Lost in the Crowd

I feel obliged to preface this blog with a few disclaimers. First, I'm new to blogging. I have blogged for class before, but always on a joint blog, never one of my own and I do not read/follow any blogs. Call me old school (or out of touch) but I typically avoid computers/internet and technology in general (i.e. no iPod, no TV, no laptop and I'm still running Windows 98) as much as possible. Thus, I apologize in advance if I seem mildly confused when posting, something does not appear, or my blog lacks personality. Second, I'm slightly apprehensive about undertaking this course. I have never really studied poetry and never considered voice/noise aspects. I'm glad to learn more about this as it seems very interesting, but can't help feeling anxious over all the things I do not know. Third, I'm mildly confused with the syllabus changes and not sure what I need to post on, so I'm going with Cage. That said, I will begin my feeble attempt...

1. What is Cage doing with 4'33”? I did not find anything interesting or valuable and rather than really listening, I began reading random papers on my desk. Perhaps I lack a cultural understanding for noise and/or sound. I'm sure (at least I hope) I'm not the only one that felt this way. Furthermore, I couldn't separate myself from the visual aspects. I imagined the symphony performers thinking to themselves what a waste of their talent this experiment was, the close-up of the clock left me hearing an imagined tick-tock, and the audience just sounded uncomfortable/annoyed. I'm very helpful that lecture/discussion with help me develop an appreciation for this and realize that Cage is doing something extraordinary, not just out of the ordinary.

2. I would also like to comment on “Mushroom Haiku.” I enjoyed listening to this and found it somewhat amusing and began contemplating authority. This has been a topic in nearly every class since I began grad school and a topic that seems to never really have an answer. How can something have true authority, especially in translation? Though not really associated with noise/voice, I began thinking of other texts that have changed significantly in translation. The Bible, is always first in my mind when on this topic. I'm not a theology scholar but the translation of the Bible has certainly been debated and this fascinates me because so many people make choices and live their lives according to the Bible.

Critical editions also hold interest for me. I think working on text collation would be really interesting to do someday, but even for all the work that goes into collation, how can we be sure that the critical edition most closely resembles authorial intent? This is why I enjoyed “Mushroom Haiku” and some of Cage's writings, because I think personal interpretation determines meaning more than anything the author writes. Cage and his friend each had their own interpretation, each making me understand the haiku very differently. Then, when the text is spoken, a new verbal authority comes into play, introducing a whole new meaning. I wonder if Cage's friend had been the one speaking, rather than Cage, would I feel differently about translations? Would I think one had more authority than another? Which one most closely resembles the original intentions of the author, or do neither of them? It is interesting to think that simply speaking/hearing, rather than seeing/reading the haiku could introduce the listener to so many new possibilities.