Taste

[Gesslar]

What I hate is that certain recording artists have a certain "social stigma" attached to them and whether you like or dislike their music (which may or may not reflect your particular like or dislike of the artist/singer) has something to say about your personally. Liking a particular artist/singer music transfers the stigma of that particular artist/singer upon you. Which is stupid. "If you like Michael Jackson, you must like [insert retarded comment, maybe something he has done or has allegedly done].".

I don't care who sings/performs/speaks something. If I like the output I'll support it. If I like it enough, I'll buy it. Else, I'll just appreciate it when it eventually turns up on the radio playlist as I go to and from work.

Don't promote your own tastes as divine and mine a shitty. Like what you like and piss off. If I like something fluffy and bubbly with absolutely no more meaning than bubble gum under a table, then good. Music is entertainment. I am entertained by it. If there weren't a market for it, they wouldn't sell; even if what I'm buying is image. It's all entertainment. Someone's gonna get my money one way or the other, so I might as well spend what I can on what I like. And I don't need anybody's warbling, hen-house criticisms of my tastes.

[Lebeau]

I'm with you... I like Michael Jackson's early work... especially the 80's. I think Thriller was the greatest music video ever made. I also think Michael Jackson is a sick freak who bought his freedom and is guilty as hell and got off the technicality of "beyond a reasonable doubt" which doesn't apply to a lot of people, sadly.

Likewise, people judging art based on the artists' political affiliations is equally retarded. I hated when people destroyed Dixie Chicks CD's that they paid for and one radio network took then off the air because of bashing the president in England. I found their comments disgusting and their timing and location equally offensive, but I still like their music. An artist's personal life should have zero bearing on their music and the people who like it. Likewise, neither should their personal lives and views matter anymore than yours or mine. Michael Jackson is not guilty... so? I don't care one way or another. That has no effect on me turning up Billie Jean.

I've been victim of this thinking you're speaking of, Karahd. I went to school wearing an Elton John t-shirt, and, to avoid the use of the word enemy, a guy I really disliked mutually (I'll see my real enemy soon enough) accused me of being gay just because I like Elton's music.

But, yeah, everyone is entitled to his own opinion and taste in music. Even if you like that sticky sweet annoying MTV cramming it down your throat pop crap, that's your prerogative... that's just happens to be my opinion of that particular genre of music. I've had high school friends that played country and Ace of Base on car audio systems fit for rap bass. He drew some good-hearted jokes, but no one thought any less of him for it. Sadly, not many adults have the kind of maturity displayed by my group of friends, much less school-age kids.

I guess it's up to us as mature individuals to listen to what we like and not give a shit what anyone else thinks. That's the cornerstone of cool: being yourself regardless of outside pressure. I know little about you, Karahd, but what I do know is you're very, very different from me... but cool because you are you no matter what anyone thinks.