Does It Make One Feel Superior To Put Down Others' Music?

[Zomby Woof]

A recurring trend in the Lounge, and not just today, but for YEARS, is the self-satisfied practice of slamming bands and singers you do not like.

Hey, I am as opinionated as hell, and have let a few choice words fly about bands/artists I do not like, but I have yet to devote a thread to that practice.

And truly, I would rather elevate what I love rather than tear down what I think is garbage. Why does it matter if you hate something, especially with the degree of subjectivity involved with something as intensely felt and personal as music? Isn't that considerable energy better spent discussing the virtues of what music you love?

I post this with the intent to be careful of how I judge others' music tastes from here on out. I haven't been perfect about it, but I have never felt particularly smug about my oh-so-superior taste when I have it done it, either.

It's worth a try.

[short bus president]

1. Your music SUCKS!!!

:P

[DS1]

2. Only when it's Oasis

[Zomby Woof]

4. You have a point

But.. I am still going to try and refrain. ;-)

[HEyHEY]

3. I'd expect that from a Zappa fan

:eyes:

[Skink]

7. I love this line..." somebody must have given you those tapes".

[Skink]

8. I love this line..." somebody must have given you those tapes".

[4_Legs_Good]

5. Definitely!

I feel much more superior after bashing someone else's favorite band!!!

Naw, I think most of it is just friendly banter, well not all of it, but still.

I had a film professor once that said that if you make a film and show it to an audience who doesn't know anything about it coming in and 1/2 of them don't walk out, then it's a failure.

Anything worth listening to will have people who love it and others who hate it.

Anyway, you're right, though, it shouldn't get so heated sometimes.

david

[Zomby Woof]

14. I'll re-emphasize

I have some colorful opinions about music (and films) I think suck monkey chunks.

I guess my point is that the slamming threads outnumber the praise threads (and this is wildly un-scientific) by about 10:1. It seems the energy generated by the slamming threads is contagious. A "love to hate" feeling can be a powerful pull, indeed.

When I was younger, my friends and I had our likes and dislikes, but we always sought to enlighten by turning on new music to one another. We gave each other space about what we disagreed on. I think we should treat each other in here like we do our own circle of friends, or would like to be treated.

[LostInAnomie]

6. It doesn't make me FEEL superior...

... it MAKES me superior.

[Mr. Blonde]

9. I don't bash Korn and Creed because someone likes them

I bash them because they suck.

[Trajan]

10. I think it is silly ....

It is ok to not LIKE someone's choices though ... There is no accounting for taste, after all ...

I have REALLY enjoyed some strange music in my day ....

[aQuArius]

11. I like BROADWAY MUSIC!!!

And if you don't like it.... KISS MY ASS!!! I'm not picky about most other music, and I won't put you down for liking.... WHATEVER! :yourock:

[NashVegas]

12. Friends Don't Let Friends Listen to Bad Music

life's too short.

[asthmaticeog]

13. It's been my experience

that very little such slamming actually has anything to do with making the slammer feel superior. It's not a superiority thing, it's simply expressing and explaining an aesthetic preference. The impression that the slamming of music peceived as crap has anything to do with making ones-self "feel superior" usually comes with being the one whose faves get slammed repeatedly.

It's a sort of the flipside to the way that people who miss the point of a group or a style will often dismiss it as "pretentious," though predictably and unfailingly they'll proffer *no* explanation as to what the band or genre might be pretending. It's a rehtorical defense trick used to shift one's own failure to comprehend onto the misunderstood thing itself.

edit: clarification

[Zomby Woof]

15. sometimes pretension is a virtue

If in the context of striving to transcend one's limitations and even failing miserably. But being aware of one's limitations is a step up for many.

I do agree that the term can be used as a dodge. But the negative connotation aside, pretentiousness allowed the Beatles to get beyond "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", and develop their own kind of genius eventually.

[asthmaticeog]

18. I would say that when you actually do deliver the goods,

it's not "pretense" by definition. Attempting to transcend is a different thing than pretention.

[Zomby Woof]

21. That is your right

You choose to stand by the negative connotation, which is sound if only because that is its primary and widely understood usage.

But I use it both ways. I am careful to clarify that it isn't a put-down when I use it in a contrary context.

[asthmaticeog]

22. Pretense:

1. The act of pretending; a false appearance or action intended to deceive.
2. A false or studied show; an affectation: a pretense of nonchalance.
3. A professed but feigned reason or excuse; a pretext: under false pretenses.
4. Something imagined or pretended.
5. Mere show without reality; outward appearance.
6. A right asserted with or without foundation; a claim.
7. The quality or state of being pretentious; ostentation.

from dictionary.reference.com

[Zomby Woof]

26. The Beatles imagined they were classical music composers

(Or actually Paul did) and voila, Sgt. Pepper's. The whole "concept album" phase in rock was due to this absurd idea that rock was a "low" form of music (all that devil blues music in its roots, etc), and could "elevate" itself with "higher" forms such as classical.

Still, that misguided notion, that PRETENSE, created some decent work occasionally.

And many more examples can be offered, but truly, digging out a dictionary definition is a bit much. I refuse to allow my personal philosophy about music (or anything) be defined with such narrow orthodoxy. I am much too Whitmanesque for that kind of constraint.

[asthmaticeog]

35. Gee, sorry, Uncle Walt.

Didn't mean to step on your pretense.

[Beware the Beast Man]

39. Whitmanesque?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

43. Yeah, Whitmanesque

[CanuckAmok]

16. Thank you, oh thank you, Great Moral Compass of the Lounge!

What would we wayward children do without your occasional quasi-tough love posts of thinly-veiled smug superiority?

[NightTrain]

17. BILLY JOEL SUCKS!!!

:P

[SOteric]

19. Honestly no. But I make an exception for John Tesch.

:shrug:

[SOteric]

36. D'oh! Addendum:

DS1 has just reminded me that Pat Boone put out a metal collection. I think I'd have to mock that, too.

[Bossy Monkey]

38. SCETV (ie PBS) just used a Tesh concert as part of a pledge drive

causing me to wonder, and this is supposed to inspire me to send money because...?

[Misunderestimator]

20. I'm pretty damn opinionated myself... but I never consider it feeling

superior... just a different viewpoint. I will admit that if someone praises someone I don't care for I'll add my own opinion. Does that mean that I take satisfaction out of that? No. Not a bit... just adding my perspective.

That said, I have seen people offer criticism without backing it up, and it is annoying. :hi:

[Zomby Woof]

23. I suppose if one floats the opinion freely

That is, they are not addressing a particular person and their individual tastes, it is understandable.

You strike me as someone who can offer a contrary opinion of music without resorting to hyperbole. I do know you are a musician, so your opinion has weight, even if I may disagree here or there.

But still, I feel better saying "I love _______!" than posting "______ sucks brittle blue banana turds!"

:hi: Always good to see you drop in!

[Misunderestimator]

24. True... and very diplomatic of you..

though I admit to sometimes giving in to the "suck brittle so and so" kind of posts sometimes... nice to see you too :)

[Zomby Woof]

28. I have already admitted...

I have posted my fair share. But then I consider that people I love and respect might LOVE what I loathe, and I feel I should be more responsive to their experiences and impressions. I feel it can be inhumane in a way to be TOO critical about what others love.

Hey, I might just move to CA myself, and we can all be neighbors. ;-)

[Misunderestimator]

30. Yay!

Move already! :)

Good post, btw. I agree completely. (Unless it's about Josh Groban.)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

25. Thanks ZombyWoof...

I grew up listening to classical music, and it really hurts every time I see a TV commercial or hear a line in a movie that blasts it.

I think that's part of the reason why it's in trouble in this country.
Not that the genre doesn't have its share of snobs; but in general, I've run into more people who get a kick out of knocking classical music than people who put down "popular" styles.

Cheers to you! :toast:

[Zomby Woof]

29. Hey GoG!

:hi: I admire your gift, and as someone who loves classical from at least 4 centuries (including the present), I bow to your goddessness. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

34. I enjoy most styles...

There are artists and composers I don't care for. And some genres do nothing for me; but I don't really see any point in putting them down when they bring joy to someone else. That's a waste of energy, as I see it.

Thanks for the hug! :hug:

[Longgrain]

27. BOB DYLAN SUX!

There I said it...

Why then is it all I listen too?

[Borgnine]

31. Yes, but Oasis is garbage.

(gives a pelvic thrust)

Bring it on!

No, seriously, I agree. We all have different tastes.

[Zomby Woof]

32. Not that anyone disagrees

;-)

But I often have no idea what the put-downers LOVE. Maybe that is why I am bothered by those posts. Much too one-sided.

[DODI]

33. I gave up on that years ago.

Back when I realized people are not put on this earth to please me. I am very opinionated when it comes to music, but I am not going to put down something someone else enjoys. Music is a very personal thing.

[DrGonzoLives]

37. Pink Floyd sucks

n/t

[Aristus]

40. Putting down Country & Western makes me feel superior because:

Country & Western SUCKS!!!! :crazy:


B-)

[matcom]

41. just cause your 2 favorite bands are....

Creed & Nickelback don't mean you can preach to ME! :D

[skygazer]

42. I wonder that about many things

Such as religion. I've always wondered why it should matter to anyone else what I believe in. Yet it does seem to matter deeply to a lot of people who invest a whole lot of time in changing the minds of others. I don't get it.

If we were all the same and liked all the same stuff, it would be a pretty boring world.

[RagingInMiami]

44. I think in a lot of ways, it's become PC to bash certain music

I don't have to mention the Lynyrd Skynyrd haters, but how many people you know proclaim to "love all music, except country"?

They believe that if they admit to liking country music, they will be perceived as being some backwoods, boot-stomping hillbilly

But the truth is, a lot of country, especially the old-time country, is more authentic than any of music hitting the charts today.

And I'm not much of a fan of new country, it's too slow and whiny for me, but if I hear Garth Brooks "Friends in low places", I get into it. It's a catchy tune.

But I'm a big fan of Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr. (some people don't call him country, but I do), Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, just to name a few.

And most people consider me a city slicker, which I am.