I may or may not be a pretentious jerk. When it comes to music and movies (and even literature), I am very opinionated. I like to make my opinions known as often as is possible. Not only do I have strong opinions about music and movies, but I'm also very picky about these things. I like certain music, and I hate most else. I like certain movies, and I hate most else. This isn't a bad thing, and I refuse to believe it is (even if you tell me otherwise). I like what I like, and I shouldn't be forced to like or pretend to like anything that I don't really like.
The point is this: I want to be less forceful with my music opinions and my movie opinions. I want to like what I like and let you like what you like. I don't have to like it to. I don't have to approve of you liking it. I just have to let you like it.
For example: if you want to listen to the new Mat Kearney (by the way, man, it's spelled Matt) album, go for it. It sucks, and I hate it. I'm not going to listen to it if I don't have to. However, I'm going to let you like it. If you ask what I think of it, I'm going to rip that sucker apart. However, if you casually mention how much you love it, I don't want to explain to you why it sucks. You enjoy what you enjoy, and I'll hate what I hate (or enjoy what I enjoy).
I understand that what I've just said is dripping with pretense. I have basically asserted that what I like is good and what I don't is bad. I'm okay with that. I really don't feel like I have to pretend that something doesn't suck for the sake of seeming humble. On a deeper level, isn't that a really affected form of humility anyway? I'd be putting up a false front in order to look better--if that isn't affectation, what is? Nonetheless, I'm not going to pretend stuff doesn't suck. I'm just not going to be in your face about it (unless you ask my opinion, in which case, you've opened up a whirlwind of criticism and debate).
I doubt that I'll ever be "humble" about my pop culture opinions. This is my attempt to get as close as I can get to it. I'll will continue to blog my opinion. I will continue to categorize things as good and crappy. I will continue to force things into Top 10 lists and the like. However, I will try not to rip apart your "favorite" pop radio band or box office blockbuster unless you ask for my opinion. I will in no way attempt or pretend to like these things, but I will not blast them unless asked. That's the best I feel I can offer right now.
**EDIT: One, I have failed to live up to this so far. Two, sorry about the whole triple post thing. I was having internet problems at the Union. It keep refusing to load. Somehow, it later loaded every time.
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3 comments:
So, I'm seriously looking for some good new music now. What would you recommend? Oh, and I think people who post the same thing three times are a little bit full of their post.
Don't ask James about music. He has horrible taste.
was posting three times an attempt at expressing how strong this new conviction is? i completely understand what you're talking about here. remember the time i made fun of jason miller's awful "independence day country mix"? then, about three weeks later, i openly made fun of him at dinner for liking jt. needless to say, i frequently put my foot in my mouth, and i, therefore, respect this new conviction you have.
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