The 30 Second Music Sample
I listen to a lot of music while I am writing or researching. Like most Americans I actually listen to music in some form every single day. The majority of my daily listening is comprised of bits and pieces of what I hear from the internet radio station that plays continuously in our kitchen and the snippets of song samples I listen to on iTunes, Amazon.com, or eMusic. I voraciously consume music in the same manner I consume books – before I finish one I am anticipating the next. So, I am constantly listening to all of the indie and alternative music that is newly released. The listen before you buy concept isn't anything new but the ability to listen to anything and everything whenever you desire is rather recent and has rapidly permeated the American and European culture.
The one problem I have with this whole convenience is that the 30 second snippet just isn't enough to make an informed buying decision. I have passed on several albums only to discover later that I actually loved the music but had been deceived by the snippet I heard. I have recently begun to wonder if there should be 30 second snippet composers who will someday pull the perfect 30 seconds from a song. That perfect 30 seconds would fully represent the breadth and depth of the lyrics and music in the song. And then I surmised that if the perfection of the song and the lyrical message could be contained in 30 seconds then why make the song any longer?
The 30 Second Cultural Hermeneutic
My first exposure to gay culture was when I was nineteen during a weekend leave from my Summer Army R.O.T.C. training in that queer friendly city of Seattle Washington. While there I saw for first time same sex couples walking down the street, the Gay News right next to the Seattle Times, and a whole section of queer comics at a comic book shop. At the time that brief exposure to an altogether foreign culture was, to say the least, shocking. Later, while doing my undergrad work in religion, at a Bible college in Lancaster, PA that I will leave unnamed, I took a course in doctrine that focused primarily on ensuring that all of the students shared the same beliefs on sin, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, etc. Our basic premise for defining sin was answered by this simple question, "What does the Bible say?"
At the time, I must confess, I was good with that answer. Being a white heterosexual male from conservative rural West Virginia, I had not encountered any of the prejudices that I now know many of my closest friends must endure. More specifically, when it came to homosexuality I was O.K. with the 30 second snippet. What I mean by that is that what the Bible has to say about homosexuality can be read in roughly 30 seconds and answered by many mainline Christians in less time than that. (Hold on there Biblical scholars. I am referring to the verses that are taken out of context.) As I have already stated, the 30 second snippet does not allow for an informed decision. What I later came to realize was that many of these issues that I and others so quickly dismissed were not issues at all but living breathing wonderful people who deeply loved God and others.
The 30 Second First Impression
I have been pleasantly surprised by a few purchases that were based on a snippet of information – I have also been greatly disappointed as well. In regard to relationships I have been rarely disappointed when I have taken to the opportunity to get to know someone beyond the initial good impression. The majority of people (Dare I say all?) live our lives with a cursory understanding of the people we see day in and day out. We recognize their face, the car they drive, and maybe we know where they work. Even in our inner circle of friends, the ones we tell our deepest, yet not our darkest, secrets to, we don't know them as well as we could. Most of the time we are satisfied with the briefest of snippets we receive because it then allows us to draw our own conclusions. Possibly that is an over generalization but, many of you would probably reluctantly agree with that conclusion.
Much of our understanding of others is comprised of the 30 second snippet we get the first moment we meet them. Maybe, just maybe, we might move into a deeper relationship with that person and discover that there is more to them than our first impression. Quite often we share more and more time with others but we never share more of ourselves. There really is a big difference. Taking the time to know the other comes with a great risk because the more they are willing to share of themselves the more you have to share of yourself – if you want the relationship to prosper.
The same holds true for our beliefs about a topic. If we truly want to know the truth about a topic would it not seem wise to immerse ourselves? There is great risk in purchasing the entire album after only hearing a 30 second snippet. I discovered that there are sites that stream the whole song or album. This allows me to listen to the music in its entirety before making a decision. I choose to listen to internet radio stations that play the music I am interested in so I can hear full songs there as well. We have a lot more options than settling for the 30 second snippet.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Fishing with Gypsies for New Paradigms Over a Fresh Pot of Caffeinated Beer
Fresh perspectives will usually give us new insights into the plethora of problems that we face as a society. The various ways in which we choose to see an issue is proportional to the number of solutions that might be available for application to the problem. Humanity limits themselves when they stop dreaming, wondering, and thinking outside of the box. The reason for our hesitation, or inability, to step back and take a a different look at an issue may be that the problem is too complex, too difficult, or too personal.
In a recent article of Wired magazine several people were asked the question of where they were when inspiration struck. Interestingly enough most, if not all, that were questioned said that the epiphany came when they were no longer thinking about the issue and had found themselves in a place far removed from subject in question. Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the television, was plowing a field when the even furrows gave him the idea projecting moving pictures line by line. Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize-winning physicist, got the idea of quantum electrodynamics by watching somebody toss a wobbling plate in the air while in the Cornell cafeteria. J. K. Rowling, while stuck on a train between Manchester and London with no writing implements, worked out the whole concept of Harry Potter in her head (Wired April 2008 p:148).
In the book, Models of Teaching, the concept of synectics is introduced as a model for processing information. Synectics, developed by William J. Gordon, was originally introduced as a creative approach to problem solving. The basic concept is to help a subject think metaphorically about an issue without thinking directly about the issue itself. As previously mentioned, when we are too close to a subject we loose our ability to approach the issue clearly and creatively.
“When stuck, we have to back away from what appears to be logical thought and then return to see if we can redefine the problem and seek alternative solutions” (Joyce 159).
All of this is fascinating and provides us with a valuable tool for brainstorming, classroom interaction, and dealing with moral and ethical issues. But, what about the ability to engage a much larger group of individuals with the intent of bringing them to bear on the issues of social reform? We are actually engaged in this large scale synectics exercise each time we watch a movie, television program, or read a work of fiction. These forms of media generally take everyday issues and concepts and work them out metaphorically. When we discuss our favorite character and how they engaged a particular issue we are also working through the issue as well. We either agree or disagree with their resolution of the situation and by doing so we have also defined how we would probably resolve a similar issue in our own reality. In a recent interview Ron Moore, re-creator of Battlestar Galactica, commented on the handling of religious issues in his shows.
“You can deal with religion more aggressively in science fiction than you can in contemporary shows. You get a pass because everyone agrees it's not Christianity or Islam or any of those things that we're so freaked out about. Even though it is” (Wired June 2008 p:181).
Fresh perspectives abound all around us if we choose to engage them. The concept of synectics may be hard to grasp, or even explain, yet, it is already occurring in our daily lives. Each time we share a story or show a movie or television clip to support what we are teaching or the concept we are championing, we are engaged in synectics. We discover that we only need to practice the final phase of the process–comparison to the initial issue– because the prior phases have already been achieved through our daily interaction with popular media.
In a recent article of Wired magazine several people were asked the question of where they were when inspiration struck. Interestingly enough most, if not all, that were questioned said that the epiphany came when they were no longer thinking about the issue and had found themselves in a place far removed from subject in question. Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the television, was plowing a field when the even furrows gave him the idea projecting moving pictures line by line. Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize-winning physicist, got the idea of quantum electrodynamics by watching somebody toss a wobbling plate in the air while in the Cornell cafeteria. J. K. Rowling, while stuck on a train between Manchester and London with no writing implements, worked out the whole concept of Harry Potter in her head (Wired April 2008 p:148).
In the book, Models of Teaching, the concept of synectics is introduced as a model for processing information. Synectics, developed by William J. Gordon, was originally introduced as a creative approach to problem solving. The basic concept is to help a subject think metaphorically about an issue without thinking directly about the issue itself. As previously mentioned, when we are too close to a subject we loose our ability to approach the issue clearly and creatively.
“When stuck, we have to back away from what appears to be logical thought and then return to see if we can redefine the problem and seek alternative solutions” (Joyce 159).
All of this is fascinating and provides us with a valuable tool for brainstorming, classroom interaction, and dealing with moral and ethical issues. But, what about the ability to engage a much larger group of individuals with the intent of bringing them to bear on the issues of social reform? We are actually engaged in this large scale synectics exercise each time we watch a movie, television program, or read a work of fiction. These forms of media generally take everyday issues and concepts and work them out metaphorically. When we discuss our favorite character and how they engaged a particular issue we are also working through the issue as well. We either agree or disagree with their resolution of the situation and by doing so we have also defined how we would probably resolve a similar issue in our own reality. In a recent interview Ron Moore, re-creator of Battlestar Galactica, commented on the handling of religious issues in his shows.
“You can deal with religion more aggressively in science fiction than you can in contemporary shows. You get a pass because everyone agrees it's not Christianity or Islam or any of those things that we're so freaked out about. Even though it is” (Wired June 2008 p:181).
Fresh perspectives abound all around us if we choose to engage them. The concept of synectics may be hard to grasp, or even explain, yet, it is already occurring in our daily lives. Each time we share a story or show a movie or television clip to support what we are teaching or the concept we are championing, we are engaged in synectics. We discover that we only need to practice the final phase of the process–comparison to the initial issue– because the prior phases have already been achieved through our daily interaction with popular media.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A Re-imagining Of Benedict's Rule Chapter One
It is well known that there are four kinds of worshipers. The first kind is that of the Faithful Attender, that is, those who live in accountability and under the teaching of a pastor.
The second kind is that of the Missionary and Discipler, those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long practice and the help of the body, have already learned to stand strong against the temptations of the world; and going forth from the rank of their fellow worshipers well trained for service in the world, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts.
But a third and most vile class of worshipers is that of the Casual Attender, who with no experience to guide them, and no discipleship to try them as gold is tried in the fire; but, soft as lead, and still keeping faith with the world by their actions, they clearly lie to God by their dangling crosses and witness bracelets. Hanging out in two's and three's, or even singly, without accountability, enclosed, not in the body, but in their own gathering. Their law is what they like to do, whatever makes them happy. Anything they believe and choose, they call holy; anything they dislike, they consider forbidden.
But the fourth class of worshiper is that called the Church-Hopper, who spend their entire lives going from one church to another, staying three or four months or a year at a time in different congregations. Always on the move they never settle down, they are slaves to their own wills and gross appetites, and are in every way worse than the Casual Attender. It is better to keep silent than to speak of all these and their disgraceful away of life.
Therefore, let us pass them by and, with the help of Christ, proceed to draw up a plan for the strong kind, the Faithful Attender.
The second kind is that of the Missionary and Discipler, those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long practice and the help of the body, have already learned to stand strong against the temptations of the world; and going forth from the rank of their fellow worshipers well trained for service in the world, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts.
But a third and most vile class of worshipers is that of the Casual Attender, who with no experience to guide them, and no discipleship to try them as gold is tried in the fire; but, soft as lead, and still keeping faith with the world by their actions, they clearly lie to God by their dangling crosses and witness bracelets. Hanging out in two's and three's, or even singly, without accountability, enclosed, not in the body, but in their own gathering. Their law is what they like to do, whatever makes them happy. Anything they believe and choose, they call holy; anything they dislike, they consider forbidden.
But the fourth class of worshiper is that called the Church-Hopper, who spend their entire lives going from one church to another, staying three or four months or a year at a time in different congregations. Always on the move they never settle down, they are slaves to their own wills and gross appetites, and are in every way worse than the Casual Attender. It is better to keep silent than to speak of all these and their disgraceful away of life.
Therefore, let us pass them by and, with the help of Christ, proceed to draw up a plan for the strong kind, the Faithful Attender.
Empty Spaces
Our lives are full of empty spaces.
Gaps and holes that we hunger to fill with meaning.
As children we expect our family and friends to fill these voids and occasionally some succeed. Sadly, in may cases, they fail us because they are also expecting reciprocal completeness through their children, family, and friends. And so this cycle of need continues. Partners, in many ways, represent the very relationship that can seemingly succeed in making us feel whole; hence the term “better half”. More likely than not, we will still have several significant areas that require other relationships for our completeness to take place. Some may find close friendships are the final touch that’s needed. Still, many will continue to seek and go from relationship to relationship, or even multiple relationships, striving to satisfy the hunger that gnaws within them.
We are told that God in Jesus Christ provides the true fulfilling that we seek and crave. But even more surprising is the mystery that we still need others to properly complete us. The people we are journeying with through living, loving, and learning, become the incarnate body of Christ. Through becoming part of this new body we find our purpose and the source of all things we have been desperate to have in our lives. We no longer see ourselves as the main body that needs the parts of others but that we are a part of something much larger, grander, and oh so magnificent.
Gaps and holes that we hunger to fill with meaning.
As children we expect our family and friends to fill these voids and occasionally some succeed. Sadly, in may cases, they fail us because they are also expecting reciprocal completeness through their children, family, and friends. And so this cycle of need continues. Partners, in many ways, represent the very relationship that can seemingly succeed in making us feel whole; hence the term “better half”. More likely than not, we will still have several significant areas that require other relationships for our completeness to take place. Some may find close friendships are the final touch that’s needed. Still, many will continue to seek and go from relationship to relationship, or even multiple relationships, striving to satisfy the hunger that gnaws within them.
We are told that God in Jesus Christ provides the true fulfilling that we seek and crave. But even more surprising is the mystery that we still need others to properly complete us. The people we are journeying with through living, loving, and learning, become the incarnate body of Christ. Through becoming part of this new body we find our purpose and the source of all things we have been desperate to have in our lives. We no longer see ourselves as the main body that needs the parts of others but that we are a part of something much larger, grander, and oh so magnificent.
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