[RootReducer]

This is ridiculously preachy. I do think the overall thesis is correct, in that boredom can be a powerful force for creativity and inspiration, but paragraphs like this make the article completely off-putting:

"If you want to let music inspire you and enjoy its real beauty, I have few very simple rules: Classical Music and no “skipping”. Then I will trust my appetite."

I do like sitting down and actually focusing on an album, but suggesting only that only classical music is worthy of appreciation is absurd. There is an amazing variety of wonderful modern music in a multitude of genres.

[i_haz_rabies]

I used to be a snob and say that I hated country music or whatever, but now I try and appreciate all the music I hear. There are definitely songs I don't like, and there are genres that tend to have a lower "hit" rate for me (country being one of them), but every genre has bands and songs that are worth listening to. If someone recorded it, they probably put some soul into it... why not give it a listen?

[genghisjahn]

I can't recall who said this, but one suggestion that has worked for me is to listen to a certain genre exclusively for 30 days. Country, Hip-Hop, House, various kinds of Classical. At the end of 30 days I always have songs that I really like, and kinda get the genre even if it's not going to replace my love for 80s trash rock.

[sharkweek]

I view music as I do eating - sometimes it's fun to sit and savor something, other times I crave junk.

Nothing wrong with either. Sure there are definitely artists I respect more than others, but sometimes it's more fun to just put on some trashy [insert genre here, I wont get specific] and enjoy.

[plutonorm]

There are pieces on all genres that speak to me. If there’s a genre you don’t like that is telling you that there is a feeling in life that you have not yet keyed into.

[smoldesu]

This author sounds like someone who has finally figured out how their body works, and is now desecrating their revelation by posting it online to help digitally overstimulate their peers. Bravo!

[vangelis]

I'd bet my bottom dollar this statue avatar blog and Richard Weaver have very similar opinions on jazz and other "degenerate music".

[jollybean]

Yeah it's possibly a little snobby but most forms of music before 1900 i.e. 'classical' even if not technically classical period ... are 'long form'.

So pieces will be 10-20 minutes as opposed to 3 minutes.

That allows for a different listening experience.

I suggest something different for working: light EDM.

EDM is not designed to be 'actively listened to'. It's designed for your body, not your ears, it's generally 'beat and rhythm founded' instead of 'melody, chord and phrasing founded' - and so you can have it on for much longer and still use your mind for work.

Drum Circles last for hours, you can have a conversation while enjoying it.

So you don't waste great music while working away, you can burn the tedium of mediocre electronica all without looking for the dopamine chorus / mega riff.

[fierro]

yeah that particular passage is cringe and colors the whole article as condescending, when in reality there are a lot of good points made.

[Jiocus]

Funny way to spell “Techno”.

OnT: The title says overstimulating but with guidelines like that it feels more like criticism of stimulation from a broad range of bad entertainment. Is digitally distributed classical music a no go now?

[unethical_ban]

Honestly, perhaps.

Think of digital consumption like any drug or vice. The severity of its effects are different for every person, and so is the solution for each person.

Some alcoholics can do a social drink with friends as long as they don't drink at home alone. Others can't touch it.

For me, there are times when the mere presence of an internet-connected device in my headspace has a weight on me - a small weight, but it's there. I find myself feeling truly disconnected from the digital river /better/ when I put music on the record player and put my phone on silent in another room, dissuaded from touching it, "liking" a song, or responding to an unexpected text.

[munk-a]

Honestly - trying to finely curate the art that we consume is pretty far in the direction of Brave New World to begin with. Art comes in many forms and the classification of it will vary wildly from person to person.

[the_only_law]

This may be an unpopular opinion and sound ad-hominem, but in my experience with people, this overdone “modern music bad, classical music good” shtick is a signal of intellectual posturing.

[wobbly_bush]

I also wonder if the author can listen to any other classical music except Western classical the same way without any "break-in period" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_classical_and_art_musi....

[kQq9oHeAz6wLLS]

> There is an amazing variety of wonderful modern music in a multitude of genres.

Watching Rick Beato on YouTube dissect the latest top 10 is exceptionally enlightening. There are some exceptions, but there's quite a lot of interesting things going on, musically, in pretty much every song.

[jpeter]

"The quality of music. Modern music is like junk food. Produced and processed industrially. Pushed to consumers through aggressive marketing To gorge on classical music results almost impossible as it is while eating for example meat or fish."

[wayoutthere]

> There is an amazing variety of wonderful modern music in a multitude of genres.

Truth. I picked up playing guitar over the pandemic. While I primarily play bluesy / folky / indie stuff on my own time, I find myself listening to 80s metal for inspiration because it’s honestly super nerdy from a music standpoint. You’ll actually probably learn more applicable technique dissecting an Iron Maiden song than a classical piece.

[elevaet]

I'm not a fan of Metallica's aesthetic (or metal in general), but honestly when I listen to those guys' music I hear genius.

[luffapi]

Try Megadeth or Pantera, they are even more musically interesting.

[munk-a]

Or Tool if you've never listened. Tool paints an absolutely beautiful soundscape.