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Re: Debate on Masters results

-----Original Message-----
From: JEREMY P WISE <jeremy.wise@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 26 May 1998 05:37
Subject: Re: Debate on Masters results


>----------
>> It never ceases to amaze me that perfectly intelligent people can
>> nevertheless fail to grasp the idea that opinions are not facts. For
>> example:
>>
>No one has stated anything as being fact. Merely our opinions.

OK, this statement is itself factually correct.  But there is the *very*
strong implication in what you (and many others) say that an opinion shared
by a majority is 'de facto' and should be regarded as the norm, while
minority opinions are in some way 'unusual' or 'funny', and consequently
less valid.  All opinions are equally valid.  The only thing which
differentiates them is how much other people like or dislike them.  This is
why sports which rely on opinions for a result, instead of clearly defined
objectives like goals or wickets, have such a constant hullabaloo
surrounding them.

>There has to be some form of consensus somewhere in competitiveness
otherwise there will be no base from which to judge anything.

The 'base' from which things are normally judged in any sport is the rule
book.  And here lies the problem.  Adjudicators do not have a rule book, and
for a very good reason - it would be impossible to write.  There can be no
rules for differentiating between musical performances; no rights or wrongs,
just opinions.

>> There is no such thing as a 'funny' opinion.  Just a different one.

>Two "Musicians"!? sat two feet apart placing the same band 1st and 20th is
>funny, (peculiar) but not haha, by any standards.

Sorry, but I can't agree that this is in any way 'funny'.  At the risk of
repeating myself ad nauseam, it is entirely a matter of an individual's
opinion, and all opinions are valid.  And in the absence of any Rules for
Adjudicators, opinions are all that judgements can be made on.  Let me
hasten to add that I am not for one moment suggesting that any such rules
are introduced - that really would be the pits!

An example:  I happen to enjoy (some) atonal music.  The majority of people
do not.  So if I say that I think, for example,  'Grimethorpe Aria' is a
well-constructed piece of music which is a joy to listen to (which I happen
to think it is, by the way), and one hundred people say that it's a heap of
s**t, who is right?  Answer: nobody is right, nobody is wrong.


>If I may quote Howard Snell ' one does not have to commit murder to know
>that it's wrong'

I know I'm being dense here, but I don't understand this bit!


With best wishes

Alec

________________________
Alec Gallagher
alec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


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