Sober Philosophy: "High" vs. "Low" culture (Huyen presents, AZF)

Most societies make a distinction between forms of cultural production that are “high-brow” vs. “low-brow”. Of course, this is a bit arbitrary, and is rooted on societal dynamics touching on class, gender, race, ethnicity, and more. Why exactly is the “trashy” romance novel seen as not worthy of being the “Great American Novel?” Why are some genres of music not seen as “appropriate” for Carnegie Hall?

Some genres of cultural production manage to move from one category to another in certain contexts, e.g.:

-Jazz -from its Black roots in the slavery-era American South to its more elitist image today

-Flamenco -created by the marginalized Spanish Roma minority, but now celebrated as a symbol of Spanish culture overall

-Kabuki- a Japanese theatrical form originally performed by women of lower class ranking, but has since evolved to become both elite AND exclusively performed by men

-Cooking- a task societally associated with women, but is yet dominated by men in the public/professional spheres

Some questions we may discuss:

1. Does the “high” vs. “low” distinction have any standing in aesthetics then? Or can it be wholly explained by social factors?

2. What has to happen for a “low-brow” form of art to be “elevated”? And why do some forms of art get to “cross over” while others do not?

3. Why do some people see “mass popularity” as contrary to “artistic seriousness”?

4. What is “camp”? Does the existence of “camp” help maintain or tear down this “low”/”high” distinction?

Symptom-free (of potentially contagious disease) people with the capacity to listen considerately to diverse viewpoints are invited to attend after successfully RSVPing.

We begin the meeting at 7:30 pm sharp at the mezzanine above the lobby of the Graduate Hotel in the University District: 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

AMAZON FORMAT (AZF):
At the beginning of the meeting we will take turns reading lines from the above texts aloud.

OPENING ROUNDTABLE FORMAT (ORF):

1. The topic presenter begins the discussion by explaining why they are interested in the topic and some introductory thoughts on it.
2. Each participant in turn going clockwise from the presenter describes their general thoughts on the topic.
3. If one is not ready to speak they can just say “pass” and the next person speaks.
4. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to comment.
5. Once everyone has given opening remarks or passed twice, Opening Roundtable is completed and the meeting shifts into its main format.

TIMED DIRECTION FORMAT (TDRF>5):
If there are more than 5 people present we will use the format below.

1. We will divide up the timed direction discussion time by the number of participants plus one (for a buffer). A timer will be set for this amount of time.
2. Each participant in turn will become a Discussion Director and lead the group discussion.
3. If one is not ready to direct they dimply say “pass” and the next person becomes the Discussion Director.
4. Anyone who arrives after step 1 (above), may participate but will not get a turn as Discussion Director.
5. The Discussion Director can make statements or ask questions, or interrupt or redirect the discussion at their discretion.
6. The discussion participants can state their own opinions only when asked by the Discussion Director, not Interrupt others and accede to the Discussion Director’s interruptions or redirections.
7. When the timer goes off the person speaking finishes their thought and then the next participant clockwise becomes the next Discussion Director.
8. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to direct.

At the end of the meeting, participants will have an opportunity to vote on the topic and format for the following meeting.