"It is their passion; nothing else excites them as it does; they cannot take seriously anything alien to music."
Cited from Allan Bloom
I truly do believe that this is a huge generalization. I feel that Bloom draws his conclusion from bias experiences with the age group he describes. I feel that he puts to much on his examples. I love Music, truly. While attending church I was not dying to be plugged back into my music. Rather I would listen to the sermon and enjoy the Gospel music.
I can however see where he is coming from. I look at the T.V. I see Hanna Montana, High School Musical, Fame, Rent. In Instances such as these, I can see his thought process of,
"It is their passion; nothing else excites them as it does; they cannot take seriously anything alien to music."
I can see how young adults and children can loose their selves in music, wheter it be a comfort zone, a way to release anger or hurt, a motivator. I just can't see it taken to the degree he is describing unless, they are pursuing a serious career in the music industry. So I believe that one can detach themselves at anytime from their passion, without losing their passion for that thing.
I have a friend. Her name is Maria. She owns her own hair salon. It's called Team Works. It is here in California City Ca. I really like Maria she has a way with people. She is amazing when it comes to helping people feel good about themselves. She is always willing to go the extra mile in helping create what ever her client feels is beautiful. She does really nice things for her clients as well. I always she her studying on new hair styles and techniques. I watch her do things within the community that involve things like free hair cuts, or makeovers for those who feel they need it. Well, one day while sitting in her chair letting her rock on my hair. I asked her," Maria this must be your passion?" She kinda giggled, and said," yeah it would look like that, but my passion is the lord." That sounds kinda weird huh. I just said," cool ,"and kept the conversation going. Later that night our conversation was replaying in my head. I was touched when It dawned on me what she was saying. Her love for the Lord, her passion for the Lord, is what drove her to give back. So while people can see only what she is doing or may be involved in they can not see the underlining reason.
I do agree with Blooms discussion on education. I do believe it refines us as humans and people. I have to say that i do appreciate some of his other notions as well. I like his view on Music and the soul. I tend to agree that a person who has music in their lives are Happier.
Music makes me feel happy. I like it, I would rather live with than without, But I could. At that point I'D JUST SING TO MYSELF :)
A lot of people have responded to the prompt similar to how you have. They too think that Bloom made a huge generalization. I don't know though. I chose to respond to the other Bloom quote where he says that young people now find themselves deaf and had an entirely different take on his statements than you did. It’s interesting how people can interpret the same thing in so many ways. All correct of course, however different. I think that there are of course still some people out there who are good and passionate about various other things beside music. Just like your friend Maria said she was passionate about the Lord. People who have music in their lives, or at least some kind of art form are definitely much happier. In my opinion, that is because everybody wants to express themselves and music/art are good mediums for that since most people can relate to one or the other. Music motivates, comforts, and inspires me as well. Like that you mentioned those points in your blog. Good job!
ReplyDeleteWow I really liked your examples you gave to support your points of view. I agree that music doesn’t necessarily swallow up people’s lives. Your points that, you can listen to music when you want or turn it off, is a great way of countering what Bloom felt. I also felt that Bloom was a bit headstrong and closed minded. I understand that some people are raised certain ways, but not everyone lives the same way either.
ReplyDeleteI also liked that you brought up certain Disney shows as examples of how some young kids might live their life through music, but then again that is one perception. There are all kinds of things that kids want to do that don’t always involve music. In classes when kids are learning there is not music 24/7. I do think music is positive and does lift people’s spirits. There were even studies that certain department stores that played music would keep shoppers in their spending money while enjoying the music playing. Perhaps this is one way of people tuning out the world and going in their own headset, but who is it killing? No one! You did have great view points and examples to support your opinions! Great Job!
Bridgette