If we are what we eat, do we also become what we hear?

Our moms taught us that we are what we eat. Vegetables are better for us than McDonalds, and fresh fruit better than gummy worms. But, do the things we ingest with our ears affect us? Does our daily diet of music, lyrics and rhythms, influence us? What did you bop into work listening to this morning? How was your driving?

A recent New York Times article, “A Generation’s Vanity, Heard Through Lyrics” makes the claim that our culture has become more narcissistic and hostile. According to the article, “… after a computer analysis of three decades of hit songs, Dr. DeWall and other psychologists report finding what they were looking for: a statistically significant trend toward narcissism and hostility in popular music.”

At first, this doesn’t seem too surprising. Most of us are aware that iPads, iPods and iBooks are all focused on the “I” of the individual. But what was interesting was the indirect correlation the authors of the study made; that narcissism increased anger, depression, loneliness, hostility and hate.

“During this period (the three decades of music studied) there have also been reports of higher levels of loneliness and depression - which may be no coincidence, according to the authors of the song-lyrics study. These researchers… note that narcissism has been linked to heightened anger and problems maintaining relationships. Their song-lyrics analysis shows a decline in words related to social connections and positive emotions (like “love” or “sweet”) and an increase in words related to anger and antisocial behavior (like “hate” or “kill”).”

So, what’s in your iPod right now? What are your kids listening to? You know that a daily diet of fast food increases your chances of heart attack, stroke and other illnesses. What if you knew that a daily dose of musical narcissism could increase your chances of depression, anxiety, loneliness and anger? Would you still listen to it? Would you let your kids?

Of course this is making more of the research than it intends. The article and research doesn’t demonstrate a direct cause and effect relationship. It simply is making the observation that musical lyrics have increased in narcissistic and hostile language over time along with reported feelings of depression and loneliness. But my job as a pastor is to wonder about these connections for the sake of the health of our soul and spirit. If we are what we eat, do we also become what we hear?

If you shop locally, and strive for a more holistic diet, one place you might consider dining musically is your church. If you read carefully and listen closely you’ll notice that most churches focus is external to the individual. Hymns often focus on God’s will, God’s hopes, and God’s dreams. Humanity is often portrayed as being reliant on God’s good will, and reliant on one another. Individuals are often described as being in need of forgiveness, compassion, love, community and care. Jesus message in a nutshell has always been, “Love God, and love neighbor” a focus external to the self, and concentrated on care for others.

I know that church can often feel like eating your vegetables. I know I’m guilty myself of preaching more than my share of less than fulfilling sermons. However, one place I feel confident pointing to for an alternative to the cultural bias toward selfishness is your local church. Hymns, liturgies, and prayers, that pull us beyond our own internal gaze can be found in fresh locally grown supply, along with fulfilling, real, and meaningful relationships that look toward service, and giving as central ingredients.

Certainly there are other places to find music and activities with themes that aren’t narcissistic. Hopefully your musical diet includes some of these choices. At the very least maybe you’ll be more aware of the words that you and your kids bop along to while on the road. Come to think of it, maybe someone should do a study on musical choices in the car and road rage!

Pastor Scott

Pastor Scott is the senior pastor at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. He’s a part-time golfer, poor water-skier, owner of a dog-named Luther, frequent consumer of fine Hopkins dining, board member at Resource West and volunteer Hopkins Police Chaplain. Shepherd of the Hills is an ELCA congregation located at 500 Blake Road South and on the web at www.sothchurch.com

For the full New York Times Article: www.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/science/26tier.html