Disappointing Evening

What if the tables were turned and you were invited for dinner? Would you be genuinely interested if the host’s hobbies were coin collecting, ceremonial masks, or rocks?

How long could you sit through a discussion about igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks? Once your patience was exhausted from this conversation the host then leads you to a secret room behind the bookcase to show you his rock collection.

Is your goal to enjoy the music with your guests or to have them be interested in the medium you play the music?

For myself, I never discuss audio, besides those with like interest, or other hobbies I have with others. If I am asked about it I may choose to comment. I am not saying everyone should adapt my approach but I do not expect others to show an interest in what I am passionate about.

There is a great line from the movie “Entrapment”. When Sean Connery brought Catherine Zeta Jones to his Scottish castle she commented what a waste to have such an extraordinary art collection for no one else to see. Connery’s reply was I collect art for me to enjoy.

Something to think about.

I can understand your disappointment, you really wanted to turn these people on to the joys of really good music and they weren't interested.

The fact that many people aren't wired to enjoy the quest or to say it in another way, many people aren't intrigued enough to want to seek out what is better in many things.

It is like seeking out what is really good coffee and it ain't Starbucks, or what a great steak is all about ie Peter Luggurs vs a Diner Steak.

It seems that the settle for anything gene is much more prevalent than the seeks out excellence gene which fuels audiophilia. To me seeking out excellence is the distillation of something to its purest form, be it a sports car, a steak, an audio system or single malt scotch.

So there will always be the I just got a Bose system and its fantastic guys out there and if you tell them that there is another world of music reproduction they will get offended, and there are a few of those people who will not get offended that you are criticizing their choice which means you are criticizing them but will say "really what is it, I thought Bose was great, what do you recommend?"

You tried, don't take it the wrong way and you never know if you play something that sound really amazing one day it might hit them, and then again it may not.

Sensory experiences need to be developed like wine tasting, but it all must start with a desire to understand what makes one wine better than another and then to have the desire to learn and experience what great wine is all about.

One point that was not mentioned yet is envy. They might actually appreciate Hi-Fi and other fine things but will hide it. They might also envy not the equipment itself or money but the taste and sound quality. Quality of anything. We envy each other too.

Would you be genuinely interested if the host’s hobbies were coin collecting, ceremonial masks, or rocks?

perspective....thank you.

I would be interested in ceremonial masks and the one who collected them.
You are welcome.