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At 10:57 AM 1/27/04, Bob Spaulding wrote:
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Hundreds of thousands of dollars of money is being contributed outright to Ruminator (without tax write-off) by hundreds of private individuals, because they believe in this institution, because it is something special to them.
Well, good for them! Now, as John pointed out, it may not be NEARLY that much money (hundreds of thousands? Indeed?), but that is certainly their right!
They know it is a risky investment. Can't say the same for Barnes & Noble. Or the Liffey, Fhima's or Marshall Fields'. Puts the City's $100,000 loan in perspective.
It isn't so clear that we should leave these generous contributors at the altar, and throw away a 30-year old metro-wide institution in the process.
Why?
Metro-wide "cultural institutions" die all the time. The First Avenue - the "cultural institution" that lured me to the Twin Cities, nearly 20 years ago - is circling the drain. Oarfolk - the best music store ever - is gone. UC Video is a pathetic shadow of its former self. Many art galleries and theatre groups - some of them quite influential - have died and gone to arts heaven.
And what happens? Do the Twin Cities turn into a smug Des Moines? No! *Other groups* - galleries, theatres, clubs, even bookstores - jump into the fray. The arts community is served - if there is one deserving service.
In fact, in the long term a city loan/gift to the Ruminator will probably do a disservice to the local literary and book market. By propping up a sclerotic store that can't survive on it's own - but will still slurp up the section of the market that demands a good, indy bookstore - the will limit the market and inhibit the formation of the *next* generation of independent bookstores and literary outlets. Assuming the Twin Cities can support such an institution - and I think it can. It just might be that the Ruminator is not it.
Many people *would* say there is a public good in saving Ruminator - they are the last major independent bookstore in the Cities.
In the wild, the old and weak die off. It doesn't mean the species is dead - it means the younger and more nimble will take their place.
With the Ruminator gone, there will be a gap in the local market. If the market will truly support it (and I contribute a fair amount of money to it every year), then there will be room for someone with a good idea, a good busines plan, and - here's a big part - SOME MANAGEMENT ABILITY to come in and replace the Ruminator, and do a just-plain-better job.
You don't think there are people involved in the Ruminator now who are planning exactly that? (Assuming the store's relentless DFLism hasn't marinated any free-market entrepreneurial thought out of the staff?)
And their new Board of Directors will provide far better financial direction.
Question: Why throw good money after bad?
More germanely: Why throw MY good money after bad?
I've not gotten a good reason yet. Psychological attachment to the "Ruminator" brand and history don't cut it. (David Unowsky's political attachment to Jay Benanav cuts it even less).
Support the library - not failed management and cronies.
Mitch Berg Da Midway!
Shot In The Dark Relentlessly Right http://www.mitchberg.com/shotindark/
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