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An Excercise In Pointlessness

A friend told me that writing is a lot like assembly line production. You need to force yourself to write so that, by the time you actually have something to write about, you write it really nicely. Anyway, here begins my (hopefully sustained) sojourn into the world of assembly line writing.

I'm listening to Yanni. Something symphonic. Yet it's more contemporary. The old masters are brilliant, but distant. Yanni is more relatable. Somehow. I wonder if music can have a generation gap... Scientists have discovered how 'pop' music is made: apparently a combination of certain frequencies can stimulate areas of the brain so that they 'light up' with activity. It's the same for a large percentage of the people and theoretically no one is immune to it. Maybe it has something to do with the evolution of human sensibilities as it were. Throughout millions of years, many of our tertiary sensibilities have evolved from things that were completely relevant 50,000 years ago but have no origin-stories to trace now. Case in point: why do we love shiny objects so much? Research has indicated it probably stems from the fact that humans needed to look for clean water sources. A sparkle that can be seen from far away indicates a source of (comparatively) clean water that is potable.

Music as a sensibility can have generation gaps. What was popular 20 years ago doesn't cut much ice now among the many. However, strangely some few do maintain the affinity. I always believe that there will always be takers for Pink Floyd, the Beatles and the Doors even 20 years from now. I believe so because I know people across mental directions, across intellectual depths and interests, across backgrounds who enjoy similar sensations upon hearing certain music.

Now Yanni. There is something about his music. It's layered. Moderate complexity. However, personally, I love his arrangement. Modality and mood-creation. It's very subtle and has wide room for interpretation. I can listen to it freely and feel at pleasure, at peace or moved to tears depending upon my intellectual state at that point of time. My friends with whom I enjoy beer and Yanni (always a great combo mind you!) feel much the same. Different images, different degrees and directions of emotion perhaps, but the core sentiment remains much the same.

Maybe it's 'pop' according to the demographic of mental arrangement because largely, birds of a feather flock together. Whatever. I'm going back to listening.

Cheers

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