Michael Cole writes:

>The last time I posted to this list, the acknowledgement indicated 964
>members.  Even if all U.S.  (and for the sake of maximizing revenue)
>all Canadian members contributed $100.00 U.S., the total would be what?
>$50,000? $60,000? We couldn't do it alone and we wouldn't do it together.
>Instead, we'd get caught up in arguments over whether Pavrotti should be
>allowed at all or whether Berio could be played between the hours of 3:00
>and 4:00 A.M.

Alas, I think Michael is right and the mere thought of something worthwhile
dies on the vine.  Congenitally, I'm opposed to the UK forced charge with
fierce penalties for failing to pay -- and the likelihood of a tv tax to
support culture ever passing in the US Congress is minus100%.  So we are
doomed unless someone comes up with a scheme to legally distribute all this
wonderful programming worldwide in an economical manner.

I guesss it boils down to a question of values rather than eyeballs (or
ears), which is the dominant value for radio and tv and movie programming,
not to forget recordings.  Are all minority interests the same or is there
some way to justify keeping all this intellectual stuff and serious music
available with some kind of public subsidy on the grounds that it is for
society's "good"? Or are we doomed to the democratic principle of the
lowest common denominator for culture?

The promise of cable tv has not been met, for what little cultural
programming there is in the U.S.  is now in danger of being drowned in
commercials.  Bravo which used to be an island in the wasteland is now so
disfigured by incessant commercials that it is impossible for a sentient
person to stay tuned to the channel for more than ten minutes without
throwing up.  The more substantial the programming, the less tolerable are
constant interruptions.  But this is not getting through to the programming
gurus.  Can you imagine an opera broadcast with a batch of commercials
following every major aria? I'll bet someone will try that one out soon.

Alas, I see little hope.  I think Don Satz's posting, while somewhat
tongue in cheek, is representative of our fragmentation and hence our
total inability to come together to mobilize some support from those who
own the money tree.  I can't see private philanthropy sponsoring a real
high quality channel or network.  We pitiful few are truly beyond the
fringe.

Sadly part of a dying minority,

Eric Kisch