Quality of sound and volume

have become crucial factors for me. Going to a movie theater has become a rare(r) experience for me and I think the main reason for that is my lack of volume control. Sometimes it’s not too loud but it’s always too loud.

I know this makes me sound old but I suppose I run on the “Music is too damn loud” platform. I went to my first “rock” concert last summer and I had to leave because it was literally too loud for my brain to comprehend the input and the presence of air was continually in my ear. The music did sound great though, from the parking lot.

I’m not forbidding loudness but I will offer this PSA. Too much loudness may cause deafness so you shouldn’t smoke a pack a day. By the way, you should not be using those in-ear headphones. Normal headphones vibrate air, which vibrate your ear drums, which the brain processes as sound. But in-ear headphones physically vibrate your ear drums and causes far more damage. So just be aware and mindful of what goes into your ears (you shouldn’t eat too much candy either).

In fact, I try to find my lowest comfortable volume when I’m listening to anything. It might just be me but I perceive the sound quality and enjoy the sound design better when I do this. If I don’t enjoy a film’s score/music selections it’s no big deal but if a film has bad sound design it is unwatchable (and the best films always have superior sound design).

Literal vs. Abstract

Both are important perceptions but I realize I prefer the latter. My good memory and constant reflection on literal activities is a likely suspect for this preference.

I get annoyed and/or bored if I find a conversation too literal. Obviously, this is a relative concept (what isn’t?) but facebook/twitter/etc. are full of such behavior. All humans have a longing desire to express themselves but it seems a large number of people are content detailing every mundane activity. Some people use this as motivation to do more “exciting” things, while others become depressed for not doing these “exciting” things. I, however, prefer thinking about abstract concepts.

Unfortunately, I often feel society accuse this mentality as being “elitist”. Everyone has the right to think what/how they want and I’m only expressing my personal preference. Obviously I think my view is better, that is why I have it. I would hope and imagine that you believe your mentality is better for the same reason. It is unfair to exclude me while accusing me of excluding you.