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3 Ingredients to a Healthy Audio Community

Through my own personal audio journey, I have learned to value and hopefully embody 3 qualities: humility, respect, and a sense of community. I hope to inspire dialogue about how our lovable audio community can be more like a (functional) family, and less like NBA players talking trash (no offense intended to basketball lovers).

I've learned the hard way that most, if not all, of my preconceived notions about audio have been wrong. For instance, let's talk about cables. I used to think that they had no bearing on sound quality. But, when I actually tried cables that used scientifically researched and proven technology, I had to admit that they do in fact make a huge difference. What I needed was to approach new technology with more humility, realizing that my opinions may be wrong and that other's thoughts and experiences are just as valid as my own. In fact, others' who have actually tried something that I have not have a much more valid perspective than I do, since they have first-hand experience and I do not.

There's a word for this attitude -- respect, that's right. I definitely need more of it, especially online where I don't actually know anyone else and they don't know me. I struggle with this one. If I feel someone is wrong, I want to hop right in and call them out. But, I don't know that person. I don't know if they are new to audio, or an experienced engineer. I don't know their qualifications or experiences. And, I don't know what they're going through in their life. So, who the hell am I to say that they are wrong and/or that I am right?

If I can nail the above two character qualities, I can help contribute to our community of music and audio lovers and not just leech off of it. If we all work to exhibit more humility and respect, we can forget about who's right or wrong, and just focus on helping each other enjoy what we have, and hope to have. For ultimately, this hobby is not about correctness but about emotionally engaging with and enjoying music, both individually and collectively.
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Showing 6 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,815 posts
 
@daveman2 I completely agree with your outlook. One thing I’ve learned by asking for similar kinds of civility is that some people are constitutionally unable to give it. I’m trying now just to ignore those people or posts. Just talk past them (i.e., just reply to earlier responses on the thread) or just not respond.

FWIW, you can watch the responses to this post to see who takes it seriously, who rebukes it, and who makes fun of it. That’s a big clue as to who to be on guard against and/or who to ignore or take with a grain of salt (or shot of vodka).
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,815 posts
 
@dletch2  Got it. Thanks for clarifying. I think that nullifies the main point of my comment -- which is totally fine!
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,815 posts
 
@teo_audio 
Retort is require to correct problems, and if it’s all virtue signalling and consequence.... then we get killed for raising the correct questions.
So, good luck finding the median.

I think this is right, and if I understand it it means --

We don't want "virtue signaling" -- we want virtue; that is, self-control in how we signal, avoiding ad hominem attacks.

We want "retort" in the sense of logical rebuttal, done with respect and civility.

Finding the median? The arguer really has two jobs, logical and emotional. The logical job is to present the argument in ways that highlight the facts and stakes as they see them and to push back against claims which seem false or exaggerated in ways that simply present counter facts or demur. The emotional job is the one featured in that scene with Luke and Yoda -- to look into oneself and reflect on whatever makes one want to strike out in anger; and then tame that part of oneself. It's the bigger challenge for all of us, so perhaps having a bit of tolerance for other's foibles (aka "humor") is the key ingredient, after all.


hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,815 posts
 
There is no human hearing without human perception, @dletch2 

There is no fact without interpretation. We have to figure out which interpretation works for us. Otherwise, one is beyond interpretation and just in touch with raw given? Doesn't happen. Everything that exists, exists AS something.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,815 posts
 
@dinov its not *all* about the music for me. I’m an audiophile. It’s also - also - about sound, and gear, and tweaking, and experimenting, and discussing, too. “It’s all about the music” is a platitude meant to be a conversation-ender.

Cf. “Gourmet” vs “Gourmand” if the difference isn’t manifest to you. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,815 posts
 
@dinov Ok, I interpreted "all" incorrectly. My apologies. Let me ask you this as a thought experiment -- if there was a slim device you could just hang on your wall and just activate with a remote and it would play music as you have it now -- would you wish for your stereo to be completely gone? Imagine that every musical experience you have now with your rig would still be there, but there would be no more cables, power cords, amps, turntables, etc. and no room treatments, etc. Would that be a no-loss kind of transition? Run the same question on the technologies of your kitchen. Just a replicator that creates whatever you want. Happy to get rid of everything related to food for a panel on the wall?

This thought experiment will be answered differently by different people. For me, the gear is a means to an end (the music) but is *also* an end in itself. I like cleaning it, I like maintaining it, and I like adjusting it.
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