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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.





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artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,917 posts
 
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

gochurchgo
897 posts
 
Too many fake engineers passing judgement on others while spouting hilariously stupid "facts"
tablejockey
3,806 posts
 
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.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,151 posts
 
I side with Tablejockey.  Audiophiles are not athletes honing their skill, but consumers buying things.  I applaud the passion and even the borderline OCD behavior, but let's not pretend it's a creative pursuit.  My comments do not apply to those who DIY and design/build components.
ghdprentice
6,538 posts
 
I tend to move to be a bit obsessive during my once every seven year upgrade cycles. But then just passionately enjoy the music in between. I want to get through the upgrade cycles as fast as possible… but they take about a year.
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