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
What is so freaking crazy, is that thier obsessed with what we do what we have where we live, Holy Moly never I have I witnessed lunacy like some of these CP jokers, it's amazing they can tie thier shoes and put thier clothes on by themsleves!
If memory serves, Yellowdog has had his fun with the idiots also.
DD,
As I say it's all Jealousy, they are jealous of the comradery we have on FR they are envious that they are on a site that will never grow beyond the same ol' gossipy Gladys Kravitz players. They have no redeeming qualities except they can type and spell and will win awards for being the biggest bafoons in Cyberspace.
Looks like there is trouble at LooneyVille. The idiots are getting crazier and even some of the regulars are starting to grow weary of it.
So much insanity for such little minds.
NO doubt! Maybe some imploding going on there.
Insane in the membrane
Self Destruction on the horizon~!
LOL!!!
I can't believe they are still stuck on the weight thing (I'm still laughing at HLL and her pot vs. kettle stuff - did you see the pictures of her!? ROFLMAO!) and the flying thing. Like a broken record - now, they are going on and on about where I live...
Good lord, get a friggin' hobby. I have one - and it makes me a much happier person. They can say what they want - but I know the truth. And TRUTH is the best vindication against SLANDER! Keep talking - I know the truth.
I'd say most of them are stay at home wives/mothers and play on the internet all day instead of taking care of their homes and children and marriages. They are miserable losers.
One of them threatened to come to my airport to meet me - BRING IT ON! Swing by anytime - I'd love to rub your nose in the TRUTH!! You can see my awards, trophies, airplanes, and you can meet my incredible group of friends who adore me and support me in my flying.
I'll even give you an autographed picture - if you behave yourself.
;-)
DD-Like I said JEALOUSY! faxi does not like to clean her trailer as she can't wait to become Gladys Kravitz on CP..
Annok takes pleasure talking like a drunken sailor while trying to protray some ex Calif... Classy Chickie....
Weird women DD- notice how not one will identify what they do for a living, maybe they are government dependent?
I am though truly suprised about HLL and her comments when she was a member here she carried herself like a normal
together lady...
BTW: I want to go flying with you! and I also want a picture as I love pictures! especially of my buds!
I'd fly with you anytime!
That would be fun - I was down your way a few weeks ago for a funeral. Next time I'm headed that way - I'll make a point of letting you know. Hopefully - the next time will be for a happier purpose.
I think Annyok is from Fresno - not exactly Beverly Hills. It's basically a farming community that has grown into a sweet little town. They just got a Triple A baseball club. Woohoo!
She did mention that she sold cars once - didn't make any money at it, if I remember correctly. She has also been married at least three times and has kids from the first two. The third has kids from a previous union.
If she was a professional - she probably wouldn't have been selling cars. I know that in CA you don't need to take a test to sell cars - you just get a license and sell them. It's less professional than real estate or mortgages. So - not exactly sure what she's bragging about - except maybe this husband has a couple bucks. ... Wait... I believe she said something about him being in manual labor or something. So, he's probably not a rocket scientist (like Phantom) or a brain surgeon either. Maybe she got a good settlement from the first couple of marriages - but I think I remember someone saying that one of her husbands beat her or something. I guess beating up on nameless faceless strangers makes her feel like she's getting revenge? Not sure.
HLL was a Private Investigator and is now supposedly doing pilot background checks. If so, I wonder how her clients would feel about her using her PI skills to attack and belittle people on the internet? Perhaps we should tell them of her little part time job!?
She ran for office and lost - heartily. I bet she does a lot of things heartily. Pot, Kettle? HLL - you are something else! And a GROB is a TRAINER - and just happens to be aerobatic. One person in the last four years has competed in an aerobatic contest in a Grob - and he was in Basic (which is the lowest category). Every aerobatic contest has Pitts Specials everywhere. They are the most popular aerobatic airplane in the US.
Oh... and Bad Santa went to a FReeper Gathering in Vegas years ago and cheated on his wife while he was there. Not exactly FReeper-like behavior! We may cyber flirt - but I've never broken up a marriage - have you?
Clean, wholesome living - something to brag about, indeed! No wonder they don't talk about themselves - they are too pathetic to even listen to each other.
Hugs to you, Laney! Stay strong and don't let the idiots get you down.
OMG!!! Well you what they say about KARMA...What's goes around comes around! How easy it is to throw stones, as they say People that live in those glass houses should not throw stones! I wonder how they get the nerve??? they don't get me down DD I think it is really pretty pathetic and sociopathic!
We all have our dirty laundry... but maturity teaches ..... But for the Grace of God....
While I'm proud of my achievements - I am not interested in mocking or hurting people who aren't as lucky or smart or whatever as I am. I rather help them - but that's me.
I agree DD...I think we attempted to be nice to them and also to make PEACE they were not interested because they are scorned to the bone hypocrites....no loss DD we have a good group on FR and that is why we all come back here...
DD-I'm off tonight going to a Basketball game, hope that you have an awesome weekend! don't forget the pic!
Great week here on FR!!!
Hugs!
I'm teaching a class this weekend... I rather fly.
Have fun at the game and we'll see you soon1
I'd agree with this study, although it's oh so obvious that Schooly-D was a musical genius.
call me......write me....left message in your mail box...and left message on phone...don't forget about me......
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