[dtn]

> The motivation for creating art isn't purely financial.

Yeah, but getting financial compensation can certainly help. The opportunity cost of putting bread on the table means that the output of most professional artists today would drop significantly, if they needed to pick up another profession (especially full time).

> Plus, we humans all built our skills and works on the shoulder of giants. Artworks and cultural artifacts are never created in a vacuum. Maybe it's time to acknowledge that.

You're acting as if artists don't already acknowledge and understand this. https://www.muddycolors.com/2017/12/some-thoughts-on-master-....

[fennecfoxy]

Financial compensation does help. But certain industries become marginalised or relegated to history given enough time. People then keep them alive because they choose to.

Where are the tears for horseback couriers? Or blacksmiths? Or thatchers?

[dtn]

That just proves the original poster's point, that the potential for future original work will be erased.

How often are we seeing innovative advancements in the field of horseback couriers, blacksmithing and thatching nowadays?