I don't think that government, whatever that is, should 'subsidize' the artist. Government tends to think in terms of things being useful, and with art, they are lost in the stars. "We'll put that dam over right over here, Charlie, right? Then the valley will be green, the floods, etc., everything wonderful, right? Now, this poem--what about this damn thing? Get it out to the People! Right! A little culture, a little beauty!..." Well, I say to hell with it. Art is no missionary casting about for souls to save, nor an entertainer traveling far and wide to laugh it up....Art is beholden to no man. Art is also made by artists. Ah, there's the rub. These latter eat, sleep, need warmth in winter, clothes, etc.

- Gilbert Sorrentino fra essaysamlingen Something Said(1984)