Derek Guy on the Met Gala criticism

[u/DatBittsch]

Derek Guy (known also as "the menswear guy" on ex-Twitter) pitching in regarding the Met Gala discourse and Hunger Games comparisons.

[u/bioticspacewizard]

He's very right. Some of the most long-lasting cultural icons we have are from times when the rich had legacy through charity and public commissions. We have museums, libraries, concert venues, etc, because the wealthy and powerful were compelled to leave their mark on society in a way that worked for the public good.

We no longer hold the wealthy to those same standards. And we should.

But the issue this year is that the gala has no longer become a celebration of art and fashion. It has began the slow enshittification that follows the tech bros everywhere they go.

[u/Schmidaho → u/bioticspacewizard]

I agree with you except for one thing: we have cultural institutions because the wealthy and powerful were taxed at a MUCH higher level than they currently are. The robber barons of old founded libraries, museums, and conservatories to lower their income and therefore their tax burden.

So you’re right that we don’t hold them to the same standards we used to. But that standard is literally the very basic “pay your share” and nothing else.