There have been great points on two seperate views here; the notion that western culture is in decline and that it is on the rise. In some ways it is in decline, for the reasons stated, and in some ways it is on the rise, again, for reasons stated. But here's another way tolook at it: it doesn't matter. Maybe things like this are true:
But it doesn't matter becuase if you like Opera, it is still there for you to enjoy. Maybe the majority of novels on he NY Times bestseller list are mediocre pulp. But it doesn't matter because their are still great authors out there that stack up to the greats for you to enjoy. I do happen to think that many of the TV shows and movies, etc. are trash, but I don't watch them, so they don't affect my life. The point of my whole argument is that it only matters how you culture YOURSELF. Because whether your interests are high brow, low brow or a crazy combination of the two, you will be able to satisfy those interests. So maybe Western civilization is decline. So what? My life will be exactly the same whether it does or doesn't.