There is a certain superior kind of person who is frequently fond of making scandalous remarks in order to appear unconventional and witty with the equally frequent consequence of appearing merely impertinently conspicuous. He insists upon being decidedly disagreeable - solely counting upon the possibility that the contrary opinion will often prove to be the correct one. While this is found to be so in the general case (and all generalizations are of course, false, not excluding this particular one) when given that most of those who are party to an argument participate in it merely on account of a habitual inclination towards exercising their vocal chords rather than a genuine desire for expressing original opinions, one would err to rely entirely on it if he wishes to maintain credibility.

When the topic under discussion is music for instance, this superior person will be found waxing eloquent in resolute criticism of artistes the public in general considers as being masters of their art. He will further extol upon the virtues of other, sometimes lesser known equivalents, who in his opinion are better deserving of the public adulation. Now, it goes without saying that we live in an unfair world where all too frequently factors that have little to do with music or with ones proficiency in it are the factors that in the end contribute towards an artiste's success (success by popular definition that is). It is certainly tragic that deserving practitioners are often not paid their due. That is however no justification for the vilification of artistes who do become successful on account of genuine musical ability.

It is the bane of mankind (and sometimes a blessing too!) to occasionally err. An artiste in this respect is no different. But to seize upon such instances paying little attention to all of their other innumerable successes is, to say the least, being shockingly myopic apart from also being a dreadful display of lack of compassion.

Appreciation of music, in my opinion, demands a certain kind of open mindedness that is willing to acknowledge excellence where it is found. If the patron is unable to influence mediocrity in a positive manner then he would do well to ignore it. Now, this is not to be mistaken as an appeal for toleration of incompetence (as might happen if you were made to put up with my singing for instance); merely that a greater display of compassion is in order when considering brilliant but fallible priests of that most divine of art forms - music!