The Shotgun Blog
« Harper uses US economy as wedge with EU | Main | Canada-US Relations After Obama’s Hundred Days »
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Totalitarianism is gross
At what point do restrictions on artistic free speech begin the slippery slope towards totalitarianism? Gary Clements thinks it begins with "degenerate art"...
Posted by Alina on May 19, 2009 in Freedom of expression | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b5d69e201157097b6bb970b
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Totalitarianism is gross:
Comments
The other side of the totalitarian coin, when it comes to art, is state subsidization. At what point does subsidized art become politicized? Once addicted to subsidies, the afflicted artists scream censorship whenever someone tries to wean them. Subsidized art is no different than state discrimination against minorities. The state is picking winners from an infinite demand pool and thus discriminating on the basis of subjectivity.
I have no problem with, and in fact I draw some perverse satisfaction from the rich paying large sums for works of art that I believe could have come from monkeys. I object to my taxes going to pay for them and to be consistent, I don't think any art should be funded publicly.
Posted by: John Chittick | 2009-05-19 4:46:00 PM
John Chittick, hear! hear! I agree that the state should neither subsidise nor censor "art". Let the free market decide what is considered worthwhile.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-05-19 7:38:15 PM
Trojan Horse (2008).
http://www.cbc.ca/trojanhorse/index.html
The Trojan Horse is a CBC show written by Paul Gross and John Krizanc and directed b director Charles Binamé. Executive producers are Paul Gross and Frank Siracusa.
That show is bizarre to put it mildly. But remember, we do live in a culture where Sherlock Holmes is being turned into a generic action flick directed by Guy Richie. (Without government assistance I might add!) By Comparison, the cultural offenses Canadians muster, with the collusion of the state and all, are fluff by Comparison.
Did you hear me? The Free market is making Sherlock Holmes into an action movie thug! Bring on the communists if that's the best we can do.
Posted by: Tim | 2009-05-19 8:45:51 PM
The Free market is making Sherlock Holmes into an action movie thug! Bring on the communists if that's the best we can do.
And yet the free market provided the mechanism to create a classic from the original. A free market doesn't guarantee the quality of what is produced but does provide are remarkable way of providing appropriate longevity.
Posted by: KevinG | 2009-05-19 10:21:48 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.