Read these Christopher Hitchens quotes and compare what you read with how you have entrusted bass teachers and schools to influence you. Read between the lines as his comments aren't literal, but figurative.
I'll offer what I believe he is talking about and relate it into educational thoughts.
1. "Beware the irrational, however seductive."
What seduces you in regards to educational messages being taught to you doesn't mean that they are musically good for you.
2. "Shun the 'transcendent' and all who invite you to subordinate yourself."
Bass players give themselves over to perceived enlightened bass teachers completely which isn’t a positive thing to do.
3. "Distrust compassion.”
People are influence by the "nice" teacher. What they teach doesn’t count nearly as much as being in friendly learning environment.
4. "Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish."
Being thought of as arrogant or selfish doesn’t make this true. It may mean that by standing for something in the face of an overwhelming majority who don’t agree isn’t arrogance, but individuality.
5. “Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity.”
Music education might not be an unfair system, but if stupidity in what you are being taught exists, people might want to hear about it.
This post is more hypothesis than factual. I thought that you might read this post and ponder how much you have trusted your favorite schools, websites or bass teachers to where you might not have even once thought about if what you are being taught will actually prepare you to play the bass better or not, and for life!
I'll offer what I believe he is talking about and relate it into educational thoughts.
1. "Beware the irrational, however seductive."
What seduces you in regards to educational messages being taught to you doesn't mean that they are musically good for you.
2. "Shun the 'transcendent' and all who invite you to subordinate yourself."
Bass players give themselves over to perceived enlightened bass teachers completely which isn’t a positive thing to do.
3. "Distrust compassion.”
People are influence by the "nice" teacher. What they teach doesn’t count nearly as much as being in friendly learning environment.
4. "Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish."
Being thought of as arrogant or selfish doesn’t make this true. It may mean that by standing for something in the face of an overwhelming majority who don’t agree isn’t arrogance, but individuality.
5. “Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity.”
Music education might not be an unfair system, but if stupidity in what you are being taught exists, people might want to hear about it.
This post is more hypothesis than factual. I thought that you might read this post and ponder how much you have trusted your favorite schools, websites or bass teachers to where you might not have even once thought about if what you are being taught will actually prepare you to play the bass better or not, and for life!
