Music: Topic of Choosing

        On Tuesday we talked about technology as a mediator between the individual and the present surroundings.  It's not difficult to understand why the use of a phone is distracting when trying to be present, but it was the use of music which made me think.  Music, we learned, separates the individual from their immediate experience and instead projects the emotions of the song on the terrain.  

 I've always seen my music as an easy escape from where I am.  I use it to tune out noise while I'm in the car or while I'm walking.  I've always valued music for its ability evoke emotion regardless of where I am or what surrounds me. What was spoken about in class wasn't news to me, although hearing this discussed in a negative light gave me a lot to think about. 

 Overtime, I have become more dependent on music, to the point where walking places without it is nothing more than a tedious task. I have conditioned myself to become indifferent to my immediate surroundings, literally deafening myself to the beauty of community and outdoors.  Since that Tuesday, I've been a little more intentional about living in the moment and being appreciative of the sounds and emotions which the terrain around me evokes.


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