A Word, 1 may 2018

I think the strangeness of this notion—of using our blood-distributing organ as an all-purpose stand-in metaphor for our centers of love and direction—has been well thought through. But why, when you really consider the weird adventures that take place in our sleeping minds, why on earth would we think to analogize and poeticize our worldly aspirations by calling them “dreams?”

•••

People seem to think “weird music” is “hard to listen to,” as though it’s uncomfortable or painful for them in some way.

It’s just sound, of course—but organized differently than how they’re expecting.

On the other hand, I find normal music hard to listen to when it’s too loud. Not long ago I was at a venue with bad sound, taking in a band that everyone was shouting over. Many weird musicians seem to enjoy intense experiences with loudness. I have never had this affinity. In this case, I felt physically attacked by the music.

People evidently feel that weird music, even at quiet volumes over great speakers or headphones, causes a different sort of damage.

Conceptual damage?

Narrative damage?