new thread idea

[Jon Miller]

we have a lot of fairly learned people here

why don't we have a weekly discussion on some interesting topic with the specialisation of members here

than apolyton can be used for spreading knowledge

we could do physics, chemistry, comp sci (probably some soft sciences as well)

what do people think about this"?

Jon Miller

[Asher]

Sounds good, but I think a lot of the threads end up doing this anyway.

Or do you mean almost a Q&A type thing, where people can try to refrain from using overly-nerdy words and put things in layman's terms?

[Boris Godunov]

None of you cultural simians could maintain my interest enough in a classical music discussion.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
None of you cultural simians could maintain my interest enough in a classical music discussion.

Actually, I'm trying to get into it. But it seems like there's too much to know and most people who are into it are somewhat snobby about it.

[Boris Godunov]

We are not snobby about it, you rube.

[Nubclear]

The best art is the unknown art.

[Spiffor]

I am trying to get into classical for 2 years, with a friend helping me. But it is very difficult, even when your mentors aren't snobbish. It can only be more difficult without actually listening to the musical pieces.

And classical fans sound snobbish when they are listened to by a non-initiated for the same reason a geek sounds like a freak of some sort when he is listened to by a non-geek. The use of a specific language, with specific concerns, about something you know nothing about. THe "snobbishness" comes from the fact that snobs had to be classical fans in the past, hence it stayed in the popular imagery.

[MrFun]

Sharing knowledge -- on Apolyton?

Besides -- how would anyone have a chance to glean any information amidst all the shouting that goes on between Apolytoners?

[Spiffor]

MrFun :
Actually, I was playing Trivial Pursuit yesterday and owned the game. About half of my answers can be directly related to 'Poly, which taught them to me one way or another

[Skanky Burns]

I have a question for Boris anyway.
Is there a story behind "In the Hall of the Mountain King", and if so what is it?

[Maniac]

Spiffor, how do you mean, you are "trying to get into" classical music? Do you mean when you hear a piece of music, you try to know the title and composer, or the style and instruments or so?
If so, my suggestion would be to forget all that nonsense. I listen to classical music very often, and recognize lots of it from already having heard it, but with the exception of a few, I never have a clue who has composed it etcetera. Who cares? It's the music that counts.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Spiffor
MrFun :
Actually, I was playing Trivial Pursuit yesterday and owned the game. About half of my answers can be directly related to 'Poly, which taught them to me one way or another

I was joking -- but that is cool, Spiffor.

[Spiffor]

Maniac :
No, I am rather interested by discovering music that pleases me, and avoid the **** that makes most of classical music (like every genre is made of ****). I'm more into grandios music, so of course I love Wagner and most of Beethoven. But my friend had me listen to Mahler (can't remember the exact name of the passage) and it was like crazy. I enjoy the Russian music too, Rachmaninov and Mussorgski first.

But to me, it is difficult to enter classical music in the meaning that I have still trouble understanding the technical achievements of the musicians and the genius inspiration of the music-writers. To me, these achievements are part of the beauty of the music. It helps me focusing on the music itself, rather than considering it to be some background noise

[DAVOUT]

Good idea : The Apolytonian Encyclopedia

[alva]

Using the imense knowledge idling here about is a great idea