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Are We Different?

All my life I have been more attuned to sensory experiences than my friends, family, or colleagues. I started to notice this in high school when I would go on and on about how great a particular passage sounded while playing in bands, I would rave about a meal that I ate, the smells of pleasant or unpleasant things, or a particularly good looking passage in a movie or piece of art.  

This question arose for me last week when talking to a friend and relating that I frequently get chills and goosebumps listening to music (live or in my living room). He looked at me as if he had no idea what I was talking about, and thought I was nuts. I thought that happened to everyone!! Since then I have been conducting an informal survey of folks I know about exactly that question. Again, most folks have no experience of this and think I'm bit off. So I wonder: Are we different? Is it something in our biology that lands us in the realm of audio-obsession, constantly looking for the perfect sound stage in our living rooms, and criticizing badly engineered recordings, or scoffing at the sound designers for poorly mixed live shows?

What is it that separates the music enthusiast/lover from the obsessed, ever-searching-never-satisfied, gear-heads which many of us are? 

Share your thoughts (and also do you get chills and goosebumps listening to Beethoven/Charlie Parker/The Stones?)
128x128birdfan
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,971 posts
 
We are different, and I believe it’s more than two types though they would dominate the spectrum. A while ago I posted about frisson and how I react to certain sounds and music. It apparently went over a lot of heads as those that did respond felt it had to do with feeling bass notes vibrating in their bodies, which is far from it.

Frisson may be just what you’re experiencing. It turns out that even paintings, art, vistas, and other types of scenery can have the same effect.

All the best,
Nonoise
chayro
3,014 posts
 
The audio obsession is a complex psychological thing that can, like alcoholism, gambling and other things, become very ugly when taken too far.  I've seen people so obsessed by the equipment that they cannot sit still long enough to listen to one track without getting up to figit with something and their equipment is nothing but a source of stress for them.  I think everyone here has a serious interest in gear, but like everything else, people have different levels of interest.  As you go through the board, you will see that many have simplified their systems in an attempt to have less to futz with so they can just enjoy. At one point, I went very deep into gear, but like other potentially dangerous habits I dabbled in, my common sense won out and I chalked it up to a learning experience that I don't regret.  But I do notice one thing - just like drugs, alcoholism, anorexia... no matter how obvious the symptoms, the affected person will always deny it.  Sometimes lying and sometimes just self-delusion, but always a denial.  Except for the recovered ones, who then admit their afflictions.  Enough.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@bensturgeon Great Question. Hope your thread gets the attention it deserves.

@nonoise  I'm a proponent and believer of the 'area' that the author refers to as "Openness to Experience" which is (in my opinion) on a spectrum as many aspects of personality are.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,971 posts
 
@david_ten  To think that 51 cultures have the same experiences furthers your belief that it is indeed one of many aspects of personality.
I'm just glad I can, and continue to, experience it. 😄
It's the part of listening I look forward to.

All the best,
Nonoise
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