We Need the Arts Now More than Ever
Where we struggle to imagine a future beyond the contemporary shitshow, nihilism leads the retreat inwards; in art as in politics. “What good is a flourishing poetry market,” Watts asked, “If what we read in poetry books renders us more confused, less appreciative of nuance, less able to engage with ideas, more indignant about the things that annoy
... See moreDirt • Dirt: The Decay of Lying...
a crisis of confidence in the relevance of the humanities.
Tim Leberecht • The Business Romantic
We are bombarded with useless trivia and celebrity gossip despite the valiant efforts of a few remaining newspapers such as the New York Times and the Washington Post, along with Democracy Now, National Public Radio, Pacifica, and Jim Lehrer of the Public Broadcasting Service. These organizations still practice journalism as an ethical pursuit on b
... See moreChris Hedges • Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle
we live in a time when, arguably, our culture is becoming more awe-deprived … so often our gaze is fixed on our smartphones rather than noticing the wonders and beauty of the natural world or witnessing acts of kindness, which also inspire awe … arts and music programs in schools are being dismantled; time spent outdoors and for unstructured explor
... See moreRob Hopkins • From What Is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want
The role of the arts as the champion for imagination in school can’t be underestimated, however. It is not a disposable add-on; it is vital to the mental health of young people. As the author Philip Pullman puts it, ‘We shouldn’t be wondering whether children need art and music and stories and poetry any more than wondering why plants need water.’