why good art?

[masart]

I am concerned in a general sense that art and creative works only appeal to a very narrow segment of culture. Has the ascendance of pop culture over the last 40 or 50 years effected our ability to be discerning between excellent and mediocre . . . even to the point that the culture really doesn't care for original creative works?

[Sandy]

I agree that it seems this way; if I understand your question correctly I would say it might have to do with computers? It seems the discovery of the computer has replaced ones ability to think creatively and in turn some have become lazy and uneducated on the creative thought process, it's easier to let the computer do it and in exchange we end up with "mediocre" or down right uninteresting art. This could definitely cause a lack of interest in “creative original works.

Sandy

[adamadmin]

Computers are a fairly recent development. Mediocre in the form of pop culture and other avenues has existed much longer. They do play a part though. As technology increases (radio ... TV ... computers ... internet ... etc.) it becomes easier to rely on instant answers and entertainment than actually thinking. A lot of things take a hit because of this. Art included.

The deterioration of truth and growth of relativism has also affected how the public views art and beauty. If there is no absolute truth, art has no standard and standards shift toward the popular ... resulting in the mediocre.