ArialPerhaps the following is in line with this current thread. I read an interesting article recently about a movement that's afoot in Europe to counteract the fast paced lifestyle of the US, that so often invades other cultures.. It described a concerted effort to establish a "slow food" attitude instead of "fast food", embracing the idea that smaller might just be better. Trends of European countries to encourage supporting small businesses and a more "village-like" life style are being promoted. The idea of temp jobs also seems to be preferrable to many former CEO's as well as other high stressed professions--work 6 months and relax for 6 months. Basically, it promoted a much simpler life style rather than so much materialism and consumerism that we are surrounded by. Another article described some man in a small town in France actually preventing a MacDonalds from being built in his town, and was making it his mission to make this a more widespread trend throughout Europe--boycotting American companies. Something to ponder. Judie We are the aestheticists of the future. We are responsible for maintaining culture and educating our society as to the affective aspects of life and how they can support a quality of existence. I feel more and more torn between the standards/assessment/accountability stuff and the real reason art exists in the world. I believe the stress we feel so intensely, comes from the fact that these issues are not compatible. The corporate/business world has encroached so completely into our lives (schools) that people no longer feel justified in aesthetics training. Everything must be job related or accountable or technology based. We are caught in between. Our hearts and hands are in one locale and our brains and paychecks in another. OK- enough of my rambling. Do any of you agree? Disagree? FFFF,8080,4040Marcia Hirst Art Instructor Bloomington High School --- leave-artsednet-5780X@lists.getty.edu ---