DIME FOR CULTURE AND ART

Begging
It’s sad to see an outstretched hand begging, which is probably why people most often turn their heads away. But there are also those who want to teach beggars a lesson and give them advice. Some want to insult them because beggars are a disgrace to society, while there are those who pity them and give them some change. The latter are probably the fewest, but as long as there are such people, there is hope for beggars. Is it the same when it comes to culture and art, or is that not comparable? If you look at it formally, a beggar is a beggar, and an outstretched hand is an outstretched hand, so why should culture and art be treated differently? After all, education is in the same, if not worse, position, so what? Nothing. What does the state get from this enlightened, cultural group that is never satisfied and unabashedly criticizes those who regularly give them enough to survive? The fact that they have degrees is not much of an advantage because they wouldn’t be where they are, waiting for handouts. Maybe it’s just as well that some got degrees to their honor, while others are compensated with money for not having them. It’s fair that everyone is equal and that those who couldn’t earn a degree through regular means can buy one if they wish. Those who got their degrees the regular way, do they now want money too, or are they just putting on a show? What does it mean now that education costs and that without it there is neither art nor culture, as if that matters? Clearly, getting degrees the regular way was a waste of time because if it weren’t, there would be no begging now. Is there a better proof of the uselessness of learning than the fact that academics are the ones constantly asking for something, and from where? From the pockets of those who work. If time is money, then it’s clear who wasted their time and who the idlers are with their outstretched hands begging. At first glance, it’s obvious that those hands aren’t used to hard work, they’re not workers’ hands, yet they want money. They might as well pose with their diplomas; maybe it will help because it looks saintly, and good people like to put money on an icon. Even if that doesn’t happen, it will be a salvation for the state because it will force them to leave and seek better opportunities elsewhere. Is there a more beautiful sight than clean streets? Isn’t that culture? Yes, it is, because even lack of culture is culture, recognizable both by those who beg and those who turn their heads pretending not to see them, as well as by those who want to be smart at all costs and give advice instead of money. Culture is least shown by those who pity culture and art and quietly give them some change, because that is an investment for the future. In any case, like in a dark fairy tale, those who turned their heads will regret it, as will those who gave advice, but those who defended their conscience with change will also regret it because begging for education and culture is a sign of a dark age. Can a true path be found if the soul wanders in the dark? It seems shameless and, of course, indecent.