You know that feeling when you listen to a really good song? When it just blows you away and all you can do is smile, sit back, and listen to the music? That feeling in your gut that wants to scream out "I love this song!"? Maybe I'm just weird, but that happens to me a lot. If it happens to you too, then we could be friends. Good music is just amazing. I doubt anyone disagrees with that. That good feeling you get from a good song is one of my favorite feelings ever.
What is this power that music has over people? When I'm upset, some of my friends will say "England," the name of a The National song (if you haven't listened to it, you should). That song in itself has the ability to calm anyone's spirits. Whenever I listen to that song, I can't help but want to lie back and let the sounds overcome me. When music is done right (not just talking about the style of music, but more of morality), people could change the world. Many of the bands I listen to are looking to change the world through their music. You can hear it in their lyrics and how they use they're instruments, trying to make themselves stand out to the world. How many Justin Bieber songs do you think are written with the purpose to change the world? Maybe he wants to change the world of his girlfriend, but not the whole world, at least not yet. I know I talk about Arcade Fire a lot (they're probably my favorite band right now), but you can tell they are not satisfied with where society is and their music is screaming out for answer. Their music is full of anger and bitterness towards society. Society is corrupt, and those without hope of a better life will get discouraged and bitter. To them, it's a righteous anger. One popular artist that I've noticed who talks about changing society in her music is Lady Gaga. Her music is crying out for something better.
You may think I'm weird. I know I over analyze things, but I learn so much about where society really is by reading in between the lines. Sometimes I wish I could just listen to that Selena Gomez song, enjoy the catchiness of the song and not thing through the deeper meaning. Analytical thinking can be a burden, but it's part of who I am. I like to think that I can provoke some thought into at least one reader out there. Honestly, if I've done that, then this blog isn't a waste.
Quick little challenge: I challenge you to listen to your favorite song and analyze what you think it means. Think through the lyrics, the style or instrumentation, and if they have a music video, watch it. Think through what each character means. It might bring your favorite song into a new light. You may learn something about yourself. Why do you like that song so much? Why does it get to you personally? I already analyzed my favorite song in the blog "analyzing society."
Honestly, I have so much more I could say about music. Music can't be summed up in one paragraph. The philosophies of these artists have so much more depth, and I only mentioned three different artists. I hope this inspired you in some way. If not, I hope my next blog will be more entertaining for you (and that isn't being said with contempt. I'm genuinely sorry you didn't enjoy this blog.)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Philosophical People Watching
Setting: a coffee shop. The lights are dim; the sky is grey, and you can hear the sound of people talking, going in and out, ordering a cup of coffee, the coffee being made. So many sounds that end up being serene. You're sitting at a table at the far side of the shop, looking around at all the people and just wondering what makes life different for each of these people, what makes one different from the next. Is it their style? Their personality? Their looks? Their voice? Their likes? Their dislikes? Here are some things I that run through my mind in this setting...
At the other side of the coffee shop there are two girls in conversation. One is talking intensely, the other listening intensely. This isn't the normal coffee shop conversation. Tears may even be involved. My cynicism kicks in. I wonder as I look at the girl listening, does she want to listen? She's one of those girls who has conversations like this all the time. At what point is it too much? Does she genuinely care to hear this girl's story or is this just out of routine? What is she thinking about? Is she thinking about what she's hearing or about when she'll be able to go to lunch once this meeting is over? Only she knows. It can be so easy for someone to put on a fake listening face, insert a couple "yeahs" in the conversation to make it look like you're listening. I know because I do this all the time.
As for the girl talking, I can't imagine going that deep with someone I hardly know. I wouldn't know what to say. My distrust for people kicks in. How could I know she wouldn't talk to others about my deepest issues? How could I know she wouldn't judge my decisions or my past mistakes? Maybe that's just the introvert in me, but I don't understand why someone needs everyone to know their problems, or why someone is comfortable with telling everyone their problems. My spirit gets unsettled at the thought. Not many people really know me.
Sitting at the table next to them is a couple. They sit across from each other, talking in hushed tones, or so it seems from my distance. Not much to analyze about what they're thinking. They're probably just happy to have this time to be together.
In the middle of the shop is a group of college students trying to decide whether or not to go to lunch now or wait a little bit. I look at each of their styles and wonder why they chose to wear that today. One guy is wearing skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black and grey plaid scarf. For some reason, someone thought he looked like a hippy. I don't think they know what hippies look like. The hippies I know do not wear plaid scarves or skinny jeans. I wonder if that person meant that as a compliment or an insult. To me, I like looking like a hippy, it fits my personality and how I want people to see me. In this environment, hippies are looked on with disdain. However, this trend of thinking may be changing. Who am I to judge?
The girls are all wearing a similar style of a skirt (or dress pants), a solid shirt, a scarf, and a sweater. Not much variety to analyze there. I know I don't fit their style. I don't wear bright colors and a lot of sparkly hats, scarves, jewelry, etc. I'm perfectly content with my glasses, grey shirt, and olive green cardigan. I may not cake makeup on my face, but at least I'm content with how my face looks naturally. I have nothing against makeup, I've just realized recently that I will never feel comfortable with makeup on. I'm tired of trying to fit in to the world. Yes, I have blemishes, I have freckles and scars all over my face, but I'm not trying to change my face. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, just the way I am.
As for the people in the corner using the computers, they're just being model students, maybe. Getting things done that I'm putting off by writing this blog. Part of me feels guilty for that, but the other part of me thinks that I just need to sit a think for a while. To you, I made be weird that I like to sit and analyze people in a coffee shop, that relaxes me.
As new people come in, new thoughts race through your mind. Different personalities. Different faces. Different ambitions. Different goals. Different thoughts. I honestly doubt that any two people in this room are thinking the exact same thing.
I hope I didn't ramble on too much. I hadn't blogged in a while, but here is how I slow my mind down. This process of cynicism, reasoning through the cynicism, seeing things in a new light rather than just the normal hustle of a coffee shop. And now, I am relaxed.
At the other side of the coffee shop there are two girls in conversation. One is talking intensely, the other listening intensely. This isn't the normal coffee shop conversation. Tears may even be involved. My cynicism kicks in. I wonder as I look at the girl listening, does she want to listen? She's one of those girls who has conversations like this all the time. At what point is it too much? Does she genuinely care to hear this girl's story or is this just out of routine? What is she thinking about? Is she thinking about what she's hearing or about when she'll be able to go to lunch once this meeting is over? Only she knows. It can be so easy for someone to put on a fake listening face, insert a couple "yeahs" in the conversation to make it look like you're listening. I know because I do this all the time.
As for the girl talking, I can't imagine going that deep with someone I hardly know. I wouldn't know what to say. My distrust for people kicks in. How could I know she wouldn't talk to others about my deepest issues? How could I know she wouldn't judge my decisions or my past mistakes? Maybe that's just the introvert in me, but I don't understand why someone needs everyone to know their problems, or why someone is comfortable with telling everyone their problems. My spirit gets unsettled at the thought. Not many people really know me.
Sitting at the table next to them is a couple. They sit across from each other, talking in hushed tones, or so it seems from my distance. Not much to analyze about what they're thinking. They're probably just happy to have this time to be together.
In the middle of the shop is a group of college students trying to decide whether or not to go to lunch now or wait a little bit. I look at each of their styles and wonder why they chose to wear that today. One guy is wearing skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black and grey plaid scarf. For some reason, someone thought he looked like a hippy. I don't think they know what hippies look like. The hippies I know do not wear plaid scarves or skinny jeans. I wonder if that person meant that as a compliment or an insult. To me, I like looking like a hippy, it fits my personality and how I want people to see me. In this environment, hippies are looked on with disdain. However, this trend of thinking may be changing. Who am I to judge?
The girls are all wearing a similar style of a skirt (or dress pants), a solid shirt, a scarf, and a sweater. Not much variety to analyze there. I know I don't fit their style. I don't wear bright colors and a lot of sparkly hats, scarves, jewelry, etc. I'm perfectly content with my glasses, grey shirt, and olive green cardigan. I may not cake makeup on my face, but at least I'm content with how my face looks naturally. I have nothing against makeup, I've just realized recently that I will never feel comfortable with makeup on. I'm tired of trying to fit in to the world. Yes, I have blemishes, I have freckles and scars all over my face, but I'm not trying to change my face. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, just the way I am.
As for the people in the corner using the computers, they're just being model students, maybe. Getting things done that I'm putting off by writing this blog. Part of me feels guilty for that, but the other part of me thinks that I just need to sit a think for a while. To you, I made be weird that I like to sit and analyze people in a coffee shop, that relaxes me.
As new people come in, new thoughts race through your mind. Different personalities. Different faces. Different ambitions. Different goals. Different thoughts. I honestly doubt that any two people in this room are thinking the exact same thing.
I hope I didn't ramble on too much. I hadn't blogged in a while, but here is how I slow my mind down. This process of cynicism, reasoning through the cynicism, seeing things in a new light rather than just the normal hustle of a coffee shop. And now, I am relaxed.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Blank Page
A blank page stares back at me. No words some to my mind. My mind is as empty as the page. Where did all the thoughts go that previously plagued my mind? Where did all the thoughts go that caused sleepless nights and an uneasy queasiness in my stomach? All my thoughts began to fade into nothing, just the blank page and me. The noise and distraction of the world fades to nothing. No one is around me anymore, no more white noise clouding my mind. What is this power of the blank page? This power to erase your thoughts and rob you of creativity. Nothing is quite as intimidating as a blank page. When you know you need to write, but there is nothing. Nothing. Such a powerful word. But what does that mean? The lack of something? Well, what is something? A page could be filled with words, but does that make it something? A life could be filled with actions, but does that make it something? I'd rather my life be a blank page than a page filled with deadwood. The most profound words come out when you don't even try. But if you force your life to come together, isn't that when stories are the worst? This is my blank page now full.
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