Dixie Chicks: Not Ready To Make Nice

[Moonbear]

Ok maybe I am just thinking of "common sense". Buying things based on the quality must be a common sense thing instead.

How does choice of music have anything to do with a "common sense" basis of quality? We're not talking about choosing between a CD that will last 3 plays and one that will last decades, we're talking about people's individual tastes. People buy music for a lot of reasons, and sometimes it's the message in the lyrics, and sometimes it's the sound of the instruments, sometimes it's the singer's voice quality, sometimes it's how good looking the members of the group are, etc. And, really, with any purchase of any product, perceptions of what it means to be quality varies. Let's use coffee as an example. Some think it's the quantity you get for the cost, so buy the inexpensive brands; some prefer a strong coffee regardless of price, so buy an expensive brand, others will buy based on whether the coffee is produced using sustainable agriculture because they think quality is determined by how much environmental impact the production has, some think the dark roast is good quality, while others think the lighter roast is good quality, some prefer whole beans they grind themselves, and others think buying it already ground is better because they don't want to be bothered to grind it themselves, or just don't have a grinder. And, then there are those who sit there making faces wondering why anyone would buy coffee, let alone drink it. When people are choosing a product based on quality, that still doesn't mean everyone chooses the same product, because quality is subjective.

 

[Pengwuino]

You miss the point. All those things have direct effects on the quality of the product (besides the idea that you're buying something based on its impact to the environemnt). If the CEO of Folgers cames out and said he hated France, the quality of the coffee isn't going to go down and if someone actually does think the quality goes down because of something like that, they need to get checked out.

 

[Moonbear]

You miss the point. All those things have direct effects on the quality of the product (besides the idea that you're buying something based on its impact to the environemnt). If the CEO of Folgers cames out and said he hated France, the quality of the coffee isn't going to go down and if someone actually does think the quality goes down because of something like that, they need to get checked out.

But if all else were equal...say they didn't really care if they had Folgers or Maxwell House, liked both the same...and the CEO of one company was vocal about supporting or denouncing a particular political view, then why not choose based on that? People buy products based on flashy commercials that don't actually say anything about the quality of the product, so why would this be any different? If someone has an extra $17 in their pocket and wants to buy something frivolous, why does it matter if they choose to use it to support a music group voicing political views they agree with?

 

[Pengwuino]

But if all else were equal...say they didn't really care if they had Folgers or Maxwell House, liked both the same...and the CEO of one company was vocal about supporting or denouncing a particular political view, then why not choose based on that? People buy products based on flashy commercials that don't actually say anything about the quality of the product, so why would this be any different? If someone has an extra $17 in their pocket and wants to buy something frivolous, why does it matter if they choose to use it to support a music group voicing political views they agree with?

When did i say it should be illegal to buy things based on something other then the quality of the product?

 

[Moonbear]

When did i say it should be illegal to buy things based on something other then the quality of the product?

I didn't say you said it should be illegal, but you do seem to be pretty vehemently speaking out against those who would choose to do that, to the point of implying they lack common sense.

 

[Pengwuino]

I didn't say you said it should be illegal, but you do seem to be pretty vehemently speaking out against those who would choose to do that, to the point of implying they lack common sense.

I think it does lack a certain amount of common sense. It's like buying a lexus because tiger woods drives it or liking a certain actor because your friend likes them or basically every other advertising scheme out there.

 

[franznietzsche]

Well, for one thing, an argument could be made that the commander-in-chief, arguably the worst ever in the history of the United States

I love when people showcase their ignorance of history.

 

[BobG]

I think it does lack a certain amount of common sense. It's like buying a lexus because tiger woods drives it or liking a certain actor because your friend likes them or basically every other advertising scheme out there.

Would it show a lack of common sense for a person whining about American jobs being outsourced to Asia to buy an American car, even if weren't the best value?

Or would it show more of a lack of common sense for a person driving a Toyota to whine about American jobs being outsourced overseas?

In fact, one of the more interesting corporate conflicts I've read about was Martha Burk, a long-time advocate for allowing women into the Augusta country club, buying stock in Exxon and then forming a group of shareholders that filed a resolution requiring management to report all company spending at venues that discriminate against women. Exxon is a major sponsor of the Masters Golf Tournament, which is held at Augusta. I have a feeling that she wasn't very interested in the profits she might reap when she invested in Exxon.

While I find it hard to see how the Dixie Chicks' comments relate to their actual music (aside from one song from their newest album that attacks their critics, they're not exactly writing anti-war songs or anti-Bush songs), I can still see how a lot 'peripheral' factors could affect a person's decisions about what to buy.

 

[Averagesupernova]

...i don't listen to anyone

Ya don't say?!

 

[JasonRox]

Well, they certainly didn't lose any Canadian fans.

I haven't met anyone who thinks George Bush is a good or even decent president.

Jay Leno's response to the American Idol guy who was predicted to win but loss, while talking about voting/Bush, was: "This is what happens when you don't vote."

If the Americans think he's good, I guess that's all we need. We don't have to agree though.