Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Scarcity drives demand
The ban on certain types of music may only serve to increase interest.a
Letters
November 9, 2022

Scarcity drives demand

Dear Editor,

Does music actually influence societal behaviour — especially in what may be called underprivileged communities — or vice versa? Or is the question even relevant here?

The familiar moot as to whether reggae in particular influences criminal behaviour and loose morals has had a recent resurgence following the Broadcasting Commission’s ban on questionable lyrics from the airwaves.

There is, apparently, a polarity of views on this subject, yet one is not sure if music is detachable from the society it claims to mirror or society from music. I suppose the monstrosities appearing in the nation and in the music are emerging from one body with two separate heads, each surviving by virtue of the other’s existence.

Therefore, it is obvious that the proliferation in violent and indecent lyrics is only a function of supply and demand. Economics could force a decent person to immolate his or her principles in order to attain financial ease or independence. Life has become an immoral game in which both the seller and the buyer are equally corrupt.

The warped nature of the society is such that banning and restraining a product could serve to shoot up its value in the eyes of the consumer, as happened in the US decades ago when alcoholic beverages were banned. The appetite for alcohol escalated among consumers, who risked their freedom to buy it.

So if there is a revolt against disgusting sounds assaulting the ears of innocent citizens, both sellers and buyers are equally culpable. The problem lies, therefore, not in the products on the market but the reasons for the market boom.

Homer Sylvester

Mount Vernon, New York

h2sylvester@gmail.com

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

New strikes as Trump warns Iran will pay for US troop deaths
International News, Latest News
New strikes as Trump warns Iran will pay for US troop deaths
July 20, 2026
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump warned Iran on Monday that it would pay "many times over" for every American soldier ki...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Card, Douglas named to contest sprint doubles at World U20 Champs
Latest News, Sports
Card, Douglas named to contest sprint doubles at World U20 Champs
July 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — National Under-20 record holders Gary Card and Shanoya Douglas have been named to contest their respective male and female sprint ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
FOP brings education, health and culture into focus for 2026 homecoming
Latest News, News
FOP brings education, health and culture into focus for 2026 homecoming
July 20, 2026
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Friends of Porus Association (FOP) is preparing to welcome residents, returning alumni and members of the Jamaican diaspora ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica’s maternal mortality ratio 150.3 per 100,000 live births in 2024, says PIOJ
Latest News, News
Jamaica’s maternal mortality ratio 150.3 per 100,000 live births in 2024, says PIOJ
July 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting that Jamaica’s maternal mortality ratio was 150.3 per 100,000 live births in...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Male condoms continue to be contraceptive of choice for Jamaicans – PIOJ
Latest News, News
Male condoms continue to be contraceptive of choice for Jamaicans – PIOJ
July 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica —Male condoms continued to be the contraceptive of choice for Jamaicans in 2025, accounting for 83.2  per cent of overall distributi...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Thousands welcome home Argentina squad, without Messi, despite World Cup loss
Football, Latest News, Sports, ...
Thousands welcome home Argentina squad, without Messi, despite World Cup loss
July 20, 2026
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — Thousands of fans braved the cold and rain Monday to give a rapturous welcome to the Argentine football squad who land...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica received more than 1,300 deportees in 2025, says PIOJ
Latest News, News
Jamaica received more than 1,300 deportees in 2025, says PIOJ
July 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A total of 1,317 Jamaicans were returned to the country as deportees in 2025, a more than 140 per cent increase when compared to t...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Forex: $159.48 to one US dollar
Latest News, News
Forex: $159.48 to one US dollar
July 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Monday, July 20, ended at $159.48, down by two cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily ex...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct