[Dixielandjazz] Truth and negativity

[Chris Tyle]

Steve Barbone wrote:

Not a negative statement Chris, just the plain unvarnished truth. I am one
of those who makes the dying off statement. And since I am almost a decade
older than 65, I am talking about my own generation. Would it be better to
lie? Those my age are likely aware of their mortality.

I think all of us on the DJML KNOW that a segment of the audience is 
passing on. I've been working the festival circuit regularly since the 
mid-1980s, and that's always been the case, so the point doesn't need to 
be hammered in with weekly regularity. It's not necessary to state the 
bleedin' obvious, imo.

But I also see this kind of "truth" as being damaging in the long run. 
There are festivals directors who are some of our listmates, and they 
don't need to be reminded with regularity that their festival audience 
is dwindling. On the other hand, if in our discussions here we can put 
forth positive suggestions on ways to increase those audiences, it makes 
more sense than being "truthful." For example, if a friend is sick, 
which is going to be better, to be truthful and tell them they look bad, 
or try to make them feel better by telling them they look great? There 
are powerful connections between mind and body.

There's a difference between stating what you believe to be the truth 
and having the sense to be judicious in your choice of words. This is 
what I was alluding to when I mentioned that we would be better off 
being proactive rather than negative, which, btw, was a suggestion and 
not any attempt by me to "police" the list. I don't think any us would 
deny each other their freedom of speech, but there is such a thing as 
being selective in what you write, and having the intelligence to 
understand the difference.

Regards,
Chris Tyle