HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Can you judge a persons level of intelligence by what music they listen to ? Or how broad their taste is?

I always assume that people who listen to a lot of classical or jazz are the more intelligent people in society and the ones who listen to throw away pop are the plebs. I know it is stereotyping but i cant help it. Age has probably something to do with it too.

Stu

No.

Oh

I kind of know what you mean Stu, but just no.
I know and work with guys/girls who listen (imo) to the most god awful drivel, but are very cultured and intelligent individuals.
I think of all the things in life you can judge people with, music isn't one of them.
I mean, we like what we like and thats that.

Recent research with brain scans has shown that concentrated listening to music activates a large number of cerebral areas. Making music is possibly the most involving and complex operation that the human brain can perform.

Don't know if there is much correlation between intelligence and taste though.

It must be just me and i am obviously pissed and full of bollocks.

If i work at it maybe i could be the new Jammy ?

I think to answer the question, you have to define what you mean by intelligence. Is it the capability to solve puzzles? Or the ability to understand your own feelings and motivations and those of others? (To describe just two forms of intelligence: ratiocination and emotional intelligence.)
I don't know, and don't really have an opinion on the OP, but I do think it's an interesting question.

karatestu wrote:Can you judge a persons level of intelligence by what music they listen to ? Or how broad their taste is?

I always assume that people who listen to a lot of classical or jazz are the more intelligent people in society and the ones who listen to throw away pop are the

Not really; some intelligent people just don't like music that much, but I think people who listen to Bach played on harpsichords are generally reckoned to be in the genius class, because normal people such as myself can't bear to listen to it. A glance at peoples' bookshelves might be more revealing of their intelligence. (If they have no bookshelves, it's safe to assume they're dullards).

My music collection spans every genre from Monteverdi to american prison work songs and most things in between ,but i wouldn't say i was intelligent,more, just open minded.I also live in a house full of books and pictures, no wonder my head is a bit cluttered....

Almost certainly no correlation. However, what is much more interesting is the psychology of how we listen to recorded music . For example, for some people, pace, rhythm and timing are everything. For others, being able to unravel the elements with very transparent systems and pinpoint 3D imaging are more important. I tend to err towards the latter group whilst recognising the importance of some of the former.