From the wreck of the Popism thread...

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

OK a 'rockist' sez:
Bob Dylan is better than Charlotte Church. That's just a fact.

A 'popist' sez:

No way, boring Bob is rubbish compared to Charlotte Church. That's just a fact.

Here's what I actually think:

Listening to music is made up of a series of moments, like coin tosses or dice throws. At any given moment I might find Bob suits me better, or Charlotte. Over time, it's likely Bob will win a lot more often than Charlotte. But during those moments when I want Charlotte, no amount of Bob will suffice. The 'rockist' or 'rockist-about-pop' mistake is to imagine that the 'over time' is what matters, not the moment.

(For 'Bob' and 'Charlotte' insert whoever you want.)

This third point of view is, you'll notice, considerably less snappy than the other two.

-- Tom (freakytrigger@gmail.com), October 20th, 2005 1:59 PM. (Groke) (later) (link)

So re-reading this I wonder if it's statin' the bleedin' obvious or if there's anything in it, I mean in terms of the conception of the fixity of taste and judgement being a big divider....

Comments

[catsgomiaow.livejournal.com]

Actually that explanation works very, very well - for me, at least. Although you saying Bob and Charlotte has now made me think of Lost In Translation!

[catsgomiaow.livejournal.com]

Also the "the moment" thing is THE VERY ESSENCE OF ROMANTICISM etc etc. Ah student days.