Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Like a Pro: End The Hate

Anyone who regularly reads my blog, or even those who just dip in once and a while, will be able to attest to the fact that I am not afraid to speak my mind and that write how I truly feel. Some people call it complaining, but usually a lot of people agree with it. If they don’t, at least it creates a discussion. With the end of the semester rapidly approaching, there has been a lot going on around campus. However, there has been one thing this year that has annoyed me more than anything—more than overpaid school coaches, more than UNH Dining, more than unjust school-employee releases, more than Stephenson Billings (props to anyone who understood that last reference), and yes even more than that immature crybaby Dave “El Presidente” Portnoy.

It is the amount of hate on this campus.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not some super-liberal hippy; I am actually pretty much independent when it comes to politics. I am not calling for every student to link arms, share a joint and sing “Kumbaya” or “Give Peace a Chance” on Thompson Hall Lawn. I am simply wondering why so many people have so much hate built up inside of them. If those songs do not make sense to you maybe “Where is the Love?” by the Black Eyed Peas will. How is that for a middle-school jam reference? If you understood that song reference and not the first two you should probably stop reading now.

The best example of this hate is the attitude so many people on this campus have about SCOPE. SCOPE is the Students Committee On Popular Entertainment at UNH and they are in charge of booking large-scale concerts for students. I know what some of you are thinking, and yes I have disagreed with SCOPE in the past, but it was always in an understanding manner. For example, I really do not like Akon and I was upset when SCOPE booked him, but I completely understand why they did, given his popularity.

When SCOPE announced MGMT for their spring climax show, they were instantly bombarded with disapproving comments, to put it lightly. Many students were also ecstatic, and that was shown by the fact that the show sold out in just four hours. This led to another problem—students called out SCOPE and MGMT for not wanting to play at the Whittemore Center. When SCOPE announced the Girl Talk show would also be in the Field House, uninformed students once again blasted them. Well, here’s some breaking news for those students—the Whittemore Center is actually unavailable due to renovations. Now will someone please tell me how that is SCOPE’s fault? Even if the Whittemore Center was available, it would cost twice as much as it would to rent as the Field House, and SCOPE has a strict budget to stick to.

I would also like to add that I am so happy Girl Talk is on May 7, the same day as Sam Adams. Take that, Stoolapalooza. Have fun with 250 people crammed in Libby’s basement. The rest of campus will be in the Field House watching an artist who is actually known outside of New England. If Stoolapalooza really “trumps the Beatles,” as Dave “El Presidente” Portnoy so eloquently put it, then I think it would cost more than $28 a ticket. Last I checked, Paul McCartney, who happens to be a big fan of MGMT, pulls in over $100 a ticket. Let’s take this a step further. For $28 I could see Sam Adams in Libby’s basement, or for $35 I could have seen Akon in the Whittemore Center, MGMT and Girl Talk in the Field House and Titus Andronicus—via MUSO (the Memorial Union Student Organization)—in the Granite State Room. Yeah, I’ll take UNH student organizations for the win.

I think this has been a great year for student entertainment organizations like SCOPE and MUSO. They combined to cover most major genres of music and I think it is safe to say there has truly been something for everyone. If they only booked rap artists a lot of the campus would have been left out. If they only booked bands, the other half would have been left out. Sadly, they will probably never get the respect that they actually deserve. Remember, no one’s taste in music is “right.” Good music is solely opinion. Just because you don’t like someone doesn’t mean that they suck and everyone else should hate them too. This is why I propose that next year SCOPE and MUSO combine for a truly epic Spring Climax weekend. Imagine the possibilities.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

PS: Speaking of MUSO I meet their student music director, Tim King, this past weekend. He seemed like a really chill kid and he also has a blog. He used to hate us, but now he doesn't. Be sure to check his blog out.

13 comments:

  1. I could not agree more!

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  2. Please Hampshirite, don't hurt 'em.

    Seriously though, I liked this a lot.

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  3. Very good "Like A Pro" this week. I agree, SCOPE + MUSO + WUNH (eh? shameless plug...) would be epic.

    Also, the first lines I see on Tim's blog:

    "Okay ready? Here's the million dollar question: you gotta marry one, fuck one, and kill one. Lady Gaga, Megan Fox, and Ke$ha. GO!"

    The "chill" is spurting blood down my computer screen, flowing to the tune of junky pop music.

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  4. "Remember, no one’s taste in music is “right.” Good music is solely opinion. Just because you don’t like someone doesn’t mean that they suck and everyone else should hate them too."

    word.

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  5. @Spencer Watkins

    But the important thing is that we tricked you into looking at it. Sucker.

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  6. I agree with your comments on El Pres, but to say that Girl Talk is more well known that Sam Adams in ridiculous.

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  7. Dude, you can't be serious? Girl Talk has remixed major artists, performed internationally, and put out multiple albums. "Feed the Animals" was the #4 album of 2008 according to Rolling Stone, but, yeah some local rapper with a garage band iTunes album is waaaay bigger.

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  8. Okay do not get my wrong I love this post; however I feel this is really repetitive and unoriginal. What I mean by this, basically all of it is common sense and that you're just writing about it. I feel this is old news. It's pretty obvious some kids are less than thrilled with both organizations and that they do their best. I feel like if you're going to write about these orgs again and have the same repetitiveness than don't bother. How about next time write about future prospects with examples etc. Maybe join an org? I know its has been mentioned (I've read), but I think a post more focused on that would provide more various reader feedback.

    Just saying. Again, good post completely agree.

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  9. @ anonymous posting 2:42pm

    you are an absolute moron. girltalk blows up the college scene. girltalk blows up the festival scene.
    bonaroo 2009 - 80,000+ in attendance
    coachella 2009 - 150,000+ in attendance

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  10. @tk

    Mhm, I've been fooled. "Chill" just wasn't the first thing that popped into my head when I read your post is all I'm saying.

    @ladymeow

    "One man's filth is another man's treasure", i agree, lady gaga might not be my cup of tea, but she's got talent, style, creativity and smarts where other pop artists come up short, and that's probably why a boatload of people love what she does. But K$sha? C'mon now, it's junk every way you look at it.

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  11. You write an article about ending the hate yet that's just about all your column does.... Get over yourself.

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  12. I love that you're opinionated & not wishy-washy...don't ever change :)

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