*Warning: Long-winded Thread Creep*

Can you imagine how dull this place would be if we were all the same? Threads wouldn't last long, because everyone would have the same answer. "Do you hate silence?" "Yeah." "Oh, me too." "Cool."

Boring!

I am glad that each of us has his or her own opinion! Every one of us brings a different perspective and experience to this forum, and we're all the better for it. None of us can or should be faulted for taste. Taste is a matter of personal opinion, and that's as it should be. I start to bristle when people imply (or say outright) that there is only one right or wrong answer. Most things in life aren't that black and white.

Nor can people be summed up so neatly. So let's argue, let's defend our choices passionately, but let's not make it personal. We're not here to attack each other's tastes. The problem with this particular mode of communication is that we can't necessarily read into the tone of messages. Sometimes we get upset at comments which were meant jokingly, or at least not cruelly. So let's give each other the benefit of the doubt. We're all friends here. We all came here out of a mutual love of music, that's all.

As I near my quarter century, I realize that I know so much less now than I knew five or ten years ago. I'll defend John Cage and the benefits of silence some other time. It's only my opinion.

-Jigger (Boy, I may lurk much of the time, but when I start to speak, I won't shut up...)