Observation: Passion vs Obsession


As I read through the AG threads each night culling useful tips (there are many) it occurred to me that there is a difference between passion and obsession in our hobby, or anything else for that matter.

I feel that the desire to improve can take one of two paths.

Passion = You love what you are doing. You enjoy the process and you love listening to the music. You are creating aural art. You are becoming the master of your sound, like an athlete you are honing your skills. You are integrated with the process and the process gives you joy.

Obsession = The joy is destroyed. You have sabotaged yourself by telling yourself "I have to get it". All you want are results, it serves an end.

To me the truth is that there is no end, only the journey. Enjoy the passion, your system and what it is offering you.





128x128edgyhassle
Excellent insights, and very true!  Been down both paths, and much prefer sticking with "Passion", and enjoying all the aspects.  Heck, the system was good enough to satisfy me 20 years ago, is better than I ever would have dreamed, and has only improved in recent years.  I have no reason not to just enjoy it.
it serves an end.


This is why I do not call it a hobby. Hobbies often begin & end. I have been an avid music lover since I was a child. It has never changed. I have seen many names pass through here and the Asylum over the 20 yrs I have been onboard. Some were heavy hitters with lots of experience with many different pieces of equipment. Many today are the same. I often wonder if their commitment is to the music or the equipment. Yes, I enjoy a high end system and have one which I will gladly display to anyone. But when the mood strikes I can easily enjoy music on my computer system which is hardly high end because it is the music & the journey. Thanks for posting

Too many fake engineers passing judgement on others while spouting hilariously stupid "facts"
By the way some of the responses are expressed by the posters, it's as if the system is an actual musical instrument and they're  the musician.

Those posters may need to get some sunlight and reconnect with family/friends.