Hmm. I have been quick to complain about bitching on the list in the past.
Just lately it has become pretty bad, even to the point that some members
have unsubscribed. I joined this list to find out about new music that I
might like, to intelligently discuss music that I know and just possibly to
make new freinds who share a common interest. For the most part I find that
the IDM list fulfils these desires very well. I have a want list two pages
long which I will admit is far from complete and I find myself lusting after
vast amounts of new music most of which, if it is generally accepted to be
good on the list, turns out to be very pleasing to my ear. Also, thinking
back in particular to the recent thread about classic IDM, I have
participated in some great discussion about the music we love. And I have
made some extremely good friends since I have been subscribed too. So for
me, the list has fulfilled what I reuired of it very well.
However, it disappoints me to read lots of posts bitching about other
people, for whatever reason, be it their attitude to trading or plugging
their own music (I wish to re-open neither of these debates) or taking sides
in other people's personal arguments, as in this case. Or whatever
Yeah, maybe I'm a hypocrite, I have been reacting to the Plaid/Black Dog
debate quite a bit. But - I feel that Ken in particular, in using this
mailing list as a a platform to air his opinions on the actions of his
former associates Ed and Andy, has openly invited discussion on this
subject. Many of us, such as myself, are long-term fans of The Black Dog and
are sad to see this nasty, bitter dispute happen. Others, perhaps, are not,
but may wish to find out more - maybe by hearing their earlier material (I
for one hope that as many people as possible are exposed to this beautiful
music). I think that not only do we have an interest in what happens and
hence a reason to discuss the subject, we also have a very good reason to
state our opinions about IDM artists who appear out of knowhere on the list
and start using it as a platform for their personal disputes. I very much
dislike using the list as a means of bitching and negatively criticising
others, but i feel that in this case perhaps it is reasonable and even
desirable that we say what we think when people appear out of knowhere just
to use the list in this way.
OTOH, what does bother me a great deal is when we start criticising each
other for our reactions - ie when its "two steps removed from the source" to
quote another list member. I would hate to see this debate, which I think is
definitely a valid topic for discussion, degenerate into another slagging
session between list members. Ken brought his dispute here, rightly or
wrongly. So far it is his friend which has had something intelligent and
reasonable to say on his behalf far more than Ken himself. I think we should
say what we think about his post and the reply from Plaid. But I don't think
we need to start another little war beteen out own membership. We have had
enough of that by far lately.
Having said that, I'm the last person who will throw a tantrum and
unsubscribe. I have not forgotten where the delete button is on my browser
and for me the IDM list is still the best source of information and
discussion of the music which I love that I have yet found.
Ross.
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