What is Art?

In the last class we talked about where the line is drawn between porn and art. I feel that there is a difference, but every person is entitled to their own expression. I was a dancer and a musician for many years and understand the importance of personal expression. This is where one can show their talent and their ideas to the world through different forms. But when does personal expression end and porn begin? Maybe in the case of Annie Sprinkle, her personal expression was describing things as a sexual artist. I guess what I am asking is, does having dance shoes on or a paint brush in hand make something art? Or can a lecture about sex also be art?

Privacy

In class, we have been talking about our class seminar group talk, but because of capstone and my job, I feel like I have been slipping. I know that managing time is an important lesson in being a college student, but recently I feel like I have failed. However, in our group we have been talking about whether politicians should be given more privacy. I agree that they probably deserve more privacy, but I also feel that they have put themselves out into the public to be judged. If politicians are doing their job well, maybe they should not be judged for their private lives; but isn't that one of the reasons (how they conduct their private lives) why we elected them in the first place?

Information in the Classroom

At times it seems like our society is growing and becoming more open minded about race, gender, and sexuality, but then I hear some comment or some idea and I am shocked at where we still are. In our group this week, we talked about being open minded and accepting all people and it was suggested that these ideas be taught in classrooms. While some disagreed and thought that it should be up to the parents to teach these ideas to their children, I think that a child will only learn about most of these issues away from parents. Sure a child will learn values and respect from parents, but sometimes it is nice to have another voice influencing children as they grow especially in the classroom. It might even be that hearing about issues in school will allow the child to be more open with a parent and hold a discussion around the topic. I think that a child should be given lots (even too much) information on all sides of a subject, and then they can decide for themselves what they want to believe as they grow. I don't know, it is an interesting topic.