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 [log in to unmask]