Show notes
Today, a discussion with Tyler Cowen about aesthetics in general, and new aesthetics in particular!More InformationA Call for New Aesthetics, from Patrick Collison and Tyler CowenNew Aesthetics granteesStripe CEO Announces New Aesthetics Grant RecipientsMarginal Revolution and Conversations with TylerIn This Episode(01:17) Aesthetics and the vision of the good life in politics and public affairs(03:20) Patrick Collison on ten important historical novels: the most popular literary critic of the year(07:02) Doubts about oversimplified left-brain / right-brain theories of knowledge(09:29) Understanding 'what is': proper nouns are underrated(11:09) In the Instagram era, is travel past its peak?(14:50) Consensus is possible amongst critics, against pure subjectivism(16:36) Is it worth trying to appreciate art forms that don't naturally appeal to one's taste?(18:50) Does newness rule in aesthetics? Popular music as evidence to the contrary(23:08) Henry Adams never listened to Jimi Hendrix(24:08) LLMs' use of language creates the illusion of consciousness (26:33) A portfolio approach to aesthetic judgments; considering forgery and AI-generated pictures; famous forgers are overrated; the Haydn forgeries(29:20) Overrating the name of the artist; the worst Shakespeare plays(30:52) Neither "Wild Honey Pie" nor "Hello, Goodbye" are the worst Beatles songs; the synergy of John and Paul(34:16) Does the new Gilded Age compare unfavorably to the old Gilded Age in its impact on public space? New museums including the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art; the new art museum in Memphis, the Quai Branly; the National Museum of Qatar in Doha; the Museum of Art and Photography in Bengaluru(37:30) Reasons not to worry that new digital artworks won't last very long in the grand sweep of history (38:24) Putting fears of obsolescence in perspective: how many people know all the Bach cantatas or Monteverdi madrigals?(39:30) About the New Aesthetics grants; the problem with contemporary architecture; reasons for optimism(42:57) Underrated artists: William Kentridge; David Hockney (really); the composer Robert Ashley
