First, this entire discussion presumes that music has some objective criteria against which varying degrees of “quality” exist. Says who? Complete nonsense.
Second, this discussion presumes that legacy is important and is something that should be pursued or nurtured. Legacy is a ridiculous concept. I recently heard a sports com…
First, this entire discussion presumes that music has some objective criteria against which varying degrees of “quality” exist. Says who? Complete nonsense.
Second, this discussion presumes that legacy is important and is something that should be pursued or nurtured. Legacy is a ridiculous concept. I recently heard a sports commentator suggest that LeBron James stop playing now because he’s ruining his legacy. WTF? To pursue or be concerned about what future generations think of anything makes as much sense as pursuing or being concerned about what your contemporaries think. Artists hone their craft to express whatever it is inside them that is longing to get out. And, whether or not “it” resonates with an audience (now or in the future) is of no concern to anyone other than that audience - the audience that is presently interacting with the work.
This is just tired old relativism. Obviously no one person “says” but history’s judgment is final. And yet, contra Fukuyama, we have not reached the end of history. Granting contingency of judgment doesn’t mean accepting your nonsense (after all, who you made YOU an authority?) that, well, quality just doesn’t exist.
Good music is out there. Bad music sucks. And we—past, present and future humans—do the best we can, in the time we are in, and with varying degrees of sensitivity, to distinguish one from the other. I count myself one of the lesser lights here, and look for critics who can illuminate the path. And avoid those who claim there is neither light nor path.
I understand and, despite my post, I am sympathetic to the sentiment—there is sometimes an unfortunate overlap between recognizing and appreciating quality, and being a cranky old stick-in-the-mud who thinks he has seen and knows it all. I try to find, and be, the former!
Two things.
First, this entire discussion presumes that music has some objective criteria against which varying degrees of “quality” exist. Says who? Complete nonsense.
Second, this discussion presumes that legacy is important and is something that should be pursued or nurtured. Legacy is a ridiculous concept. I recently heard a sports commentator suggest that LeBron James stop playing now because he’s ruining his legacy. WTF? To pursue or be concerned about what future generations think of anything makes as much sense as pursuing or being concerned about what your contemporaries think. Artists hone their craft to express whatever it is inside them that is longing to get out. And, whether or not “it” resonates with an audience (now or in the future) is of no concern to anyone other than that audience - the audience that is presently interacting with the work.
This is just tired old relativism. Obviously no one person “says” but history’s judgment is final. And yet, contra Fukuyama, we have not reached the end of history. Granting contingency of judgment doesn’t mean accepting your nonsense (after all, who you made YOU an authority?) that, well, quality just doesn’t exist.
Good music is out there. Bad music sucks. And we—past, present and future humans—do the best we can, in the time we are in, and with varying degrees of sensitivity, to distinguish one from the other. I count myself one of the lesser lights here, and look for critics who can illuminate the path. And avoid those who claim there is neither light nor path.
Peace JimmyB. Just my opinion.
Not sure why anyone would care about history’s judgement.
As soon as the artist concerns him/her/their self with what others think, the work is no longer genuine.
And also to you.
I understand and, despite my post, I am sympathetic to the sentiment—there is sometimes an unfortunate overlap between recognizing and appreciating quality, and being a cranky old stick-in-the-mud who thinks he has seen and knows it all. I try to find, and be, the former!