Re: [microsound] a microsound issue

[Aaron Ximm <ghede@xxxxxxxx>]

>   I guess the basic idea is that in my current political world (current day
> US), listening (as an act) is incarcerated by the state.  Of course,

I believe it's difficult to make a case that it *is* constrained.  (Well,
there's the pirate radio question...)

Representated as such, I could agree with ~ but I'd like to see a review
and analysis of, say, imagery and language in a particular domain.

My own experience suggests the opposite: I with my walkman + headphones +
means of recording + means of mass distribution is about as 'emancipated'
as you can get. (Though I was recently chastized and nearly thrown out of
a casino for 'illicit' recording).

Hmmm, I wrote this with "I" meaning "us" but there's a sense in which I
meaning me makes it stronger: I'm personally interested in recording,
listening to, and reproducing any and all sounds [albeit constrained by my
aesthetics which range only so far from the safe].

Also: IMHO I think it's a mistake to (as is the fashion) use litcrit
locutions -- particular metaphors -- without explicitly backing off from
them, so as to give the marrow of truth in consensus reality its due.

E.g., it's cute to look at conventional notation as if it was a depiction
of prison bars, but silly to not recognize that as a formal symbol system
it was optimized to convey information;  or to say that concert halls are
prisons for music, but not recognize that in the absence of mechanical
reproduction or broadcast it was a fine way to bring (high production
value) music to (more) people.

At the risk of sounding old fashioned:  analysis is significant and
revelatory in direct proportion to its rigor and clarity.

All this said: I think you might have an interesting area of exploration
here, just take it slow and keep it grounded.

Best,

 aaron

  ghede@xxxxxxxx
  http://www.quietamerican.org