Audiophiles, Music, and Equipment: Can We Be Both "Conservative" AND "Progressive"?

@mahgister

"I hate binary classification which so appeal to the narrow part of our working lazy minds..."

We’re in agreement here. Which, I believe, was the point of my premise.

The words "conserve" and "progress" in their root form are common in the English language. "Conservation" and "Conservatory" refer to the preservation, nurturing, and development of things that have some value to us. Oddly enough, these point towards a "liberal" position in many instances. "Progressive" has a literally reference to our world -- "Progressive rock.", "Progressive Jazz", etc. It wasn’t until recent history that these terms were (to use a US Postal Servce term) "bent, folded, and mutatated." to become quite powerful, and polarizing. We’ve used many terms throughout our lifetimes to define our present "ideology." These terms just happen to be embraced (and, reputiated) today. Tomorrow, we’ll find other terms to sling around at each other.

@deep_333

"That audio conservative is generally not the brightest dude and tends to have a very low comprehension of science/technology."

Fair enough. That guy/gal is out there. But, I’m going to stick my neck out and state that this does not fit the general profile of THIS group. In a world of widely projected "absolute truths" there are plenty of gray areas. It would be nice if we used a little "gray matter" to acknowlege this and determine that we can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can be a little (or, maybe even a lot) of both as it relates to our music/audio hobby.

A little disclosure here:

I am part of a number of "unite" and "depolarization" groups -- including my own. (I deal with a group I refer to as the "UFBPs" - the Unapologetic Fire-Breathing Partisans on a daily basis. Yes, on BOTH sides). My "gig" is discovering, acknowledging, and celebrating our common links and connections.

Example: 130 people from all over North America that have a particular fondness for 60’s British car with a Ford V8 in it engineered by Carole Shelby, got together in September in Bowling Green, KY. For 3 days, it was all about the cars, the people, doing stuff together, and bonding. For 3 days, I didn’t hear, or see, anyone try to ambush another person, insert THEIR worldview, or try to embarrass anyone. What we had was a group with strong bonds who didn’t want to put their friendships at risk, or be a general ass in front of others. In otherwords, a group of grownups who love people and cars more than they hate the diversive idealogies all around them. It just occurred to me that this group is both conservative and progressive. Yes, preserving and conserving a car from the 60’s that had drive components that were never intended to work together. And, by the way, this is the 3rd major annual event of it’s type I’ve been to (since I’ve been paying close to attention "unity"), and not a peep from anyone about politics at ANY of the events.

So, my hope here was to take some of sting and rigidity away from the definition and application of those terms and acknolwedge that this group (with common links and connections) can embrace a little bit of both.

@deep_333

Small world. I was raised in KC, got my degree at CMSU, current home (since 1974) Cape Giraradeau, with strong family ties to the St. Louis area.

Very good observations. Thanks for sharing.

"i tend to be a moderate"

If we’re disclosing here, I consider myself a "Snall Progressive" (something I made up). I believe in improving the human condition by way of carefully calculated, incremental steps that will be truly beneficial, durable and stand up to the test of time. When a new initiative is considered, I have one question, and one rule: "What does it look like when it is finished?" And (if the first is not disclosed/determined), Apply the "100 year rule " What will it look like in 100 years? Current technology, legislation, etc that are working for the majority of the people yet have "flaws" are transitioned out at a pace that makes sense. Oftentimes true motives are not disclosed with new agendas, and why we hang on to old ones, which confuses and corrupts the entire process. Good ideas fail. Bad ideas go to the head of the class.

As you can see from my prior posts, I have a great deal of attention (and emotional inventory) on the subject of division. I’ve written a number of items related to this including my Top 5 WMDs (Weapons of Mass Division). We may be circiling a black hole and have gone past the Event Horizon where nothing can escape -- including TRUTH. I have a theory on the "why" of rigid partisanship. I refer to it as the "P-Myth" -- the myth of policial partisanship. People don’t become "rigid" for the reason(s) they think they do. And, yes, one’s political leanings do shape how they view the world in other areas.

Rewinding back to the topic. The terms "conservative" (and, varations thereof) and "progressive" (and it’s variations) are commonly used today, yet have become toxic and polarizing. As pointed out those components are sometimes "inconsistent" with one’s "leaning". I switched my Rivian R1T, full electric truck (about as "progressive" as you can get in personal transportation) to the "Conserve" driving mode over the weekend. So, wow. both "conservative" and "progressive" attributes living peacefully together in the same space at the same time!  They are very brave people.

Back in the 60’s we had "ideologies". We were still who we were, we just felt strongly about certain things. Today, it’s "progressed" to an identity. The position IS who wee are. And, of couse, the other side IS who they are. Attempts to recognize the humanity of each are are dwindling. There are some 1,700 in ONE group with the mission of geting those people in the same room and recognizing this.

So, there are those in this group who recognize great works from the 1400s and want them to be preserved forever, want those vacuum tubes to be a central component/technology in their music system(s) and be the same person who is chomping at the bit to find new music and a better way to reproduce it. Those who can do this can also be open to new ideas in general while keeping things intact that serve them well -- practically and emotionally.  And respect the viewpoint of others.

As one of the ’uniters' said: "Ask a conversative and a progressive what they love the most, and you’ll usually get the same answer."

Thanks for participating in this (short life) topic. I’m just happy it wasn’t taken down right away. Some very good comments, from some really smart people.

@stuartk

Thanks for taking the time to objectively evaluate the context of the topic.

This is a special group of individuals with common interests. Your comments are a validation of that.

@mahgister

Thank you for the insightful, respectful responses. Would expect nothing less from you.

@mahler123

"That leaves out a lot of nuance."

Very good point. Agreed.

@carlsbad2

"TLDR"

I interpreted this as "Totally Logical Delightful Read." Was I close?

Let me take another shot at it:

In the realm of music, "audiophiles" appear to have an affinity toward original works and a desire to preserve and protect them (conserve). They are also open to the prospect of variations of those works and welcome new genres that resonate with them (progress). Related to hardware, "audiophiles" are adventurous, curious beings who have a tendency to adopt new products/technologies that serve the music better (progress) while acknowledging that some legacy foundations for producing good sound should not be abandoned without careful consideration (conserve).

Better?

@nonoise

"This is so much tinder waiting for a match."

Yes, I was aware that the "firecracker in a chicken coup" risk was pretty high here, and this could go off the rails -- quickly.

My motivation and intent was not revealed here (would be, literally TLDR). My hope that this would be interpreted as originating from a good place and possibly find some common ground.