Regarding those cocktail parties, it’s how they prove to themselves that they are cool.
Frankly, I listen to few of the pundits any more.
They all listen to National Public Radio. It reinforces their sense of ‘cool.’
I do not think any form of arts should be supported by the government. If your work does not support you, then do it because you want to, but don’t expect the gov’t to pay.
NPR uses those soft, confidential voices (like they were calling a golf tournament) and we know that we are better than all the rest.
Believe me, since I am a writer (and the govt’ refuses to pay me a cent) I know a lot of these types.