4 ms·

You have a right to challenge the claim. I would say that he certainly has something. It appears that millions around the world enjoy(ed) listening to his music

You have a right to challenge the claim. I would say that he certainly has something. It appears that millions around the world enjoy(ed) listening to his music, watching his videos or going to his concerts. It's all in the eyes or ears of the beholder.

michaelmrose 8y ago
The fact that millions buy ANYTHING isn't much of an indication of quality in any area of human endeavor.
- tomhoward 8y ago
  Obviously, quality is a matter of personal taste. Kanye's material, particularly his recent stuff, isn't much to my taste. But I don't care who or what it is, when anyone sells millions of units of anything, it indicates something significant that can't just be hand-waved away with an empty dismissal.
  - michaelmrose 8y ago
    It's trivial to dismiss millions or billions of units of anything. McDonald's burgers are crap for example. Absolutely insane cults have millions of members. You haven't actually yet produced an argument as to why West is worth anything as an artist. Having produced zero useful arguments its pretty easy to dismiss nothing.
    - tomhoward 8y ago
      You’re entitled to view the world that way if you like! I'm drawn to pay attention to wildly popular things - especially the ones that aren’t to my taste - because it helps me to understand people and the world. It’s totally fine if you don’t want to do that :) FWIW, Kanye has won over 250 industry awards (not all of which were popularity-based), and has collaborated with several widely respected artists including Beyoncé and Paul McCartney. The Big Mac Index is regarded by serious economists as a meaningful economic indicator. Countless books and documentaries have been made about McDonalds. Cults/religions are about the most significant influence on culture for much of human history. People are fascinated enough about cults that documentaries, dramas and podcasts about Jonestown, Scientology, Branch Dividians and Rajneeshis have been consumed in vast numbers in just the past couple of years. I can pay attention to these phenomena and learn things about the world through them, without ever having bought a Kanye record, or consumed a McDonalds burger (at least not while sober) in 20 years, or set foot in a commune or even a church for the past 25 years aside from for the occasional wedding, funeral, or Christmas singalong. I, and many others, like to learn things about the world that way. You don’t? Thumbs up, we’re all good :)

michaelmrose 8y ago

The fact that millions buy ANYTHING isn't much of an indication of quality in any area of human endeavor.

tomhoward 8y ago
Obviously, quality is a matter of personal taste. Kanye's material, particularly his recent stuff, isn't much to my taste. But I don't care who or what it is, when anyone sells millions of units of anything, it indicates something significant that can't just be hand-waved away with an empty dismissal.
- michaelmrose 8y ago
  It's trivial to dismiss millions or billions of units of anything. McDonald's burgers are crap for example. Absolutely insane cults have millions of members. You haven't actually yet produced an argument as to why West is worth anything as an artist. Having produced zero useful arguments its pretty easy to dismiss nothing.
  - tomhoward 8y ago
    You’re entitled to view the world that way if you like! I'm drawn to pay attention to wildly popular things - especially the ones that aren’t to my taste - because it helps me to understand people and the world. It’s totally fine if you don’t want to do that :) FWIW, Kanye has won over 250 industry awards (not all of which were popularity-based), and has collaborated with several widely respected artists including Beyoncé and Paul McCartney. The Big Mac Index is regarded by serious economists as a meaningful economic indicator. Countless books and documentaries have been made about McDonalds. Cults/religions are about the most significant influence on culture for much of human history. People are fascinated enough about cults that documentaries, dramas and podcasts about Jonestown, Scientology, Branch Dividians and Rajneeshis have been consumed in vast numbers in just the past couple of years. I can pay attention to these phenomena and learn things about the world through them, without ever having bought a Kanye record, or consumed a McDonalds burger (at least not while sober) in 20 years, or set foot in a commune or even a church for the past 25 years aside from for the occasional wedding, funeral, or Christmas singalong. I, and many others, like to learn things about the world that way. You don’t? Thumbs up, we’re all good :)