• wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz
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        27 days ago

        Art is a skill that takes time and dedication to cultivate, and often at least a seed of talent to boot.

        I can’t just wake up one morning and say “I’m an artist now” anymore than I can wake up and say “I’m a doctor today.”

        • yeahiknow3@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          25 days ago

          That’s the point. People want to simultaneously pretend that art is the trivial pursuit of effete dilettantes but also that subsidizing art is unfair since it would take too much sacrifice and effort for any random person to become an artist.

          • wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz
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            27 days ago

            I see. Yeah, that makes sense.

            I view arts and humanities as occupying the top of Maslow’s hierarchy. A healthy arts and humanities scene is a sign that society is flourishing. Someone who can pursue those as careers instead of hobbies is self-actualized.

            I think public patronage of the arts and humanities is ultimately a good thing, and should happen in addition to all the other, more basic needs. Food, housing, and utilities should be prioritized, and the jobs that provide those things. Then healthcare, education, social work, public servants, parks & rec, etc.

            Arts and humanities shouldn’t be neglected, but the fabric of society should be built from the ground up to support a healthy arts scene.

            • yeahiknow3@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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              27 days ago

              Yeah, plus we’ve achieved the economic conditions where everyone’s basic needs can be met. That they are not is a deliberate and vincible evil.

              • wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz
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                27 days ago

                I agree. I think a good starting place would be assessing the cost of living by region or district, and then anyone who makes below that amount should receive a supplementary allowance (funded by the wealthy, of course. If they were paying people fairly then nobody would be making below the cost of living).

                Other things should be in the purview of public goods, of course. For countries that don’t already have it, healthcare and education should be top priorities. They should be seen as investments in a healthy society, not as merely handouts to individuals.

                Eventually food should be produced and distributed by public (state-owned) entities, at-cost rather than for-profit. But that’s a longer-term goal that needs careful planning and implementation, so pushing too hard for it too soon could derail progress on other priorities like healthcare, education, and guaranteed basic income.

      • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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        27 days ago

        IIRC this program is invite-only, because yeah, otherwise it’d end up being for everyone.

        Edit: And that’s sus, and might just end in politician’s cousins getting invited.

      • melsaskca@lemmy.ca
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        26 days ago

        You make it seem like I am against artists when I am for everybody, including artists. Don’t be so angry because you weren’t financially successful in your chosen field. Lots of people don’t make it. Some would say art is suffering and the masters were compelled. My hand-wringing is about imbalance. Find peace my friend, we are all artists.

          • melsaskca@lemmy.ca
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            25 days ago

            All I got was the name calling and anger. I’m not too bright though so I’m sure lots went over my head. I’m almost positive it’s a very good, well thought out, reasonable screed. My comment was an off the cuff quip, try gaining a little perspective.

    • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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      27 days ago

      Or the disabled, or the just poor and untalented.

      Basic income is the darling of policy wonks of all kinds. But, doing it just for already-successful artists is a bit random.

        • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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          26 days ago

          Yeah, but this specific policy, last I checked, is invite-only. That means it’s the turtleneck guys, or more likely the Celtic fine art equivalent, not gig work graphic designers.

          Unless said graphic designer has an in with someone in charge of sending the invites, anyway. Which is another issue with doing it that way.

          (It’s a good thing to point out in general, though)