Snobs and Art

A recent comment prompts this posting after I told of an experience years ago with trying to buy a record in a specialist shop. The assistant had looked down his nose at me somewhat, the effect was not to put me off experiencing Classical Music but it stopped me shopping at that store.

Personally I think that good music is good music no matter what genera its from. It is often the snobbish and pretentious attitudes of some that prevent others discovering what is worth listening to. Be that music, poetry or something else. I love some Dickens but I also enjoy Science Fiction. Yet the snobs look down on SF as not being Literature. Yet often by placing a story in a different context such as another planet, can difficult topics such as morality, racism sexism and a whole plethora of other issues be aired. I think some of the best has been as good as Dickens. And this weekend is a television adaptation of Tess of the D'Urbervilles, well as a Hardy fan the do not disturb sign will be going up.

The person who made the comment also mentioned the small minded minority that look down upon newcomers to birdwatching. I would rather encourage others to appreciate wildlife, be it birds or whatever by helping them, rather than belittling them. After all we were all beginners once. I often find that there is a real comradeship amongst Birders, and I am as open to learning as I am to teaching. What amuses me about the pretentious Birder is that we are actually all amateurs, and often the jobs where that skill can be used are voluntary. As my bank manager is more than willing to tell anyone, well not anyone just me! While I am reasonably confident about identifying British birds, if I were in America I would be lost and be a real beginner. Not that I am likely to be going there soon... unless someone invites me.

Its funny, but I also have a liking for wine and Real Ale, both subjects where people can get pretentious. With Wine I have learnt what I enjoy and what suits my pallet and I like to share that. I am no expert but I know enough to be able to buy reasonable wines at at reasonable prices. With Real Ale, again I know what suites my pallet and while so many people will go for the strongest heaviest ale, I often find the stuff the real ale freaks go for, is just to sweet for me. As well as being far to strong, half a pint and I would be falling under the table. Equally they will always tell you that in the past beer was much stronger. Well I actually delight in deflating that bubble, as while there were some seriously strong beers brewed in the past, what was actually brewed and sold in volume were actually weaker than what is sold today. All checkable by looking at the duty the brewers paid to the government.

So often people will try to exclude others for many reasons, well if we all learned to share... Oh I feel all Louis Armstrong... What a Wonderful World.

On the subject of music, on the local News last night there was a piece where members of the Northern Sinfonia were on the roof of the Sage centre, for a photo that will be publicising the new season where they will be playing all nine of Beethoven symphonies. Now I have no idea if I can afford this, but if can I may go to at least one. Perhaps if I tell my bank manager that I will stop bird watching... No he will never believe me.