John Walker
Opinion Editor
Music is a very important element to my life. I think most people would agree with that statement no matter what their taste is. No other aspect of human culture allows for the amount of diversity in opinion on what is and is not good.
Even though we find ourselves at odds with one another over taste there seems to be very little conflict generated by our love for those wonderful sounds. Sure there is the occasional argument or slight brought on whenever a new form takes the limelight.
But even then we don’t go to war or commit genocide when we disagree over the subject. I have a wide variety of tastes when it comes to my own love for music. Whether it is old time Appalachian, swing or punk I find tunes for just about every occasion.
Something I have realized is there is no bad genre. They all have great artists and they all have artists fans wish never existed. The point is humanity found a way to communicate our deepest emotions and share them.
Even if they aren’t the same feelings or others do not share them it allows us to release all those thoughts and feelings we just can’t find the right words for.
When I get up in the morning and want to get ready for school I will always turn on some classy crooning by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. And when I just want to sit and reflect on the week I will throw on some traditional folk or Gaelic. Of course when anger sets in there is always some punk or militant tunes to release my angst and fear.
The idea of creating a cultural identity as beautiful and expressive as this can be seen as one of the great attributes in our evolution.
It can be long and complicated and have no real meaning to all but a few or so simple and short with a clear message almost everyone can feel and relate to.
I am scared when meeting people who describe themselves as someone who just isn’t that into music. I have met a few in my lifetime and it is very disconcerting. How, in all humans have created, can anyone not find enjoyment in at least one form? It seems there is a really deep connection to be made through it.
Even those who cannot hear have made efforts to experience music in our world. How can those who have the ability to hear be so intent on not listening?
It begs the question of which is worse; those who do not enjoy music at all or the infamous and hated snobs who just never seem to go away?
I would make the argument they equally share a loss in not taking an active part to understand one of the most spectacular accomplishments the human race has to offer. But you know what they say. That’s life.
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