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I disagree that there is a 'shared understanding'; for instance, the latest Freakonomics podcast episode featured an interview where the subject stated that liv

by nickff 2y ago

I disagree that there is a 'shared understanding'; for instance, the latest Freakonomics podcast episode featured an interview where the subject stated that live theatre was a social good that was critical to a functioning society, and worthy of public subsidy. I like theatre, but think it's a luxury good. There are many similar 'interests'.

jltsiren 2y ago
It obviously depends on the society. Theatres run or subsidized by a state or a city are common. In many countries, supporting national culture is seen as one of the key functions of the government. Most people in those countries agree with that, and even those who don't generally understand that they are in the minority.
- nox101 2y ago
  Now we have to argue about "culture". I'd say, movies and net series are culture and well funded and popular with the public. No need for subsidies for unpopular "theater". Also, according to that same episode of freakonomics, average income for theater goes is $270k a year. Those fans can afford to pay for their preferred entertainment. The government does not need to subsides them.
  - jltsiren 2y ago
    Public subsidies to movies are common, especially in countries that are not very popular in the international market. TV channels and streaming services are often required to have a certain amount of domestic content. Even video games get public subsidies. What you say about the average income of theater audience sounds very foreign to me. I guess that elitist theater is the only form that remains viable when it has to rely on the market and charitable donations. When I was a kid, theater was something you went to on a school excursion every year or so. It wasn't my thing, but some of my friends got interested in it. Later in the university, our student union had a semi-professional theater group that had become a national institution. Many student organizations had hobbyist theater groups. Even students of science started one shortly after I graduated. And before my time, socialist theater used to be a big thing. But that was when socialism meant actual socialism and primarily appealed to the working class.
  - gopher_space 2y ago
    I mean I'd love to know that zero of my tax dollars support the military, which is problematic for my religion.
  - _DeadFred_ 2y ago
    What's the median? The median excluding NYC, LA, and SF? Why is freakonomics using average? They know that's a 'manipulate public discourse' number not really a useful one, especially for something that can easily have 1 or 2 9 to 10 figure net wealth individuals in attendance.

by nickff 2y ago

jltsiren 2y ago

It obviously depends on the society. Theatres run or subsidized by a state or a city are common. In many countries, supporting national culture is seen as one of the key functions of the government. Most people in those countries agree with that, and even those who don't generally understand that they are in the minority.

nox101 2y ago
Now we have to argue about "culture". I'd say, movies and net series are culture and well funded and popular with the public. No need for subsidies for unpopular "theater". Also, according to that same episode of freakonomics, average income for theater goes is $270k a year. Those fans can afford to pay for their preferred entertainment. The government does not need to subsides them.
- jltsiren 2y ago
  Public subsidies to movies are common, especially in countries that are not very popular in the international market. TV channels and streaming services are often required to have a certain amount of domestic content. Even video games get public subsidies. What you say about the average income of theater audience sounds very foreign to me. I guess that elitist theater is the only form that remains viable when it has to rely on the market and charitable donations. When I was a kid, theater was something you went to on a school excursion every year or so. It wasn't my thing, but some of my friends got interested in it. Later in the university, our student union had a semi-professional theater group that had become a national institution. Many student organizations had hobbyist theater groups. Even students of science started one shortly after I graduated. And before my time, socialist theater used to be a big thing. But that was when socialism meant actual socialism and primarily appealed to the working class.
- gopher_space 2y ago
  I mean I'd love to know that zero of my tax dollars support the military, which is problematic for my religion.
- _DeadFred_ 2y ago
  What's the median? The median excluding NYC, LA, and SF? Why is freakonomics using average? They know that's a 'manipulate public discourse' number not really a useful one, especially for something that can easily have 1 or 2 9 to 10 figure net wealth individuals in attendance.