Media gradually physically depreciate while being used, like tools do, but inscribed cultural phenomena appreciate. People who buy and “use” them are the audience.
- Artifacts are things which once were valuable for their physical
features, but now derive their value from unintended cultural
use. These are unique old buildings, cars, tools, other relics,
collectibles, etc. People who buy them or buy access to them
are collectors, visitors, tourists.
There are two general points we have to stress. First, some of
above described uses can be combined. Second, such combinations
are related to people’s attitudes. For example, a family can live in
a unique old mansion suitable more as a museum than for casual
dwelling. Another example is when a profound work of art is
considered simply “entertaining” and because of that attitude often
is forgotten. In this case the work is turned into a consumer good and
correspondingly the audience transforms itself into consumers.
The above were my first thoughts, which were not as clear as I
would have liked them to be. Anyway, I brought them to my
students. I had not even tried to be very elaborate, because I expected
nothing but an avalanche of thoughts and essential clarification of
the subject in the end. Well, it turned out otherwise this time. A lot
of new questions were what I got. Moreover, the subject had slipped
away and provoked us to turn to economics, ethics, etc. You can see
and judge for yourself.
When I finished my short speech in the class, I was faced with five puzzled looks. It did not take long to get the first question.
Books, People, Meals
Alpha: Why is it that “cultural satisfaction” increases desire? When
you watch a movie, you get satisfied and return home or go to a
restaurant or just walk and talk.
Beta: I agree, you do not watch and watch and watch.
Kappa: Some people do.
Beta: Yeah, some do. I would not call them people of culture. What do
you think?
