[TINNY]

What are the social effects of movies and music, particularly the commercial ones today?

[pgrmdave]

The social effects of movies and music are difficult to asses because there are so many other things that affect our culture.

[TINNY]

I realize that people aren't replying here. maybe i should be more specific.
What is the psychological changes that take place when we listne to music

[alexander]

I found this pretty interesting:
http://www.rmhiherbal.org/review/2002-1.html
the psychological effects are started in the "Mozart effect"
the most interesting part, i think is the "Harmful effects of rock music on neuronal branching patterns in mice"

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by alexander

I found this pretty interesting:
http://www.rmhiherbal.org/review/2002-1.html
the psychological effects are started in the "Mozart effect"
the most interesting part, i think is the "Harmful effects of rock music on neuronal branching patterns in mice"

Yeah, well, the part on rock music is what rings my bogus alarm. "Rock music" is not one thing...I wonder if they played "Shine on you crazy diamond"? Nah, with "rock" these guys probably think about anything that sounds alien to their ears.

I have been a musician all my life and have also studied it (Bachelor of Music in Performance) so I feel safe when commenting about music. However, the impact of music on our social behaviour is a very difficult area.

The most important thing is that our appreciation of music varies. Everyone likes different kinds of music, we oall own a unique mix of albums and mp3s. We go to a unique mix of concerts, we watch a unique mix of movies (you get my point). Different cultures have very different music, yet you will find some people in every culture who maintains that only "their" music is "real" music.

For a very simple exercise in how music affects people, visit a shopping mall. It is no conicidence that they play the music they play. Soothing music is constantly on to make people relax and feel comfy, so they stay longer and buy more stuff.

Music is also an important part of communication between people, and it is also something we grow up with. Studies have shown that the songs that your parents sing for you still make you feel comfortable as a grown-up. People who have experience severe trauma and end up in coma (for example), can often be treated with music they listened to as kids.

So music is an extremely important part of our lives, both socially, historically, and politically.

[pgrmdave]

Originally Posted by Tormod

Yeah, well, the part on rock music is what rings my bogus alarm. "Rock music" is not one thing...I wonder if they played "Shine on you crazy diamond"? Nah, with "rock" these guys probably think about anything that sounds alien to their ears.

lol, I love Pink Floyd (obviously)

[lindagarrette]

Tormod, What do you mean bogus? The report or the commentators interpretations? Here's what I read:
"A number of commentators have interpreted these findings to condemn all forms of rock music; while this does not necessarily follow logically from the Bird and Schreckenberg results, the Retallack experiments (see section 2.5, below) on plants at least suggests that many types of rock music may be harmful to human health. Some researchers and health professionals have suggested that the electronic distortion used by many rock bands might be a factor, in addition to the common use of anapestic rhythms (persistently syncopated, with two short beats, a long beat, then a pause)." Linda

[pgrmdave]

I've played the trumpet for some years now, and I find it interesting that the kids in a music program generally are better test takers, and have higher intelligence. The question is, which causes which? Similar to the personalities of the different instrument players, for those of you who know what I mean, you know it's generally true. Whether the instrument affects the personality or the personality chooses the instrument is difficult to determine.

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by lindagarrette

Tormod, What do you mean bogus?

"A number of commentators have interpreted these findings to condemn all forms of rock music; while this does not necessarily follow logically from the Bird and Schreckenberg results, the Retallack experiments (see section 2.5, below) on plants at least suggests that many types of rock music may be harmful to human health. Some researchers and health professionals have suggested that the electronic distortion used by many rock bands might be a factor, in addition to the common use of anapestic rhythms (persistently syncopated, with two short beats, a long beat, then a pause)."

"Electronic distortion" is harmful? Come on...we are talking *acoustic waves* here. I'd like to see some evidence backing this up. And like I said, they fail to define "rock". The examples they provide do not fall into any of the rock categories I know.

[TINNY]

When I was at boarding school, I had a dormmate who brought a pair of speakers and always played his favorite dozen songs every night. quite loudly as well. Now, when i hear those songs again, it brings vivid memories of those times at boarding school. And there is a particular mood to different songs. is that common? what is that phenomena called? How does it exactly work? And, smell is quite powerful too in revoking memories.