Full Version: Art, Literature, and Music
"Science and Technology" has a category in "Assorted Issues". Isn't there anything significant to say about Art, Literature, and Music? 
And it could be called "Art, Literature, and Music" -
or "Cultural Capital" or even something as bland as "Humanities".
And in any of the above, serious cultural icons like Edward Hopper, Mark Twain, Salinger, Coppola, Johnny Cash or artistic genres like country, folk, or punk music could be discussed and debated.
I imagine that this category could not appropriately include sparkling shows like "Reality TV", but the Simpsons - in terms of its irony or evolution or Madonna in terms of her influence upon American culture - these topics are certainly worth a category of their own!
America is not only defined by its politics
or economics 
There is culture here too!
And it is not so "casual" that it belongs in a corner.
Contributor and fan,
jjirout
And it could be called "Art, Literature, and Music" -
or "Cultural Capital" or even something as bland as "Humanities".
And in any of the above, serious cultural icons like Edward Hopper, Mark Twain, Salinger, Coppola, Johnny Cash or artistic genres like country, folk, or punk music could be discussed and debated.
I imagine that this category could not appropriately include sparkling shows like "Reality TV", but the Simpsons - in terms of its irony or evolution or Madonna in terms of her influence upon American culture - these topics are certainly worth a category of their own!
America is not only defined by its politics
or economics There is culture here too!
And it is not so "casual" that it belongs in a corner.
Contributor and fan,
jjirout
Hi Jji.
I certainly agree that art, literature, and music are significant. They are significant enough to support thousands of sites dedicated to each.
I also agree that America isn't defined only by politics and economics. America's Debate, however, is defined by politics and economics.
We have to realize that we are primarily a news, government, and political debate forum. As such, adding more forums that are not specifically related to news, government, or politics detracts from our primary focus.
Similar forums have been requested in the past, such as sports or pop culture. In the simplest terms, our response is that we are not a sports site or a pop culture site-- we are a politics site.
We don't forbid discussion of these subjects by any means, and we certainly allow them to be debated when directly relevant to the current forums. At this time, though, we have no intentions of adding any new forums.
Mike
I certainly agree that art, literature, and music are significant. They are significant enough to support thousands of sites dedicated to each.
I also agree that America isn't defined only by politics and economics. America's Debate, however, is defined by politics and economics.
We have to realize that we are primarily a news, government, and political debate forum. As such, adding more forums that are not specifically related to news, government, or politics detracts from our primary focus.
Similar forums have been requested in the past, such as sports or pop culture. In the simplest terms, our response is that we are not a sports site or a pop culture site-- we are a politics site.
We don't forbid discussion of these subjects by any means, and we certainly allow them to be debated when directly relevant to the current forums. At this time, though, we have no intentions of adding any new forums.
Mike
I have to say that I am surprised to hear that you find these categories so easily separable.
And the title "America's Debate" suggests otherwise, but putting that aside...
1. Art, Literature, and Music have more influence on politics than Science and Technology. Politics revolve around public opinion; politicians are more likely to consider cultural trends than scientific trends when forming their public views because cultural trends reflect the American People's concerns and interests. Science and technology reflects a limited population. Art, Literature, and Music represent ideals in the form of stories and conflicts that many individuals have experienced themselves. As such, they directly reflect and influence people. People, who elect politicians.
2. To satisfy the shady oil companies and specials interest groups, politicians appeal to people. P e o p l e who vote and who share cultural trends and interests. Art, Literature, and Music reflect a people's immediate concerns and masses are exposed to it, and these masses includes political consultants and campaign managers. Excluding the people's voice from politics is what many are disgusted by. It is not only the players that influence politics. People's interests are concerns shouldn't be simply overlooked or only considered important insofar as they affect dealings. This is wrong whether taking place in a political arena or on a debate site. Art, Literature, and Music reflect the grass roots of any political movement, openly exposing the ideals and values that political movements claim to represent.
3. Ideals and values are at the heart of any debate - whether the debate involves news, politics, economics, science, technology, art, literature, or music - and it is through Art, Literature, and Music that ideals and values are most easily identified and explored. Die-hard conservatives are likely to be cultural traditionalists, and flaming liberals - supporters of the edgiest material - but here you will find inconsistences, and this is where ideals and values can be tested and explored. How can a fan of Tarantino be opposed to the NRA? What does a pro lifer think of Bowling for Columbine? It is here that people can test their belief systems and explore a common ground - a common ground that divisive political tactics suggest does not exist. Politicians oversimplify ideals and values in order to capitalize on ignorance. Using art, literature, and music to identify and explore ideals and values enriches our understanding, builds a solid belief system and consequently, provides a foundation to which we can responsibly reference when assessing serious political issues.
Forms of Art, Literature, and Music reflect people's interests and concerns, influence politics and politicians and with the correct specifications and limitations, a category such as this would enrich party debates by clarifying sematic misunderstandings and surpassing the divisive political terminology that serve - not the people - but the politicians. It would open the door to common ground because it would allow for the identifying and exploring of ideals and values that are at the core of all political issues.
Avoiding the frivolous and transient interests of those who might abuse a category such as this is a concern of mine. Please advise me of any suggestions you might have.
Thank you.
jjirout
And the title "America's Debate" suggests otherwise, but putting that aside...
1. Art, Literature, and Music have more influence on politics than Science and Technology. Politics revolve around public opinion; politicians are more likely to consider cultural trends than scientific trends when forming their public views because cultural trends reflect the American People's concerns and interests. Science and technology reflects a limited population. Art, Literature, and Music represent ideals in the form of stories and conflicts that many individuals have experienced themselves. As such, they directly reflect and influence people. People, who elect politicians.
2. To satisfy the shady oil companies and specials interest groups, politicians appeal to people. P e o p l e who vote and who share cultural trends and interests. Art, Literature, and Music reflect a people's immediate concerns and masses are exposed to it, and these masses includes political consultants and campaign managers. Excluding the people's voice from politics is what many are disgusted by. It is not only the players that influence politics. People's interests are concerns shouldn't be simply overlooked or only considered important insofar as they affect dealings. This is wrong whether taking place in a political arena or on a debate site. Art, Literature, and Music reflect the grass roots of any political movement, openly exposing the ideals and values that political movements claim to represent.
3. Ideals and values are at the heart of any debate - whether the debate involves news, politics, economics, science, technology, art, literature, or music - and it is through Art, Literature, and Music that ideals and values are most easily identified and explored. Die-hard conservatives are likely to be cultural traditionalists, and flaming liberals - supporters of the edgiest material - but here you will find inconsistences, and this is where ideals and values can be tested and explored. How can a fan of Tarantino be opposed to the NRA? What does a pro lifer think of Bowling for Columbine? It is here that people can test their belief systems and explore a common ground - a common ground that divisive political tactics suggest does not exist. Politicians oversimplify ideals and values in order to capitalize on ignorance. Using art, literature, and music to identify and explore ideals and values enriches our understanding, builds a solid belief system and consequently, provides a foundation to which we can responsibly reference when assessing serious political issues.
Forms of Art, Literature, and Music reflect people's interests and concerns, influence politics and politicians and with the correct specifications and limitations, a category such as this would enrich party debates by clarifying sematic misunderstandings and surpassing the divisive political terminology that serve - not the people - but the politicians. It would open the door to common ground because it would allow for the identifying and exploring of ideals and values that are at the core of all political issues.
Avoiding the frivolous and transient interests of those who might abuse a category such as this is a concern of mine. Please advise me of any suggestions you might have.
Thank you.
jjirout
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