Music: its impact on our daily lives
Posted by The Skyliner on November 11th, 2009Jordan Ecarma
Staff Writer
Music has long been a part of American culture. It has always been a measurement of what is popular at the moment, speaking about people’s interests, dreams and desires. Music can be very personal or pure escapism.
People listen to music constantly, yet may not realize how thoroughly it is incorporated into their lives. According to a survey by Veronis Stevenson in 2007 found in textbook Media Now, people spend 778 hours listening to radio and 186 hours listening to recorded music annually.
The amount of time invested in music by people today is astonishing. It is no surprise that music has always reflected society. But is music just music? Music is usually seen as a mere entertainment medium, something that can be heard without changing the listener. But sometimes the many subtle ways that music influences are not realized. Maybe it is time people understand that it is becoming part of who they are.
People need to be made aware of the power of music. The whole viewpoint on music in society needs to change. It has always been more than an entertainment medium and needs to be seen as such. Something that is so thoroughly incorporated into daily life cannot help but have a major impact.
Music is a simultaneous influence on and reflection of culture because of its incredible power over people. It can have negative effects, but its power can also be a positive thing. Christians today often give up on the music industry as a lost cause. But the very fact that it has such an impact on culture should be something that they should use to further what they believe. Music has incredible power over today’s culture, and most of what is heard today does not share the Christian worldview. Why should nonbelievers be the only ones who influence society this way?
The Christian music scene today does not have the impact it should. The reason for this is that its efforts often pale in comparison to the creativity of secular music.
“Christians should be the most original when it comes to music,” Dr. Rick Sparks, mass communication professor, said.
Instead of leaving the music scene to the rest of the world, Christians should use their God-given talent in music for his glory and to further the cause of Christianity.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 9