"Why are you here?" the Shaman asked. "To find the source of the music." I said." "I've been to that place." he said. "I'll take you there." 4 days ago
I absolutely could not wait to grab a copy of possibly the first ever recording of a human voice made in 1860 in France by Eduard Leon Scott de Martinville, inventor of the “Phonautograph” and pre-dating Mr. Edison by about twenty years.
The 10-second recording of a singer crooning the folk song “Au Clair de la Lune” was discovered earlier this month in an archive in Paris by a group of American audio historians. It was made, the researchers say, on April 9, 1860, on a phonautograph, a machine designed to record sounds visually, not to play them back. But the phonautograph recording, or phonautogram, was made playable — converted from squiggles on paper to sound — by scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif.
From Wikipedia:
The earliest known invention of a phonographic recording device was the phonautograph, invented by Frenchman Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville and patented on March 25, 1857. It could transcribe sound to a visible medium, but had no means to play back the sound after it was recorded. The device consisted of a horn or barrel that focused sound waves onto a membrane to which a hog’s bristle was attached, causing the bristle to move and enabling it to inscribe the sound onto a visual medium. Initially, the phonautograph made recordings onto a lamp-blackened glass plate. A later version (see image) used a medium of lamp-blackened paper on a drum or cylinder. Another version would draw a line representing the sound wave on a roll of paper. The phonautograph was a laboratory curiosity for the study of acoustics. It was used to determine the frequency of a given musical pitch and to study sound and speech; it was not widely understood until after the development of the phonograph that the waveform recorded by the phonautograph was in fact a recording of the sound wave that needed only a playback mechanism to reproduce the sound.
For a fantastic examination of the phonautograph check out talkingmachine.org
No one doubts that “The Market Place” – first letters capitalized to indicate the philosophies surrounding trade, barter, commerce and all attendant virtues and vices – has been and is a vital external instrument in the progress of man (an incredible triumph) and civilization (such as it is).
From its earliest and smallest examples to the crazed behemoth it is today, the market approach (clearly seen by some as the “only” possibility for us) has truly been one of the greatest elements of human progress and a mighty engine that has driven forth all manner of things, from the sacred to the profane if you will forgive the religious analogy.
What is becoming apparent now is the cost/risk/benefit equation to ourselves and our planet and the cost in the weight of the darkness in our souls, or our loss of integrity or virtue if you prefer (is this how so called “conservatives” do math?) has already reached the crisis point we blindly and so irresponsibly denied we would see in our lifetimes.
Anyone who denies these western versions of the engines of civilization are now wildly out of control is either unaware, in denial or too busy reaping the short term rewards of the madness to see sense.
The insanity of unregulated and under-regulated instruments of such destructive force seems to be built into the political genetics of what is now only laughably referred to as “conservatism”.
Someone thinks this image is clever. Within its context, I suppose I get it, but outside of that it is, from my perspective, sad.
The term “Swords into Ploughshares” and its opposite, as with so much else both good and bad, has a biblical source:
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say “I am strong.”— Joel 3:10
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Isaiah 2:4 & Micah 4:3
Russian sculptor Evgeniy Vuchetich had a different idea from the illustrator above and his work “Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares”, was given by the Soviet Union to the United Nations in 1959. (yeah, I know)
A guitar, besides being a musical instrument and often a fine work of art in its own right, is also a symbolic representation of Swords to Ploughshares as the the neck of the guitar is a sword and the body a shield, forged together so that none may bring harm to another ever again, just as the musician (ideally) is a warrior who has turned away from all forms of unnecessary violence.
I absolutely love the little code [audio] that allows playing of mp3 files on WordPress. I sometimes try to find interesting sounds to use in music or whatever and its sort of developed into a little “collection”. Because, seriously, you never know when you’re going to need the sound of a good moo, a low flying flock of geese, a Bullfrog Symphony or a clip of Hal talking to Dave.
I could not resist the idea of having a copy of the first ever transmission from such a vessel and from such a place. Mind you the sound is very low quality, with, as you might expect, a lot of static and other weird noises. (apparently those running the project were a little disappointed in the lack of signal strength) Actually, the other sounds are kind of cool, some sort of interference caused by radiation waves, maybe? I’m not sure.
There was talk of SuitSat 2 a couple of years ago and I am not sure yet if it ever happened.
So here are the audio files I found (here is the site they came from, I think) along with a few cool photographs, brief excerpts and links to the appropriate sites.
“This is SUITSAT-1, Amateur Radio Station RS0RS!!”
Transmission sequence followed by the static and cool interference.
A clearer clip of the female sounding english voice followed by a male voice.
Google video of SuitSat deployment.
Suitsat prior to launch.
Adrift.
SuitSat-1 transmitted its voice message — “This is SuitSat-1 RS0RS!” — in several languages plus telemetry and an SSTV image on an eight-minute cycle as it orbited Earth. The unusual spacecraft’s radio signal was heard around the globe, although only the best-equipped Earth stations could copy it.
Worldwide locations where the Ham radio operators were able to track the signal.
The SuitSat.org Web site attracted nearly 10 million hits during the mission. Designated by AMSAT as AO-54, SuitSat-1 remained in operation for more than two weeks, easily outlasting initial predictions that it would transmit for about a week. SuitSat-1 re-entered and burned up in Earth’s atmosphere September 7.
It is quite possible that an earthshaking, political reality altering event took place today with the speech given by Barack Obama. If the Obama brain-trust gave consideration to the idea that the fallout from the Wright affair may actually cost him the general election if not the Democratic nomination, they may then have seen this not only as a political do or die moment but also as a once in the lifetime of a nation opportunity to literally turn the tables in the American political discourse to that which it seems very few want to face head on: the problem of race and racism in America.
Though I am not a big fan of the (stereotypical) “Infamously Looney American Religious Figure”, and I genuinely do not understand the rationalizations of those who continue to associate with those who voice weird ideas, I believe a majority will be able to respect Obamas’ decision to stand by his former Pastor and long time family friend. That is also what good people do.
The last couple of news cycles have been tough on Obama, but if this goes as I am thinking, even as he meets push back from some sectors he will find himself much less on the defensive and maybe even able to take the initiative again.
So Obama takes the initiative, rolls the dice with perhaps nothing left to lose, alters the dynamics of the coming news cycles in a way he is prepared for, resurrects some aspects of his campaign, and greatest of all, changes the face of the American Presidential Election discourse, possibly forever.
Unidentified man shooting six people in Toronto doorway.
The problem is those who make weapons for profit. Put the weapons in the hands of the criminals and they will use them.
Those who endorse arming everyone, students included, should know that there were six people in the entrance way the shooter was firing into. One dead, a young man by the name of Abdikarim Abdikarim and five wounded. Were the victims armed and would this have happened any different if they were? At this point I don’t know. I doubt it. This happened so fast that almost any attempt at resistance would be hopeless.
This is undoubtedly one of the most cold blooded sociopathic incidents I could imagine.
And the gun nuts insist on arming these people.
Chilling.
This is the doorway the shooter was firing into and where six young men were trapped and Abdikarim Ahmed Abdikarim died. Photo by Nathan Denette via The National Post.
Well, ya see, I have this theory, I really do, it even has a name, (see banner above for why you might want to consider getting a name for your theory) ‘cept it’s not really about a loon, or loons, but it is, allegorically speaking or perhaps metaphorically speaking or hell, even anaphorically speaking, ’cause you have to use a loon to explain it, well ya don’t have to, because, say, a dinosaur would work just as well, if it could swim and I understand many could so there ya go, or an elk, but not Anne Elk, I think, if you follow where I’ve drifted to, but I use the loon because it seems to work and everyone knows no one works harder than a loon at being a loon than I do than you do than a loon does, no mistake.
Anyway, the point is, is, it’s about a loon and a lake and ….. I see we’ve run out of time.
Thankfully, of course, that’s just an expression, but nevertheless, a wise man or several wise men once had something to say about “No time to lose” but I’m not entirely sure what they were getting at, if you know what I mean.
In conclusion, if I had not vowed to no longer use the words and language of dehumanization, I would swear that Dick Cheney is traveling the Middle East to collect the remaining remnants of the foul and corrupt souls of his business partners and fellow travellers as a favour for the minions of the Dark Master.
He has, of course, already collected in Washington.
Crushed between big government, big business, big society, big oil, big culture, big food, big spirit, big meltdown and with organized religion big and small trying to pull down your pants from behind, it is no wonder that some days everything has that “hell in a handbasket” look to it.
Winter seems to stretch on. At least it does here in Toronto.
The only answer that I can see is more music.
I have been a musician for many years now, but only recently have I had the beginnings of an understanding of how much music can transport you away from your troubles. These days, while working in the studio, time and outside concerns are forgotten. My awareness of the near completeness of this process is driven home as I leave the studio, like waking from a pleasant dream knowing you must face some less than pleasant reality.
It is like a drug. Both making it and listening to it.
The nature of time is such that the influence of the very beginning of the universe stretches all the way into your kitchen—you can make an omelet out of an egg, but you can’t make an egg out of an omelet. Time, unlike space, has an obvious directionality—the view in a mirror makes sense in a way that a movie in reverse never would. Sean Carroll
No doubt like many of you, I awoke this morning with only one thought on my mind: Was there time before time?
Fortunately, the extended human brain known as the Internet (really just a reality sized peripheral hard drive) always has something to offer and food for thought, if not a definite answer.
Stephane Dions’ first decision as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada was to asign the task of defining the new leaders image in the minds of the Canadian people to Stephen Harper and the CPC .
Mr. Harper obliged with a series of attack ads that are truly a magnificent showing of political thuggery and chicanery.
The ads are dirty and underhanded, especially considering they have been broadcast during periods when there is no federal election - in other words, just for the spiteful hell of it. Because they can. Because he’s down. And that’s the best time to kick a man. Politically speaking of course. They very effectively make Dion appear weak and foolish and are a political marketeering masterpiece.
Dions leadership is shaping up to be one of the biggest disasters in Canadian political history.
The Rose and Crown The Rose and Crown
Music and Lyrics by David Archer (5:02) Download mp3 (right click – save target as)
The Rose and Crown was recorded in 2004 as part of my solo project “Underground Sun”.
The Rose and Crown
Everyone’s welcome, everyone’s here
So why not come in out of the rain
There’s a place at the bar, and a shot of Gold Star
And soon you’ll be feeling no pain
The place that you’re coming from don’t count for much
In here every story’s been changed
Innocent laughter with a cynical touch
We’re just all refugees from the game
Down at the Rose and Crown
Where your glass is never empty
Down at the Rose and Crown
I haven’t seen you there lately
The Pirate is calling out, let’s have one more round
While the Preacher just whispers and grins
And the ghost in the mirror, caught in the act
Turns and blesses us all for our sins
Music and madness, magic and verse
There’s no better place to be, and you know, things could be worse
If you’ve had one too many, well lets not forget
That we all look out for our friends here
Down at the Rose and Crown
She was already there and already gone
I was already living a dream
It lasted forever, but it didn’t take long
Anyway, that’s how it seemed
Motion and poetry, shadow and light
She lit up the room and she turned back the night
Then I was alone, alone with my friends
And I’ll never forget how I loved her
Down at the Rose and Crown
The boys in the band are drinking whiskey and beer
And it’s too loud to talk and too loud to hear
Another songs’ over with a crash an a cheer
and everything’s just as it should be
Down at the Rose and Crown
Pirate and the Preacher are arguing politics
While the rest of the boys watch the game
There’s a girl on the dance floor, and I used to know her
But I can’t remember her name
Lost in her motion, my stories all lies
I see your reflection in everyone’s eyes
If I drown my sorrows, don’t be surprised
And maybe someday I’ll see you
Down at the Rose and Crown
Where your glass is never empty
Down at the Rose and Crown
I haven’t seen you there lately
I haven’t seen you there lately
Many of us have had a change of heart about government action when we encounter unexpected and otherwise insurmountable challenges. Consider the value that my friend, Dennis Sanders, found in Minnesota’s Medicaid program when he needed its assistance back in 1996. Or my experience, when I realized that had it not been for government action our only child, who suffers from a severe case of Tourette Syndrome, might never have had access to the medications that help him lead a reasonably normal, productive life. Pete Abel “The Moderate Voice” ( via Daily Dish)
I have long maintained that Libertarians are in large part the angry, selfish wing of the conservative mind set for whom everything appears to be going well at that particular moment in time.
Up against the wall, many will come running for handouts from the tax payer- not the Government – the tax payer – just like their elder siblings who thrive on various corporate welfare schemes.
The excerpt above is a fascinating look into the Libertarian mind. Very often Libertarians can look far enough ahead to see the government “interfering” but not far enough to see that there may come a time when, like many of us, they are in need of that which only a community of strangers can provide. That some Libertarians are unable to see this, or see past egos which might tell them that no matter what the circumstances, they will prevail only as individuals or small groups, is also a built in justification for not wanting to contribute to the common good through taxes for vital services.
So the true prevailing attitude for this subset of Libertarians seems to be ” I will not help or pay into this now, but you should count on me and others like me attempting to cash in when we are in need.”
That this individual “realized” that had it not been for “government action” his only child might never have had access to the medications that help him lead a reasonably normal life suggests that contrary to what they would have us believe, Libertarians do not look very far ahead at all.
Some-days, and this appears to be one of them, I think Libertarianism and its attendant philosophies are a stupid fraud created by selfish tunnel vision jerks.
A Libertarian ceases to be Libertarian the moment he or she becomes pragmatic.
ides (pl.) c.1330, “middle day of a Roman month,” from Fr. Ides (12c.), from L. idus “the eighth day after nones,” a word perhaps of Etruscan origin. The 15th of March, May, July, and October; the 13th of other months.
