No shit. This is extremely annoying! It's the default mode for anyone under 40, though I think it's changing for the under 20s.
I think, rather than libertarianism, the best way to describe it is as left and right neo-liberalism. I've been observing the 'art world' and movements around new urbanism. People in their 20s and 30s don't seem to care - or can't figure out how to actually fight - a world which increasingly demands their free labor - voluntarily donated to "make their cities better" or "create a community" through art, craft, handmade, DIY efforts. If those efforts are poorly paid, at best, or almost entirely volunteer, oh well, it sucks. If anyone criticizes the left/right neo-liberalism, they are shunned as being "against community" or an "enemy of art". Of course, "art" in this sense is not art that is critical of the world. it's art that makes people happy, applauds the status quo or, gag, is "interactive". Thus, "public art" while it's no longer about monuments to dead white guys, is about bringing "communities" together through interactive "engagement". (See BAVO's critique of public art)
If you point out that art and community and craft and artisanship is being used to boost the property values of real estate investors and developers - that their volunteer labor is being used to line other people's pockets - a big ol' *shrug*. Oh well, it sucks, they say, but whatchya gonna do?
Since the only way to support yourself as a small producer is to freelance or, if you're lucky, maybe get a grant for some public art or a "hatch" investment for a small business, then there is a diminishing likelihood of criticism. Reason being: if you rely on potentially anybody to make your buck, then everyone is a potential employer. You can't criticize shit for fear of alienating a potential client or employer.
I'd be curious if anyone else is paying attention to this stuff? I have seen it happening locally and hit the stacks earlier this year to discover the phenom is well-understood in Europe and has been under attack by intellectuals and artists, there, for awhile. Not so much in the u.s., yet, where the influence of that huckster, Richard Florida, is too great and the ideology of neo-liberalism far too entrenched.
shag