Did you just insinuate that anthropology, sociology, AND psychology are "bullshit" and not actually science?
Hoo boy.
I think he did. I'm not sure how much I want to agree with him. After all, anthropology and sociology have a hard time testing their theories. Sociologists and Anthropologists are definitely a step up from historians when it comes to science though. On the other hand, Sociologists and Anthropologists actually do do studies which they (theoretically) base their papers on.
[/derailment]As to the original topic, I think the new statuary is awesome. Having statues of the symbols of governance in my fort will be pretty awesome. Also, that statue of a gauntlet would be pretty cool to put in the military wing while the tentacle demon would be cool WHEREVER it goes.
As to the whole debate on whether this will increase the amount of junk people have to make to get what they want, I personally prefer changing my plans based on my dwarves over changing my dwarves based on my plans. So long as nobles don't demand specific statues before we have the option to control that, I don't think this update will cause any real problems.
Also, if the duke ends up with a gold statue of the sheriff striking down a criminal, would he be more inclined to be agreeable, or less?