Old world Quote by Hal Foster
““For Seabrook this 'nobrow' state - where the old brow distinctions no longer seem to apply - is not only a dumbing down of intellectual culture; it is also a wising up to commercial culture, which is no longer seen as an object of disdain but as 'a source of status.' At the same time this child of the elite is ambivalent about the collapse of brow distinctions, caught as he is between the old world of middlebrow taste, as vetted by The New Yorker of yore, and the new world of nobrow taste, where culture and marketing are one. ””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Rise of Nobrow” by Hal Foster, 2015
The collapse of traditional cultural hierarchies blends high art with commercial marketing, creating a mixed “nobrow” taste.
In simple terms: Old cultural boundaries dissolve, mixing elite and commercial tastes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and critique the merging of culture and commerce.
Themes
culture
commercialism
elitism
taste
media
identity
Mood
critical
contemplative
analytical
Type
Old world:1
Commercial Culture:1
Middlebrow Taste:1
Nobrow Taste:1
Taste Culture:1
Middlebrow:1
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- media analysis
- social commentary
- academic discourse
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
cultural hierarchy
taste politics
elitist vs popular
marketing influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does nobrow affect artistic standards?
- Can culture retain depth amid commercial influence?
A Different Perspective
The blend may obscure critical standards, leading to superficial appreciation.