Oh, there's definitely a satiristic bit to Bone, but the part about the meaning of art sounded quite serious to me. Not that the two are mutually incompatible. :-) (Funny thing, Lyre of Orpheus didn't do much for me, and I don't even remember what was the third one.) With an idea it's not whether it's easy to repeat ... it's who comes first with it and gives it an embodiment. Practically anything is easy for those who come afterwards. There's one of funny footnotes somewhere in Pratchett, where he says, first climb on a high mountain is terribly difficult. But let 10-15 years pass and old ladies will go there to take their tea, and will return muttering because they forgot their glasses. :-) Of course, he exaggerates greatly, but the principle is true. And if you come to Glasgow this summer, for Worldcon, I'll be happy to share a drink. Only, I'd rather have a dram instead of a pint. Never been much for beer. :-)

-- erlik