. . . that I sent to a friend, before I was lazy enough to cut-and-post here as today's entry.
The guy across the hall from me in five-nineteen was a sound designer for the stage. One night, he explained to me how his profession came to be. He spoke of how the live performance was the pinnacle of entertainment. Then, with the advent of sound recording, technology could reproduce the sensation of the live event. Though they were miles, even oceans away, people could now understand what it was to be in that concert hall. The recording was a vessel to convey the live performance. Then there was an unseen shift. People began expecting the recorded performance, and were displeased when the actual concert didn't meet their pre-established expectations. And so the live performance soon became a vessel to convey the recording. (His job, he told, is to give people their preconceived notions of sound.)
Technology has robbed us of the opportunity to cherish the moment. For me, I think it was most evident at the Obama rally. For every three people in attendance, one had a camera phone raised overhead. Instead of appreciating/absorbing an event, we as a techno-phile society tend to focus more on taking home a keepsake of the event. We want to have tangible evidence that not only says "I was there," but one that says, "I was somewhere." With this, we've almost forgotten what is or isn't socially acceptable. (Think about how many photos were taken at bars, funerals, concerts, and weddings prior to 2000 when compared against today. I'm a poor statistician, but I think the ratio would read - 0:Faceboook.) Like me, I'm sure you've stood in a concert and amid the flash bulbs wondered, "why can't you people just enjoy where you are?"
Though, it is ironic that on my desk is a photo of me at the Obama rally.
I'm going to Subway,
A.v.E
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2 comments:
The labels on this aren't accurate.
And tourists having been ruining their own enjoyment (and memories) since Kodak started selling film.
While you have a point, I can't help but to think that this post is not fueled by your need to reflect on society's photographic trends, but rather by the envy you feel because your phone doesn't have a camera.
yes, moronica has abused the labeling process like it was his personal plaything.
I contemplated fixing it, but then I'd have to read all his old posts, and that's a feat I'm not up to.
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