Month: November 2018

• Film developed quickly in the first thirty years of it’s existence due to a relatively free market
• Movie studios were unlicensed unlike radio
• The government limited the number of stations owned
• It was illegal for a network to own more than five stations
• The feedback mechanism from the consumer is important

• Movies are a prime example of commercialized art
• It was a novelty and the first films were random clips of things like people walking or trains moving, and they had no story
• Film was a reason to overcome contempt for commercial culture
• Academia lagged behind in accepting film as a form of study
• Scholars didn’t consider films as an art form because it had no solitary artist creating one work all by himself
• The single creator mindset was from the classical era, and it was only legit art if it was written and directed by one person alone
• One critique of Hollywood was the films had no artistic unity
• Casablanca was one example and it had nine directors
• It was thought that too many directors would spoil the broth, so to speak
• Hollywood and art is unpredictable
• Some produce brilliant works when given free rein and no direction, others failed

Have you ever wondered why bad art sells for millions? You’ve probably also wondered how society reached this point. First, let’s look at the events leading up to this phenomenon.

These are my notes from the seventh lecture of the Commerce and Culture podcast. Continue reading Why Crappy Art Sells

• 19th-century novels were rejected by academics because it was considered vulgar like pop culture today
• Mass production of novels reached wider audiences
• Poor literacy rates increased due to mass printing and better printing presses
• Niche marketing came about because of modernism
• Niche marketing provided collectibles and higher quality goods
• Niche was a throwback to patrons

I’m on the fifth lecture of the Commerce and Culture podcast by Paul Cantor. This episode explains how capitalism increased the literacy rates of the poor during the 19th century.

Here are some of the basic points he made. Continue reading Capitalism Made Learning Accessible

In the fourth lecture of the Commerce and Culture podcast, Paul Cantor discusses how composers produced better music when there were more market options, instead of relying on just patrons. Continue reading Decentralization Produced Better Music

In the fourth lecture of the Commerce and Culture podcast, Paul Cantor discusses the economics of painting. Art flourished due to free trade and the exchange of ideas, which led to its accessibility and affordability today. Continue reading Paintings Revolutionized Art

I’m listening to a ten-part lecture series called Commerce and Culture and this episode was about Shakespeare’s success.

Here are some of the factors that lend to The Globe’s success.

Continue reading Shakespeare’s Theater and How Competition Made it Successful

It’s week three of module 4 and I’ve made fast progress in consuming content! Last week I reviewed and learned about the different types of philosophical fallacies and this week I’ll focus on history and culture.

Here are my notes from today’s lectures. Continue reading History and Culture: Free Markets Liberated the Arts

I learned how to apply critical thinking skills to avoid common philosophical fallacies.