28 June 2009

La la la la la

Did you know that we hear every moment of our lives? That, even while sleeping, our ears pick up information about the world around us? How we can tell the size of a room we've walked into by subconciously picking up the time-echo delay in a sound?

If you haven't, consider how important sound is to us. We can analyze spaces, detect 'intruders' and navigate our way through areas without even thinking about it. Sound is important to every day life. But praising mere sounds and noises is not the purpose of this point. I'm here to talk about something even more important: music.

Throughout the ages, various sages, philosophers, authors, and musicians have made observations about the impact music has on the soul. It has been said that God gave us music that we may pray without words. Victor Hugo once observed that "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." In other words, when there is an issue so important it must be voiced, but cannot be said, music makes it possible. And finally, Bono said that "Music can change the world because it can change people."

Combine the Bono quote with Hugo quote, and you get to the core of the issue. There is something inherent in music that connects - (or reaches a 'click point', as an old conductor said) - with human beings. What you listen to will define who you are. Since the music you listen to can and will change you as a person, it is imperative that we jealously guard our ears from the wrong music.

So, to finally state my thesis, music is dangerous. Whether it is the glory and splendor of the Classical composers (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven), or the wide range of genres in modern society, music is a strong, influencing factor in every person's life.

Oh, be careful little ears, what you hear.
For the Father up Above is looking down in love,
oh be careful little ears, what you hear.

B

3 comments:

  1. *belts out random German polka*

    JA WIR SAN HOIT LICHTENTALER
    TRINKEN GERN A GLASERL WEIN
    TUAN NIE KNAUSERN GUATE ZAHLER
    ABER GREBLT MUASS ER SEIN

    SO A TRÖPFERL KENNT KA MISCHUNG
    DES IS HOIT A ECHTER WEIN
    BRINGT FÜR LEIB UND SEHL ERFRISCHUNG
    ABER GREBLT ABER GREBLT
    ABER GREBLT MUASS ER SEIN...

    *admires shattered glass*

    *waves at Sam*

    I can pay for that. =]

    ReplyDelete
  2. You think music affects everyone but you don't think other peoples' looks affect everyone?

    ReplyDelete
  3. What do you expect? I'm a musician, not a painter/sculptor.

    ReplyDelete