Originally posted by: SiriuslySujal
I believe there is a definite conflict between the claim that this forum promotes freedom of speech and the concept of a no comparisons rule.
For instance, one of my favourite bands is a female-fronted symphonic metal outfit called Nightwish. I love the music they produced up until 2005, when they fired their lead singer in an extremely unceremonious way. There was drama, and people thought the band was pretty much over. However, the band persevered and, after a 2-year hunt, hired a singer who was the polar opposite of the original singer. 6 years on, she too has parted ways with the band, and they have been using a fairly famous temporary stand-in singer in order to complete their world tour.
From the moment the second singer came in, everyone was comparing the two. Now, with a third singer in the mix, things are even crazier. Go to any Nightwish live video on YouTube, and the discussion will be about who is the best singer of the three. People have made 'duet' videos of songs by combining live versions sung by the different singers. There are a billion comparison videos and a billion arguments on the technical aspects of each singer's renditions of particular songs. And why on earth shouldn't there be? What's the worst thing that can happen if someone makes a comparison? Another person can take offence and argue back, there'll be a tiff, and both parties will move on with their lives afterwards. Freedom of discussion is healthy and should be encouraged. In the case of Nightwish, upon hearing singer 2 or singer 3 sing a song that was originally sung by singer 1, it is only natural for me to remember singer 1's rendition and talk about who I believe is better and why. Singers 2 and 3 are not stupid - they both knew upon signing up for the job that such comparisons were inevitable. I'm sure Toral knows this too. Why, then, does this forum seem to consider itself above such a basic and natural instinct? I'm sorry, but I just do not get it.