[Dixielandjazz] Age and Sects

[Bill Gunter]

Hi listees,

It has been writ:

>     It seems to be one of the inescapable accompaniments of aging that a
>person will gradually listen to less unfamiliar music.  (Same is true for
>reading books, and trying new things in general.)
>     Younger folks, in their teens through their early adult years, like to
>try new things, sometimes finding some that they enjoy.  They hold on to
>those they like, and over the years they (well, OK, we) decrease trying new
>stuff.
>     Pity.

Now there's an interesting observation. It seems to me that the notion young 
people in their teens like to try new things has absolutely nothing to do 
with the quest for "new" things. Young people have absolutely NO CHOICE in 
the nature of the things they like to try. "New things" are the only things 
available to them.

The corollary (and obverse) to this observation is that "Young folks have no 
natural interest in trying to appreciate older (no longer popular) forms."

Pity.

As far as older people are concerned the writer stated "over the years they 
. . .  decrease trying new stuff."

This is true but it has absolutely nothing to do with a quest for "new 
stuff." Old farts, like young studs, are exposed to the same popular arts 
that everyone sees (movies, TV, books, etc.) and when they see something 
they like they'll buy it.

It's like a cold. I'm certainly not on a "quest" to acquire one, but as I'm 
exposed to one I may easily experience it myself (and wish I hadn't).

It boils down to the notion of the "quest."

Do we actually go out of our way to experience the myriad complexities of 
life or do we just go along with whatever is put in front of us?

When we encounter a new culture where people worship rutabagas as the 
ultimate life form and the supreme diety in the known universe do we say 
"What a wonderful culture it is with it's many diverse and equally valid 
value systems" or do we say "Sheesh! What dickheads?"

Don't tell me about the marvelous quest for new things by daring, 
resourceful and inquisitive teen agers. Har!

Respectfully submitted,

Bill "gimme that old time religion" Gunter
jazzboard at hotmail.com

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