What makes something popular?
What if popular things were only popular, because they were popular?
It took longer than I would have liked, but I finally signed up for this study. It's about the popularity of music and how it can be influenced by others. From the news story, there are two groups of people; those that just get a list of songs, and those that get the list and the number of downloads by other members. I seem to be in the later group. The theory is that popular songs will continue to get more popular, simply because they already have a lot of "hits" in the form of a download counter. People don't have time to listen to every track, so they just download the ones that are most popular.
Even while I click songs to listen to, I find it nearly impossible to separate the download rank I've glanced while I form impressions of the song. If I star the song knowing it's the most downloaded, I'll create some reasons why I like it, if it's the least, I'll create some reasons why it's not good. It's hard to dismiss these opinions, even if they are just a number. To get a bit philosophical, how can I really know what I like if I get others impressions? Does it really matter anyway?
I don't have a hard time seeing this extend into every aspect of our culture. From who we vote into office to how we choose what product to buy. Even to what kinds of activities we enjoy. This is human nature. It's faster to make a snap judgment based on group-think than evaluate all the options independently. This easy reaction kept us alive when running away from lions. But thinking too little got us killed too, we still have to deal with a balance of reason and instinct.
I think we're all quite adaptable. We'll deal with annoying situations as long as they require our own work to change. Unless we really don't like something, it's not worth putting up a fight to fix it. We procrastinate and save "work" till last minute, even though it would be easier to do it over time. Perhaps it costs to much energy to change a situation that is only mildly disappointing?
It took longer than I would have liked, but I finally signed up for this study. It's about the popularity of music and how it can be influenced by others. From the news story, there are two groups of people; those that just get a list of songs, and those that get the list and the number of downloads by other members. I seem to be in the later group. The theory is that popular songs will continue to get more popular, simply because they already have a lot of "hits" in the form of a download counter. People don't have time to listen to every track, so they just download the ones that are most popular.
Even while I click songs to listen to, I find it nearly impossible to separate the download rank I've glanced while I form impressions of the song. If I star the song knowing it's the most downloaded, I'll create some reasons why I like it, if it's the least, I'll create some reasons why it's not good. It's hard to dismiss these opinions, even if they are just a number. To get a bit philosophical, how can I really know what I like if I get others impressions? Does it really matter anyway?
I don't have a hard time seeing this extend into every aspect of our culture. From who we vote into office to how we choose what product to buy. Even to what kinds of activities we enjoy. This is human nature. It's faster to make a snap judgment based on group-think than evaluate all the options independently. This easy reaction kept us alive when running away from lions. But thinking too little got us killed too, we still have to deal with a balance of reason and instinct.
I think we're all quite adaptable. We'll deal with annoying situations as long as they require our own work to change. Unless we really don't like something, it's not worth putting up a fight to fix it. We procrastinate and save "work" till last minute, even though it would be easier to do it over time. Perhaps it costs to much energy to change a situation that is only mildly disappointing?
posted by Aaron at
3:50 AM |
Permanent Link
3 comments from:
Andrew,
Lucas,
Aaron,
3 Comments:
Some news show years ago, had a report on high school kids and how certain groups set trends. They "classified" this group too, and observed their shopping habits and interests, and then the trickle down effect. Not sure where I was going with this, random memory I guess. Maybe there's an internet counterpart group? An evolved tech-orienated version? Or maybe it was just a bullshit study.
Anway, who knows what makes something popular, but as long as there's choice/options/difference, I'm OK with it.
And it's always interesting to think about how our cave-man instincts play into the modern world. But what self-preservation has to do with music, I don't know.
By
Andrew, on 2/13/2006 9:56 PM
Myths and Legends!!!!
http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail145.html
By
Lucas, on 2/14/2006 10:25 PM
That's a great Strong Bad Email! So similar to those shows; "Now you have all the evidence, you decide!"
By
Aaron, on 2/15/2006 2:08 AM
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