"We Have Paid Scant Attention to the Cultural Middle Class"

"This talk of 'a subject they love' brings us to the real crisis, which is both economic and cultural (or even moral). The point of work should not be just to provide the material goods we need to survive. Since work typically takes the largest part of our time, it should also be an important part of what gives our life meaning. Our economic system works well for those who find meaning in economic competition and the material rewards it brings. To a lesser but still significant extent, our system provides meaningful work in service professions (like health and social work) for those fulfilled by helping people in great need. But for those with humanistic and artistic life interests, our economic system has almost nothing to offer."

Gary Gutting in The New York Times advocates for "those with strong humanist interests and abilities who can’t reach the very highest levels."