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Post by friarpark225 on Jan 9, 2007 2:25:32 GMT
Hey everyone,
I'm writing a short paper on how music can be dangerous and I wanted some opinions/thoughts/ideas on it.
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Post by Tinkerdog on Jan 9, 2007 14:07:37 GMT
Because it opens the mind to the isms - patriotism, nationalism, spiritualism. A very powerful tool, it can instill pride of self and country as well as instill fear and hatred towards others but it also has the power to change the times or to offer hope and give that extra adrenaline to carry on when all odds are against you. The music of the day (whatever the day) speaks to the youth which shakes up the status quo and normalcy of the times.
*Rock 'n Roll in the 50's/60"s was the destruction of American youth (Elvis, Beatles, Buddy Holly)
*Jazz in the 30's was the cause of loose living and immoral behavior
*George M. Cohen, Over There, instilled US troops as they went off to War.
*Simon and Garfunkel and any anti-war music group went against the system.
*John Philip Souza Marches
*Any National Anthem
*Chopin's Revolutionary Polonaise was written against the Czar of Russia during a rebellion in Poland in the 1800's making Chopin flee his beloved country.
*Anti-slavery - Amazing Grace, We Shall Overcome, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
*Good Morning Vietnam - The Army believed that Rock 'n Roll inspired the degenercy of the troops whereas, in reality is gave them the motivation to hold on and presevere
Music and Literature of a given time most readily describe the mood and politics of that period.
Music and writing are extremely dangerous - the exercising of the freedom of thought and feelings freely to the world against all adversity with the ability to influence can be very scary to many.
I have not had the opportunity to see it (yet!) but I have the feeling that Tom Stoppards Rock 'n Roll captured some of this theory as well.
This was terribly written but it is a few ideas.
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Post by quoll on Jan 9, 2007 19:01:18 GMT
I was thinking on a more practical level - riding your bike with your ipod turned up and not hearing the traffic over the noise in your earphones. On a similar level, the damage done to eardrums because of full decibel concerts and playing ipods/walkmans etc at full blast.
Some of the "kill yourself" messages also spring to mind but not music I listen to so no idea what that music actually is.
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Post by pattirose on Jan 9, 2007 19:52:27 GMT
Women jogging with headphones and not hearing an attacker coming up behind.
I think someone here in Canada got hit by a train because they didn't hear it coming.
And when one listens to some of that rap music - one can see why violence and hate are so rampant these days among our youth. I think it desensitizes the listener.
Haven't there been incidents where people commited suicide after listening to certain songs? Or is that an urban legend?
On another note the slaves in the Carribean invented Calypso as a way of communicating amongst themselves. To this day many of the lyrics are political in nature.
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Post by ree on Jan 10, 2007 7:35:03 GMT
Because it opens the mind to the isms - patriotism, nationalism, spiritualism. A very powerful tool, it can instill pride of self and country as well as instill fear and hatred towards others but it also has the power to change the times or to offer hope and give that extra adrenaline to carry on when all odds are against you. The music of the day (whatever the day) speaks to the youth which shakes up the status quo and normalcy of the times. This was terribly written but it is a few ideas. Tink, this was not terribly, but wonderfully written. |
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Post by Vittoria on Feb 2, 2009 22:45:46 GMT
Hmmm.. Well, your paper may be written already but I love this topic.... on the lighter side... what about "headbanging" so hard you knock yourself out? (jk) Yes, headphones or front row/center positions in rock concerts are bad for the hearing. Yes, some idiots actually turn their headphones up so high in public that they end up in accidents. On the other hand, sometimes those front row positions are worth it. (I was standing only about 4 feet away from Johnny Winter for example!- show of my lifetime.... or sitting on flight cases level with the stage at Kim Mitchell's shows or right against the stage while at Dave Gahan.) This is going to be highly controversial perhaps, but I tell it like I see it and although I am a private person, certain aspects I don't mind sharing. Music often evokes moral questions. Like most Satanists and Luciferians whom are Atheist or Agnostic, I am an Agnostic Luciferian Witch (not to be confused with Wicca, I am a Dark Gray Mage for lack of better term). If you have any questions on Luciferianism, etc., just ask. I would rather that than assumptions made.  (Oops---- had to edit a typo) I formerly nearly became a Roman Catholic nun and even before that composed and performed Right- wing Fundamentalist Protestant Christian contemporary rock music (my photo in a a newspaper is shown on My MySpace), so I am coming from a whole different perspective perhaps than most of the members here. I have been trained in various religious and spiritual backgrounds, hearing and contemplating various morals besides being a musician from a musical family. Music like any other form of communication is whatever the listener makes of it. One person may hear one thing while another has a different interpretation. It is an artform, afteralll. It is, however, the responsbility of the artist to be a good example because the fact of the matter is that younger people are more easily led or influenced, no matter how rebellious and independent they are or seem to be. Some darker music such as Black Metal is obviously "satanic" in both ambience and lyrically, yet if you listen to some metal musicians talk about their material they will say they are just putting on a show- ... It's like acting in an evil character role for some of these guys. On the other hand, there are bands, especially in the Norweigian Black Metal genre specifically, whom are Satanists. Most Satanists do not act out in this manner, but there is one band in particular, wherein the members actually burn churches to the ground. What kind of message does that send to young people? And it sure makes Satanists look worse than they are (the real ones anyway). (Told you this would be controversial.... You have been forewarned... bwahahaha..  ). Of course, there are writers who truely write from the heart and these are my favourite- no bullS**t, just straight from the hip no matter what the topic- but especially the cyberpunk post apocalyptic tone of Epochate or the rage and/or beauty of Dope Stars Inc. (the same writer in both bands) However, I am of an age now wherein I am able to decide what to actually take to my own heart and what is just simply good headbanging music with no message or to dismiss listening to a message I find offensive. I love Classical when the mood suits. Some MetalHeads would disagree with me, but I agree with the warning labels on the album covers. However, I do agree with many that everyone has a brain to use and adults of sound mind are responsible for their own selves. For example, I hate most rap music I have heard as it is usually defamitory toward women and the whole image sterotypes black people and glorifiies the Crips & Bloods' gangster lifestyle and makes that lifestyle out to be cool, which it is not. But that is just my opinion. |
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Post by tipou on Feb 3, 2009 0:24:49 GMT
LOL you are something else, vittoria!!!
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Post by peach on Feb 3, 2009 1:06:12 GMT
Paul McCartney was quoted as saying, and bare with me I don't know it verbatim, but it went some thing like this, he said what if the Beatles had gone the other way? By that he meant that they could have gone to the dark side with their music, think of the power they would have, they opted instead for lighter musical fare with a good wholesome message, simple songs about love.
Music can be subjective accept when rap comes into play. When these so called singers and I use that term ever so lightly, depict women in song and video as chattle, and property or showing them being abused, that is not subjective. That is being hit over the head with a brick, nothing subtle about that depiction. What are children who listen and watch that think, they become desensitised and think that it's OK to show women being demeaned. Parents should be made aware what their children are listeng to and speaking to them that this is not acceptable behaviour.
I was glad that new music had advisory labels. When Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show he was shown from the waste up, they spoke of his corrupting youth, and with the Beatles all the US reporters spoke about was the length of their hair. Tame now but radical then.
Artists know the power of the word, and by using song as their method the possibilites are endless. Hated most of the stuff of the 60's the songs that made drug use acceptable. Children of the children of the 60's are paying for that now. I 'm not saying that we censor music but yes the importance that has been placed on these musicians has been phenominal, do we want young children to emulate Britney Spears? Great role models for kids today. The press has been a boon to them and a curse to everyone else.
Good luck with your paper.
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Post by tipou on Feb 3, 2009 1:28:04 GMT
waht is more dangerous, britney spears, or rap? think about it.
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Post by Vittoria on Feb 4, 2009 8:08:49 GMT
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Post by peach on Feb 5, 2009 2:36:00 GMT
Tip, don't laugh but I think that both are equally bad, Britney b/c we have preschoolers dressing like tarts all with their mothers approval, and rap for the heinous messages that they spread with their awful lyrics and depcition and denigration of women. Madonna was the precursor to this "tart" mentality, although Spears has taken it beyond what what her predecessor ever could in many respects. The press are partly to blame for this, does anyone care about the private lives of these empty headed morons??? Why are they treated in such high regard? Let us not forget that these rags, and mainstream media are in the biz of selling toilet paper, and if Katie Couric lands an "exclusive" with the human train wreck that is Britney, think of the ratings bonanza for NBC/GE? Through the roof. Remember ladies two words, toilet paper. Nuf said.
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Post by dirtygirldiva on Feb 5, 2009 17:39:29 GMT
I actually listen to a pretty wide variety of music. I like punk and industrial metal, jazz and classical, and pop and rap.
I think people make the music mean what they want it to mean. For example, I listen to Rammstein and the more serious Eminem type fare when I lift weights. My weights mix has a lot of Linkin Park, Rammstein, Godsmack, music from the Underworld movies, gangster rap, Clutch...that type of stuff. It's loud and obnoxious and it gets me in the mood to pump iron. It has it's purpose. Most of that type of music I don't really absorb, I don't take the lyrics and base my life on them. I think that is a huge problem with a lot of people. They take a rap song about being a "soldier" and selling crack and they let that influence how they live. Key word there is they "LET" it influence them. I think that someone who listens to a rap song and then starts to live that life already has something in them that is conducive to yaerning for that life. Blaming the decision to sell crack and treat you S/O like trash on rap music is irresponsible at best. Like I said...I listen to it, but I certainly don't sell drugs and kill people...I just like the beat and the flow of certain (not all mind you) rappers.
On the flip side of that, I do base my lifestyle and attitude on other styles of music. I absolutly love Jazz and pop music. Maybe I shouldn't call it pop though...people may start thinking I idolize Britney and that crazy Duff tart. *shudders* I mean pop like Pink and The Donnas...the feminist rock pop type music. I take from that it's perfectly ok for women to be by themselves and do their own thing and not let men or society tell them how to live their life. And Jazz...well what can I say...it calms me down and makes me slow down to enjoy lifes simple pleasures.
So I guess my point is that people take from music what they will, but by no means is music itself dangerous. Just like guns aren't dangerous...people who hold the guns are.
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Post by tipou on Feb 5, 2009 18:00:23 GMT
you 've got a point. like i was really mad when censorship was extended to these old bugs bunny cartoons i grew up with.
anyway, i heard my share of michael jackson and did not turn weird, i spent my teenage years listening to pink floyd & led zeppelin and did not turn out a junky (which was supposed to happen according to a lot of people).
i often mention this article i have read about 15 years ago, about these 2 very stone teenage boys who stole the family car and rifle and committed suicide. the family sued ozzy ozbourne, because the kids had been listening to his music when it happened. they considered him a bad influence.
like, how come these kids were at home on week day, how come they had access to drugs, a firearm, and keys to a car? i know i would not have been permitted to go to that extent without my family intervening. and if it had happened anyway, i am sure my dad would not have sued roger waters or robert plant.
can anyone take responsibility for their actions and situations?
last night, coming home from the grocery store, i saw about 3-4 kids hanging out in the park. they could not have been over 12 years old, and it was almost 11 o'clock. someone was certainly not caring about them enough.
sorry, it's a ranting day, today.
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Post by dirtygirldiva on Feb 5, 2009 18:08:22 GMT
parents in today's society are brainwashed into thinking they should let their children do whatever they want so they don't rebel and go nutters. While I am all for letting children be themselves, there has to be a boundary there. I hate censorship, but I am completley happy that they put ratings on cd cases. I mean I don't know about everyone else, but when I was growing up, my parents monitered what I watched and what I listened to. I brought home a TLC album (CrazySexyCool) and my mom banned it because it was sexually explicit. Now of course I would listen to it at my friends house until her parents caught us...but the point is that parents need to be more responsible involved with their chuldren. Lack of disipline and direction is what causes kids to go nutters IMHO.
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Post by peach on Feb 5, 2009 21:30:52 GMT
Tip, I too grew up with Bugs, the Road Runner and the like, how come I turned out normal? (well that's debatable) No really, I guess cause I knew that these were only cartoons, and knew that it was fake, plus I had parents who if I had a question would answer it honestly, and that they actaully took an interest in what I was doing. I could be on to something there, they also let my sister and I make mistakes, another good lesson learned, and my father never lost on purpose to let me win. Boy did that feel great when I beat him playing gin, I digress, I think like DGD said music is what we take from it but parents should be aware to what they are listening too. I think parents want to be their kids best friends when in fact a little discipline goes a long way. Parents can be their kids friends when they are older not in their formative years. Nothing wrong with a parent taking an interest. Gee how novel.
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(Oops---- had to edit a typo)
