In Reply to: Not for nothing do they call it "Mass Culture." The upshot though, is grimly amusing posted by John Marks on January 27, 2015 at 15:51:12:
I was pumped to see netflix revive Arrested Development. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I found the show to be significantly wittier than 98% of sh*tcoms Ive had the misfortune of seeing recently. Point one for tech having a brain and an audience.
Now I fully realize theres plenty of crap on netflix but there is and always will be in any medium, old or new. Theres also greater access to good shows there too.
Also youtube. Im a huge fan of YT. And if one talks original content IMO its a mecca. And yes a mecca of crap too. But the amazing lectures, past and present. Music artists, again old and new. The ability for anyone to put themselves out there with nearly anything. Then possibly find an audience. Thats great IMO.
One other dimension that is rarely mentioned in these talks... Ever look at just what demo these polls are reflecting? Much of these sales and measured views are often that of very young / young folks. Thats good and well but I know I listen to FAR more than I did as a teen. And much different music at that. Its well known that the older folks get, they often "purchase" less music on the whole. I personally couldnt care less what some teen girl bought or streamed. What you and our folks dig is of far more interest. We are a small demo. Also, Id venture to guess many of us and others now in their 30s on up are unique in that, we are a new example of people who CAN become self sufficient in acquiring music. Right or wrong, I know many folks my age and older who ripped their library. Know of web access to places to GET music. Have friends pass their library on to them if asked. Again, right or wrong, it does make for a sizable amount of folks who wont measure on a grid but have and listen to allot of possibly great music. Not Iggy Azalea! I see this as a not so well understood and measurable demo that is skewing the way we see the mass audience.
Today I fell in love with a CD I picked up at a thrift a few days ago. George Winston - The Music of Vince Guarladi. Very well played and recorded album. Bought 2nd hand and listened privately by me. Guess that doesnt count on the mass audience spectrum. Reminds me of a great Bill Hicks line. "well you dont know our audience. I watch your show. Im a person. I am your audience!"
FTR I get where your coming from. I just think the cause and effect is a bit more complex. And MAYBE not as grim.
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Follow Ups
- Blaming tech for mainstream banality? How do you explain netflix or youtube??? - 2chJunkie 14:18:16 01/28/15 (1)
- Dangit! Right after I rip on Iggy Azalea for kicks I look at the Black Widow vid... - 2chJunkie 16:11:23 01/28/15 (0)