From: John Morrice <spoon@...>
Date: 2010-12-17T22:03:10+09:00
Subject: Re: Is programming art?

> There is a distinction between being useless and having no utility. I
> content that art has no utility in that it does not have "the quality
> of being of practical use" (the meaning of the word utility). That
> does not mean that it is useless.

I agree that there is a subtle distinction I had not considered!

> Is art useless? That is another question and not one that I was
> addressing. Given that in around 6 billion years the sun will turn
> into a Red Giant and all life on Earth will be eradicated then you
> could view all human endeavour as useless :(

Aye, you're right: it's another question.  I have my faith in humanity
(or what it may become).  In 6 billion years we might be symbiotic with
novae.  :)