Astral Codex Ten Podcast Friendly And Hostile Analogies For Taste
Dec 25, 2024
Delve into the intriguing complexities of artistic taste, where personal appreciation clashes with critical perceptions that label certain art as kitsch. Explore the arbitrary rules of fashion that dictate societal acceptance, questioning their origins and the embarrassment they can instill. Discover the subjective nature of taste, likening it to fashion and cultural influences while uncovering the frustrating power dynamics that dictate what is deemed 'tasteful.' At the heart of the conversation is the question of what it means to judge someone's artistic choices.
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Taste vs. Physics
- Taste is compared to physics, suggesting an objective standard exists, much like the laws of physics.
- However, taste has no clear referent in the real world, unlike physics, which refers to matter and energy.
Taste as Priesthood
- The "Taste as Priesthood" analogy suggests taste rules are complex and arbitrary, like Hindu purity laws.
- While internally consistent, these rules lack real-world relevance and are enforced by inculcation.
Fashion's Arbitrary Rules
- Fashion rules, like "no white after Labor Day," have dubious justifications rooted in historical context.
- This suggests rules are often arbitrary inventions rather than based on inherent aesthetic principles.