Halcyon days are over

Swedish culture workers are on fire. The state is taking away their traditional means of providing for themselves. Or rather, not providing for themselves in favor of letting the taxpayers do it.

Now don’t get me wrong. I majored in “Cultural science” and so have more than sympathy for the role of culture in society. I also don’t agree with the idea that all sectors of society must eventually conform to the iron law of market forces.

I just think that if the music industry, auto workers and any number of other professions have to adjust to new environments, what’s the big deal if culture workers? Besides, these are people who are supposed to be masters at pushing the limits and challenging societal norms. Now their own norms and limits are being changed. Why can’t they adjust to it?

If these new circumstances should lead to a deficit of culture in Sweden we will have to do something about it, but to be honest I don’t see that happening. What I do see is artists who enjoy what they’re doing and have something to say getting over themselves and simply adjusting to a new way of doing things. Just like the rest of us.