David is it really "human nature to take things for granted that you
   don't have to pay for directly."  Leaving aside the syntax, I think
   you go on to point out that this is acculturated, not intrinsic human
   nature.  I speculate -- without any substantial backup --
   that Americans are extreme in this regard: a little eavesdropping at
   an art museum usually yields many overheard comments about the cost of
   this painting, or of that sculpture.  We seem to be a commercial
   culture, given to evaluating everything, from art to sport to houses,
   through its monetary value.

   Though I agree its fascinating to watch how people sometimes seem at a
   loss in a museum, rushing off to the gift shop where they understand
   what they are supposed to do, I have no reason to believe that this is
   necessarily a root and intrinsic human trait.  And it would be
   valuable if museums, to some extent, served as a respite from the
   gross commercialism of this culture.

   So, if you take American kids as you find them, no doubt there are
   many for whom there is no romance without finance.  But, that doesn't
   mean you can't try to move them from that spot, to a point where they
   find in museums a sanctuary from the terrible and frustrating
   commercial mirage that we all are encouraged to chase.

   Eric Siegel
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