The problems with a free market economy

Name calling has become pretty standard in politics lately, so I am a little weary of saying anything against a free market society for the sake of some uniformed person calling me a socialist.

This article caught my attention, and pretty much stopped me in my tracks. You see my befuddlement comes in two parts: first) according to a Gallup poll 61 percent of American's do not believe in the theory of evolution and second) US film distributors will not be importing a British made film about Charles Darwin based on the market. CRAZY. A movie about one of the most significant people in our relatively recent history (you know because humans have been around in some form for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS and the earth itself formed 4.54 BILLION YEARS AGO) to unveil secrets of animal and human life- the evolution thereof.

Whether you believe his theory or not, his scientific theory, inquiry, study, process, published writings have made an impact of how Americans live and view their lives in the context of the rest of the world. The very notions of the 'survival of the fittest' are underlying American values. Yet a film version of this man’s life will not be available in the US because of perceived market.

Is this censorship? A free market economy at its worse?

As far as I see it the issue is that important pieces of work- art and history- will not be shared because someone isn't making a buck. This isn’t a new issue facing the arts or information. Galleries don't necessarily share important work if they won't make money from it, important news doesn't make it to the air (or is hidden in a paper or online) if it doesn't sell ad space. Commerce drives the information we have access to as people, and can become an excuse for censorship. What do you think?