Indeed, the answer to his question is "because people are stupid." I have no contract, unlimited everything, and pay $40 per month. I'm not going to shill them, there are plenty of them so names aren't necessary. My daughter was paying three times that on AT&T and switched to the one I have (and an Android like mine) when her iPhone broke.

I have used my Spanish in the past, I'm sure it would have been far more useful than German. I really used it working at Disney, even though you could probably get by just knowing what "Donde es el cuarto del bano" means there (that last n should have a squiggley mark over it).

I haven't spoken it in decades, probably be unable to communicate if you dropped me in Acapulco.

My wallet was stolen at the Y several years ago (which got me to stop working out). Getting the license replaced was easier than getting my library card replaced. All the DMV needed was two pieces of mail. Perhaps you need a better Secretary of State where you live?

When I retired, my employer needed a copy of my birth certificate. I was able to order a copy over the internet, no paper required. All I needed was to know stuff I would know if I was really me.

As to the submission, how in the hell did it get posted? Is the submitter that ignorant?? All you need to back up your paper is a scanner. There are, indeed, stupid questions and this submission is proof.

DUH!! When did slashdot stop being a nerd site?

Perhaps they're simply targeting the wrong IP address, thinking you're Lockheed or somebody, or maybe they're just targeting random IPs.

Are we talking about "fully understanding" the *history* of the piece of art, or the artwork itself?

The artwork itself. The composition, use of color, symbolism, etc. The history only points to where a work stands in relation to works before, contemporary, and afterword.

It was an interesting class. Not very useful, but interesting.

I stopped reading when the author made up his own definition to the word, which is nothing like Webster's defines it.

Full Definition of CONSERVATISM
1
capitalized
a : the principles and policies of a Conservative party
b : the Conservative party
2
a : disposition in politics to preserve what is established
b : a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)

3
: the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change

When an article starts with an absurdity like that there's no point in reading it.

Art history records many examples of things that were art at the time but are now recognized as junk.

Entirely true. Van Gogh was a failure who couldn't sell paintings. Gaugan and Manet were panned by contemporary critics, while the works that were critically praised and hung in expensive galleries are worthless today.

Warhol has been dead for a quarter of a century. Maybe enough time has passed, maybe not. But these guys who have never had an art history class who think they know what art is are ludicrous.

It actually includes looking at trends that are stupid in hindsight. Like pop art and photo real paintings.

Have you ever seen an Audrey Flack painting in a museum? Photorealistic still lifes that will take your breath away.

You can start with the dictionary.

In a subject that is not my field, I have little choice but to listen to those who have studied in the field.

Art is man-made and its scholars fully understand it. That's not the case with quantum physics, yet at least.

Critics that were contemporaries with the likes of Manet, Van Gogh, and Gaugan were similarly shunned by the establishment. Meanwhile, paintings that hung in galleries and were critically praised at the time are worthless today.

If it evokes an emotional reaction, even if that reaction is contempt, it's art. The worst insult you can hurl at a painter is "gee, that's pretty."

I noticed yesterday I had to wait 5 minutes between comments, despite rarely being downmodded.

...the campbell soup can (one hit wonder)...

My God, so much outspoken ignorance from people who can't even be bothered to look at a wikipedia article.