> There's nothing better for practicing acceptance of life's unpleasant, unskippable moments than suffering through a terrible song on the radio.
Do we really need to practice for that? I would say that you are right that we can’t always have what we want, but at least in streaming music we are quite close to that (depending on tastes, some genres are quite underrepresented).
Personally I prefer to keep small isles of life without unpleasantness.
> And there are good reasons to do so, but its popularity alone should not be one.
It's its popularity, alone, that forces me to have to listen to it. Sometimes.
I don't believe that people can have "bad taste in music", or that pop music is bad. But I'd rather listen to what I like, which I guess is why I shun the radio.
Not where I live in an apartment in a crowded city where the culture is to not bother others. Neighbors would not be happy to hear me sing no matter how good am, any more then they are happy to hear my stereo.
When I commuted to work in a car I had 30 to 60 minutes of singing time each way. Now I have karaoke box 3 - 4 times a year.
> how do you expect new musicians to come into existence, new music to be made? Is it not a racket worth its trouble?
For me, the absence of stress caused by someone playing unwanted music into my apartment would absolutely be worth no new music being made. Lack of stress is just more basic and immediate need.
> you guys who listen to music all the time, i don't get it, i can't do that
Basically, it's just background noise to drown out other people. I don't listen to the music I really like when I'm working, I listen to quiet stuff that won't distract me; rather than what I most enjoy and on which I would want to focus.
As someone who loves and makes music, I find this _really_ interesting. Do you play an instrument? Listen to unsigned bands? Don't get me wrong: silence is nice, too. But I don't think I will ever have a life without music.
> Songs are just boring and I need to have an excuse to listen to music - like driving so I can optimize the time. "I am driving, might as well take advantage of some music". The internet has ruined peace, fun, and everything that I remember growing up. :-(
Why do you think the problem you are experiencing is the internet's fault?
> I get that listening to me repetitously work out a song or musical phrase for an hour might not be pleasant... but is it really as bad as noise from motorcycles, lawnmowers, and car alarms?
At equal volume, it's actually worse. Music is harder to tune out than mechanical noise.
> For those who enjoy hearing their own music but still feel this way: how do you expect new musicians to come into existence, new music to be made? Is it not a racket worth its trouble? Is there any solace in knowing that the person making such noise is doing so with the specific goal of creating enjoyable noise in the future?
> People love to talk about how much they hate these genres.
Such a good point. There are genres that I tend to dislike (although I can point to specific works in them than I love). But my response is really just to not listen to them rather than advocate against them. These are issues of preference, not right and wrong.
> We’re social creatures and it takes a ton of effort to give music, culture, or people a chance
This is true. With music, I noticed a long time ago that much of the music that I love the most is music that I didn't care for at first listen. It was only after listening (really listening, not just playing in the background) multiple times that I learned they were great.
> If you want to play music, there's never been a better time.
People used to learn from… people. In fact, many people prefer that still.
And I’d say, I’d rather have a dozen friends who play music and actually want to hear my music than have the potential to get a million fans I’d end up rather not meeting because it’s just awkward and unnatural.
> works well because I think my mind is conditioned in an almost Pavlovian way to go into programming mode when I hear it
I agree with this a ton, there are certain songs and albums where I've listened to them hundreds of times and familiarity plays a huge role in helping me focus.
> A certain kind of loud, wall-of-sound rock music which is very heavy on distortion with subdued vocals works well but only at night.
> I listen from time to time to stations that play the kind of music I like.
You're lucky! In my area, there are no such stations. All of the stations are essentially top 40 (in each of the major genres -- top 40 country, top 40 pop, etc.), talk, and sports.
Yup. If the neighbor decides to play one of my favorite song ever, I'll still be pissed if I'm trying to watch a TV show.
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