Why is music so polarizing ? ? ?

NS2A · #1 11-20-2009, 11:12 AM

Besides politics - I can think of nothing that gets more people so riled up without hesitation than music.

You mention you like a certain band and someone is right there to tell you it sucks.

I read reviews of concerts in the local press and in the comments section people are arguing, and making fun of the fans. "And you should listen to this band..." Then when that band "makes it" they are sellouts.

I hear 'nobody cares about XYZ band' and yet XYZ band is selling tickets and CD's night after night.

Rock, Jazz, Metal, Classical etc....don't we all share the same notes?

Why do people care so much about what other people listen to?

geeza · #2 11-20-2009, 11:17 AM

People have a need to feel superior to others to validate their own existence.

ByF · #3 11-20-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NS2A

Besides politics - I can think of nothing that gets more people so riled up without hesitation than music.

How about religion? I guarantee we could get this thread locked and at least one of us banned for life if I expressed my views on organized religion. But I won't do that. . .

But seriously, music is engrained into the human brain. What kind of music is "right" and what is "wrong" is burned into your brain cells at a subconcious level. Even rats respond to certain rhythms in ways that tell them "everythings okay" or "predator's coming, better hide."

There's a really good book, "This Is Your Brain On Music" by Daniel Levitin. It talks about the brain's responses to music. Besides all the high-level functions of the brain that are involved, and the social aspects of what you've heard from your family and your peers, music affects on a very primitive, animal level as well.

It's not too surprising that music provokes emotional responses, if you think about all the way your brain is responding to it.

Ed

bass12 · #4 11-20-2009, 01:55 PM

For most people, music is about more than just a listening experience. It is very much a way by which people identify themselves as being part of (or apart from) a certain segment of society. Music is a heavily coded socialization device which is often simultaneously personal and public. The "personalization" of music makes it a sensitive subject for many and it is very much tied to the individual's ego. Or something like that...

N.F.A. · #5 11-20-2009, 01:56 PM

Music is not polarizing. Peoples' egos are...

RexNFX79 · #6 11-20-2009, 02:01 PM

I'm cool with any music that takes some measure of skill to create. The music I rail against is the crap that you hear primarily in top 40 pop and country. That crap is usually just some producer-invented face that sings the songs that are put in front of them and then they sell more albums than truly talented people who are putting their own music out there. I guess Don Henley is right, "We all know that crap is king". It's infuriating to me sometimes what the majority of the population will buy into "Lady Gaga" for example, I mean really? That's what makes it polarizing to me, that there is so much talent out there that gets overlooked (and no I'm not talking about myself) and the worst seem to rise to the top the majority of the time, at least if the Billboard charts are your measuring stick.

**baba** · #7 11-20-2009, 02:02 PM

What bass12 said. Many people identify themselves by the type of music they listen to. There's a quote by someone basically saying that you aren't a genre until you've started a new fashion trend....or something to that effect. This highlights the way music affects more than what we simply hear. It has much greater cultural implications.

mambo4 · #8 11-20-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N.F.A.

Music is not polarizing. Peoples egos are...

brilliantly succinct. You can swap "music" with just about anything else : politics, religion, Jeff Berlin, etc. and it still applies.

It's because we have a natural tenancy to cling to our point of view as if it were something inherently crucial to our existence or identity, rather than simply letting it be a one person's view among billions.

fearceol · #9 11-21-2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RexNFX79

I'm cool with any music that takes some measure of skill to create. The music I rail against is the crap that you hear primarily in top 40 pop and country. That crap is usually just some producer-invented face that sings the songs that are put in front of them and then they sell more albums than truly talented people who are putting their own music out there. I guess Don Henley is right, "We all know that crap is king". It's infuriating to me sometimes what the majority of the population will buy into "Lady Gaga" for example, I mean really? That's what makes it polarizing to me, that there is so much talent out there that gets overlooked (and no I'm not talking about myself) and the worst seem to rise to the top the majority of the time, at least if the Billboard charts are your measuring stick.

I can see and understand your point, but as has been said here already, music is a very personal thing. It does not attract a listener because it takes skill to create. It does so because it appeals to something deep inside them. So, with human nature being as it is, we get the situation where one person's "crap" is an other's (* insert favourite artist or music here*). You say "talent" gets over looked". I agree 110%, but again it's not "talent" that appeals to the casual listener, it is the music.

cnltb · #10 11-21-2009, 03:59 AM

In my experience, music is only polarizing when you talk with people with rather limited horizons.

The more the individuals involved in conversation know and appreciate it the less you'll find it to be a polarizing issue.

**251** · #11 11-21-2009, 07:59 AM

Maybe you just need a change of scene. It sounds like the people you hangout with are negative, over critical & contrary. Keep an eye open for new friends who can tell you what they like & why + still hear what you have to say. Of course, you will have to behave in the same tolerant way. 8-)

J.D.B. · #12 11-21-2009, 08:46 AM

Simply the emotionality of music, generally. It comes out of the most primitive area of our brains where emotions aren't filtered out of the expressive mix we send out. Hell, even birds like it!

Josh

ByF · #13 11-21-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

In my experience, music is only polarizing when you talk with people with rather limited horizons.

The more the individuals involved in conversation know and appreciate it the less you'll find it to be a polarizing issue.

I agree with that. And if I may generalize a bit, it is an age issue as well. Teenagers strive to fit with their peer groups, and part of that peer identity is the music they like. People who have been around longer, especially those who have been involved with music, are more likely to be accepting of other people's music.

Ed

Mr wiggl3s · #14 11-21-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NS2A

Besides politics - I can think of nothing that gets more people so riled up without hesitation than music.

Religion.

When you put politics, religion, and music together, it becomes obvious. People want to show others how the know everything about everything.

atheos · #15 11-21-2009, 01:39 PM

Music is an opinion. Like politics, religion and other silly stuff like that.

Let It Fall · #16 11-21-2009, 01:51 PM

Some of it
may have to do with gentics. But alot of it is cultured, or by beliefs and views. Suh as punk, heavy metal, rap Christian, gosple.

And for
guys against top 40. Top 40 is popular by non musicians. They go by what sounds good to their ears not what there brains tell them based on background information, they also get popular by having been popular and or being in with what society Accepts at the time.

ChrisBowsman · #17 11-21-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Let It Fall

Top 40 is popular by non musicians. They go by what sounds good to their ears not what there brains tell them based on background information, they also get popular by having been popular and or being in with what society Accepts at the time.

I don't think top 40 is necessarily for people who aren't musicians. It's for people who enjoy it. For example, I don't dislike Nickelback because I think I should, or because of their genre, or whatever. I dislike Nickelback because I don't enjoy their music.

By the same token, I'm sure there are Miles Davis fans out there who couldn't play a note on an instrument to save their life.

Just like politics and religion, people have strong opinions about music. Talk to a bunch of authors, film makers, or anybody who has strong feelings about anything, and you'll find the same.

Bloodhammer · #18 11-21-2009, 03:32 PM

Because everything I don't like blows!!!

Just kidding

Ever noticed that when you first meet someone "what kind of music do you listen to?" is one of the first things to come up? What someone listens to has a lot to do with their personality and by knowing that you can kind of crudely size-up the person right there on the spot.

It's part of a cultural identity. What people really don't like is the other people. The music they listen to just comes to represent their "tribe" and therefore represent what is disliked. At least when it comes to genre-warfare.

Other times it's just aesthetic differences which I believe should be handled maturely. I don't like System Of A Down because I genuinely find their music annoying (and I gave them several chances), but I don't tell others they suck for liking them...

Rocker949 · #19 11-21-2009, 03:33 PM

Political discussions can cause some people to go stark-raving mad. As far as I know, the same can't be said for music, although some arguments about music can get extremely bitter. That is true.

Beatle Bob · #20 11-23-2009, 08:55 AM

I like all forms of music. My pesonal favourites being British invasion, & Classic rock. That said, I have utter contempt for those who used "canned music", sampling of other peoples music, & cannot write, play, or even sing well for that matter.
We have all heard some of these people. some of the have become rich & famous even with their lack of talent or ability.
And don't even get me started on "Techno".
These self proclaimed "musicians" would be screwed without us real players. they are there because the music moguls want a pretty face for the public to see. they brainwash the young people into believing this is the next great musical act, but don't tell me it's steak when I know it's dog food!!

THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT MUSICIANS!
MOST OF THEM ARE NOT SINGERS EITHER!!
Remember Milli Vanilli??