an earful of elitism

Current Mood: uneasy
Current Music: "Die Hard The Hunter" by Def Leppard

As an engineer, I'm generally concerned with tradeoffs and compromises. For example, yes, we (engineers, builders, people) could build a building that could withstand a dozen airplanes flown into them. However, at what cost? Literally, it would cost much, much more than a normal building, and there's also other aspects that are perhaps not as easily quantified. Would people want to live and work in a fortress? Could those resources be spent better elsewhere?

For another example, we could redesign theme parks. Each year (I'm estimating) an average of about a dozen people are killed or seriously hurt at the world's major theme parks. Why not fix them all so that never happens? More overdesigned structures, slower speeds, gentler curves...that'd be safer. Economically viable? Possibly. Would it ruin the inherent element, the danger, the essence of thrill rides? Almost certainly. It is a matter of compromise.

Each design, be it an automobile, a building, or even something such as a social structure or law has elements that can be manipulated, and the key is to find the right combination that works best and satisfies the most, or in many cases, sucks the least and pisses off the fewest people. There are some things, no matter how tempting, that cannot be altered without ruining the concept itself.


Which is why I have a problem with this: The World's Quietest Rock Concert, as presented by rock drummer Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac. Now, I respect the Mac and recognize them as an influential (if not patchwork) best-selling band, as well as the importance of taking care of your ears. But the concept of a quiet rock concert is, well, it's not an oxymoron, but it's something close.

In short, the idea of the concert sponsored as part of Energizer's "It's Hip to Hear" program is that the band ("the Screaming Eagles of Death Metal") plays without amplifiers or speakers. That right there should be a red flag. Instead, the sound is transmitted via FM to the audience, who are all wearing protective earphones that receive the sound and gently coddle the ears of the audience. First, how does a band with a kickass name like that agree to something like that? Answer: they probably suck. Secondly,

“Instead of rocking out to standard 110-130 decibel levels, this concert will be so quiet, the applause will be the loudest part of what you’re hearing,” Fleetwood said.

What happened to explosions? Pyrotechnics? Outrageous stacks of amps taller than the stage itself? Taking it to 11? Later, The article encourages us to "turn up the volume on responsible listening".

...

What happened to the good 'ol days of stickin' it to the man? Fuck "responsible" listening. It's better to burn out than to fade away, right?. Rock music is rock music, practically synonymous with volume. Rock bands fight over who has the title of the loudest band in the world (one contender plays loud enough to make the audience members vomit). I say it comes with the territory. If the music's too loud, you're too old.




I think rock should include a generous helping of decibels, but in case anybody thinks I promote volume over talent, they should keep this in mind:
"Anyone can plug into a stack of amps and be loud, it takes a real man to rock it hard." - Spook Strickland