Acoustic cyberspace by Erik Davis:

“Acoustic space is capable of simultaneity, superimposition, and nonlinearity, but above all, it resonates. … Where visual space emphasizes linearity, acoustic space emphasizes simultaneity – the possibility that many events that occur in the same zone of space-time. In such a scheme, a subject – a person, maybe – organizes space by synthesizing a variety of different events, points, images, and sources of information into a kind of organic totality.”

Davis’s word choice here is sophisticated and geared towards a more educated audience, using words and ideas such as “superimposition” and “space-time”. It seems as if Davis geared his talk to those already familiar with these ideas, being as those who would actually attend his talk probably already have an interest in the acoustic cyberspace world and what not. His tone implies a slight bias towards acoustics over visuals when he says, “Where visual space emphasizes linearity, acoustic space emphasizes simultaneity”. His use of the word “linearity” seems to imply that visual space is unimaginative and that it relies on the obvious (what can be seen) rather than any in-depth understanding.

Davis does not support his points with any firm evidence but his wordiness and use of language seem to be effective sources of understanding his ideas. As I read through Davis’ talk, I found myself trying to visualize what he was saying in order to get a better understanding of what he was trying to convey. However, I found myself unable to visualize his ideas and had to “listen” to what Davis was saying in order to understand his ideas. I think his wordiness, unconventional ideas and vocabulary were enough to support his point that “where visual space emphasizes linearity, acoustic space emphasizes simultaneity”. Davis forces his audience to rely on acoustic space which allows for a wider range of subjectivity and understanding. This quote is important to the study of sound and sound technologies because it implies that sound and sound technologies are the key to a broader dimension. Where visual-space is limited to what is seen, “acoustic space is capable of simultaneity, superimposition, and nonlinearity”. The use of sound further emphasizes the visual world such as the use of sound in movies (i.e. Background music). The sound emphasizes feeling and invokes the desired mindset that the movie is trying to portray.

Megan Nordstrom’s work:

“Appropriately chosen for this film, the narrator’s voice is that of an older man, who speaks with experience and knowledge of the time. His words are simple and straightforward, but his slight variance of tone captivates the audience. The narrator generates a picture of the ‘old fashion American man’ in our heads, who could possibly remind us of our grandfather or even FDR.”

Megan Nordstrom’s writing was much easier for me to understand. Nordstrom’s writing, unlike Davis’, is geared towards a general audience rather than a selected few. She avoids abstract ideas and writes in very simplistic and straightforward manner. She used evidence and examples that most people are familiar with such as her comparison of the image the narrator depicts to an “old fashioned American man” and FDR. Nordstrom’s implication that the sound of the narrators voice “generates a picture of the ‘Old fashioned American man’” supports Davis’ idea that acoustic space is capable of superimposition. She superimposes the narrator’s voice onto an image she is already familiar with. Nordstrom’s writing relates to the importance of studying sound and sound technologies because the sound fully completes the movie. In order for the producers to depict the right images in the movie, sound is added to enhance and emphasize the desired feelings and mindset of the movie.

During my senior year of high school, it was required for all seniors to complete 40 hours of community service and a community service course. I was placed with a Head Start program at a local elementary school. The Head Start program aims to give children, ages 3-5 years old, from low income families the pre-school education they otherwise could not afford. I worked with these children twice a week, 2 hours a day from serving their breakfast to reading storybooks and playing games with them. This community service experience allowed me to realize that these organizations need all the help they can get and that although I was limited in my abilities, I was still a crucial part of their program. It was a very positive experience for me and I had a lot of fun working with the children.

The order of rationale seems to be time. The sounds of the playlist take me through this person’s daily life, from waking up in the morning to finishing up at the end of the day. Other sounds that might fit into this playlist are forks and plates clattering while eating, television or some sort of entertainment, and the sipping of coffee or some other beverage. These sounds fit into the authors playlist of a his/her daily life. Based on this playlist, I assume that the person is female because of the choice of music…