--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I listen to things that are popular and…" description: "\"I listen to things that are popular and try to think about it in a mathematical way.\" — Stephen Malkmus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/stephen-malkmus-2984_about_i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and_1483159.png" --- # I listen to things that are popular and try to think about… ![“I listen to things that are popular and try to think about it in a mathematical way.” quote by Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/stephen-malkmus-2984_about_i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and_1483159.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/stephen-malkmus-2984_about_i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and_1483159.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/stephen-malkmus-2984_about_i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and_1483159.png) > “I listen to things that are popular and try to think about it in a mathematical way.” [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He evaluates popular culture through analytical, quantitative lenses, seeking underlying patterns. **In simple terms:** He thinks about trends mathematically. Key Takeaway Apply analytical thinking to media. Themes culture analysis creativity Mood curious analytical Type observational introspective When to use this quote - media consumption - trend forecasting - creative brainstorming Key Concepts quantitative reasoning pattern recognition Questions to Reflect On - How does math change your perception of art? - What patterns do you see in popular songs? A Different Perspective May overlook emotional or contextual nuances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not in the business of adapting things that are popular for the sake of just getting it on the screen. I think there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-esmail/i-m-not-in-the-business-of-adapting-things-that-are-popular-for-the/) [Sam Esmail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-esmail/) > [I've always enjoyed things that are popular,I mean, obviously, there are plenty of things that are popular that I hate. But when something like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-benson/i-ve-always-enjoyed-things-that-are-popular-i-mean-obviously-there/) [Doug Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-benson/) > [Hey, I was one of those hip-hop kids who used to hate on things that would become popular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taboo/hey-i-was-one-of-those-hip-hop-kids-who-used-to-hate-on-things-that/) [Taboo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taboo/) > [The things that have been most popular with people have always been a total surprise, and so I've never felt like I could really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/the-things-that-have-been-most-popular-with-people-have-always-been-a/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [Things that are very popular are not taken seriously, because the snobbish side of one says, "Well, if everyone likes it it can't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/things-that-are-very-popular-are-not-taken-seriously-because-the/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [I'm very into familiar things, popular things. I'm into things that no one seems to know about or be into. I'm trying to draw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/i-m-very-into-familiar-things-popular-things-i-m-into-things-that-no/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [You can't help hearing things that are popular when you're young and impressionable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tong/you-can-t-help-hearing-things-that-are-popular-when-you-re-young-and/) [Matt Tong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tong/) > [Every poor designer can go with things that are popular at the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oleg-cassini/every-poor-designer-can-go-with-things-that-are-popular-at-the-moment/) [Oleg Cassini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oleg-cassini/) > [I think everyone's inherently snobbish. Things that are very popular are not taken seriously, because the snobbish side of one says, 'Well, if everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-think-everyone-s-inherently-snobbish-things-that-are-very-popular/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [Is it popular to pay our debts, to do justice, to defend the injured and insulted country, to protect the aged and the infant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/is-it-popular-to-pay-our-debts-to-do-justice-to-defend-the-injured/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [When things become too popular they are always fading away for something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/when-things-become-too-popular-they-are-always-fading-away-for/) [Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/) > [I have a diverse audience, which is great, because I like doing things that are a bit more obscure, and I love doing things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-beaton/i-have-a-diverse-audience-which-is-great-because-i-like-doing-things/) [Kate Beaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-beaton/) > [If you look at things that are popular apps, it doesn't mean it's going to stick around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/if-you-look-at-things-that-are-popular-apps-it-doesn-t-mean-it-s/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [I like to know why a video has suddenly gone viral, why a song has broken, why a TV show is suddenly rating out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/i-like-to-know-why-a-video-has-suddenly-gone-viral-why-a-song-has/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) > [Too many leaders try to do a little bit of 25 things and get nothing done. They are very popular because they always say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/too-many-leaders-try-to-do-a-little-bit-of-25-things-and-get-nothing/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) ## More by Stephen Malkmus > ['Silence Kid' starts with a broken classic-rock intro. It's funny to hear us do that. Obviously, we weren't skillful rock stars. Then it's spinning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/silence-kid-starts-with-a-broken-classic-rock-intro-it-s-funny-to/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [What producers did was mostly recording in the studio, so it never changed our sound just that much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/what-producers-did-was-mostly-recording-in-the-studio-so-it-never/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [I'm better when I'm an autodidact and things just come. Or you're just blessed. I'm not bragging or anything, it just comes to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-m-better-when-i-m-an-autodidact-and-things-just-come-or-you-re-just/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [Men are men and women are women, but the men are dumber than the women, usually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/men-are-men-and-women-are-women-but-the-men-are-dumber-than-the-women/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [I am good at just looking in the kitchen and getting stuff on the table and keeping the mess minimal. There's an art to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-am-good-at-just-looking-in-the-kitchen-and-getting-stuff-on-the/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [ Traditionally, when we lived here \[in Portland\], we have a record player in the living room, and there's lots of stuff playing, all different… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/traditionally-when-we-lived-here-in-portland-we-have-a-record-player/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [The word "down," is very musical. It just always comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/the-word-down-is-very-musical-it-just-always-comes/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [I'm more into describing a scenario and I move around in that scenario.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-m-more-into-describing-a-scenario-and-i-move-around-in-that-scenario/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [I like visual imagery in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-like-visual-imagery-in-my-head/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [I'll cover just about anything - except for a Kid Rock song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-ll-cover-just-about-anything-except-for-a-kid-rock-song/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [“I cannot do even one sit-up / Sit-ups are so bourgeoisie.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-cannot-do-even-one-sit-up-sit-ups-are-so-bourgeoisie/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [I like a narrative, even if it's fractured, or kind of psychedelic. But my favorite thing is if I hear words and I close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-like-a-narrative-even-if-it-s-fractured-or-kind-of-psychedelic-but/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [Freddie Gray was a story I followed closer than others, for whatever reason, in this larger narrative of police brutality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/freddie-gray-was-a-story-i-followed-closer-than-others-for-whatever/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [We're not on a desperate mission to write chart compatible stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/we-re-not-on-a-desperate-mission-to-write-chart-compatible-stuff/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [I'm not dying for things to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-m-not-dying-for-things-to-say/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) [Explore all 143 Stephen Malkmus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) Browse all 26,122 About quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I listen to things that are popular and try to think about it in a mathematical way.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Malkmus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and-try-to-think-about-it-in-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and-try-to-think-about-it-in-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/stephen-malkmus-2984_about_i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and_1483159.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/stephen-malkmus-2984_about_i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and_1483159.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/stephen-malkmus-2984_about_i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and_1483159.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I listen to things that are popular and try to think about it in a mathematical way.” — Stephen Malkmus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen Malkmus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I listen to things that are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and-try-to-think-about-it-in-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-listen-to-things-that-are-popular-and-try-to-think-about-it-in-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```