Karaoke is everything wrong with society.
Tonight, or rather Saturday night/Sunday morning I went out to a karaoke bar with a couple of friends. And because I couldn't _hear_ anyone, I reverted to reflecting on my current surroundings and the possible meaning. The thing I was struck most by was the fact that karaoke, as opposed to traditional drinking songs, is a travesty on more than just the eardrums. It is in fact a malignancy in one of our major social situations: drinking.
My reasoning:
Rather than bringing people together, an individual or individuals are singled out and put up on stage to perform to the best of their abilities. Those who are performed well are rewarded with applause and acceptance from the society of drinkers (which I'll call SODs from now on because it amuses me). Those who lack ability are somewhat tolerated, but often just barely. These people may or may not have other strengths, but because we only see one talent or aspect of that person, that is the only thing the SODs can judge them on. What's worse is that karaoke is voluntary, so person's can choose to sit out and render judgment on those who do participate regardless of their own talents. While they may not gain recognition by the SODs, they also aren't shunned either, but the fact remains that non-participation hinders the building of a communal feeling and is yet another barrier to the all important human connection.
In contrast:
A bar song community encourages participation regardless of skill, skill level, or knowledge. Individuals are still able and welcome to stand out if they want to sing a favorite ballad, but typically SODs tend to join in, particularly during the height of drunkeness. Individuals who can't sing are often found clapping or humming, or at the very least are drowned out by those who have louder, stronger, and steadier voices or the very number of voices. Volume, and by that I mean the volume of people, is the great equalizer in music. The more people involved in the effort, the more likely they are to be a number who are musically inclined enough to assist those who have weak musical talents find the proper pitch/key/etc. and the completely tone deaf tend to blend in with the rest of the voices. Other individuals who aren't inclined to sing may have access to instruments or could dance or pantomime the song. In this way all individuals are completely involved at whatever level they desire to be involved in.
I did not feel a particular connection with anyone tonight. Partially because I was separated from the SODs not only physically, but also through one of my senses. I could not even hear the people at my own table most of the time, and so I withdrew because I find the very idea of SHOUTing at people unpleasant. Yelling communicates a number of things, it is an innate act of aggression, therefore I believe the very act of yelling or being yelled at causes people to become aggressive or feel that they are being threatened regardless of the intent. So by the end of the night it was not surprising that I was feeling very isolated AND irritated. True, the addition of more liquor may have softened some of these effects (I was the designated driver), but I came home feeling more alone than I would have if I had just spent the night at home.
There's probably more behind this, but it's 2am and I just don't care anymore.
My reasoning:
Rather than bringing people together, an individual or individuals are singled out and put up on stage to perform to the best of their abilities. Those who are performed well are rewarded with applause and acceptance from the society of drinkers (which I'll call SODs from now on because it amuses me). Those who lack ability are somewhat tolerated, but often just barely. These people may or may not have other strengths, but because we only see one talent or aspect of that person, that is the only thing the SODs can judge them on. What's worse is that karaoke is voluntary, so person's can choose to sit out and render judgment on those who do participate regardless of their own talents. While they may not gain recognition by the SODs, they also aren't shunned either, but the fact remains that non-participation hinders the building of a communal feeling and is yet another barrier to the all important human connection.
In contrast:
A bar song community encourages participation regardless of skill, skill level, or knowledge. Individuals are still able and welcome to stand out if they want to sing a favorite ballad, but typically SODs tend to join in, particularly during the height of drunkeness. Individuals who can't sing are often found clapping or humming, or at the very least are drowned out by those who have louder, stronger, and steadier voices or the very number of voices. Volume, and by that I mean the volume of people, is the great equalizer in music. The more people involved in the effort, the more likely they are to be a number who are musically inclined enough to assist those who have weak musical talents find the proper pitch/key/etc. and the completely tone deaf tend to blend in with the rest of the voices. Other individuals who aren't inclined to sing may have access to instruments or could dance or pantomime the song. In this way all individuals are completely involved at whatever level they desire to be involved in.
I did not feel a particular connection with anyone tonight. Partially because I was separated from the SODs not only physically, but also through one of my senses. I could not even hear the people at my own table most of the time, and so I withdrew because I find the very idea of SHOUTing at people unpleasant. Yelling communicates a number of things, it is an innate act of aggression, therefore I believe the very act of yelling or being yelled at causes people to become aggressive or feel that they are being threatened regardless of the intent. So by the end of the night it was not surprising that I was feeling very isolated AND irritated. True, the addition of more liquor may have softened some of these effects (I was the designated driver), but I came home feeling more alone than I would have if I had just spent the night at home.
There's probably more behind this, but it's 2am and I just don't care anymore.