Albums that you find very generic and boring

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 tboyd1802 wrote:

 Prog-jester wrote:

 Cristi wrote:

another negative thread...why do people like this kind of thing I do not understand
 same

People like to share what they like and don't like, and people commonly look for some validation from like-minded individuals be in in positive or negative threads, and people like to share their feelings generally. I think we're all seeking some sense of connection.  What I think is important is not to too readily dismiss or chastise those who see things differently or offer a different perspective.  I happen to like balance, so I'm glad that not every music thread need be an appreciation thread. I like to hear about what people like and don't like,and why.

I don't think most people really do enjoy negativity per se, though some off us are more pessimistic and cynical than others, but various psychologists/ cognitive scientists and evolutionary biologists say that we are hard-wired for negativity, and that is part of our evolutionary process as it helped with survival. To survive, our ancestors needed to be attentive to any actual or perceived threat, and through natural selection, these traits were passed on.  That's just a root of negativity generally. The mind is complex, and to understand why someone likes such threads, it helps to understand an individual's psychology and background and psychology generally (I'm not a psychologist, by the way, which may be apparent when it comes to my posting).

Negativity commonly belies some insecurity, and a sense of  insecurity can be beneficial or harmful. I do think that criticism, and being open to others being critical of what we hold dear, can be a positive thing -- say, I think it's good to have one's perceptions challenged by those with different opinions, and to avoid falling into an echo chamber. The challenge is in not feeling that negative about others negativity and being open to and tolerant of  differences in perception. I like the discussion that such topics can bring, and thoughtful responses to my criticism have challenged me and helped me to re-evaluate and re-formulate my opinions. My mind has been changed in conversation many times, and I think we should all be open to that.  Sometimes it's been changed since new evidence has come along, or because some insight from someone else has helped to alter my perception. The more persuasive people do so in a non-confrontational and a more affirmative and validating manner -- they put you at your ease by being friendly while offering another perspective instead of blaming.  When we feel threatened we are less open to differences in opinion.  We stubbornly tend to double-down on our views when we feel attacked/ blamed/shamed, but in friendly dialectic where people don't feel like they are on the defence, perceptions are much more likely to shift.  It helps if the person who is offering another perspective really seems interested in what the other person thinks, and does not readily seem to be judgmental of that person who shares a difference in opinion (done respectfully and with apparent empathy to that person even if that person seems disrespectful).

Oscar Wilde said, "Criticism is the only reliable form of autobiography."  It commonly tells you more about the critic's psychology than the object of the criticism.  Ultimately,I think that people like to participate in such negative threads for much the same reason that they like to participate in such positive threads, they want to share something of themselves and be heard, and they often are hoping for some validation.  They want to get their opinions out there and are hoping for some sympathy.  The negativity that tends to get me down often involves a negative, dismissive reaction to someone else's perceived negativity. Ultimately, I like to think that we can be all be friends and appreciate each other despite our differences, and while I think being open to criticism is a good thing, it bothers me when it is mean-spirited and clearly intended to wound a person.  I don't take it that personally when someone doesn't like the same music that I do, but when it seems that that person is attacking my character or someone'e else's, well that's a lot harder to take.

By the way, I can't think of any favourite bands/artists with large discographies that I don't find to have been boring, generic, or both, at some point musically.  For another, that music which I find boring might seem the most enjoyable music that that band has made.  To each his or her own tastes. I happen to appreciate learning about what others like and what they don't like as I'm interested in the people behind the words, and this makes me feel closer to people as I feel like I know their psychologies a little better.  I am interested in what people think despite whether or not I share the same perspective.  What I don't like is when I feel that people are overly dismissive and are not willing to engage people in a friendly conversational manner who they find disagreement with -- especially when it leads to insults I do think its important how people phrase things. I don't like it when people say, for instance, "Van der Graaf Generator sucks, end of story", but I appreciate it when people explain what they don't like about it and are willing to engage in exploratory discussion with those with different opinions.  I think it's good when people approach such topics as this one thoughtfully and with nuance.

Sorry for the rambling, saying much in few words happens all too rarely with me.

Edited by Logan - November 27 2018 at 07:23