Ok, we get it. You think it's useless. You think it's a waste. It's "dull, uncreative, pointless, nothing." So why are you still here commenting the same exact thing yet again? If you ask me, repeating the same opinion over and over and over again, without adding any thoughtful insights is dull, uncreative, pointless, nothing...IMO.

well said IMO

SHOOT!
I was just about to repeat stuff allover again--
ohhhhhh, you guys are evil

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Look around your room right now. See that Santa hat you bought your cat for Christmas, or the outfit in your closet that you only wore once or the hair mousse that you "can't live without"?

Whether you want to admit it or not, your house is full of "self indulgent" objects that are "utterly useless".

If you added up their value, the money could have paid for enough vaccines to save hundreds of childrens' lives in third world countries.

I remember reading about a multi-millionaire businessman (can't recall the name) who lives in poverty because as long as there are people in need, he can't allow himself to buy anything above the basic necessities. He donates nearly every cent he earns.

I wish more people were like him but the reality is that we live in a world that spends hundreds of millions of dollars per year on Chia Pets.

Unless you are this man, it's somewhat hypocritical to call others "self indulgent".

so if all of you would have just donated the money you spent on PS and the related paraphernalia to charity, then we wouldn't have to be ashamed for enjoying your artwork either.

c'mon people. its art, so what? It would indeed be wonderful if everyone was as socially conscious as they ought to be, but I for one am really glad that there are people in the world who are interested in creating beauty. this includes every one of you here.

Edit - I forgot my smileys

.


I just want to be clear here -

I'm with the Chia Pet buyers

Very altruistic idealism there Badcop.... but
a guy setting the example that the rewards of hard work,
and success are a "bad " thing kind of offsets the
whole balance.
Who wants to work hard and be successful if it
comes with so much baggage that a person should rightly
live like a hobo until those who have not worked hard or
used their brains are your 'quality of life' equals.
very inspirational.
this is exactly why I buy my wines----"napa valley".

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First of all, there's no such thing as altruism (but that's another conversation).

Second, I was only using that guy as an example of the extreme. He's an exception.
We all spend frivolously.

Therefore we have no business being angry at others for spending frivolously.
That is hypocrisy.




Are you just playing devil's advocate or do you seriously believe that people in third world countries are in their situations because they aren't working hard and using their brains?




I buy my Slurpees ----"7-11"

I dont get it

I agree that the money people earn should be spent as they wish.
It's still easy to see that anyone spending 20mill on "the gates"
could be seen as frivolous. It's their right to be frivolous though.
Just because someone has managed to put themselves in a position
where they have or can spend huge amounts of money, does not give the "have nots"
the right to TELL them how to spend it.
It's like several news release after the "Tsunami' where officials from other nations berated the U.S. for not spending enough on relief.
What business is that of theirs?
so I guess we agree on that point.
As far as third world nations , or the poor anywhere - in general-
people are responsivble for their own actions.

Excellent. Today I actually agree with you Scion!

Wow, I actually agree with you on this too, Scion

Must be somethin' in the water today

...up to your very last point though:

Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you said, but I hardly think it's fair to hold children who are born into poverty "responsible" for it.

EJ, no, I certainly am not holding children, or even young adults responsible
for dire situautions they had no choice but to survive.
But certainly, parents, communitys, governments, are responsible--(except natural tragedys-such as the Tsunami)
Time and hard work, a dedication to a better life--these things always pay off.
*edit* There seem to be-at least frrom what i can gather from news sources-
areas of the world where charitys have fed children in need on a large scale--
it seems that many of these areas where we did feed the children -
well- that became a new culture- allow the charity to feed the kids--
year after year- no need to provide for a family-- the charity foods will be here friday--- we -trying to be humane--may we not have blundered?? again- i say we should have TAUGHT people to provide for themselves.
Teaching people to provide for themselves is not only charitable -THAT- I
would believe and wholeheartedly defend as being the 'responsibility'
of all of us.

Yeah, I figured I was misreading you there... thanks for explaining

if an artist says it is art, then it is art.

'nuff said.

Ok, this is my final installment of photos, now that the Gates are officially done and being taken down as we speak (er, type). I have to say, it has been kind of a fun challenge to go back and try to take new photos that show something a little different than before...

some snowy pics I took in the early a.m. light:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/2_26_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/2_26_2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/2_26_3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/2_26_4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/2_26_5.jpg

looking toward the entrance to Central Park North in Harlem:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/2_28_1.jpg

in the Conservatory garden:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/6_16A_0016.jpg

reflections in the Harlem Meer:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/6_12A_0012.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/6_13A_0013_crop.jpg

night:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/EJH/6_20A_0020.jpg

Hope you've enjoyed looking at the Gates through my eyes, and thanks so much to all who voiced appreciation & compliments