Music downloading creates listener apathy: research

[Vibro Larynx]

Yes, this is excellent science. Having access to music prevents a deep emotional commitment to music.

Coming up next: why eating ruins your digestion.

A similiar wisdom I often hear is: Eating causes stupidity.

[Lawnmower Of The Damned]

People have less emotional attachment to mainstream music because meanstream music has less emotion lately. When mainstream music goes through focus groups and marketing surveys before it gets to the listeners it somehow ruins the emotion of it for me

There's no question why many famous musicians got into their trade. They did it for money, sex and fame. Notice art isn't on that list.

As for saying that downloaded or free music degrades one ability to enjoy music, it's total BS. One of my favorite bands (Violent Work of Art) didn't have a record deal until a few months ago. The only way you could get their music was by downloading it free of charge from IUMA. And you know what? I'm more emotionally attached to their music than some bands who's albums I've purchased.

[whyterabbyt]

Feh. I did some research once, so Im totally apathetic about conclusions.

[Vibro Larynx]

As for saying that downloaded or free music degrades one ability to enjoy music, it's total BS. One of my favorite bands (Violent Work of Art) didn't have a record deal until a few months ago. The only way you could get their music was by downloading it free of charge from IUMA. And you know what? I'm more emotionally attached to their music than some bands who's albums I've purchased.

I second that.
Two reasons for why this survey is BS:
1. The researchers completely left out an important part of their object in research - the big netaudio/netlabel scene.
2. The load of music available today might be a reason, but it's irrelevant, whether it's via TV, Radio, Internet. I often go 'shopping' for CDs and return with nothing but anger because of the mass of music available in the shop.

[smp]

I think that since most people have near instant gratification the apathy goes way further along than just music.

I think that's very true.

Question for you all...I'm not presupposing any response, I'm just very curious:

How many of you listen to music (any music) with the same concentration required while reading a book? That is, you are listening to the music and doing NOTHING else. You don't have the TV on, you're not browsing the internet, you're not cooking dinner, you're just sitting there listening to music and giving it your undivided attention.

I'm curious because I've noticed in my own life that I no longer do that. I used to listen to music constantly with that kind of concentration. I'd come home, put on an album and just listen.

I don't know if this change is because I'm older and seem to have less time to do so, or if it's a symptom of some other change in me.

Honestly, the only time I listen with that kind of concentration is when I'm working on my own music. I've even found that I don't listen to my own music much once it's finished. I suspect it's because the real joy in music for me is that deep concentration I achieve while composing and once achieved while listening.

I used to do this. But ever since I started working full-time, being involved in long-term relationships and returned to playing football, I just don't have time to do that anymore. Now, when I want to listen to something in detail, I put the music on when I'm doing something else that doesn't require a lot of conscious thought eg cooking, cleaning the house, surfing the net or on my hour each way bus commute. That way, I can give almost all my attention to the music but I don't need to set aside a solid block of time solely dedicated to the music.

Sure, it'd be nice to still be able to do it, but the realities of being an adult and having adult responsibilities dictate that very rarely will I have that time (if at all). Therefore, compromise abounds and I try and make do as best I can.

-s
(who fondly remembers the days he used to turn out the lights, don the headphones and listen to music for hours on end)

[drinelli]

I couldn't respect a single person who says they love an album but the only "copy" they have is downloaded/borrowed or bought from (Sh)iTunes. You don't PAY for a f**king 128kbps music file at the same price of a CD just like you don't pay $30,000,000 for a PRINT of a van goth painting. Your ears, eyes and other senses would have to be so f**king borked to accept that.

I also consider the Artwork and case even to be a necessity, not a bonus. Lossless is great for distributing live shows etc, but to release and collect music using intangible formats alone, you must be kidding.

A moment I thought you was disagreeing with me, but then I re read your post, sorry my english skills are not the best. Reverse Engineer

[drinelli]

If this....



..... is the kind of deep emotional commitment they are refering to, it's not necessarily a bad thing.
[/img]

No, have you never put on a cd, just listening to it, without the screaming , looking at the cover, thinking this is the way life should be like. The box the cd comes in everything with it, it has soul, Not the genre. Don`t you love music, being at this forum would make me believe you are, but you could fool me, no offense.

[drinelli]

Typical industrial capitalist rubbish. Crank up the factories and flood the market with crap and then wonder why most people don't give it the time of day.

Radio was and still is free and it serves to promote music buying. The problem with the music KORPS of today is they are too intent on squeezing every last ounce of profit out of the least possible product, so its no wonder 99.9% of whats out there on the shelves is awfull.

What this typical music KORP viewpoint overlooks is the huge amount of music now being created and shared between people cutting out the middle man.

There is more good 'free music' i.e. offered intentionally by the creator out there than I have time to ever listen to all of it. It is truly and amazing time to live music wise.

The KORPs don't shed tears when they stop pensioners checks, so it's no wonder no one gives a crap when thier profits go south.

No one argues, I think, that it is a good thing that more musicians can get to more people, I think if someone has made some good tunes, go for it release them as cds, or dvd audio, sacd, it is not that exspensive anymore as it used to be, what i think is that it would be bad if the music disapearred in a solid state, also think if suddenly, all the bits and bytes where gone. I know there is some enviromental concerns here too, but they are maybe possible to solve for the scientist further down the road.

[drinelli]

...In the 70's people listened to music at home from a fixed point. In the 80's people started to listened to music when mobile, in cars and when walking...

Actually if you want to get technical, portable listening has been around and popular ever since the advent of radio in cars. And in-the-car music-on-demand was very much a '70's thing. 8-track car players **shudder** were available in Ford cars as early as 1966 and the stereo cassette was introduced in 1972. I was in high school from 1973 - 1976 and the stereo cassette deck was in my car and heavily used from the time I was able to drive. Wearable devices were also available in the '70's, though they were radio only unitl 1979 when the Walkman was introduced.

Yeah, I know, there's no point to my reply. But those are the facts as I know them

And May I add, people are also listening to Music at their homes( I did not say still because they will probably allways be listening at home ) Ok you guessed it I am nostalgic person. But don`t let that fool you, I think there is some truth about People not diving sincerely into the music as downloads.

[drinelli]

I think that since most people have near instant gratification the apathy goes way further along than just music.

I think that's very true.

Question for you all...I'm not presupposing any response, I'm just very curious:

How many of you listen to music (any music) with the same concentration required while reading a book? That is, you are listening to the music and doing NOTHING else. You don't have the TV on, you're not browsing the internet, you're not cooking dinner, you're just sitting there listening to music and giving it your undivided attention.

I'm curious because I've noticed in my own life that I no longer do that. I used to listen to music constantly with that kind of concentration. I'd come home, put on an album and just listen.

I don't know if this change is because I'm older and seem to have less time to do so, or if it's a symptom of some other change in me.

Honestly, the only time I listen with that kind of concentration is when I'm working on my own music. I've even found that I don't listen to my own music much once it's finished. I suspect it's because the real joy in music for me is that deep concentration I achieve while composing and once achieved while listening.

I used to do this. But ever since I started working full-time, being involved in long-term relationships and returned to playing football, I just don't have time to do that anymore. Now, when I want to listen to something in detail, I put the music on when I'm doing something else that doesn't require a lot of conscious thought eg cooking, cleaning the house, surfing the net or on my hour each way bus commute. That way, I can give almost all my attention to the music but I don't need to set aside a solid block of time solely dedicated to the music.

Sure, it'd be nice to still be able to do it, but the realities of being an adult and having adult responsibilities dictate that very rarely will I have that time (if at all). Therefore, compromise abounds and I try and make do as best I can.

-s
(who fondly remembers the days he used to turn out the lights, don the headphones and listen to music for hours on end)

I enjoy music still, But I rarely listen to the music I once downloaded ( though paid for it I did, Though I burned it to Cd, Printed its covers.) I still forget about having them at all, and am mostly listening, to my cd collection.