Another bubble burst

The reassuring sense of prosperity, and the resultant careless disregard for quality and substance, has come back to bite the elite in the ass. And since there's no longer any money to throw around, the art market is one of the biggest casualties. And this is definitely good news for those concerned with trivial matters like talent and creativity and hard work.

For those who, over the last few years, have been wondering why seemingly terrible works of art are being bought for a lot of money, it's because of rich people who have a lot of cash, but know nothing about art. Who believe that if the price is high, then it must be worth that amount. The fact that the price tag was clipped on by "art consultants" who were luring the moneyed people didn't matter when the money was available. But now that it's not, the fake inflation of prices is starting to matter. Of course, this goes for everything that can be bought with money. But art somehow stands out, because it had become a popular commodity in the last few years, and an idiot-proof instrument for investment. But, hey, now that the money is draining out, maybe quality will rule (ironic how it's the opposite of the whole meritocratic concept of capitalism. But that argument's for another time.)

Now, we're getting to re-learn that art is something that can't truly be "bought", no matter how much - or little - it costs. Much like education, whose price tags will also, hopefully, come down in the near future.