I recently received an email that opened this way: SiriusXM is conducting a survey about your listening habits. The survey will only take 10 minutes or so to complete. Huh, I thought, I wouldn’t mind doing that. I’m happy to boost my favorite channels (Indie 1.0, Marky Ramone’s Punk Rock Blitzkrieg, the Beatles Channel), and enjoy pushing my musical opinions on people in any situation. Including, but not limited to, funerals and DUI checkpoints.
Here's something to further crush your spirit. I'm 51, but I like to mix things up here and there when it comes to condiments, music, and peanut butter brands. I've always felt like everything I really like has a fairly short shelf life (not the music). Well, I wasn't wrong. Apparently, I'm a "harbinger of failure." It's an actual marketing term: https://arstechnica.com/science/2015/12/certain-customers-spell-doom-for-new-products/.
According to the article, “Harbingers have preferences that are systematically different from other customers,” so maybe it's a good thing?
I never said the Boomtown Rats were a super-important band, only that they were super-important to me. They were a gateway drug to all manner of greatness that I might not have ever known about. I will say this, however. They're much better than Pink Floyd.
You had to throw that last line in didn’t you. Ha! I just had to gig you a little, I couldn’t resist. I will say your musical tastes are far better than mine, so I will just take your word for it. I don’t listen to a lot of Floyd but I will say that Rodger Waters The Wall concert was the best concert I ever went to. It was fantastic even though Roger is a twat.
Hey Jeff: Thanks for the thought-provoking column. I too have noticed that my opinions and preferences no longer matter as much. Although I have a lot more money to spend than when I was younger it does not seem to matter as much to marketing folks. And I am constantly frustrated that the musical guest on SNL is usually a band or performer I have never heard of! And there are no new Theresa's either!
Thanks, Theresa. I know what you're talking about with the performers. Music was always super-important to me, and I don't know anyone anymore. If I look at the Billboard chart I can't tell if it's the most popular artists of the day or the ingredients of a Marie Callender salisbury steak dinner. When I was 30 I would've SWORN this would never happen.
I started noticing that no one was interested in what I had to say about the time I turned 55. Shortly after that, I let my hair go white - and I was even less relevant - if that's possible. It's a come-uppance, for certain, when you realize that your opinions and thoughts are no longer interesting to anyone (except maybe someone your age).
Yes, my gray hair doesn't help either. And most of my references are older than the baffled people I'm talking to... It can be discouraging, but I find I roll with it much better than I ever did as well. I just mumble "Yeah, pack it up your ass" and continue with my day. It wouldn't have been so easy when I was 25.
Here's something to further crush your spirit. I'm 51, but I like to mix things up here and there when it comes to condiments, music, and peanut butter brands. I've always felt like everything I really like has a fairly short shelf life (not the music). Well, I wasn't wrong. Apparently, I'm a "harbinger of failure." It's an actual marketing term: https://arstechnica.com/science/2015/12/certain-customers-spell-doom-for-new-products/.
According to the article, “Harbingers have preferences that are systematically different from other customers,” so maybe it's a good thing?
Furthermore, Jeff, you like the Boom Town Rats, your opinion of Pink Floyd carries little weight, unlike your jeans.
I never said the Boomtown Rats were a super-important band, only that they were super-important to me. They were a gateway drug to all manner of greatness that I might not have ever known about. I will say this, however. They're much better than Pink Floyd.
You had to throw that last line in didn’t you. Ha! I just had to gig you a little, I couldn’t resist. I will say your musical tastes are far better than mine, so I will just take your word for it. I don’t listen to a lot of Floyd but I will say that Rodger Waters The Wall concert was the best concert I ever went to. It was fantastic even though Roger is a twat.
It’s cool because I quit giving two shits what anybody else thinks as well.
I've always said that, but it wasn't always true. Now it is, and I'm free!
Yep, comes with age and it’s glorious! Keep up the great work pal. I really enjoy your work.
Hey Jeff: Thanks for the thought-provoking column. I too have noticed that my opinions and preferences no longer matter as much. Although I have a lot more money to spend than when I was younger it does not seem to matter as much to marketing folks. And I am constantly frustrated that the musical guest on SNL is usually a band or performer I have never heard of! And there are no new Theresa's either!
Thanks, Theresa. I know what you're talking about with the performers. Music was always super-important to me, and I don't know anyone anymore. If I look at the Billboard chart I can't tell if it's the most popular artists of the day or the ingredients of a Marie Callender salisbury steak dinner. When I was 30 I would've SWORN this would never happen.
I started noticing that no one was interested in what I had to say about the time I turned 55. Shortly after that, I let my hair go white - and I was even less relevant - if that's possible. It's a come-uppance, for certain, when you realize that your opinions and thoughts are no longer interesting to anyone (except maybe someone your age).
Yes, my gray hair doesn't help either. And most of my references are older than the baffled people I'm talking to... It can be discouraging, but I find I roll with it much better than I ever did as well. I just mumble "Yeah, pack it up your ass" and continue with my day. It wouldn't have been so easy when I was 25.