We are by nature analogue beings


Commenting on a 2012 post Norman Perryman reminded us that "We are by nature analogue beings, consisting of fluid organic substances". While this year, in another comment, Halldor opined that "This digital fixation is damaging live classical music". Just as my digital photo of Ladakhi children taken on the overland trip from New Delhi to Leh is a representation of, but not replacement for the analogue subject, so digital formats provide a representation of, but not replacement for live performances of classical music. As Norman Perryman explained in his comment, the current digital fixation is breeding listeners who are being denied any emotional involvement in real time and space. As a result, this new digital audience is missing out on the vital experience of witnessing a creative act in real time.

Also on Facebook and Twitter. Photo is (c) On An Overgrown Path 2014.

Comments

Unknown said…
Neither would one's analogue photo be anything other than a representation, not a replacement for the subject.
Nor is an analogue recording of a classical music performance any more than a mere representation.
No one would conflate a picture, analogue or digital, of a sunset with an actual sunset; but most gleefully conflate a recording of music with music itself.
And therein lies the real damaging delusion.

Gerald Brennan
12:27 pm
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