It Started With a Rant About Nicky Hilton's Celebrity

Gratefully, there is a world of difference between creative eminence and mere celebrity.  Check out Embrace for details.

Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 13:18:16
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Now this is creativity
 
With the caveat that I appreciate nice looking clothes almost as much as the next person... There may be those who regard fashion as wearable art, but it is called the fashion industry for a reason. Being asked whether to fund the humanities or feed the world is a false dichotomy. In the case of Nicky's "art" how about we split the difference and encourage her and her peers to double the wages of the women and children assembling fashion products in third world sweatshops? I'd be shocked if that largesse added even a dollar to the price of of one of Nicky's masterpieces. This conversation has me sounding socialist, if not Marxist. My father would be pleased at your progress in only two class sessions. Truth is, I believe capitalism works as well as any system, and better than most, humanity has tried since we gave up hunting and gathering. I'm satisfied that enlightened self-interest, known less congenially as greed, is the key to free market solutions, but there is something wrong about an American wearing shoes (chosen from many pairs in the closet) or a carrying a purse (one of several) that cost more than some people earn in a year. Great, now you've got me counting how many pairs of shoes I own...

Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 2:34:36 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Now this is creativity

well, with the caveat that i'm no fan of fashion, those who are would argue that it is an art that inspires. should the humanities be tabled entirely until we do a better job with the food/clothes/shelter?

Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 12:29:56
Subject: Re: Re: Now this is creativity

Until every child in the world has any clothes, healthy food, clean water, a safe place to sleep, immunizations, an education, and freedom from political and religious tyranny, how can what happens on the runways in Milan, Paris, or Mahattan matter much at all?

Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 1:03:48 PM
Subject: Re: Now this is creativity

is fashion a waste?

Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:26:25
Subject: Now this is creativity

If Nicky Hilton made these she'd be creative in a domain that matters http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_chen_a_warm_embrace_that_saves_lives.html