Opinion Poll

Why do we modify opinion with "my", when our opinions are never our own?

Because isn't every opinion formed by things that don't really belong to us: language, culture, class, governance, genes, wealth, poverty, family, health, allegiances, prejudices?

And isn't it true that opinions can change with a song, a commercial, a kind word, a strong conviction, a strange smell?

Don't our opinions of others speak louder about ourselves than of those we speak about?

Socrates Cafe*: What is a Real Musician?

Is a person who studies classical music a real musician?

If you practice every day, are you a real musician?

What if you practice once a month?

What if you can't read music?

Do you have to make money to be a real musician?

What if you play only one song, are you a real musician?

What if you play and no one ever hears?

What if you only improvise?

What about a person who tunelessly whistles?

Is a deaf person singing, a real musician?

What about a baby banging on a drum?

If you only play instruments you've never played before, are you a real musician?

If you only practice making crazy noises, are you a real musician?

If you practice staying completely silent, are you a real musician?

Are birds and dolphins and bats real musicians?

What about a mentally disabled adult who plays her harmonica everywhere she goes?  Is she a real musician?

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Thank you Joy Jordan for bringing Peter Bartman to the first, First Sunday Discussion Circle.

Thank you Peter Bartman for bringing Christopher Phillips' Socrates Cafe to my attention.

Thank you Christopher Phillips for sharing your questions.

Thank you Tom Preimesberg for showing me your What is Art? slide show.

Thank you Saul Steinberg for making masks for your friends to wear at your dinner parties.

And thank you Dad, for the question.