Week 1- Averi
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“Kitsch” is usually defined as a tasteless piece of art, most likely excessively garnished or sentimental; in other terms, a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. Even though this term is just my last name, it does add a perspective on the placement of value on items. My full name is Averi Kitsch, and I am currently finishing my freshman year at the University. I intend on majoring in bioengineering with hopes of continuing on to medical school in the future. Even with a strong background in math and science, literature and the marketplace make up a large portion of daily life.
Returning to the perspective presented at the start, how does the society place value, presumably monetary value? The answer to this question will become more apparent by evaluating what is money, and what is the economy? The typical definition follows that money is a medium of exchange that represents a value of gold. Other items similarly gain value due to their rarity and availability, in which the society associates with a number, or monetary value. Nevertheless, a society places value on work; therefore the time, effort, and skills relate back to an excepted significance. The dollar and other currencies have long histories of simplifying the trading process. However, the definition remains broad and has the ability to evolve over time.
The society’s viewpoint on money changes as the economy progresses. The economy is how society manages its resources. Every individual in the society has needs in order to survive, including other desires. The economic “flow” is determined by how people trade their goods or services for other goods and services. Therefore, the economy is the regulation of a countries wealth in order to survive or advance in life; which we knowingly or unknowingly encounter every day.
I see a couple ideas from Locke in your definitions for money and the economy. Namely, the emphasis on scarcity and the value of work. I’m curious to know if you think that the definition of greed, a key element in Locke’s writing we just read, has evolved over time in the same matter that you mention money has.
Greed has the capability to be defined in many ways. Focusing on Locke, greed can change as our desires/needs change. Money overall is associated with what we want individually and as a society. These three concepts; greed, money, and desire; are interconnected. I feel society defines greedy on having excesses of non-necessities.
Kitsch may be defined as “a worthless imitation of art of recognized value,” as you say, Averi, but I think it’s significant that it has the potential to be endlessly reborn in new forms — that makes it an interesting type of commodity.
You’re right that literature and the marketplace make up a substantial part of daily life, but it bothers me sometimes that students are asked to take more classes in the humanities than they are in math and science. And I bring that up, not just because of your comment, but because you make the point that money has a strong connection with mathematics. Calculating money is pretty straightforward, but calculating a lot of other things (labor, and even some goods) are not.