Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site linus.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!cv
From: cv@linus.UUCP (Chris J. Valas)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: Jethro Tull, Kate Bush, and jcp losingness
Message-ID: <361@linus.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 8-May-85 10:19:09 EDT
Article-I.D.: linus.361
Posted: Wed May  8 10:19:09 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 9-May-85 00:41:41 EDT
References: <268@osiris.UUCP> <4148@mit-eddie.UUCP> <10517@brunix.UUCP>
Reply-To: cv@linus.UUCP (Chris J. Valas)
Distribution: net
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Lines: 48

-=-

In article <10517@brunix.UUCP> ry@nancy.UUCP (Anonymous (actually Rich Yampell)) writes:


(Prior to this, he and Doug Alan trade insults about each other's tastes.)
And *then*:

>
>Is there any absolute way to judge music, or is quality *always* a matter
>of opinion?  And if there are any absolute standards, what are they?
>
>The reason this interests me is that my *gut* feeling is that there *are*
>absolute criterion for music; however, this position is damn-near impossible
>to defend.  
>
>
>So what's the answer??
>
>			Rich Yampell

The question is "What is quality, and how can we recognize it?"

The answer, of course, has been pondered by such notables as Socrates, Hume,
Kant, et al.  Ad infinitum, one might add.  For an *intelligent*, in-depth
discussion (and possible solution) of the issue, everyone go back and
re-read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" before the net fills
up with half-considered, *boring* crap written by theorizing dilettantes.  

I'd love to discuss this, but it's *not* an issue which will be easily
resolved.  The danger here is that we may *all* end up trading insults.
Considering the veritable tidal wave of dissention this may provoke, you
should consider moving the forum to net.philosophy, or perhaps dev/null.

-=-

On a non-philosophical note, recognition of quality in music is moot,
since most of us only listen to things we *like*.  I 'recognize' the quality
of Beethoven's Fifth; I 'prefer' to listen to Mission of Burma.  

Call me a savage, but please, do it through the mail....


Chris J. Valas         {decvax,utzoo,philabs,security,allegra,genrad}!linus!cv
-=-
"To the depths of the ocean where our hope sank,
 Waiting for you..."
-=-