Will.i.am song to blast out from Mars

Dravokivich · 28-08-2012 01:05PM

Chuck Stone wrote: »

He should be blasted with peas.

Frozen?
Tinned?
Tinned in Tins?
Mushy?

Madam_X · 28-08-2012 01:05PM

BrendaN_f wrote: »

depending on who you ask, some people would much prefer to read twilight than some dickens novel, and why not?

Ah, fair enough... you're referring to personal preference, which is a different thing to what I thought you were saying - that Mozart's music and will.i.am's music are as good as each other, which would obviously be just an incredibly disingenuous and obtuse thing to say. But yes, will.i.am and Mozart are probably as popular as each other.

Duggy747 · 28-08-2012 01:06PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBYjZTdrJlA

Cue Curiosity moving it's arms in beat with this.

Oh, and I hate Will I Am.

BrendaN_f · 28-08-2012 01:10PM

Madam_X wrote: »

Ah, fair enough... you're referring to personal preference, which is a different thing to what I thought you were saying - that Mozart's music and will.i.am's music are as good as each other, which would obviously be just an incredibly disingenuous and obtuse thing to say. But yes, will.i.am and Mozart are probably as popular as each other.

it's the same thing. there is no such thing as good or bad music, any standard that has been created is due to personal preference

Chuck Stone · 28-08-2012 01:12PM

Dravokivich wrote: »

Frozen?
Tinned?
Tinned in Tins?
Mushy?

Frozen cause they'll sting.

snausages · 28-08-2012 01:13PM

BrendaN_f wrote: »

depending on who you ask, some people would much prefer to read twilight than some dickens novel, and why not? not everybody enjoys the same things you do

Opinions are subjective, sure. But what the majority like to read/listen to really has no bearing on the music's intrinsic qualities which I think is the point that Madam_x was trying to make. You can't really place guys like Cormac McCarthy and James Joyce in the same league as Celia Ahern and that one who wrote the Twilight porn book.

ITS_A_BADGER · 28-08-2012 01:16PM

would have laughed my hole off if it was benny hillys theme blasted out with curiousity moving in time with it then some martians join in and start chasing the lunar rover about mars

BrendaN_f · 28-08-2012 01:21PM

snausages wrote: »

Opinions are subjective, sure. But what the majority like to read/listen to really has no bearing on the music's intrinsic qualities which I think is the point that Madam_x was trying to make. You can't really place guys like Cormac McCarthy and James Joyce in the same league as Celia Ahern and that one who wrote the Twilight porn book.

if that's the point she was trying to make, then we were arguing the same point i guess

it's not like with say the 100m sprint, where we can definitively say that Usain Bolt is the best, because there is a defined goal you can achieve to become the best (ie run the fastest)

i wouldn't put them in the same league, but some 15 year old girl might consider james joyce to be trash and twilight to be the pinnacle of literature. and unless there is a set of standards that clearly define what make a good book, nobody can say she's objectively wrong

later12 · 28-08-2012 01:34PM

Who on Earth (quite literally) gets to decide that Mozart is superior to Will.I.Am?

Any "serious musicians" in classical music that I've ever spoken to seem to roll their eyes when Mozart gets a mention; in fact his works must partially be seen in his day as works of comedy.

Others, perhaps many amateur classical music fans, seem to assume a piece of music is more culturally or intellectually valid by virtue of having been composed by somebody who is (a) dead, (b) dead for the past 200 years (c) traditionally not enjoyed by some of the most energetic and creative people in modern life; shur what would they know about art, heh?

Give it a rest! There's enough arrogant hauteur in the duller human endeavours without bringing it into art or music as well.

And ITS_A_BADGER, I would love if they played the benny hill theme, it might at least show we have a sense of humour.

Pumpkinseeds · 28-08-2012 01:43PM

Maybe its a plot to make the aliens think the planet is a joke and not worth invading. Although if they really wanted to do that they could have used pretty much any song sung by Paul McCartney, just to be on the safe side. If If I were a potential alien invader and I heard Paul McCartney I'd certainly not bother landing on the planet let alone invading earth.:D

Madam_X · 28-08-2012 01:45PM

Nah, some material is objectively better quality than others, in terms of the talents and work that go into creating them. X Factor winner albums v Led Zeppelin for example. People who say they're the same... I'm sorry, but it looks like arguing for the sake of it. It also looks like this phenomenon I've noticed of people trying to show how unpretentious and non snobby they are. There isn't a need to go to those lengths. Plus, it is not remotely snobby to say Led Zeppelin were objectively better than X Factor winners. That is not the same as looking down on people, which is what snobbery is. Rushing to tell people they're snobs (when they're not) is actually another form of acting superior. Personal preference doesn't make a difference. I've never understood the appeal of REM for instance, but I still know they're better than Little Mix or whatever the ****.

I listen to anything which sounds good to me - I like songs by Kylie Minogue and songs by The Velvet Underground. I'm not going to be disingenuous enough to say though that they're as good as each other. And the fact I like them both doesn't change this. People can like whom they like but others can also say what they listen to is shyte if they want.

snausages · 28-08-2012 01:52PM

BrendaN_f wrote: »

if that's the point she was trying to make, then we were arguing the same point i guess

it's not like with say the 100m sprint, where we can definitively say that Usain Bolt is the best, because there is a defined goal you can achieve to become the best (ie run the fastest)

i wouldn't put them in the same league, but some 15 year old girl might consider james joyce to be trash and twilight to be the pinnacle of literature. and unless there is a set of standards that clearly define what make a good book, nobody can say she's objectively wrong

You can be objective about it though, there is a concrete set of standards to judge a book by. Timelessness is one. Dubliners is over 100 years old yet it's still as culturally relevant to people all around the world today as it was back when it was originally published.

I wouldn't trust a 15 year old Twilight fan to have the knowledge of what makes a book great compared with a critic or an academic. That's not me being snobbish or anything, I just place greater stock in the opinions of the guys who read the most and write the most about reading. Call it elitism if you want, but it's good to have guys like this who make sure that the really good stuff isn't forgotten

later12 · 28-08-2012 01:52PM

Madam_X wrote: »

Nah, some material is objectively better quality than others, in terms of the talents and work that go into creating them. X Factor winner albums v Led Zeppelin for example.

Plus, it is not remotely snobby to say Led Zeppelin were objectively better than X Factor winners.

Objectively better?

Since this is objective, it ought to be somehow measurable by disinterested observers; how on Earth do you measure which piece is of greater artistic or cultural merit

Priori · 28-08-2012 01:54PM

later12 wrote: »

Who on Earth (quite literally) gets to decide that Mozart is superior to Will.I.Am?

Any "serious musicians" in classical music that I've ever spoken to seem to roll their eyes when Mozart gets a mention; in fact his works must partially be seen in his day as works of comedy.

Others, perhaps many amateur classical music fans, seem to assume a piece of music is more culturally or intellectually valid by virtue of having been composed by somebody who is (a) dead, (b) dead for the past 200 years (c) traditionally not enjoyed by some of the most energetic and creative people in modern life; shur what would they know about art, heh?

Give it a rest! There's enough arrogant hauteur in the duller human endeavours without bringing it into art or music as well.

And ITS_A_BADGER, I would love if they played the benny hill theme, it might at least show we have a sense of humour.

Your post is well put.

Referring to Mozart in the above way, however, could well be seen as cleverly veiled "arrogant hauteur". Mozart was an extremely gifted individual, and yes, he composed many comical works. I'm not a big fan of his music myself, but saying "Who on Earth (quite literally) gets to decide that Mozart is superior to Will.I.Am?" - I feel this is just another way of saying "Oh, silly human beings, when will you learn that one piece of music is never truly better than another?".

Of course, these relativistic standpoints always refute themselves when logically picked apart. They are often as arrogant as arrogance gets.

Priori · 28-08-2012 01:56PM

later12 wrote: »

Since this is objective, it ought to be somehow measurable by disinterested observers

That's not what objectivity is.

later12 · 28-08-2012 01:57PM

Priori wrote: »

- I feel this is just another way of saying "Oh, silly human beings, when will you learn that one piece of music is never truly better than another?".

Of course, these relativistic standpoints always refute themselves when logically picked apart. They are often as arrogant as arrogance gets.

But I have lots of opinions on which music is better than which other music; I have lots of opinions on which books are better written in relation to other books, and which movies were better made relative to their (I would say) inferior counterparts.

There is no problem in holding an opinion on these things. That's what can make art so controversial & interesting. But I have no intention of pushing my views on others as some sort of objective, universal truth. The latter is a problem, not the subjective preferences we all hold.

Gummy Panda · 28-08-2012 02:01PM

They should have used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2bYJQFQMs8

It could be used to activate the final five in the alien fleet.

Madam_X · 28-08-2012 02:02PM

Where does this relativity stuff end? I mean, those magazines like Take A Break (which I buy and read but which are just silly fluff, and people who think they're shyte are not snobs) and books by George Orwell... shur they're all just words on pages like. Same thing really.

Priori · 28-08-2012 02:03PM

later12 wrote: »

There is no problem in holding an opinion on these things. That's what can make art so controversial & interesting. But I have no intention of pushing my views on others as some sort of objective, universal truth. The latter is a problem, not the subjective preferences we all hold.

+ 1

Completely agree.

(In starting this thread, I really wasn't making any attempt to express anything other than my opinion, and I don't believe I pushed anything on anyone as an objective, universal truth)

Archeron · 28-08-2012 02:06PM

The chances of anything coming from Mars, are a million to one they said....
Mooooowwhooaaaaa.
The chances of anything coming from Mars, are a million to one......but still...they came......

That choice would have confused everybody.

later12 · 28-08-2012 02:12PM

Madam_X wrote: »

Where does this relativity stuff end?

But sure why must it end?

Surely we can just respect alternative tastes. I don't understand why someone would subject themselves to Take a Break, but neither do I understand why anyone would subject themselves to studying the intricacies of metre in ancient Hebrew poetry. Who knows? I'm not really sure either is particularly valuable to human progress, but I'm sure fans of each (or both, why not) could come up with their own arguments to the contrary.

Grayson · 28-08-2012 02:14PM

later12 wrote: »

Who on Earth (quite literally) gets to decide that Mozart is superior to Will.I.Am?

Any "serious musicians" in classical music that I've ever spoken to seem to roll their eyes when Mozart gets a mention; in fact his works must partially be seen in his day as works of comedy.

Others, perhaps many amateur classical music fans, seem to assume a piece of music is more culturally or intellectually valid by virtue of having been composed by somebody who is (a) dead, (b) dead for the past 200 years (c) traditionally not enjoyed by some of the most energetic and creative people in modern life; shur what would they know about art, heh?

Give it a rest! There's enough arrogant hauteur in the duller human endeavours without bringing it into art or music as well.

And ITS_A_BADGER, I would love if they played the benny hill theme, it might at least show we have a sense of humour.

The fact that someone has to say that makes me worry for the human race.

I wonder if Will.i.am will still be known in 300 years.

Next you'll be telling me that the crazy frog tune or Jive Bunny was every bit as praiseworthy as Beethoven.

I'd have been happy with Bowie being played. Or a classical composition (maybe Holsts Mars from the planets) or even Benny Hill because that would have just been funny.

But playing Will.i.am is just a way for nasa to try and look cool so they can garner some interest from an incredibly apathetic public.

later12 · 28-08-2012 02:17PM

Grayson wrote: »

But playing Will.i.am is just a way for nasa to try and look cool so they can garner some interest from an incredibly apathetic public.

Maybe they just think a popular piece of music enjoyed by lots of people going about their daily lives says more about us as a society than a piece that few human beings, overall, would relate to.

I don't think they're trying to impress anyone.

Priori · 28-08-2012 02:23PM

Grayson wrote:

But playing Will.i.am is just a way for nasa to try and look cool so they can garner some interest from an incredibly apathetic public.

later12 wrote: »

Maybe they just think a popular piece of music enjoyed by lots of people going about their daily lives says more about us as a society than a piece that few human beings, overall, would relate to.

I don't think they're trying to impress anyone.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does it not just boil down to money in this case? Will.I.am is investing in what he sees as unconventional (and therefore memorable) exposure.

Rigol · 28-08-2012 02:26PM

Shadow of the sun.

(who the fck chose it anyway, I want retribution for my species' embarassment)

later12 · 28-08-2012 02:28PM

Priori wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does it not just boil down to money in this case? Will.I.am is investing in what he sees as unconventional (and therefore memorable) exposure.

I'm sure that, as well as any future reputational benefit he might enjoy, does come into it for will.i.am yes.

But NASA are probably not so much interested in furthering his career than they are in making a statement about who we are, or capturing the imagination of young people.

Madam_X · 28-08-2012 02:35PM

later12 wrote: »

But sure why must it end?

Surely we can just respect alternative tastes. I don't understand why someone would subject themselves to Take a Break, but neither do I understand why anyone would subject themselves to studying the intricacies of metre in ancient Hebrew poetry. Who knows? I'm not really sure either is particularly valuable to human progress, but I'm sure fans of each (or both, why not) could come up with their own arguments to the contrary.

My point is: a person saying David Bowie's Station To Station is (personal preference aside) objectively better (in terms of talent, creativity, originality, work) than The X Factor doesn't deserve to be told they're a snob or has a stick up their hole... which is ironically incredibly dismissive.
As you acknowledge yourself (and thereby not really respecting alternative taste) Take A Break is muck. But I'm cool with that - it won't stop me reading it for a bit of entertainment.

later12 · 28-08-2012 02:40PM

Madam_X wrote: »

As you acknowledge yourself (and thereby not really respecting alternative taste) Take A Break is muck.

Well I can't say whether or not some people would find that disrespectful, but because I am only commenting on my own personal taste, I should hope that most reasonable people would find that a fair enough statement.

What you are saying, is that David Bowie's Station To Station is objectively better than The X Factor as some sort of universal truth, isn't that right?

That takes zero account of personal taste or interpretation ; none.

Not to mention the fact that much of what people consider to be 'the greats' have been covered on X Factor, by people whom I'd say have really amazing voices or did a song real justice.

qwert2 · 28-08-2012 02:44PM

Speaking of astronauts and space worker type people......... why are they always smiling? Too happy for my liking. Now cosmonauts, they knew how to be grim

entropi · 28-08-2012 02:45PM

As an extra thought: is there an atmosphere on Mars? Sound wont carry through a vaccumm, so how will they pick it up, or recieve data from the song playing?

Will.i.am song to blast out from Mars

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