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-- some general, oblique observations
some general, oblique observations
On a general note (which may NOT specifically apply to this thread; hence why it is general 
), I've observed in a semi-humorous way:
-so many bitter opinions cancel each other out so it all gets balanced like an equation, it's pretty funny...
-following everyone else and bending to the will of others instead of trusting yourself will only make you mixed-up and hate yourself in the end for not having more self-confidence in what you believe in, like your tastes in music... so don't feel down if someone bashes your fave artist!
-jealousy and envy run rampant and a lot of people won't fess up to it, preferring to hide their hurtful emotions behind acid comments and scathing flamewar attacks
-it seems to me critics often do not write to benefit the artist with ideas for self-improvement, but to impress other critics with lots of big words. as powerful as words are, words do not take the place of the actual music. on the flipside, i've read lots of glowing reviews of stuff that didn't appeal to me personally. so, the text is a lead-in... but don't be deterred or overhyped, actually listen to the MUSIC 
-the people who jump on your bandwagon are the same people who wouldn't have anything to do with you earlier
-along the same lines, when people say a certain style can't be done, it often WILL be sooner or later. many historical examples of this, like "trance-'n'-bass" and "rock breaks" and... oh yeah, trance itself is kind of a miracle considering the views towards electronic instruments just a few decades ago (and of course, there are still those who mistakenly believe it's always a case of "push one button and the computer does all the work"). look where hip-hop culture is today, that's amazing.
-there's enough pain and suffering in the world, and it's pretty stupid to see the same bitter arguments raised redundantly, time and time again over what, Electronic Dance Music? people are supposed to have FUN... when will lasting change come? too idealistic? but change can still happen. it has. and it will again.
-the worst technosnobs say much but ultimately amount to little. variety is the spice of life, diversity is the key to survival and progress, and oh yeah, one person's "progressive" is another person's... uh... regressive :P
-life is full of contradictions, and you can embrace them. talk is cheap, yet open discussion in a friendly environment is of paramount importance -- which is why we have TA and i'm thankful for that.
-it's good to be nice to newbies who approach wide-eyed and curious, we were all there once. like we were all babies. we have to learn to crawl before we can walk, run, and DJ 
rude newbies AND oldies tho... booo!!
-having an opinion is one thing, explaining that opinion is another BECAUSE . . .
-there's no need to say "X DJ" or "Y track" sucks! just admit, it's not your kind of music. and let someone else appreciate it. there's plenty enough for everyone, no need to be insecure about who likes what. i'm a Britney and Avril fan and i like experimental techno! so what!
-the world is short on love. i'm thinkin' of ... yes ... Tiesto and BT's song, "Love Comes AGAIN" right now. say what you will about the song, but really, we could all use more love.
-PLUR(R)... ?
CHEERS!!
Something I've observed is the carry-over of pop music terminology into the trance arena. Pop music has lyrics, and therefore vocals. Most trance is the other way around. Instrumental tracks are called "songs," and it's a bit annoying to see that.
Hey! I'm with you on that one! I believe in the same thing. "Songs" as opposed to "tracks". But I think the meanings of the words themselves are shifting, just like how we say "lyrics" instead of "a lyric" singular. It's more problematic if you have a trance track that has mostly instrumental parts but a few words sung, and repeated and effected. "Song" isn't a biggie for me, but you're right, it can irk.
An observation:
-Snobs on the internet who try to make themselves seem smart by overanalyzing and falsely diagnosing, thereby defeating their purpose, what everyone else on the internet says.
That's a good observation, Radagast!
I've run into that a number of times... like I pointed out about contradictions, because to put it metaphorically, it's a matter of pulling water out of the well without falling in yourself.
However I WILL listen to technosnobs and other snobs to hear what they have to say, provided it is not a personal attack or I haven't heard it ad infinitum before.
P.S. That's another character who likes Jaffa cakes in your sig! Giles from Buffy also likes them (haven't watched SG1 but i am curious)
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Radagast An observation: -Snobs on the internet who try to make themselves seem smart by overanalyzing and falsely diagnosing, thereby defeating their purpose, what everyone else on the internet says. |
That's funny, I forget the website where that came from but I liked a lot of their other demotivation posters too.
I know some elitists who I am actually allies with, I may not like their attitude but if I take the time to listen to them talk (and they can talk for QUITE a bit), they are INTENSELY full of some good advice that often doesn't get taken the right way because the first things that come out of their mouths are condescending insults, all too often, and so the torrent that follows that is frequently ignored.
But some of them definitely have knowledge, and I'm not just talking about trance but many kinds of music. I choose to learn that knowledge and apply it to something more personal to me.
In response to all those bullet points, all I can say is:
Welcome to the Internet.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Radagast An observation: -Snobs on the internet who try to make themselves seem smart by overanalyzing and falsely diagnosing, thereby defeating their purpose, what everyone else on the internet says. |
<----Head
Hi webmeister, I know you are well-intentioned and I thank you graciously for that. I've been on the Internet... well, a fair while. But, I do know that not all message boards are like this. I've perhaps had an inverse experience from you. However, it's not just the Internet, it's the very real world too, as my bullet points addressed what is happening to dance music offline as well. I do not assign blame to anyone. We must all work together.
I felt it necessary to express myself firmly but politely in such a way because I am thankful for TranceAddict but I think we -- each individual of our community -- could stand to unite sometimes more than divide. It's like if anyone points out the Emperor's New Clothes, they get shouted down for being brave and standing their ground. Me? Can't be self-presumptuous about the bravery, but I have Asperger's Syndrome so I know I'm seeing things differently, and I'm tired of the apathetic "it's like this, get over it n00b" attitude... really, there is no excuse for things like hurtful flaming and more people could stand to be more understanding and tolerant of different kinds of music, and more importantly, for other people's feelings and opinions expressed *respectfully* -- instead of threadcrapping.
Yes, you're absolutely right, but don't hold your breath waiting for anything to change.
As we say on the AU forums, opinions are like assholes, everybody has one. And you're never going to change an asshole over the internet
Most of the flaming that takes place here is pointless, but conflict is rather like death and taxes.
Mmmmm maybe I'm too much of an optimist. You know, I'm a forward, direct, cheery person, very upbeat... not always -- I have my dark days too. But I'm made sad by people fighting. It's true what they say, don't feed the trolls, but what I also have to say is: it'd be nice if spam was non-existent too, eh ?
I agree, I will not hold my breath waiting for anything to change. But I want to actively do something about it. I am in fact doing something about it. But I need help, from many others. We'll see
You're the optimist, I'm the cynic
I think the only time people on TA will stop arguing is when Swamper pulls the network plug out of the wall
Good luck with your campaign though..!
I am a skeptic and prone to my own being jaded, I will have to admit. But there comes times when I remember what made me so excited about technological music in the first place, so . . .
I can't help but feel hopeful for Electronic Dance Music around the world!
Thank you...
P.S. I hope Swamper does not do that foreseeably, and that TA will live on for many years to come.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Radagast An observation: -Snobs on the internet who try to make themselves seem smart by overanalyzing and falsely diagnosing, thereby defeating their purpose, what everyone else on the internet says. |
more trance...less philosophy.
go write a book or sumthin'
Digital Aura, HELLO! That is what I would hope for sometimes -- as I said myself:
-life is full of contradictions, and you can embrace them. talk is cheap, yet open discussion in a friendly environment is of paramount importance -- which is why we have TA and i'm thankful for that.
So, as you can see, I have thought this part out quite prudently! I'm not the only trance philosopher (or psychohistorian -- LOL, sorry, couldn't resist dropping that one in) on here by any means -- some VERY knowledgeable heavyweights on these forums I look up to, and I'm sure you know who at least some of them are. As for a book, that's not a bad idea. However, the trance story is far from finished and ah... I'd like to see what happens in the next few years first.
Also, you left me a comment in my other thread! I wanted to ask you for an explanation for why you wished you had Asperger's Syndrome as you stated, and you have not explained yet So please feel free to, you are most welcome!
Take care, and I like your nickname, "Digital Aura". Is there a story behind it?
| quote: |
| Originally posted by aspergian Digital Aura, HELLO! That is what I would hope for sometimes -- as I said myself: -life is full of contradictions, and you can embrace them. talk is cheap, yet open discussion in a friendly environment is of paramount importance -- which is why we have TA and i'm thankful for that. So, as you can see, I have thought this part out quite prudently! I'm not the only trance philosopher (or psychohistorian -- LOL, sorry, couldn't resist dropping that one in) on here by any means -- some VERY knowledgeable heavyweights on these forums I look up to, and I'm sure you know who at least some of them are. As for a book, that's not a bad idea. However, the trance story is far from finished and ah... I'd like to see what happens in the next few years first. Also, you left me a comment in my other thread! I wanted to ask you for an explanation for why you wished you had Asperger's Syndrome as you stated, and you have not explained yet So please feel free to, you are most welcome!Take care, and I like your nickname, "Digital Aura". Is there a story behind it? |
like Attention Deficit if you ask me) that can IMPROVE your creativity?? THATS WHY.
| quote: |
| Good luck with your campaign though..! |
Mmmmmm... thanks for explaining, Digital Aura. And bonjour to you.
Ahhh... I should explain further. Please pardon me for the following wordy explanation: I do not wish to be a scapegoat.. I stated it earlier as such re: Asperger's Syndrome simply because I believe there is a sensible explanation for why I am the way I am. I would have to say it's hard to understand what one is going through unless one is really going through it. In events like a romantic relationship breakup -- the pain is non-transferrable. A friend can be there for you, but the friend cannot experience the pain the same way you do, which is very real. In a similar way, I see things in weird ways. Everyone is a unique individual, but there was always something about me that was difficult to explain -- that I, in fact, could not explain -- until I heard about Asperger's & learned more along the way from there.
It helps, even if it is just to let to people know that it's not because I'm deliberately wanting to get on anyone's nerves, but I have good intentions and although I may type kind of funny and some of my views are just plain weird (but they feel so natural to me), it comes from a good heart & mind and I love Electronic Dance Music. It can be hard to get that across on a message board and I dislike miscommunication as I wish to be friendly, but message boards like TA are handy for connecting people all over the world.
I am a skeptic, against forms of quackery -- I am a fan of Penn & Teller and James Randi. But I do believe the human brain is still very much unexplored and "AS" will do as a placeholder for now. I DO agree with you strongly that there are many cases of ADHD that are all hyped-up and made hysterial about when the kids in fact have had an unhealthy diet. However I am not a medical professonal, and ...
I have lived many years of my life in frustration, wondering why my sudden blurtations about trance music, neon colors, figure skater Sasha Cohen (LOL), etc. in the middle of lunch would get me into trouble. I knew it was an obsession; but there were other personality aspects to me that soon became readily apparent. Such as my bad comprehension of some sorts of humor, and my inability to grasp emotions sometimes. My repetition of certain actions (time becomes a loop), the way I make eye contact, the way I walk, and soforth and soforth all fit the current diagnostic criteria -- or HAD fit, before I adapted (like the Borg! j/k) and improve and continue to do so. I have thought about this for several years, beginning in about 2000 A.D. Maybe it's just "me" being "me" for the sake of "me". But the search is ongoing, just like my observations as to the future of trance music. So they run parallel courses. As in trance music, I welcome the acquisition and discussion of knowledge and am very open to what the future holds for all of us. No doubt we will look back nostalgically on our own "Golden Age", but the music is such an important part of people's lives!!
In the end, I guess it's pretty simple. I like to see people being nice to one another and sharing their love for trance music on here. Yeah, it *can be a dream, but I'm hopeful
Anyway, like you said, back to the trance.
Thank you for letting me know, I am really cool with that!
L8r
| quote: |
| Originally posted by aspergian I am a skeptic, against forms of quackery -- I am a fan of Penn & Teller and James Randi. But I do believe the human brain is still very much unexplored and "AS" will do as a placeholder for now. I DO agree with you strongly that there are many cases of ADHD that are all hyped-up and made hysterial about when the kids in fact have had an unhealthy diet. However I am not a medical professonal, and ... |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by aspergian I have lived many years of my life in frustration, wondering why my sudden blurtations about trance music, neon colors, figure skater Sasha Cohen (LOL), etc. in the middle of lunch would get me into trouble. I knew it was an obsession; but there were other personality aspects to me that soon became readily apparent. Such as my bad comprehension of some sorts of humor, and my inability to grasp emotions sometimes. My repetition of certain actions (time becomes a loop), the way I make eye contact, the way I walk, and soforth and soforth all fit the current diagnostic criteria -- or HAD fit, before I adapted (like the Borg! j/k) and improve and continue to do so. I have thought about this for several years, beginning in about 2000 A.D. Maybe it's just "me" being "me" for the sake of "me". But the search is ongoing, just like my observations as to the future of trance music. So they run parallel courses. As in trance music, I welcome the acquisition and discussion of knowledge and am very open to what the future holds for all of us. No doubt we will look back nostalgically on our own "Golden Age", but the music is such an important part of people's lives!! |
Flyboy217: A good question. The brain is insanely complex, and the field of neurobiology is OT to this forum so please pardon me for this, but we don't yet have a thorough understanding of these areas:
-how much of the brain is actually used. (There are often percentages sent through those email forwards, but they are dubious.)
-how does it process information, really?
-causes of brain tumors and certain types of neural degeneration?
-what makes up sense of humor?
-effects of drugs on the brain? (We know some about, say, ecstasy, but what we don't know is still a vast sea...)
-the brain's continued evolution and adaptability in an era of noise pollution, sensory overload, and unhealthy living?
-effects of cell phones and other frequency-generators on the brain? (Still hotly debated)
-neurodiversity -- there are different body types, so why not different brain types as well?
-etc. etc. etc.
There are many questions still unanswered, and research continues. The questions aren't easy, and neither are the answers. And as much as we think we know now, it will all look puny in hindsight. I figure once we master "neurospace", we can then start building Terminators. Just kidding
As for your second question, which is also a fine question -- autism is a spectrum, with many colors, and Asperger's is considered a "mild" form. "Mild" being relative, as I can only speak for myself and I did not find some things about my life to ever be mild. So you are right in that maybe they are both parts of a whole like the many styles of trance are part of a bigger umbrella, but they do exhibit distinguished differences specific to an individual's behavior. There is some good info here:
http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Autism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger's_syndrome
And for further specific AS discussion, I recommend Aspergia forum as to not impose further on TranceAddict:
http://www.aspergia.com/wforum/
In the end, we are all human beings, and I value diversity and always hope to learn something from someone else's experiences as she or he chooses to share them. When many different people from all walks of life can come here and share their love of music, that is a beautiful, lovely thing.
Hope this helps.
well bro...
I can say one thing...I think your approach to Aspergers Syndrome is the right approach...
You have embraced it...and as I meant to convey in the last post, you have figured out how to use it for good (I shouldn't have said "exploit it" as the term has negative connotations which weren't intended.)
Everyone wants to be "different". Heck, it's fashionable to "conform to being different"...what a paradox...but its true. Everyone wants to be the same (in that they want to be different.
As far as the "exploration of the brain" or the mind, while we may have a long way to go, I believe its over-examination has undoubtedly lead many scientists, doctors, psychologists, etc down the rosey garden path... so many "theoretical" disorders and unproven conditions have people believing without taking time to actually use their own brain and deductive reasoning. Why do we take most of their theories as truth?
For example, in Russia it's common for babies to be assessed by over 8 different specialists : psycho-analysts right down to podiatrists all give their 2 cents worth and file a report on the children. By the time the child is 6 months old they have more problems diagnosed than a dead person! (I know this because I adopted a young baby recently). Did you know that doctors like to come up with problems that have never been heard of? Luckily we had a Canadian doctor come with us to assess our son as well....and the doctor found NOTHING wrong. NOT ONE THING (while the medical reports claimed he was retarded, had weak legs, and an underdeveloped right ventricule!)
All this to say, DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR
Take some time and use your mind...half the problems in the world are only in the minds of those who conjure them.
Just my opinion. Thanks Asperg!
Peace!
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