how and some smarts to be able to figure and manipulate the people he got to finagle (sp) access to the many maps, and to work in the many libraries and museums to sneak copies of maps out of the different facilities.

[Cindy]

Great points ladies! Has anyone read "the girl he left behind" by jojo moyes? It addresses the restoration of art confiscated during war to the families of original owners. Very good book! Again, some people felt they were more entitled to a piece of art because they understood it at a deeper level. I don't have answers but it's good for us to think and discuss issues like this.

[Pam]

Agree with all comments! I'm reminded of the movie Monuments Men - who gave their lives to finding and protecting art llost/stolen during WWII. Sadly, I don't appreciate art like so many others - but preservation does assist us in appreciating and holding on to our past.

[Ruth]

I agree that theft of public cultural things can be theft from all of us, however, it is a very complex issue. Some very good and insightful comments above.

[Chelsea]

Wow! These are such rich questions Ruth! I'm concerned with the preservation aspect. Culture needs to be preserved somehow, and destroying it to me is the stealing part. Whether public or private, keep it restored and don't let it get lost.