***  Haus der Kulturen der Welt: Forum1 Archive  ***
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   [Date]: Tue, 07 Dec 1999 13:57:07 +0100
   [From]: Dianne d'Alpoim Guedes <guedes@thehub.com.au>
     [To]: Cultural Exchange via Internet <forum1@hkw.kbx.de>
[Subject]: Re: [forum1] Re: Access

Dear Ami
                   
Re: your message below. 

I don't think television portrays the human soul or even pretends to. It
primarily serves the purposes of commercial entities.
"Sensation" as you put it, will always "win" because the purpose of that
medium is to get your attention......and when it has your attention you
are captive to its real message, which is selling.
Regarding the exhibition of that name: Mr.  Saatchi is laughing at us
all the way to the bank ! His art marketing tactics, born of many years
in advertising, are brilliant. The 'artists' he has created will make
him a millionaire many times over.)
Artistic products have long been co-opted for that purpose.... often
subverted and sold back to us.
It's only a matter of time before that happens to the net.......enjoy it
while you can.
As for the "most qualified" contributors, the determiners of "esthetic
values" and of talented art, who do you propose should make those
judgments ?
Dianne


Ami Isseroff wrote:

> Hi Susan,
> You wrote:
> 
> "Let's hope that the internet can replace television, or at
> least allow cultures throughout the world to embrace a
> more interactive than passive experience with television. "
> 
> What if television turns out to be a faithful, or even an optimal and
> sanitized, portrayal
> of the human soul? What if the creative aspect of most people is
> worse than you would  expect from television?
> There is evidence for this - monitor a search engine
> and see what people look for on the net, or go to any political discussion
> and see for yourself how much is intelligence, knowledge, wisdom,
> originality and how much is ignorance, hate, inanity and pointless insults.
> GIven a chance to interact, most people don't. Discussion groups have
> many more viewers than discussers.
> Those who conribute are not necessarily the most qualified either.
> 
> When everyone can determine what is shown, what will win, esthetic
> values or sensation ?
> When everyone has access, whose art will win, talent or sensation
> mongering?