Thousands of years ago, back before the advancements we’ve collectively made today, I studied Sports Science at college. It was a simpler time indeed.
We studied all kinds of aspects of sporting performance and I had a great time investigating topics I was interested in and one which comes to mind at the moment is about psychology.
More and more, we’re seeing how important it is to control your mind as well as your body in sports performance at the highest level but it’s true for all of us mere mortals as well. Bjorn Borg had ice in his veins when playing which stood in direct contrast to John McEnroe who was practically foaming at the mouth but they each used their very different temperaments to achieve success. The ‘problem’ would come if you tried to get one to act like the other and expect the same results.
Examples were given of how cricketers should play themselves in at the beginning of the innings rather than going for the huge shot straight out of the gate, but that could mean that the player is going against their natural instincts. If the first ball needs hitting for six, should we just let it go? The more mercurial players who never managed to play for their countries anywhere near as many times as their club performance would have suggested because they weren’t able to fit a specific system. They could have been what was needed but the way they played just wasn’t aligned with supposedly conventional thought.
And this brings me to my topic for the day. What if you don’t agree with everyone else?
When the Twilight books first came out, they flew off the shelves despite the question marks over the narrative and the same was true for the unofficial spin off, Fifty Shades of Grey. I was working in an Amazon warehouse at that time and that book was being moved by the pallet load every day despite a very large volume of dislike. People seemingly thought that it was less than impressive but there are lots of others who’d go to war for it.
I’ve loved the book 1984 since I first read it while I was doing my English Literature A-Level and it’s widely regarded as being one of the greatest books ever written but that doesn’t mean that everyone is guaranteed to like it. You may read it and just not see what everyone else can. It doesn’t mean that you’re wrong, just that this particular story wasn’t your cup of tea.
Have you got a song that just grinds your gears? Mine is ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor. I’ve got no specific reason either, but the collections of notes adds up to nastiness for me. Now I know that ‘everyone’ thinks that it’s a great song but for me, they’re all wrong.
Now in these cases, you could be able to appreciate the technical aspects of what you read or hear but it’s that emotional connection that doesn’t land. If that’s the case, it could be objectively the best book ever written but for you subjectively, without that emotional connection, not so much.
Objectivity is something which is based on facts and subjectivity is more individual and fluid, so when it comes to books, songs, or films, someone could feel the opposite to the way they’re supposed to on a specific piece and you know what, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s our opinion after all so why not? We like what we like. If we all think the same way on every possible piece of art it could make the world a very boring place.
Gravity and evolution are facts but liking a particular book or song are far more personal and even the experts sometimes have a somewhat ‘off’ opinion on something, as the review below highlights.
Let’s all enjoy what we enjoy and not put too much derision on those who don’t like the things they’re supposed to.
Stay safe all.
Owen Elgie 