I don’t believe that this is a good TED talk. Some of the points are very logical and would help create a better environment for musicians to grow and flourish. However, there are some points she made that are utterly ridiculous. Music is extremely important, but music shouldn’t be a catalyst for the rebuilding of a society. Music cant be forced, great, meaningful music will be brought into the world organically when the time is right. This has been since the dawn of music, and should be till the end. Forcing music to be the structure for a new society can bring to light the problems that music can also bring along. Being a creative is hard, making it your livelihood is even harder. The risk of being unsuccessful is what creates the great music we know and love. If everyone can make music, it may never be the same again.
First I will start with the points I do agree on. At the start of the video she says “city’s don’t do anything in particular for magic to happen”. This is completely correct. However, this phrase destroys the whole concept of the talk. If city’s don’t do anything in particular for great music to surface, then why change the way music is presented in todays society. Everyone will always need music, we know that. So why change the structure of a city to cater for it? Music has grown organically since the dawn of time, why change it now. She also states that “music is more than hits”, this I agree with as well. Although this is a great point, I believe hits are necessary to creating a “Music City”. THe music being created needs to have a wider influence to be able to draw attention to the city in question. They are the points of the video that i thought were very well thought out.
Now we move on to the points I thought were not well thought out. Starting of with “the city NEEDS a receptive and engaging audience”. Music is an art, and art is solely based on personal preference. There is no way of artificially creating a receptive audience, if people like the music, they like it. If they don’t, well, they don’t. People will only support and engage in things that either like or are connected to. If a track or an album isn’t great, people are not likely to support it. Music is subjective, it can not be forced onto people. She also mentions the idea of “free transport and affordable housing” for musicians. THis is the point that really turned me off the video. Yes these things should 100% be available, but why are we doing this now and only for musicians? What about the single mother who works countless hours a week and still can’t afford to pay rent? THey are the reason we should be aiming for affordable housing. Not for someone who thinks they deserve a certain life because they are a musician.
I wish being a musician was easier, believe me. Me and many other people around me have seen the struggle, but its the risk you take when you enter the industry. I don’t believe there is a way we can create a music city. I truly believe it happens organically.