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NYU Prof. Ruby Thelot on why everyone suddenly cares about taste: "I wrote a book called A Few Essays on Taste, where I make the case that taste is not just aesthetic preference. Taste is a way for people to consume virtuously. The question of taste emerged in the 17th century, at a time where people needed guidance as to how to consume properly." "In 1688, the Bill of Rights happens in England after the Glorious Revolution, and the nobility's powers are restrained. As they lose political power, they also lose cultural power. At the same time you have the growth of the British colonies, immense amounts of wealth being generated, and suddenly you have this nouvelle bourgeoisie, this new elite. And there's a belief that this emergence of excessive luxury will lead to the decay of society." "It is in the vacuum, in the reduction of the cultural power of the previous nobility, that the question of taste emerges. What's interesting to me is that we're in a similar position now. We're entering a similar industrial revolution. We're in the midst of immense amounts of wealth being created, and we're asking ourselves, how do we consume virtuously? That is why the question of taste is emerging. It mirrors 17 and 18th century England." @being_on_line @NYU