Mother, My Valve!

If you have read "A Confederacy of Dunces" (which you should) this quote will have particular salience. If not, it's still something to think about, especially post-MTV generation.

"Music is a part of us, and either ennobles or degrades our behaviour." - Boethius

I find that I tend to gravitate toward the former and avoid the latter, but there is a relentless trend toward music that degrades us, and we tend to become desensitized to it rather rapidly. Who among us would say that the music of Elvis Presley is the "music of the devil" in the 21st century, especially compared to the spectacles of Marilyn Manson, rap music about crime, and Lady Gaga? (OK, I like Lady Gaga, I can't help it.)

That was my first thought when I read this quote; what about you?