Art and poverty

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Here's one outraged reader's reaction to the latest Slate philanthropy roundup:

How does one make a decision to give to an art museum when there are homeless in every community?

It's actually not so heartless a decision as jenb5336 imagines. The existence of tax-funded social services; sensitivity to the drive for higher meaning; an awareness of the importance of memory to human identity; even a nod to the substantial economic benefits accruing from nonprofit institutions--these are just a few of the factors that lead people toward making the choice.

I remember when a similar argument led the U.S. to spike moon exploration in the 1970s, and if I recall correctly, poverty didn't disappear. Yet the nation lost not only a potent symbol of unity and achievement, but it also dismantled an infrastructure that would have been really useful now that we realize that the moon's abundant supply of helium 3 could end our reliance on fossil fuel.

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1 Comments

Edward Y Author Profile Page said:

For me there isn’t wrong in admiring/spending to an art works, because there are some arts that portray the picture of poverty. I remember there is one masterpiece in museum that captures my heart, and it is a picture of a kid who begs for one piece of loaf bread. Gee, my heart crashes into pieces and feel the pain in those eyes of kid. In relation to hunger, I want to share about Red Plum that I know might help you in near future. Red Plum isn’t fruit / food but a website chock full of online coupons and tips on how to save on food and other items, and you don't need personal loans in order to join. These coupons are free of charge. All you need to do is enter your zip code, and you’re good to go. They give you coupons and other deals that are available in their site. Just choose the one you want, and print it. The Red Plum might just save you from availing your personal loans for food. There’s no harm in trying this site most especially in times of recession.

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