On May 13, 10:14 am, Jean-David Beyer <***@verizon.net> wrote:
> masonc wrote:
> > Thank you all for the responses. I was wondering if my usenet
> > server was not serving these piano groups.
>
> I do not think that is the problem.
>
> My ISP (Verizon FiOS) first dropped all usenet groups except for the
> "big 8." They did not reduce my rates they charged me because of their
> reduction in service. I guess they did not get enough complaints,
> because they then cut off the usenet completely. Again, they did not
> reduce their rates. I suppose they will cut off e-mail next.
>
> The newbies are in the majority. These do not know there is a usenet, so
> never use it, at least not directly. They use a web browser to access
> the web, their e-mail, and a perversion of the usenet. It is all a part
> of the dumbing down of the education level of the world's (and
> especially the United State's) population. The purpose of education is
> to make obedient employees and consumers. That is why the main medium of
> education over the last 6 decades or so has not been libraries and
> schools, but television. This is now being replaced by the Internet and
> cell phones, just as television replaced radio and newspapers. The
> Federalist Papers were, essentially, letters to the editors of
> newspapers. People read these things voluntarily because they were
> important to them, and because they were directly concerned. When I went
> to school, we had to be compelled to read them. Now their name may come
> up, but they are not normally read in schools.
>
> As far as playing pianos, people mostly do not do that. Few people
> actually make music. They consume music. 200 years ago, they might play
> an instrument or sing. Then we "progressed" and then they would go to
> concerts and buy records. Even this is giving way to iPods, cell phones,
> etc.
I don't know. There are a bunch of people
on Piano Forums, I suspect many who are
young, who play piano very seriously, many
with an aim of majoring in it in college, or else
entering amateur competitions, etc.
But there are plenty of arguments there
though, too. I recall reading one thread
dealing with how Angela Hewitt isn't
very attractive, which seemed absurd
and unkind --I mean, wait until they're
over 50, and let's see if they look half
that good.
I guess I don't have time for the first
group, and I don't have patience for
the second group.
But on Usenet, the "frequency" in
general seems higher, so fighting
seems more expected to me. (I feel
like a soprano on Usenet and a
tenor-baritone on Piano forums.)
C.
>
> In some sense, the number of music makers is probably diminishing, just
> as the number of music consumers may be increasing. Those who actually
> wish to make music are in a minority niche, just as photographers who
> use film are. There may be little need for usenet any more.
>
> --
> .~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642.
> /V\ PGP-Key: 9A2FC99A Registered Machine 241939.
> /( )\ Shrewsbury, New Jersey http://counter.li.org
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