Critics Promote Pleasure

Por: AshLo | |

By Ashley Speagle
Looking at many reviews, it seems the ultimate role of the critic is to tear down the arts, and many do. Many critics are snarky, merciless, and play to the crowd. However, their reviews as a whole support art and culture. Even though a blogger or online commentator can provide an opinion, for nothing, it is the professional critic that provides a thoughtful, accurate, and in-depth review. Not only does their opinion stem from a researched foundation, but its publication also has the influence to impact the arts in a larger way.

Art and culture are a huge part of who we are as human beings. Without critics, we may ignore it. It could be a reality show or a sandwich, but without the critic, we might not be aware of what is going on in our culture. We might have reports of something new, something scandalous, or something ending, but we wouldn't know what it feels like, what it means, and how it matters.

The critic is very important to American culture in particular. One of my anthropology professors said that Americans define quality of life by how much land we have, the size of our house, and the amount of things we can acquire. In other parts of the world, quality of life is being able to enjoy a great play, fine food, old museums, and beautiful music. It's important for us to reevaluate how we live our lives and what we value. Should we just find pleasure in acquiring a mass of resources or pleasure in satisfying our senses?

The critic is expecially important now in our current economic state. We are pushed to shave off excess in everything, and right now, the arts are treated as fat. Newspapers downsize the arts and living sections, legislators want to boot liberal arts classes out, and Broadway suffers. We can't sweep the arts to a corner as if they have no value. The role of the critic is to try to remind us of this value and to urge us to enjoy what's beautiful in our world.