Note: I almost didn't write this entry for fear of experiencing that of which I write, but I'm going for it anyway and here's hoping.
It's a universal experience. It knows no economic or social barriers. No geographic boundaries. The pan flute players in the Andes experience the same effect as a Montana cowboy. It's that pesky melody that sticks in your head for what seems like an endless period of time. It's the earworm.
Did you know that mind numbing ditty had a name? I've not researched this topic so I can't vouch for the scientific credibility of the name -- sounds a tad Urban Dictionary -- but it certainly is descriptive, even borderline yucky.
Stay with me here. This topic, like a yawn, is highly suggestive and contagious. I know you're thinking of personal earworm incidents this very minute, but don't go there or you'll fall down the rabbit hole.
Earworms that enter our head from commercials are the worst. I don't mind spinning a Gershwin classic or maybe something from the Beatles songbook in my mental jukebox, but I really hate being sucked in by Madison Avenue jingles promoting booze and burgers.
And why can we both listen to the same music and it becomes an earworm for you and not me? Is it like the tornadoes that destroy one house on the block and others remain intact? Is it yet another totally random thing in life -- don't know how many more of those I can take -- or just freakin' luck.
The life cycle of an earworm varies from a few hours to the insanity creating few days. No cure is known for this malady but if some researcher comes up with one, he should be nominated for a Nobel Prize.
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