The sad and obvious truth of the matter is that art, once formalized or mechanized, is no longer art; and the arts that have not been formalized are now being mechanized. There is no mystery or talent required to create "artistic" beauty; and if a talentless person can do it why should we give any regard to those who require talent to produce the same result? John may spend a week painting a tree, But Jeff will take a photograph, and then use a filter to make the picture appear painted. There is no visual art created before the last century that modern technology would not have allowed a less talented person to make better and faster. Let us be realistic and assume this trend will continue. There is nothing we can do to avoid the solemn fact that Michelangelos are no longer needed.