upon the nature of opinions
I've been thinking about criticisms lately, and two little incidents triggered some thoughts I"d like to et down before I forget them:
Mini incident 1:
I was having my dinner in delifrance yesterday when I heard the lady at the next table spelling out the phrase "you have failed by god's standards" for someone on the other end of the line, and although I'm taking this out of context, I was just thinking that the old me would have hated to hear that phrase said to me. Imagine all the exams and tests you've ever taken, and then compound that into a lifetime worth of experiences, and then be told that you've failed.
I'm not sure I'd ever want to be someone who can issue a statement like that just because I feel that I live a more "righteous" life than them. I guess maybe because I see religion as something intensely personal and having someone else tell me what a proper life should be by appealing to a larger standard just doesn't feel right. Organised religion always had too much of a herd appeal and social obligatory aspect to it that I feel seems a little stifling, although I do see a lot of good that has been and can be done by such institutions.
Mini incident 2:
I was listening to this beautiful music video by Ólafur Arnalds (http://bit.ly/98IhON) and I raised a section of the music that I found a little discordant to the person who recommended it to me, and his reply was that the musician was only 24. That fact was nice to know, I guess, but it doesn't change a thing about the music: how it really is a lovely piece that had one slightly unresolved part that I felt could be improved.
This led me to think of the many instances how people are perfectly entitled to give subjective comment on anything put out onto the web regardless of any prior knowledge about the subject. It makes me wonder why sometimes I'm really reluctant to give my opinion on anything just because I'm feeling insecure about being a biased/ignorant commentator. People are going to critique my work when I do put it out, and although I believe in respecting the creator of the work, I believe honest critique helps.
Another music video "whip my hair" made me reflect upon the american music industry and how it has its roots so entrenched in the culture of the people. The singer obviously enjoys dancing and singing, and she probably grew up watching music videos on the internet. The industry knows how to market that, much like how they marketed Justin Bieber. And I find it hard to critique the industry because as much as I am disturbed by how children and teens are portrayed in such a grown up manner, I am a little moved by how sincerely the singers seem to love what they are doing. Justin Bieber's music is actually starting to grow on me for easy listening (although I'm sticking to Imogen and other more indie pieces if I'm looking for soul-moving music).
Mini incident 1:
I was having my dinner in delifrance yesterday when I heard the lady at the next table spelling out the phrase "you have failed by god's standards" for someone on the other end of the line, and although I'm taking this out of context, I was just thinking that the old me would have hated to hear that phrase said to me. Imagine all the exams and tests you've ever taken, and then compound that into a lifetime worth of experiences, and then be told that you've failed.
I'm not sure I'd ever want to be someone who can issue a statement like that just because I feel that I live a more "righteous" life than them. I guess maybe because I see religion as something intensely personal and having someone else tell me what a proper life should be by appealing to a larger standard just doesn't feel right. Organised religion always had too much of a herd appeal and social obligatory aspect to it that I feel seems a little stifling, although I do see a lot of good that has been and can be done by such institutions.
Mini incident 2:
I was listening to this beautiful music video by Ólafur Arnalds (http://bit.ly/98IhON) and I raised a section of the music that I found a little discordant to the person who recommended it to me, and his reply was that the musician was only 24. That fact was nice to know, I guess, but it doesn't change a thing about the music: how it really is a lovely piece that had one slightly unresolved part that I felt could be improved.
This led me to think of the many instances how people are perfectly entitled to give subjective comment on anything put out onto the web regardless of any prior knowledge about the subject. It makes me wonder why sometimes I'm really reluctant to give my opinion on anything just because I'm feeling insecure about being a biased/ignorant commentator. People are going to critique my work when I do put it out, and although I believe in respecting the creator of the work, I believe honest critique helps.
Another music video "whip my hair" made me reflect upon the american music industry and how it has its roots so entrenched in the culture of the people. The singer obviously enjoys dancing and singing, and she probably grew up watching music videos on the internet. The industry knows how to market that, much like how they marketed Justin Bieber. And I find it hard to critique the industry because as much as I am disturbed by how children and teens are portrayed in such a grown up manner, I am a little moved by how sincerely the singers seem to love what they are doing. Justin Bieber's music is actually starting to grow on me for easy listening (although I'm sticking to Imogen and other more indie pieces if I'm looking for soul-moving music).