I'm Fed Up With Arguments Over The "Greatest" Or "Favorite"

[Superhorn]

   Arguing  whether  this  or  that  composer  or  piece  is  the  greatest  are  so  futile  and  pointless.  I'm  sick  and  tired  of  them.  Or  whether  this  or  that  conductor,  violinist,  pianist, or  singer  or  recording  is  the  "greatest".
   I  don't  mind  people  saying  they  prefer  composer  X  to  composer  Y,  or  symphony  X  to  symphony  Y,  or  that  they  consider  Caruso  a  greater  tenor  than  Pavarotti,  or  prefer  Bernstein's  Mahler  to  conductor  X's. 
   But  I  reject  than  notion  that   any  one  or  any  thing  is  THE  greatest.  Bach,  Beethoven  and  Mozart  are  certainly  among  the  greatest  composers,  but   neither  they  nor  any  one  else  are  the  greatest.
   The  problem  is  that we  tend  to  equate  the  most  famous  with  the greatest. Jascha  Heifetz  is  probably  the  most  famous  violinist of  the  20th  century,  and  Horowitz  probably  the  most  famous  pianist,  but  they  aren't  the  greatest.  There  are  many  other  violinists  and pianists  who  were  and  are  equally  great  or  even  greater
   Maybe  these  sentiments  are  just  mine.  I  don't  have  a  favorite  composer,  or  favorite  work  by  any  particular  composer;  to  me  it's  impossible  to choose  favorites.  There's  just  so  much  music  I  love.
   I  do  prefer  some  composers  or  some  individual  works  to  others,  but  I just  can't  pick a  favorite  of  anything.
   It's  the  same  with  other  things  for  me. I don't  have  one  favorite  food,  or  beverage,  or  book, film,  television  program, painting, sculpture  ,
poem,  novel  or  short story. And  I have never  been  able  to  understand  people  having  a  favorite  color.  I like  all colors.
   

[karlhenning]

And  I have never  been  able  to  understand  people  having  a  favorite  color.  I like  all colors.

That was probably Sir Galahad's problem at the Bridge of Death . . . .

[not edward]

This is the greatest thread ever!

[Todd]

An internet forum may not be the best place for you, Superhorn.

[UB]

This is the greatest thread ever!

I disagree Edward. Your choice shows you have absolutely no taste when it comes to discussing threads. I know that the "I have turned 1" is the greatest thread ever.

[Dundonnell]

   Arguing  whether  this  or  that  composer  or  piece  is  the  greatest  are  so  futile  and  pointless.  I'm  sick  and  tired  of  them.  Or  whether  this  or  that  conductor,  violinist,  pianist, or  singer  or  recording  is  the  "greatest".
   I  don't  mind  people  saying  they  prefer  composer  X  to  composer  Y,  or  symphony  X  to  symphony  Y,  or  that  they  consider  Caruso  a  greater  tenor  than  Pavarotti,  or  prefer  Bernstein's  Mahler  to  conductor  X's. 
   But  I  reject  than  notion  that   any  one  or  any  thing  is  THE  greatest.  Bach,  Beethoven  and  Mozart  are  certainly  among  the  greatest  composers,  but   neither  they  nor  any  one  else  are  the  greatest.
   The  problem  is  that we  tend  to  equate  the  most  famous  with  the greatest. Jascha  Heifetz  is  probably  the  most  famous  violinist of  the  20th  century,  and  Horowitz  probably  the  most  famous  pianist,  but  they  aren't  the  greatest.  There  are  many  other  violinists  and pianists  who  were  and  are  equally  great  or  even  greater
   Maybe  these  sentiments  are  just  mine.  I  don't  have  a  favorite  composer,  or  favorite  work  by  any  particular  composer;  to  me  it's  impossible  to choose  favorites.  There's  just  so  much  music  I  love.
   I  do  prefer  some  composers  or  some  individual  works  to  others,  but  I just  can't  pick a  favorite  of  anything.
   It's  the  same  with  other  things  for  me. I don't  have  one  favorite  food,  or  beverage,  or  book, film,  television  program, painting, sculpture  ,
poem,  novel  or  short story. And  I have never  been  able  to  understand  people  having  a  favorite  color.  I like  all colors.
   

I agree with you but I really don't think that such threads are intended to be taken so seriously! Are they?

[The Six]

       Yeah    it's      weird    isn't   it    .      Enough     of      t h e s  e  t  h r  e  a   d s .

[karlhenning]

This is my favorite thread.

[prémont]

"Greatness" is one of those terms, which are absolutely relative.

[Kullervo]

[Szykneij]

This is my favorite thread.

I disagree.

[Brian]

I disagree.

[hornteacher]

Well I love lists, and superlatives, mainly because everyone's opinion is different.  If we take lists and polls with a grain of salt its much more fun.

[Bulldog]

    The  problem  is  that we  tend  to  equate  the  most  famous  with  the greatest. Jascha  Heifetz  is  probably  the  most  famous  violinist of  the  20th  century,  and  Horowitz  probably  the  most  famous  pianist,  but  they  aren't  the  greatest.  There  are  many  other  violinists  and pianists  who  were  and  are  equally  great  or  even  greater

You are doing the same thing you're railing against - making pronouncements about who's the best or among the best.

Let's clear up one thing.  This board is just a hobby, and the offering of opinions about the best recording or pianist does nothing to disturb the Planet.  I'm confident that the type of threads you don't care for will continue being prevalent indefinitely.  What will you do about it?

[some guy]

Salt is the greatest thing ever. Aside from Mohammed Ali, of course. And this thread. And Beethoven. And Hilary Hahn.

Actually, come to think of it, salt's really not that great.

(Never mind.)

[Sef]

Greatest : highest in quality
Favourite: something regarded with special favour or liking

I think the real reason why some people have a problem with "greatest" is that by its very definition there is only one correct answer, and that if this answer is to be determined, two people having different views must argue (or discuss) with one view prevailing - which of course never happens!

Favourite, on the other hand, is an individual interpretation. You may call me an idiot for having a particular favourite, but there's nothing you can do to change my mind, and I'm certainly not wrong.

Therefore "favourite" is a "safer" alternative if you want to start a thread!

[drogulus]

Greatest : highest in quality
Favourite: something regarded with special favour or liking

I think the real reason why some people have a problem with "greatest" is that by its very definition there is only one correct answer, and that if this answer is to be determined, two people having different views must argue (or discuss) with one view prevailing - which of course never happens!

Favourite, on the other hand, is an individual interpretation. You may call me an idiot for having a particular favourite, but there's nothing you can do to change my mind, and I'm certainly not wrong.

Therefore "favourite" is a "safer" alternative if you want to start a thread!

     

     Favorite: The one you like above others.

     Greatest: Highest in quality.

     

     

     Q: Which Quality?

     A: The one you like above others.

[ChamberNut]

I love threads and polls with "What are your favorites?"  They're fun, and for newbies like myself, are a great way to be introduced to certain works.

There really can't be any arguments over your favorites, can there?  Only with your own self.   

[imperfection]

   Arguing  whether  this  or  that  composer  or  piece  is  the  greatest  are  so  futile  and  pointless.  I'm  sick  and  tired  of  them.  Or  whether  this  or  that  conductor,  violinist,  pianist, or  singer  or  recording  is  the  "greatest".
   I  don't  mind  people  saying  they  prefer  composer  X  to  composer  Y,  or  symphony  X  to  symphony  Y,  or  that  they  consider  Caruso  a  greater  tenor  than  Pavarotti,  or  prefer  Bernstein's  Mahler  to  conductor  X's. 
   But  I  reject  than  notion  that   any  one  or  any  thing  is  THE  greatest.  Bach,  Beethoven  and  Mozart  are  certainly  among  the  greatest  composers,  but   neither  they  nor  any  one  else  are  the  greatest.
   The  problem  is  that we  tend  to  equate  the  most  famous  with  the greatest. Jascha  Heifetz  is  probably  the  most  famous  violinist of  the  20th  century,  and  Horowitz  probably  the  most  famous  pianist,  but  they  aren't  the  greatest.  There  are  many  other  violinists  and pianists  who  were  and  are  equally  great  or  even  greater
   Maybe  these  sentiments  are  just  mine.  I  don't  have  a  favorite  composer,  or  favorite  work  by  any  particular  composer;  to  me  it's  impossible  to choose  favorites.  There's  just  so  much  music  I  love.
   I  do  prefer  some  composers  or  some  individual  works  to  others,  but  I just  can't  pick a  favorite  of  anything.
   It's  the  same  with  other  things  for  me. I don't  have  one  favorite  food,  or  beverage,  or  book, film,  television  program, painting, sculpture  ,
poem,  novel  or  short story. And  I have never  been  able  to  understand  people  having  a  favorite  color.  I like  all colors.
   

mmk.

[Lethevich]

Many people find it fun to make lists. I participate in some, but not others. For example, I could list some current favourite composers (with difficulty), but I am unable to state which composers I consider objectively greatest. Some people can do that, though, which I guess is fine too