Posted on 02/09/2006 12:23:22 PM PST by laney
People like a song more when they think other people like it too, a new study suggests. But the interactions between individual and group opinions are so complex that it is impossible to predict whether a good song will be a hit or a flop, according to researchers who asked people to rate the quality of music by unknown bands.
Sociologists Matthew Salganik and colleagues at Columbia University in New York, US, recruited more than 14,000 people to visit a website with 48 songs by relatively unknown bands. People could listen to songs, rate them, and then decide whether to download them.
One group of participants saw only the names of songs and musical groups. Other participants also saw how many times a particular song had been downloaded by others. Both groups broadly agreed about which songs were good and which were bad.
But participants who could see how often a song had been downloaded tended to give higher ratings to songs that had been downloaded often, and were more likely to download those songs themselves. That created a snowball effect, catapulting a few songs to the top of the charts and leaving others languishing.
Different worlds But a track with hit potential does not always become a hit, it seems. The researchers divided the socially influenced group (which could see the download information) into eight different "worlds", so that only the downloading decisions within that world were visible.
They found that the same songs did not always make it to the top of the charts. For example in one world, a Milwaukee pop punk band called 52Metro were stars, reaching number 1 in the download charts. In another world they were losers, ranked 40 out of 48.
"From outside of the industry, it seems like music executives can create stars at will. But we only see the ones that become successful. We don't see all the failures," Salganik says.
Locked in Final chart positions were not entirely random though. For example, all of the songs that were hits in the socially influenced groups were also rated as good by the group with no access to the download information. And the results did not reflect a simple "lock in" effect – i.e. a song that got an early lead did not necessarily maintain that lead. But beyond that, Salganik says, the dynamics are hard to understand.
"This is very exciting research,” says Michael Macy, a sociologist at Cornell University, Ithaca, US. "What they're addressing is a puzzle – why is it so difficult to predict what will be a hit movie or a hit song?"
For hopeful start-up bands, the results mean good news and bad news, Salganik says: "Even if you haven't made it yet, it doesn't necessarily mean it's low quality music – you could just be unlucky. But it also suggests that even if it's high quality music, you might not become successful
I like music that sounds like a car factory with a lumbermill right next door.
They should be pitied for their pathetic level of attachment to our lives. And we should just walk away laughing.
I like a powerful instrumental track.
That is why I detest rap which to me is not music and probably why I don`t care much for country.That would explain why I like "Rodeo" by Garth Brooks but dislike most of the mellow stuff.
Yep. Youngsters who have not yet developed likes and dislikes of their own.
Mine isn't, either. In fact, if a song becomes too popular and overplayed, I am apt to dislike it more.
DD..Don't I know it....It is so much jealousy I don't even know where to begin. The fact that you are a PILOT is quite an accomplishment. I can appreciate that and admire what you have done..If they were so hell bent on wanting to be someone they would not be on the computer day and night like busy body Gladys Kravitz's looking into someone else's window.
At first it was funny but now it's pretty pathetic. Annyok and HLL suprise me that they have fallen into that trap over there, I remember them from here and for the most part never had any issues posting on the same threads as them...The other ones are so up the avatar's a** so they won't be found out....
Not all of them but the ones that are green with envy are.
I did try breaking the ice with them that it was all in good fun and they can't break out from I want to be a Scorned Bee**tch because I am not here...
Too bad they would not know the difference between a roton egg or spoiled milk.
a quick glance at "my music" shows everything from aretha franklin to zydeco. Current song I'm freeping to: "I won't dance" (the sinatra version) with the lyric,"Heaven rest us. I am not asbestos..."
But that really only applies to sheeple. Sheeple being who they are, it's a good business to be in.
HAHAHA..That is to cool DD!
The ones at a dance that are huddled in a corner in wally world Moo Moo's gossipping while freeperettes are having Fun!!
Nope......
Either NOT TRUE, or I run counter to the crowd....
I've been a Straight Male willing to publicly admit that I'm a huge Manilow fan since my teen years........
Now if THAT doesn't run counter to the crowd......
OR A CAN OF THIS DD Why don't you mind your own business," don't say it, give them their own. Yes, now, for all those nosey people, You can give them "A Little Can of Business". So they can have some business of their own and stay out of yours. Get one for the neighbor who watches people come in and out of your house. Get one for that friend who wants to know what he "said last night". Get one for that in-law who looks in your medicine cabinet when they visit. Get one for Mom or Dad who wants to know "where were you last night". Get one for the person you caught looking on your desk. Get one for the person who said you did it. Get one for the person who said they saw you do it. Get 2 for the person who didn't know you did it, but tells everyone else they heard you did it. A Little Can of Business, for those nosey people who can't seem to mind their own business.
I meant this for you the last post....
Y'all don't worry about it, life goes on.
Better yet, just walk away and enjoy the good friendships you have here. Indeed, I walked away from HL and they are all still my friends. Easy.
Don't get bogged down in hatred, your's or anyone else's.
Oh, and if it ever gets physical, shoot 'em exactly between the eyes.
LOL..I would like to spray them if that did not work the last one sounds pretty tempting! HAHA
Oooohhh.... I'd love to shoot them.....
LOL!!!!
Physical danger... remember. Only then can you open fire.
Words aren't nearly enough justification.
Actually- Iwould like to send a couple chickies husbands this Newspaper Ad I think it fits some of them very well.
FOR SALE BY OWNER: Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica. 45 volumes. Excellent condition. $1,000 or best offer. No longer needed, got married last month. Wife knows everything.
What is funny Michael is that most of them would not dare say what they say about us face to face the men wouldn't that is for sure because they know they would be picking thier jaws off the floor....running away like a scared jack rabbit.
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