[ExI] Music fails to chime with Islamic values

[Dan]

Yes, and it makes sense (from the point of view of the religious or political 
elite -- usually not separate in most earlier societies), the more developed and 
organized things are, to try to keep rival entrants into the music "market." In 
other words, you don't want just anyone giving themselves or other people such 
experiences. That would either de-mystify the experience (as in, this experience 
is no big deal, so why should we should obey all the social rules the elites 
tell us to) or de-mystify the elites having control over it (as in maybe we can 
talk to the spirits ourselves, so why no cut out the middlemen?).

Again, though, this might not be a conscious process of elites recognizing the 
actual power of music and the threat it could represent, but more just a process 
of elites that control music tend to be more successful in the long run, so they 
become the norm.

Regards,

Dan


----- Original Message ----
From: Sen Yamamoto <sen.otaku at googlemail.com>
To: ExI chat list <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org>
Sent: Fri, August 13, 2010 3:32:00 PM
Subject: Re: [ExI] Music fails to chime with Islamic values

Then wouldn't it make sense to promote music that promoted their
religion, and their point of views and values.

On 8/13/10, Dan <dan_ust at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I believe music becomes central to many religions and even ideologies (think
> of
> Plato or think of Soviet control over music) because music seems to rile
> people
> up -- for whatever reason -- or give them religious-like experience --
> hence,
> competing with any official religion.* (I've read some of the evolutionary
> psych
> arguments for this. Regardless of their validity, even the ancients
> understood
> music had some influence over people.)
>
> Regards,
>
> Dan