Why do young people listen to BAD music and get tattoos?!

[Winston]

I've never understood something. Why do almost all young people today listen to BAD MUSIC that sounds so crappy and is without form, beauty or art? The stuff they listen to has this weird beat that I can't identify. It sounds so chaotic, unpleasant and tasteless. Wtf is going on in their head?! I don't get it. Are they in a Twilight Zone? I've never understood their world or their wavelength. What are they smoking?

Why do young people never like beautiful music with emotion and melody? Classical music has great form, art and beauty. And the pop music of the 60's, 70's and 80's had a lot more feeling and melody. 70's music especially was very romantic, touching and feeling. Yet young people don't appreciate that for some reason. Most young people don't appreciate stuff if it's old, no matter how good it is. They don't care about quality. They have no interest in good films and music of the past.

Everytime I'm around young people, they treat me as if my tastes are uncool and outdated. They never like what I listen to on the radio. It's sad that they can't appreciate good music or TV like in the old days. So weird.

What's going on? Am I a different soul and species than other people are? Am I a man out of time? Why am I different than everyone?

Why am I the only one left that still likes romantic stuff and dreams of romantic things and likes romantic movies? Even modern women today aren't into sentimental romance anymore, especially in the West. How can I be more romantic than women are?

I also don't connect with modern TV. It seems so cold, lifeless and soulless. I don't like the characters either. I am more drawn to the characters on TV in the 60's and 70's. They were much more warm, natural and human. For some reason, shows back then were so easy to follow. Plots moved along slowly, characters developed slowly, and the dialogue was easier to follow. The pacing was more natural and relaxed too. Why is that? Is it because my wavelength fits the culture of the 70's but not with modern times?

Nowadays, everything is rushed on TV and in movies. There is non-stop action and CGI, but no character or plot development. My favorite TV shows, Doctor Who and Star Trek, are like this too. The modern versions of these shows are rushed like a comedy or circus show full of meaningless action and dribble that all happen quickly and are hard to follow. There is no plot or character development. A lot of things happen fast and I don't even understand half of what's going on.

Also, why is it that young people nowadays like desecrating their bodies with tattoos? Wtf? I don't get it. Tattoos look so DEGENERATE, and they are stupid too. Why make permanent marks and images on your skin like that? It's stupid and foolish.

What is going on in the minds of people who get tattoos? Why is it so desirable or cool?

Don't young people not realize that they are changing for the worse? Why do they think bad music and tattoos are cool?

Is their bad taste in music by accident or design? Why would the ruling elite want young people to listen to bad music? Is it to make them dumber and more degenerate? If so, why? Wouldn't an intelligent work force be better for the economy?

When young people think that the music I listen to is uncool and outdated, I explain to them that writers and artists can't listen to the modern rap stuff that they listen to, because it's not conducive to creativity or the intellect. That's why they have to listen to stuff that stimulates the brain or creativity.

Do I have an alien soul? Maybe I don't belong here and was incarnated here to help wake people up or save the human race? Maybe my destiny here is to be a messenger or messiah to help "save" people? Why else would I be here in such a strange world I don't understand?

It's frustrating and alienating to always be different from everyone isn't it? Am I the weird one or is everyone else? I always feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone here. How can what's normal to me be weird to everyone else, and what's normal to everyone is weird to me?!

Sorry for this rant today, but earlier today when I was eating out, I looked around me and had these thoughts above. So I felt like I had to voice them on the forum when I got home.

[gsjackson]

I've got to think it's obedience to the God of gods: COOL. Can't imagine otherwise. If you go on youtube and read the comments for real music, invariably there will be a couple of commenters saying that they are teenagers but this is the kind of music they like. I'm sure they wouldn't dare admit to any such thing in their peer group.

You're definitely not alone in these cultural preferences. I really loved the country I grew up in, but this place now -- it feels like I've landed on an alien planet.

[Winston]

I've got to think it's obedience to the God of gods: COOL. Can't imagine otherwise. If you go on youtube and read the comments for real music, invariably there will be a couple of commenters saying that they are teenagers but this is the kind of music they like. I'm sure they wouldn't dare admit to any such thing in their peer group.

You're definitely not alone in these cultural preferences. I really loved the country I grew up in, but this place now -- it feels like I've landed on an alien planet.

Well obviously, people listening to songs and music videos on YouTube are listening to the ones they like. That's why they are posting positive comments, even if they are teenagers.

But in real life, young people never like that good stuff. It's not just in their peer groups. When they are with me in person, and there is no peer pressure to be cool, they still only want to listen to the crap stuff and find the good stuff from the past to be outdated and uninteresting. For some reason, they can't enjoy good stuff. I don't know why. It's weird.

Also, why do young people always want to live in a big city rather than in nature? How do they tolerate all that cement, pollution, traffic and no place to park? That's crazy. It's so stressful just to drive around a city with so many cars in the way, and it's too easy to get annoyed by other people in a big city. Why would anyone want that everyday? It's not peaceful at all, but very stressful. Plus it's hard to park your car too. And driving around in a city is NOT an enjoyable experience at all, but a highly stressful one.

[Jester]

Good rant, Winston.

GSJackson has it totally right. The God of Cool.

You're really right in having your own tastes. Only change I would suggest is to stop worrying about the whole world... and start creating your own world. Start an informal group that does things you want to do. Kind of a tongue-in-cheek cult.

We have spoken of such things on other threads. We've called it the FSchmidt Solution. Although I mean something that suits your personality. Winston Wu's World. (WWW.)

In your case I would suggest a pastime that puts you around some non-materialistic, more spiritual people. Yoga would be best of all, because it puts you around young females, and it's healthy.

The goal is to meet people who would have independent taste, be more plugged into the universe, not so plugged into "TMZ". Once you have a circle of (mostly female) admirers, you can then organize some things you like - out to hear music together, whatever.

Like someone said on another thread - I think it was Kai - make your motto:
"I know what I want."

(I probably should take my own advice.)

[marklambo]

The general population are just sheep and will do and like whatever is thrown at them. Stupid new fads are constantly forming and these same fads that people would have thought were dumb years ago now decide all of a sudden that it's cool because media portrays it as cool. The same goes for music. Whenever I hear some garbage that's on the radio, I almost feel as if I'm losing brain cells because of how shitty it is. Our world is constantly changing and people like new things. The 70s, 80s, and 90s definitely possessed more quality in it's music and movies but it all changed for the worse. Excessive tattoos have been around for a long time but now it's gone so extreme and more on a mainstream level. Anything that will portray the "bad boy/bad girl" image is considered something you must do to fit in otherwise you're just a nerd that nobody will accept.

This isn't just about young kids either because you also see these actions from some older folks as well that are trying to fit in with the young. They look even more ridiculous. Al though not on an extreme level like the young people, but it is present and I see it everyday. Just like what Jester said, just go do your own thing and forget about everyone else. If people do not want to accept you because they think the music you listen to is "not cool", well maybe you should tell them that they are the ones who aren't cool because they're just sheep following the herd and don't have a mind of their own.

[OTB]

The general population are just sheep and will do and like whatever is thrown at them. Stupid new fads are constantly forming and these same fads that people would have thought were dumb years ago now decide all of a sudden that it's cool because media portrays it as cool. The same goes for music. Whenever I hear some garbage that's on the radio, I almost feel as if I'm losing brain cells because of how shitty it is. Our world is constantly changing and people like new things. The 70s, 80s, and 90s definitely possessed more quality in it's music and movies but it all changed for the worse. Excessive tattoos have been around for a long time but now it's gone so extreme and more on a mainstream level. Anything that will portray the "bad boy/bad girl" image is considered something you must do to fit in otherwise you're just a nerd that nobody will accept.

This isn't just about young kids either because you also see these actions from some older folks as well that are trying to fit in with the young. They look even more ridiculous. Al though not on an extreme level like the young people, but it is present and I see it everyday. Just like what Jester said, just go do your own thing and forget about everyone else. If people do not want to accept you because they think the music you listen to is "not cool", well maybe you should tell them that they are the ones who aren't cool because they're just sheep following the herd and don't have a mind of their own.

Mark, we would have some gooood conversations if we had the chance to meet.

[ntm1972]

Winston, I agree with you entirely in regards to current musical tastes, but not entirely when it comes to tattoos. If a person has one or two discreetly-placed tattoos that each have deep personal meaning (as opposed to, say, a starfish or a butterfly, or the ubiquitous barbed-wire tattoo), that shouldn't automatically disqualify them from further consideration as a person worth getting to know. A person may display individualism, even within the context of a faddish phenomenon.

[gsjackson]

Excessive tattoos have been around for a long time

Depends on what you mean by a long time. From my perspective, it seems pretty short. IIRC the only college (and maybe professional) basketball player who had one in the early to mid-90s was Joseph Blair of Arizona -- some barely noticeable script. No other athletes had them. Then it all took off in the mid-90s. Prior to Clinton-time (when the hell-in-a-handbasket cultural trajectory really went spiralling off), tattos (at least visible ones) were strictly a lowlife province -- inmates, biker gangs, drunken sailors and Marines. No one who cared an iota about social acceptance would even think of getting one.

[Jester]

Mark, we would have some gooood conversations if we had the chance to meet.

So glad to see HA members like OTB posting here again.

[HouseMD]

New movies and music are intended to overstimulate and overwhelm the senses. It is the same thing that happened with porn. At first, two people doing it on camera was good enough. But ordinary people didn't get us off anymore so we needed the shaven model porn stars that followed. Two people banging, no matter how attractive, no longer worked, so then you ended up with two women or a guy with two girls. On and on it went until today anal is practically a requirement for a given porn and acronyms like DVDA exist. And that's not even the weird stuff.

The same thing has happened with music. The guitars of old were replaced by electrics, then synthesizers, and on and on it went until the current synth pop meets hip hop meets house on steroids music we have today. The thing is, younger people kike myself grew up in this world of excessive stimulation. For many of my peers, 70s rock is about as appealing as 70s porn- the level of dopamine it cranks to our brains just isn't enough to please us. Ever listen to "remastered" tracks? All they do is crank the bass and vocals, to create something less layered but more stimulating- it usually guts the soul of the music to make it more appealing to our brains, which get off on the shake of some bass and a voice that seems to resonate in our thoughts with its intensity.

Our new media is basically brain crack. They make it because it sells, and once you're hooked on it, a dose of something weaker just wont do it for you anymore.

My idea of why older people don't like or get addicted to newer media has to do with brain development. Your brain ceases major development in your late 20s to early 30s. Past this point, increasing stimulus can no longer be adapted to by most individuals. Hence why every generation since the advent of recorded music has found the next generation's to be crap, while new generations often find older music to be too dull. But that's just my theory.

And no, Winston, you aren't the messiah.

[RichieBoy]

Don't generalize and blame all young people, give them a chance because its what corporatism has done to the music industry.... its a small group of people controlling what gets played on the airwaves.

I'm young (30) and I like all of the stuff my dad liked including rock artists from the 70's, 80's............. I am very eclectic

[marklambo]

The general population are just sheep and will do and like whatever is thrown at them. Stupid new fads are constantly forming and these same fads that people would have thought were dumb years ago now decide all of a sudden that it's cool because media portrays it as cool. The same goes for music. Whenever I hear some garbage that's on the radio, I almost feel as if I'm losing brain cells because of how shitty it is. Our world is constantly changing and people like new things. The 70s, 80s, and 90s definitely possessed more quality in it's music and movies but it all changed for the worse. Excessive tattoos have been around for a long time but now it's gone so extreme and more on a mainstream level. Anything that will portray the "bad boy/bad girl" image is considered something you must do to fit in otherwise you're just a nerd that nobody will accept.

This isn't just about young kids either because you also see these actions from some older folks as well that are trying to fit in with the young. They look even more ridiculous. Al though not on an extreme level like the young people, but it is present and I see it everyday. Just like what Jester said, just go do your own thing and forget about everyone else. If people do not want to accept you because they think the music you listen to is "not cool", well maybe you should tell them that they are the ones who aren't cool because they're just sheep following the herd and don't have a mind of their own.

Mark, we would have some gooood conversations if we had the chance to meet.

I see you are in New Jersey, I grew up there and still have family there. If I ever come out there, I'll hit you up. If you ever come down to Vegas, let me know too bro!

[have2fly]

What you have to ask is why U.S. music is so shitty? For example, I grew up listening LOTS of British pop-dance-rave music, like George Michael, Sting, East 17, Chemical Brothers, Prodigy etc. I think Brits have awesome music and continue to do so.

The question is: why we don't have that music in the U.S.???

I don't watch TV for about 10 years, just occasional BBC news online to keep myself updated with world events. I noticed right away, I felt better once I got off CNN and Fox news. Suddenly I realized that not everyone wants to kill me and that not everyone is a pervert. If you keep watching CNN and Fox News, you will be paranoid maniac thinking that you are in constant danger.

The BIG secret is: radio's in the U.S. play what producers pay them to play, not what people want. American public does not even KNOW what do they actually want! They only know what is given to them and that is sad. And try playing some folk music or some other type, like foreign rock or pop - everyone will laugh at you and call you "gay", because it is only cool and "uber-American" to listen shit that is played on the radio. Who the f**k came up with that thinking? What happened to underground culture? What happened to exclusivity of music choice? Why is "only cool" to listen to old-school rock, like AC/DC or new r'n'b crap about ass and titties? Nope, the exclusive music choice is non existent anymore. Why no one knows about Kylie Minogue in the U.S. (Australian)? How about Kate Ryan (Belgian)? How about Mylene Farmer (Canadian-born French)?

In Europe there is wide selection of music. Unfortunately, U.S. media companies purchased many good music TV channels and filled them with crap R'n'B as well, but there are some good channels that still exist.

[somedude]

What you have to ask is why U.S. music is so shitty? For example, I grew up listening LOTS of British pop-dance-rave music, like George Michael, Sting, East 17, Chemical Brothers, Prodigy etc. I think Brits have awesome music and continue to do so.

The question is: why we don't have that music in the U.S.???

I don't watch TV for about 10 years, just occasional BBC news online to keep myself updated with world events. I noticed right away, I felt better once I got off CNN and Fox news. Suddenly I realized that not everyone wants to kill me and that not everyone is a pervert. If you keep watching CNN and Fox News, you will be paranoid maniac thinking that you are in constant danger.

The BIG secret is: radio's in the U.S. play what producers pay them to play, not what people want. American public does not even KNOW what do they actually want! They only know what is given to them and that is sad. And try playing some folk music or some other type, like foreign rock or pop - everyone will laugh at you and call you "gay", because it is only cool and "uber-American" to listen shit that is played on the radio. Who the f**k came up with that thinking? What happened to underground culture? What happened to exclusivity of music choice? Why is "only cool" to listen to old-school rock, like AC/DC or new r'n'b crap about a** and titties? Nope, the exclusive music choice is non existent anymore. Why no one knows about Kylie Minogue in the U.S. (Australian)? How about Kate Ryan (Belgian)? How about Mylene Farmer (Canadian-born French)?

In Europe there is wide selection of music. Unfortunately, U.S. media companies purchased many good music TV channels and filled them with crap R'n'B as well, but there are some good channels that still exist.

Kylie Minogue was popular in the early 2000's in the US, every radio was playing a couple of her songs at the time... that introduced me to her music, which I really enjoy. Since then however to hear her music I have to find it online as it seems the radio only plays mostly crap nowadays.

[BankaixDamiano]

I've never understood something. Why do almost all young people today listen to BAD MUSIC that sounds so crappy and is without form, beauty or art? The stuff they listen to has this weird beat that I can't identify. It sounds so chaotic, unpleasant and tasteless. Wtf is going on in their head?! I don't get it. Are they in a Twilight Zone? I've never understood their world or their wavelength. What are they smoking?

Why do young people never like beautiful music with emotion and melody? Classical music has great form, art and beauty. And the pop music of the 60's, 70's and 80's had a lot more feeling and melody. 70's music especially was very romantic, touching and feeling. Yet young people don't appreciate that for some reason. Most young people don't appreciate stuff if it's old, no matter how good it is. They don't care about quality. They have no interest in good films and music of the past.

Everytime I'm around young people, they treat me as if my tastes are uncool and outdated. They never like what I listen to on the radio. It's sad that they can't appreciate good music or TV like in the old days. So weird.

What's going on? Am I a different soul and species than other people are? Am I a man out of time? Why am I different than everyone?

Why am I the only one left that still likes romantic stuff and dreams of romantic things and likes romantic movies? Even modern women today aren't into sentimental romance anymore, especially in the West. How can I be more romantic than women are?

I also don't connect with modern TV. It seems so cold, lifeless and soulless. I don't like the characters either. I am more drawn to the characters on TV in the 60's and 70's. They were much more warm, natural and human. For some reason, shows back then were so easy to follow. Plots moved along slowly, characters developed slowly, and the dialogue was easier to follow. The pacing was more natural and relaxed too. Why is that? Is it because my wavelength fits the culture of the 70's but not with modern times?

Nowadays, everything is rushed on TV and in movies. There is non-stop action and CGI, but no character or plot development. My favorite TV shows, Doctor Who and Star Trek, are like this too. The modern versions of these shows are rushed like a comedy or circus show full of meaningless action and dribble that all happen quickly and are hard to follow. There is no plot or character development. A lot of things happen fast and I don't even understand half of what's going on.

Also, why is it that young people nowadays like desecrating their bodies with tattoos? Wtf? I don't get it. Tattoos look so DEGENERATE, and they are stupid too. Why make permanent marks and images on your skin like that? It's stupid and foolish.

What is going on in the minds of people who get tattoos? Why is it so desirable or cool?

Don't young people not realize that they are changing for the worse? Why do they think bad music and tattoos are cool?

Is their bad taste in music by accident or design? Why would the ruling elite want young people to listen to bad music? Is it to make them dumber and more degenerate? If so, why? Wouldn't an intelligent work force be better for the economy?

When young people think that the music I listen to is uncool and outdated, I explain to them that writers and artists can't listen to the modern rap stuff that they listen to, because it's not conducive to creativity or the intellect. That's why they have to listen to stuff that stimulates the brain or creativity.

Do I have an alien soul? Maybe I don't belong here and was incarnated here to help wake people up or save the human race? Maybe my destiny here is to be a messenger or messiah to help "save" people? Why else would I be here in such a strange world I don't understand?

It's frustrating and alienating to always be different from everyone isn't it? Am I the weird one or is everyone else? I always feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone here. How can what's normal to me be weird to everyone else, and what's normal to everyone is weird to me?!

Sorry for this rant today, but earlier today when I was eating out, I looked around me and had these thoughts above. So I felt like I had to voice them on the forum when I got home.

Wonder the same thing sometimes. For me, music these days don't appeal to me; i am not sure about other radio stations at other states but mines play the same song over 5 times. That's why I don't seek music in the radio stations. I usually find good music on youtube like Jabig, DJ Paulo Arruda, and offbeatninja. Overall, I am not a fan of mainstream music of today, it sounds the same to me. I don't like music that's that not overrated. I guess that if that kind of music appeals to them, I can't say nor stop anyone from listening.