Why is being open-minded considered generally a good thing?

[NAD]

Is limiting yourself bad?

I think it is, but I'm open-minded enough to try to understand why someone wouldn't think so for themselves.

A few meaningless backstories:

Close-mindedness reminds me of all the supAr religious folk I grew up with, and how idiotic I thought they were. I mean I was arguing arbortion at 8 years old, or perhaps that their god didn't even exist, and it was like talking to brick walls. Not that I was any more right than they, but at least I was able to admit that.

Also, before I came to UM, I knew of two yes TWO metal genres: metal and extreme, and the only difference was the vocals for the most part. The weird arguments over whether or not stuff like Dillinger Escape Plan and Napalm Death were metal simply didn't exist in my realm. Shit when I first came here I thought Hypocrisy were black metal just because I saw the name attached to non-Cannibal Corpse type bands, which everyone called death metal.

 

[J.]

so you have to try new things to be open-minded, even if you're 99% sure you'll hate it? so once you've tried this thing, and decided you hate it, then you're considered open-minded?

i was almost positive id hate kayo dot and was almost sure they'd suck before i bought that album used. i listened to t a few times and proved myself right. they blow chunks. so now im open minded for at least trying. yo like i cool.

 

[Erik]

Not limiting yourself is for people with infinite money & time

 

[Demilich]

Also, before I came to UM, I knew of two yes TWO metal genres: metal and extreme, and the only difference was the vocals for the most part. The weird arguments over whether or not stuff like Dillinger Escape Plan and Napalm Death were metal simply didn't exist in my realm. Shit when I first came here I thought Hypocrisy were black metal just because I saw the name attached to non-Cannibal Corpse type bands, which everyone called death metal.

Makes you wonder what kind of crazy places there are out there on the net with their own completely different conceptions of metal

 

[Erik]

so you have to try new things to be open-minded, even if you're 99% sure you'll hate it? so once you've tried this thing, and decided you hate it, then you're considered open-minded?

Sticking your penis in a vat of sulphuric acid! What's it all about? Is it good or is it whack?

 

[NAD]

Makes you wonder what kind of crazy places there are out there on the net with their own completely different conceptions of metal

Internet? I was talking about in the trenches, like people's basements and music stores that sold FACTORY SEALED tapes.

 

[NAD]

Not limiting yourself is for people with infinite money & time

There is a lot of truth to that. I flat out refuse myself new hobbies often times because I know I won't dedicate the time or money.

 

[Demilich]

I don't have friends! Which rock have you been living under?

 

[J.]

Sticking your penis in a vat of sulphuric acid! What's it all about? Is it good or is it whack?

depends if you use it for the girlies or for the she-hes

 

[Conspicuously Absent]

Yeah, when it comes to music, I'll try almost anything suggested by somebody who I like and who knows my taste.

Random dude x? no.
NAD? yes
Erik? yes
J? maybe
Doomsniffer? yup
Dick Sirloin? probably not (not a neo-folk fan )

 

[Furious B]

There is a lot of truth to that. I flat out refuse myself new hobbies often times because I know I won't dedicate the time or money.

Yeah, but this is music we're talking about here. First and foremost, music is passive and requires minimal effort to take in, enjoy, etc. Furthermore, I highly doubt the majority of this forum are going to go around buying CDs without hearing anything before hand. I don't think the excuse really applies to music very well.

 

[Erik]

First and foremost, music is passive and requires minimal effort to take in, enjoy, etc.

If you buy tens of album a month like many in this forum, I don't think you should underestimate the TIME (not necessarily effort) it takes to take in/enjoy all that material properly.

 

[NAD]

I highly doubt the majority of this forum are going to go around buying CDs without hearing anything before hand.

I've done that a whole lot in the past. Not so much anymore, but it still happens.

I don't like having too much music honestly. I like to get to know my CDs really well like I used to back before I had any real responsibility in my life getting in the way of staying up all night listening to an album and learning every subtle nuance of it.

 

[Furious B]

If you buy tens of album a month

Perhaps THAT is where the problem lies.

 

[Erik]

That has little to nothing to do with this discussion though

 

[Furious B]

It was in response to what you had said i.e. to back my earlier comment.

 

[Furious B]

Look, there is absolutely nothing wrong with not being opened minded in regards to music. It's a completely subjective thing and we all have our reasons for being interested in what we are. But the problem is you will not grow as a person, musician, emotional being, art lover, whatever, while being close-minded. You remain STAGNANT as a person because in order to grow and move forward there MUST be some exploration. Without open-mindedness this cannot be achieved.

 

[Night Mare]

Look, there is absolutely nothing wrong with not being opened minded in regards to music. It's a completely subjective thing and we all have our reasons for being interested in what we are. But the problem is you will not grow as a person, musician, emotional being, art lover, whatever, while being close-minded. You remain STAGNANT as a person because in order to grow and move forward there MUST be some exploration. Without open-mindedness this cannot be achieved.

.

Not that I really give a crap what other people listen to, that's their problem in the end.

 

[unhinged]

I consider myself to be open minded, but I never listen to some thing for the pose

what a waste of time that is
I think you automatically close yourself off to certain genres / styles when you reach the point were there is nothing that moves you
I listen to things like kayo dot, mono, portishead, frank zappa etc because I get something from it.
I'd ignore more or less all new deathmetal releass because I'm so fucking sick of the monotony, so I'm pretty much close minded there, doesn't stop me listening to old carcass or obituary though

I'd listen to any prog , classic rock album and give it a try not because its cool, but because theres a chance I'll really like it
if it sucks I'm not going to pretend to like it

I think 90% ofthe black metal I've heard is incredibly boring
butit is still n area I'm willing to explore to find things that really slay like wolves in the throne room or anaal nathrakh

who fucking cares really?
I don't like being told that I listen to something because its cool, and I don't like being told that something is good and I must listen to it,

 

[snow2fall]

Nothing wrong with being close minded to a certain genre once you have given it a spin in the hay.

If you've given it a try and it's not your cup of tea and you decide to not listen to it again, you're not being close-minded. You have learnt from experience - which is a process that requires open-mindedness - that it's not for you.

Closeminded and dumb: I'll never listen to this band because they're considered gay and emo, and my manliness is in danger. Plus they don't even have gr1mm shirts that'd fit my tr00 ev1l methull image.