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Music, Music Everywhere
January 9th, 2009 | Dean Arrindell
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Many of my fondest and vivid memories from my youth involve music: Going on long trips with my parents and listening to tons of music in the car, friends introducing me to new music, discovering music on my own, or learning to play music. These days, I almost always have music on me thanks to my i-Pod. Music is a big part of my life.
Music is important to Stephen and Devin, too. When the three of us are having a meeting, a few beers, or a meeting over a few beers, the conversation often turns to music. And as you've probably read, several of our posts last month had musical elements to them. Because our musical tastes differ a bit, it'll be interesting to see what the three of us listen to when we hit the road.
So, this article in the Economist got my attention. It discusses how music is not a biological need – you don't need it to survive like food or pass on your genes like sex – but it's still an important part of the human experience. The music differs from culture to culture, but it's always there. Some scholars say music is a way to bring cohesiveness to societies and groups. (Remember when everybody had Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album and was trying to do the Moonwalk?) Others say performing music or dancing to music could help attact potential mates. (MJ might have issues with sex, but remember the pictures of all those fans screaming and fainting at his shows?)
If music is universal as the story suggests, then – cue "Kumbaya" – maybe it's what we need to end conflict and wars. I'm not naive to think that a Gaza-palooza would end the latest chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But sometimes war can blind enemies to the humanity in one another. They need to see what they have in common to work together. If music is universally human, then perhaps a series of peace jams is a good place to start.
But music is also universally available. There is a seemingly infinite amount of music to be bought, stolen, downloaded and played. It's available everywhere you want it, and everywhere you don't. We can put music in our pocket and take it in our car. It follows us around in stores and at the doctor's office. Music is played in cafes and blasted in clubs. Anyone can create music on a computer and pretend to be a rock idol on a computer game.
Because music is everywhere, are its cohesive qualities being diminished? Are the days of having a song define a moment in time gone? Or does more music lead to more great music?
And with so many people making music of varying quality, are there more rock poseurs than true rock stars? Or are there just more rock stars (and therefore more people getting laid)?
Because it's everywhere, has music become more democratic or more disposable?
Leave your thoughts below.
Related Topics: Michael Jackson, Music, politics, Sex
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Dean Arrindell | Comments Off
Music, Music Everywhere
(via Facebook, MySpace, Digg, email and more)
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