The topic is ”music snobbery”. Everyone is guilty of it, some more than others. Why? Our ears hear and “think” of music, with our natural emotions taking a roll in the experience. We seem to find certain things very appealing, other things not so much. However, ingesting things much, as opposed to a one-off listen, allows us to develop more understanding of it. And, a broader appreciation comes with that. In some cases, having someone point out an element of music we had been unaware of, triggers a newer idea of it. Meaning, we just might grow to like or love a music work that we previously did not. This reminds me of being in an art gallery, being “dumbed down” to a painting, and having no interest in it. Then, someone mentions a brush stroke technique, or color coordination used by the artist and we see it in a different way. An appreciative way. But, do we wish to take time to “study” the paintings and artists behind them long enough to make that step? The step that could bring us a new joy in life? In music, it is very common to continue onward, year after year, disinterested in “Chicago blues shuffles” or mainstream country music, because we dig in to our viewpoint that those are things we do not like. And, we tune those music forms out every chance we get. We choose to NEVER LISTEN TO THEM. In the event we hear that music in passing the condescending thoughts pop up, even get spoken aloud. Some people seem to hate bluegrass. Some loathe any rap/hip hop. There are snobs toward heavy metal, acoustic folk, jazz, and on and on. Some folks specifically do not like music because it is widely popular! Others dislike anything that is not major label mainstream fare. An artist and her musical art that is at a grassroots level cannot have any merit, no. Only major stars with huge corporate “machinery” in place can deliver worthwhile music. In some cases, specific artists are disliked, though other acts in the same genre are appreciated. How does such pronounced snobbery get into our minds and hearts? Isn’t it possible to take in a classical piece, followed by a rockabilly record, and enjoy SOMETHING about both? Can we not find a strand of appreciation for hearing Celine Dion AND Martina McBride AND Alicia Keys AND Melissa Ethridge sing? Isn’t there something noteworthy in the lyrics of rap artists AND Folk/Americana artists? I have witnessed grotesque snobbery toward guitar playing. There will be an overwhelming love for blues/rock players (especially major stars), while totally disliking all country music guitar-ing. In other words, David Gilmour and Eric Clapton are “amazing” players, yet Vince Gill and Brad Paisley are not to be counted at all. I have seen people froth at the mouth over metal “shredders”, such as Yngwie Malmsteem and Steve Vai, but totally dislike the rock playing of John Fogerty and Keith Richards. I believe the insistence on limiting our scope, narrowing what we listen to (and like), is unhealthy. It feeds on being intolerant. It feeds our being unhappy. I mean, when we are forced into an evening (or few minutes) of something we are not elated about, our mood is darkened. Furthermore, our snobbery is, oftentimes, unfair. The artist and art we disrespect, in fact, has a long journey of skill, talent, work ethic, etc. How dare we regard it as having nothing positive about it, or qualities to it? We seem to live in an environment where “cherry picking” what is great, and completely “trashing” the rest is commonplace. It seems to get more divisive all the time. What is the computer talk-is the term “binary”? It has to be one or the other. Our way or the “highway”. I think I will go listen to Alanis Morissette right now. I never cared for her records. Maybe, a newer listen will change that. Who will you go and give a listen?