Guybrush

A hive mind usually describes a collective conscience in sci-fi novels or perhaps the unified purpose and agenda that you might find between bees in a beehive.

A hive mind could mean several things, but I think a way to describe it would be if you take a lot of different individuals together - they're gonna bond over what they have in common. Out of those common things they share, a hive mind might arise. It's a kind of culture that most are in on and that it's not so cool to be outside. I prefer to use the term hive mind to culture because it hints at collective purpose, f.ex everyone acting like bees for the good of the hive (strengthen the hive mind's opinions) In a music focused community, the hive mind will certainly prefer some bands, artists, genres over others, but there may be other interests being pushed as well ..

What do you guys think? Is there a hive mind? If yes, do you consider yourself part of it? What kind of opinions does it advocate? Is it okay or not?


I think that there is one - I made this thread after all - although maybe it's not as dramatic as I hinted at in my opening. One particular mention that I thought of is that in the introductions forum, people are usually welcomed when they like stuff other members here already like. People are seldom applauded for bringing new interests and tastes to MusicBanter. I admit I don't. On the other hand, I don't really mind the collective taste because I think my own fits in pretty well, at least the majority of what I like .. that makes me part of it. There are several members here who I share similar tastes with and discuss music with. However, while I see some diversity here, but there could well be more. Overall, I think people should more readily welcome to new opinions and new tastes.

What do you think?

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jackhammer

Case number :825 is into Asian Rock/Pop in a big way and I have applauded her on a couple of occasions for bringing something a little more unknown to the table, but it is all too easy on a forum to have a similar mindset. The problem with the introductions forum is the extremely low rate of them becoming regular contributors on the forum. This breeds reluctance for us to welcome them to the forum.

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Guybrush

^True, I've seen myself how many newbs join up only to write a two-line introduction thread in the introductions forum .. I almost only reply in there if the person has written a thread that I see something interesting in and that happens rarely. I think if you're introducing yourself to a new community that you want to be a part of, then you should put some effort into making a good first impression. A lot of people who want to join up here seems to think that 2 lines that most likely say nothing is enough.

Another thing I thought about earlier is pop music. Pop music has a lot of opposition here and often when people admit to liking it, it's like they're admitting to having a disease or a weakness. I understand perfectly why a lot of people are against pop and I have my own ideas why it sucks, but I think most of us like something from that "genre" (a lot of pop gets mentions in the unpopular music opinions thread). My "weakness" is that I like some of the pop to come out of the 80s. I'll admit a lot of it is horrible, but I just can't help it. It's a part of my taste where I think me and the hive mind don't quite agree.

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BoopieJones

I don't let a fear of being shot down by others stop me from expressing my opinions on music (Even though I haven't done much of this yet.) I want to make a review of a Tegan and Sara album and I know the responses won't be good, but it does not matter because it is music and this is a music forum and it could use some more of a diverse music base. I like what the " Hive " likes a lot. But I also like other things.

I also like talking about things that aren't particularly what everyone is talking about. I started a zodiac sign thread to start discussion on zodiac signs, although maybe I came across as being someone who follows them religiously or actually believes in most. I know that the general public of intellectual people know its BS. Still, it was a topic that interested me for that moment and I wanted to discuss it a little.

I also have a pretty big interest in Ska music, but not Reggae and not just SkaPunk/Core, and I don't see much current discussion going on in the Ska forum even though I tried to spark something a little, I don't feel like digging up old topics.

I'm not a big contributor but I do intend on staying on this forum for a little. But I'm notorious for liking something intensely for a period of time (whether it be a month or a year) and then when my interests shift, I drop the site. But I don't think I'll ever stop liking music. I don't think I'll ever stop wanting to expand my music knowledge. I might stop wanting to post in a forum that has a "hive"mentality, though, and I might stop wanting to post someplace where I'm not liked by the community. I don't see a lot of what I say going over that great... Oh well.

lucifer_sam

I think our collective taste in music encompasses a broad spectrum and there are certainly people who step outside of this hive mentality.

However (and you really need to understand this), I feel that most people here build on their exposure to musicians through recommendations people make on this site. So if people express common interests, it's likely that it stems from common activism in the MB community.

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first.am

The Robot Hunter

I like Tegan and Sara.

I think generally speaking the people that are attracted to regularly posting on a music forum usually have interests and opinions that are outside of the cultural "norm." So it makes sense that popular music would be generally rejected by the forum. I think it's easier on an online forum to be extreme in your opinions such as saying "That band sucks because they are popular." or "I am cool for listening to this music because no one has heard of it so I must be original and different." I'm not saying that these statements are all that common on the forum, in fact based on other music forums I've been a part of there's far less music snobs because most of the people in this forum would like to actually share the music that they like as opposed to bragging about the fact that you haven't heard of my favorite band.

I think if when you're posting your thinking is "will this hurt the forum?" such as choosing not to berate an introductory poster's taste in music because it is good for the forum to have more people OR choosing to berate an introductory poster's taste in music because you don't want their talk of their crappy music messing up your forum, then you're getting into the hive mind mentality. I've only been around the forum for a couple of weeks so I don't think I have that mentality yet, if only because I don't feel accepted to the hive (purely based on time spent, I think in general my opinions have been met with both acceptance and intelligent criticism and debate, which I appreciate).

TheBig3

Theres three phases a MB poster is in...

1. Brand New They like fairly mainstream acts or some underground ones in a specific genre. Tends to be young. They believe there are stark differences between similar sounding acts because they tend to listen to one or two genres. Catapillar stage.

2. Reformers They got roughed up by the board posters and didn't leave. They've reached out, tried some new things, and the popularity that comes with the admission of liking Radiohead, Elliot Smith, Bob Dylan, Talking Heads, yada yada. They now resoundingly dismiss stage one posters with talking points and traditional arguments. Can't generally respond to question if pressed for answers beyond the surface. Caccoon stage.

3. Final Stage Have given up being godlessly pretencious and post about things they like. Attempt to keep new posters from leaving, knowing their going to get good experience. Has to take obvious jabs at second stagers. Has no real character type.

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Janszoon

All I know about this hive mind is that it is real and it hates U2.

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A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man

Time & Place

25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die

last.fm

TheBig3

lawl

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BoopieJones

Good to know.