This article - in the Economist - credited this leveling of the cultural playing field to an increase in college education, how over the last ten years or so, more people than ever have graduated from college, undergrad and uppergrad, as cultural omnivores, willing to take in whatever society as to offer: pop art, reality TV, viral videos, classic movies, etcetera.
I've been thinking about the highs and lows in my life. And I'm not talking guilty pleasures. What's there to feel guilty about when you can title yourself a cultural omnivore?
Here are mine. As you read them, keep in mind, I'm not dumb, I'm a cultural omnivore.
Highs: I could spend a better part of my life on the third floor of the MoMA.
Every fall I wait in line for hours to see a dozen dance companies perform at City Center.
I recently found out you can attend dress rehearsals at the New York Philharmonic for way less than a ticket to a legit performance, and I've already purchased mine.
I've attended more poetry readings than read books of poetry, and seen the heavy hitters in person; Billy Collins, Galway Kinnell, Sharon Olds, Marie Ponsoit.
Lows: I DVR the Golden Girls to watch at my leisure.
I get really into marathons on MTV. Once on a flight from California to New York, I watched an entire season of 2-A-Days. Also, My Super Sweet 16, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders:Making the Team, and Engaged and Underage.
I don't buy People magazine, but if it's at the gym, I will pick it up.
Same with US Weekly. Though I do draw the line at Star (and they're not fooling anyone now that they've switched to the glossy page format. I can see right through that).
So, my fellows, don't be ashamed. No longer refer to your Perez Hilton addiction as a guilty pleasure. Read the Weekly World News (online) with pride. You are part of something so great, even the Economist has taken notice.
The Economist.
