Last Notes on Music....

Music is present in many forms and styles, some not yet discovered. I enjoy numerous genres of music, so I also agree proposals for any kind of definition must focus on common properties to music. The term Organized Sound, however does support the wide diversities in taste for certain sounds. However, the subject of “music” holds such variety and dynamic to choice that a precise definition is nearly impossible in order to correctly justify the phenomena of its power and use to civilization.

I'm still sticking to art and music as indefinable, in case you couldn't tell. Music is sacred to the human race in a way. I'm not sure we could function without it in society because its role to each individual differs so widely. Whether it's to calm one down or jolt one up, as an aid to concentration or an escape from a present situation, music is what we use and have consistently used over the ages.

Still Open - Ended...

I have re-read the music article, and I still think music is indefinable, as with art. Across cultures music holds different meanings and rules of composition creating totally different sounds and properties, but it is all recognized as music. There will always be attempts to create some complete explanation. However, we cannot define music with absolute rules; the equation must allow enough dynamic for future developments in creativity and also the mediums of expression.

Music as Art and Individual...

I read the article on music and still find it very difficult to agree with one definition or another. Music can take many forms and styles, some not yet discovered. I enjoy the numerous genres of music, so I also agree any kind of definition must focus on common properties to music. I like the term "organized sound," I think it simply emphasizes two major components of most music, however not all.

Some sounds are not organized, or reproduced by another musician, therefore takes away from the "neatness" of this term. I guess in this sense music has a scientific appeal to me. An artist will compose a piece with the hard work, skill, and intention to have themselves or another recreate (replay) that piece of music, just as a scientist would with new experiments. Birds chirping in nature was an example used in class of interpretive music. It has sound, and to the bird it's organized, but to our ears at first listen it may not be anything in particular. Then if one listens more closely may find rhythm, tone, and harmony with other birds; however, these 'nature sounds' may not be music to everyone just like techno and computer sounds are not considered music because the sounds are produced by an unconventional method.

To me, music is much like art objects. We call a composer of paintings and staffs by the common term 'artist,' aside from painter, musician, or sculptor. Aside from my other opinions on defining music, I agree most that perhaps, like art, it should not be defined. Instead, be content that sound is music when we hear it and it provokes the common aesthetic emotion, just like art object to each individual. Whether the song sad or happy, and the painting cheery or woeful, the same connection is made to the piece making it music and art to the person experiencing it.

And the List Goes On....

1. WMDs
2. Saddam Hussein
3. Spread Democracy
4. Chaos will ensue if we leave
5. Iran

The top five reasons, if I listened correctly, to the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. All of them sicken me because the information slowly coming out to the public completely discredits each one. I don't believe the US public was naive about the war. I think many knew a conflict of this nature would be difficult and foreign policy is hardly ever simple. However, I also think the people remembered the Vietnam & Korean War and wanted to avoid another military mistake, while others recalled the success of Desert Storm. The public opinion of events may depend on the information given to them; they want to have support for elected officials and what representatives do for the people. When America was told more frequently about foreign threats, more terrorist attacks, and constant heightened alerts the public wanted to rally around what it was told, and the given intelligence, so the public opinion of Iraq was a little more than half. However, when the facts slowly and consistently trickled in, public opinion soon fell quickly.

This is not our victory nor should we want it to be, that would take away the last thread of hope to redeem this entire endeavor. Victory and success would never mean the same thing, or have the same look there for the Iraqi people in the same manner we, in America would expect it to have. Although this does not excuse the disaster unfolding before us, the time is now to finally do something right.

The Degrees of Duty...

"He who joyfully marches in rank & file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him a spinal cord would suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love ~ of ~ country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable & ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder." ~ Albert Einstein ~

He may have been a genius, and this quote does send a powerful message, but I do not agree with all the lines. I do hold great respect and dignity in the soldier who has made the choice of putting my life before their own, and a nation's conflict before one's own choices. This is even more astonishing to me when enlisting now will almost certainly mean a tour in Iraq, directly in harm's way. Everyone must have their reasons... best wishes to the troops & comfort to their families.

The Weight of Lies....

The Iraq War bothers me considerably. As a citizen, other than voicing my opinion and donating to drives for troop benefits I feel there is little I can do and this helpless feeling compounds the situation. I would feel confident enough in my state that others in this country feel the same. I am exhausted from this topic. Emotionally the people of this country seem so drained from the constant news and constant horror. Aren't administrators tired of all this? I was not alive for the Vietnam War, and that is a tiresome and sensitive enough subject let alone this disaster. This situation is deplorable not only for the American public morale, but devastates those in Iraq whom are our equals and to live one second in a war torn country for as long as that area has, I'm afraid to say I doubt we would survive. These people have not known peace for their entire existence. We have been involved in conflict of foreign policy, sure, however we never fight theses battles on our home soil among civilian territory. Yes, we have been attacked on home soil, but we have never waged a war here since the American Revolution. The American people are sheltered in many senses because they have never known what war really entails. Even media coverage only goes so far and now the government is attempting to narrow that coverage or divert its attention. I hope "victory," or more appropriately the complete eradication of former typical traditions, whether Islamic or not, is reconsidered because success will not mean green lawns and porch parties for these people. Instead it means total reconstruction of cities, neighborhoods, families, and lives demolished because of a lie.

It Struck a Chord....

In today's class an excellent example of harmony was used to describe an aspect of patriotism. Harmony is much better than the term unity because harmony implies different elements making a whole, instead of unity implying a single element for a single goal. In the comparison to music, harmony may require several different, but particular notes, and each combined together makes a certain noise. Each note is represented and heard, but together they create a single quite pleasant sound. This could be an interesting interpretation of the saying "to strike a chord," when describing an issue among a diverse group of people. The people may all disagree with the issue, but for different reasons. Even with different causes, a group may function together for a similar goal or a similar sound.

We put the 'riot' in "Patriot"

I agree with many points made by Jenson in "Goodbye to Patriotism," however I still feel we cannot abandon the term entirely. I think there are many important traits humans display brought on by positive and negative events in the world motivated by patriotism in any sense of the word. I think many of us agreed on dismantling the first definition of patriotism whereas one is in support of their country and its decisions whether one personally agrees or not. The second definition slightly touches on this as well saying we may "politely disagree with the policies," while supporting the troops fighting for us, but may still experience some backlash for it. The second I don't necessarily think is always true either because mostly (it seems to me) as long as one supports the soldiers stationed around the world, some aspect of common understanding may be shared.

After the class discussion I still do not have a clear definition of patriotism, in modern terms. I think this is because over decades words may be the same, but they hold different meanings; or the word may become a different term. The most important use of patriotism to me is in the role of the citizen. If one chooses not to take an active role in their country that is their choice and right. However if one does want an active role, then I feel it is their duty to speak out and voice opinions to legislators. This government is supposed to be a tool for all of us to use aiding in a better life. A recent poll showed that an astounding number of the US public are against the war in Iraq and Vice President Cheney said "So?" When the administrators make decisions on our behalf without listening to us something is grossly wrong. Even if the decision is still made, the attempt to listen and work with the citizens is of the most importance to at least consider.

One compared a mother protecting her child to the government handling foreign affairs and policies. This is a good perspective because the mother is hopefully making a choice with the best intentions for the child until they are able to comprehend the full depth of the situation. The government makes choices on behalf of the people assuming most of the decisions are beyond the understanding of the average citizens, and this is why we elected them. However once we transfer the responsibility, it is their job and duty to uphold the promise they made to the people of our country, and it is our job and duty to hold them to that promise. I guess that is what patriotism means to me.

Q & A 7 Argument

I didn't like the argument presented in Q A 7 probably because it does not follow even if the first two premises are true. Instead of stating:

I. Humans are omnivorous by nature
II. Omnivores can digest meat
III. Therefore, it is morally permissible for humans to eat meat.

The argument should follow as:

I. Humans are omnivorous by nature
II. Omnivores can digest meat
III. Therefore, humans can digest meat by nature.

... or something of the like; any other interpretations?
Also, by being able to digest meat, what does it prove? That we should eat meat and its alright to crave it? That's fine because biologically it may be true, but we also may have evolved morally and are waiting for our bodies to catch up.

Appeal to Nature

This 'appeal to nature' reading gives me something to think about mostly because I did not consider it before. I always just assumed natural or organic is good and never thought about anything else as an alternative. I do use synthetic materials in my daily life such as fake leather and other goods like plastic, which may be very useful and not natural. Some may argue the evidence that real leather is a better, more durable material however I choose not to use leather and fur because of their natural property and where they came from, therefore artificial materials are of much use to me in this instance.

Also, there are substances like Aspirin, which is one of the oldest chemical compounds known to civilization, dating back to ancient Egypt. This is a compound found in nature but reproduced in a laboratory for mass production. How does one term artificial? There must be more to it than mere laboratory creation and also include behavior and human response. An example in class was how behaviors may be natural, but surprising because nature often goes against what we as humans observe to be normal (though our scope of history is so small compared to the history of the "natural world"). So if a behavior surprises us in a good or comfortable way it is considered natural, but if the reaction to certain conduct leaves society surprised negatively or in an uncomfortable manner then backlash will occur. Some examples of this may be divorce, promiscuity or non-monogamous relationships, homosexuality, and even vegetarianism because these examples have historically been noted as "unusual" when they very well may not be.