Yesterday I was with some friends listening to some of the great music one of them made recently. But suddenly he opened a song that was ‘great’, I and the other friend looked at each other but didn’t hear the greatness. But I understood why he liked it and how it influenced his music.

But now I am thinking how everyone goes through a different path of evolving taste for stuff. Everybody has his/her own choices and preferences.

One’s personal quest

Somehow when you are little you feel attracted to some kind of vibe. You search for those vibes and try to find what triggers you and what does not. Those vibes are mostly found in the more obscure areas of your preferences which enlighten you personally. Finding those inspirational vibes can set loose a wow moment.

Selfdefinition

The quest always begins raw. You see/hear/taste/smell/read only the superficial stuff at first. But on your quest you slowly discover details. Details that enrichen your experience and learn you more about what you like and at the same moment who you are. Somehow the things what you like defines you in this society. You have to be original and yourself.

People who have taste to look at the details of their experience somehow look down to the people that only look at the superficial stuff. They have had that. But enjoyment can be found in both. Some stuff is made for attracting the masses and some for those detail sensitive fans. The trick is to entertain both. But then you have to feel the Zeitgeist and the next taste/design movement to create the next hit. There is an overall taste evolution in this society.

Quests combine people

Personal taste combines people. When your interests match you will bond. You see subcultures form around personal preferences around art, music etc. Somehow there seems to be likeminded people who like the same stuff. But still everyone is on it’s own personal quests to deepen his/her taste.

Quests set people apart: Open up

But some people have defined who they are and that is all there is. They close their mind for the other taste paths and enjoy their time with their subculture. They dislike the other groups out of definition. It is a shame. Because you could miss a part of yourself in this exploration of life. Try to find contrasts in taste! Explore yourself!

Maybe I should listen better for the greatness my friend heard.

Photo by Nicolás Hip

Related

• Evolution of design movements
• The WOW Factor