I thought that the aim that was more prevalent was aim one, pleasure. This aim is common amongst the American pop music because it is pleasure that inspires the artists to perform. The joy of singing and the wealth and fame they get from it is what pleases the artists. Many people listen to pop music because it is what they consider pleasure music to them. I had noticed however that artist who perform music in relation to helping others or to the community do it after something tragic happens. For example after the attack of 9/11 the black eyed peas came out with the song where the love is. This is also why that American pop music is mostly considered as pleasure. When doing this assignment most songs that came to mind that had to pleasure was all about sex, drugs, and love. Although that can be pleasing at times, I feel that pleasure can be seen in a different aspect as well. For example pleasure is something that people want and at many time people want happiness. Happiness can be seen as pleasurable as well because it makes the other person happy and it something they want, In relation to the Hindu text, pleasure is said to be anything that pleases you and anything you want. Another aspect of pleasure is relaxation. This can be another person’s pleasure. There are many ways to view pleasure and because of those many aspects American pop music correlates very well to the Hindu aim of pleasure. In the Hindu understanding of the four aims, it says pleasure can be seen for health and prosperity. It says to go and do what pleases the self and to do things that you want. This is different from the Hindu understanding of pleasure because there is a negative connotation towards what is seen as pleasure. For example, it is saying that health is pleasure in the Hindu text, and this is seen as a good type of pleasure, however now days most American Pop music promotes an unhealthy intake pleasure. Also the difference in the aim of community service is that in American pop music community service is seen more of a service verses in the Hindu text community service is posed as a duty.
I really like the insight you gave on the topic. I never really thought about the artists themselves being motivated by pleasure. I agree that most singers do make songs regarding community service after something tragic happens. I didn't really think about that until you pointed it out. But it is completely true and artists shouldn't just feel they should write about giving back after something bad happens they should like the Hinduism aim says incorporate community service into their daily lives.
ReplyDeleteYou made a good point about straight forward community service songs reaching the public after a disaster. I never really noticed that before. I guess that shows the difference between Hinduism seeing community service as a part of the stages of life while America views it as an obligation.
ReplyDeleteI like that you thought out of the box and interpreted and found songs that didn't have to do with the common view of pleasure: sex, drugs and alcohol. You took the Hinduism thought into perspective and just focused on whatever would make someone happy, which is what we all ultimately want out of life, just to be happy whether we have sex, drugs or alcohol, or none of the above.
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