Most restaurants, stores, and other public places we have gone into on our journey have had piped-in music. I would say at least three-quarters of it has been “Classic ’70s – ‘80s.” On successive nights at different restaurants we have heard the same songs—the restaurants must be using the same Muzak channel. Yes, did you know that Muzak now offers not just their old soul-slaying instrumentals but over 40 channels of bad music?

As a philosopher and music lover I question the ethics of forcing people to listen to music. I of course acknowledge the wonderful benefits of music to help one relax, work, and otherwise better enjoy life. As owner of WorldFusionRadio.com I love sharing my favorite music with people. But it would be wrong, everywhere and under every circumstance to try and force someone to listen to my music. So how can it be okay for businesses to force us to listen to their music? We have laws in restaurants to prevent people from being forced to breathe secondhand smoke—so why shouldn’t “secondhand music” also be banned?

Besides, who decreed that everyone likes to listen to “Classic ’70s – ‘80s?” One constant I have noticed in my life is that the music of 20-30 years ago—called “Oldies” or “Classic” in the radio biz—is played everywhere as “safe.” Certainly some people today do want to hear The Cars, Journey, or Fleetwood Mac. But that’s what iPods are for—to program your music and hear what you want. Or there is the Classic Rock radio format where Corporate Radio will play you the same 50-60 songs every day just in case you haven’t tired of hearing them every day for the past 20-30 years. But why this belief that everyone should like the same thing? People aren’t all the same, despite the Corporate Media’s incessant attempts to make them that way.

I know my musical taste is very off-beat but I don’t think I am alone in not wanting to be forced to hear mainstream pabulum. Whether it is Muzak, a Sirius/XM music channel, the local country music station, or even a proprietor-chosen CD, it should not be forced on people. Occasionally, I notice someone in person or print criticize the younger generations for “blocking out the world” with their iPods. Well, I know why they have their iPods on: they want to listen to their music, not yours. I see someone listening to their iPod and I see not someone zoning out but someone taking control over their sound environment. Power to the people!