'Britain has become indifferent to beauty'

'Britain has become indifferent to beauty'

(Source The Guardian)
This motion was proposed last week at a vigorous debate asking if Britain had become indifferent to beauty, from architecture to landscape and from art to music. Stephen Bayley, the Observer's design critic, opposed the motion and argued forcefully that Britons retain an enthusiastic appreciation of both classic and modern aesthetics
The great thing about the present economic calamity is that it is forcing a thoughtful re-examination of values, rather than the coarse pursuit of acquiring more stuff we don't need with money we don't have.
So, right on cue, the National Trust, guardian of collective memory, has held its first public "Quality of Life" debate, organised by Intelligence Squared, the business that makes brainy argument into an extreme sport for urban intellectuals. During last Thursday's cocktail hour at the Royal Geographical Society, 700 guests paid to hear a debate on whether "Britain has become indifferent to beauty". Read the article...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/mar/22/national-trust-intelligence-squad

Intelligence²
The current economic crisis gives us all an opportunity to rethink our priorities. What really matters in life? The endless round of getting and spending, or less tangible things - spending time with friends and family, a walk in the countryside, admiring something beautiful? The National Trust 'Quality of Life' Debates, in conjunction with Intelligence², aim to stimulate people to think about their deepest values - the kind that are frequently ignored in conventional political debate.
http://www.intelligencesquared.com/past-events.php?event=EVT0190