Reading Postponed
I'm sorry for anyone who actually might read this blog. I have been really busy and have not yet finished the book. I was caught up in reading other literature of which I was interested. I will, at some point, conclude this project, however dull or interesting it may seem to you.
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Chapter 32-36
Chapter 32

“Process thinking refers to the fact that the universe is in a continual process—is always changing—in al life, politics, the heavens, and the atom. Nothing is static, nothing is rigid. All is in flux (202).”

“Theory without practice becomes little more than high-sounding philosophical banter, while action without scientific theory behind it has led, time after time, to dead ends and destruction (202).”

“Unless something is done to revive the reality of what it is to be a human being, to halt the dismantlement of moral and ethical values and of the entire earth environment, to being the rebuilding of our earth home, and to get quickly to these tasks, nature’s reality will continue to punish us all, guilty and innocent, rich and poor alike. But we need not be willing participants in our own demise (203).” What is your reaction to this statement?

Do you find yourself not remember names in a group of people because you are too busy paying attention to the dynamics of the room (205)?

Chapter 33

“…music is, at the least, a guide to a theory of everything (209).”

Chapter 34

Perfect pitch is the ability to sing an absolute pitch (that could be matched to the piano) ‘off the top of your head.’ In the book on p. 219 Dr. Schlaug says, “There can be a much higher incidence of absolute pitch in musicians out there if all of us were exposed to music much earlier.” I wonder how much, what type, and in what manner we would need to be exposed to music to learn perfect pitch.

Chapter 35

Scintilla: A minute amount; an iota or trace.

“The answer is that all art, science, philosophy, politics, social structure, and culture are adaptations to the music of the universe (223).”

Chapter 36

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-William Blake
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Chapter 27-31
Chapter 27

Kepler proved that harmonic intervals in music also relate to the harmonics of the planets. (171)

“Though the “music of the spheres” concept dates back to Pythagoras and probably before, Kepler created the formulas for his six laws of motion with scaes that symbolized the six known planets of his time. Basically, each planet creates vibrations-sound waves—caused by the path of its traveling through space (172).”

“…planetary motion, what has been called the “celestial chord.” His concept of the music of the spheres held that it was a continuous, ever changing song (172).”

Chapter 28

Obfuscation: To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand
Abhorrence: Abhorrence

“What we have come to know as the real world is a narrow, shortsighted view not only in physical, scientific terms but also in human relations and in society as a whole (177).”

Chapter 29

String theory increases the usual 4 dimensions to 10 with 6 new dimensions ‘compacted.’ There is even the possibility to an 11 dimension (179). What do you think about this?

Is light a stream of particles or is it a wave (184)?

Chapter 30

This chapter discusses light and time. It’s beyond me, or I was too distracted while reading it. Perhaps you geniuses out there might want to sum it up in a few sentences.

Chapter 31

Acrimonious: Bitter and sharp in language or tone
Acausality: without the principle of or relationship between cause and effect
Moot: Of no practical importance; irrelevant

“Books on [music] are full of complicated mathematical formulae. But thought and ideas, not formulae, are the beginning of every [musical] theory.” Neils Bohr
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Coming Soon...
I'm sorry to those who are awaiting the next chapters. I figured I would take breaks on the weekends, and I'm a bit distracted with upcoming work events among other things. Stay tuned.
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Chapter 22-26
Chapter 22

“In string theory, the “violinists” might be performing in separate times and spaces, if not dimensions, and they might not be cognizant of one another, yet they all interace with one another (144).”

Listening: Orchestral Set No. 2 by Charles Ives

Chapter 23

Epitomized: sum up
Maelstrom: A violent or turbulent situation:
Maladroit: Marked by a lack of adroitness; inept.
Pithy: Precisely meaningful; forceful and brief
Pragmatism: A practical, matter-of-fact way of approaching or assessing situations or of solving problems

Watch: “The Elegant Universe: The Theory of Everything.” PBS

Chapter 24

Equanimity: The quality of being calm and even-tempered; composure.
Conundrum (fun word!): A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma

Chapter 25

Salubrious: Conducive or favorable to health or well-being

Listening: Bach Mass in B Minor, D# Minor Fugue (WTC), Beethoven’s 3rd/ 9th Symphonies

Chapter 26

“According to superstring theory, the entire universe may be said to consist of waves or strings, and some claim that the universe is in the key of B-flat. The sound of music write large! (165)” Do you really think the universe is tuned in B-Flat? Seriously!
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Chapters 16-21
Chapter 16

Esoteric: Intended for or understood by only a particular group
Tertiary: Third in place, order, degree, or rank
Germane: Being both pertinent and fitting
Averred: To affirm positively; declare
Axiomatic: Of, relating to, or resembling an axiom; self-evident
Ameliorate: To make or become better; improve
Incipient: Beginning to exist or appear
Ether: The regions of space beyond the earth's atmosphere; the heavens
Demur: To voice opposition

“But to tire in that [for human rights] would mean the ruin of society.” (109 Einstein) Do you agree or disagree, why?

“For [scientists], God is a being from whose care one hopes to benefit and whose punishment one fears; a sublimation feeling, tinged with awe, similar to that of a child for its father (Einstein 110).” What is your reaction to this statement?

Do you believe that “The value of man should be seen in what he gives and not what he is able to receive? (112)”

Regarding compensation for teachers, Einstein writes, “In a healthy society, every useful activity is compensated in a way to permit of a decent living (112).” Do you think teachers are paid what they are worth to society? Why/why not?

Einstein states, “The idea of achieving security through national armament is a disastrous illusion (116).” Do you agree or disagree with this statement and why?

Chapter 17

Echelons: A formation of troops in which each unit is positioned successively to the left or right of the rear unit to form an oblique or step like line
Mea culpa: An acknowledgment of a personal error or fault
Concomitance: Occurrence or existence together or in connection with one another

How do you think physics, music, and social change are interwoven? (121, 7)

Chapter 18

Altruism: Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness
Iconoclast: One who attacks and seeks to overthrow traditional or popular ideas or institutions
Axiom: A self-evident or universally recognized truth; a maxim

Chapter 19

“In the beginning was the word, and the word was music. With music came dreams. Soon the dreams became visions.” Anonymous

Chapter 20

Lexicon: A stock of terms used in a particular profession, subject, or style

Chapter 21

Vaudevillians: One, especially a performer, who works in vaudeville
Lurid: Causing shock or horror; gruesome

Why is String Theory called the “Theory of Everything?” p. 137

Do musical sounds in nature reveal a profound bond between all living things? (141)

Article of Interest: “Music of Nature and the Nature of Music” Science, Jan. 5, ‘01
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Chapters 11-15
Chapter 11-15

Chapter 11

Bilious: Having a peevish disposition; ill-humored
Vociferously: marked by noisy and vehement outcry
Wunderkind: A child prodigy

“Beethoven was a great composer [because] he seems to be more human than most of us (62). [sic] He connects us to the deepest, most hidden corners of our fear, our anger, our hate, our guilt, our love, our gentility (62).” Which piece of Beethoven’s is your favorite, why?

What is your opinion on this statement: “Maestro [sic], all men are boys. [sic] How about women? [sic] “No, women grow up! (p. 70)”

Chapter 12

Laudably: Deserving commendation; praiseworthy
Peregrinations: travel (especially by foot)
Déclassé: Lacking high station or birth; of inferior social status.
Cognoscenti: a connoisseur
Omnipresent: Present everywhere simultaneously
Schism: A separation or division into factions
Impresario: One who sponsors or produces entertainment
Dichotomy: Division into two usually contradictory parts or opinions
Modicum: A small, moderate, or token amount

How do you think music is the universal language that “…transcends nation and regional vernaculars (71).”?
Chapter 13

Patently: In a patent manner; openly, plainly, or clearly
Circumspect: Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences; prudent
Fulsome: Offensively flattering or insincere
Misanthropic: Of, relating to, or characteristic of a misanthrope
Banal: not new or interesting
Obsequious: Full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning.
Venality: The condition of being susceptible to bribery or corruption
Calumnies: A false statement maliciously made to injure another's reputation
Vitriolic: Bitterly scathing; caustic
Epithets: An abusive or contemptuous word or phrase
Transcendent: Surpassing others; preeminent or supreme

“…I believe that Beethoven’s unrelenting views of virtue, of integrity, and of his own personal worth were driving forces that pervade much of his music (87).” What are the values you hold in your heart which pervade your life?

“My angel, my all, my very self,…can our love endure without sacrifices, without demanding everything from one another; can you alter the fact that you are not wholly mine, that I am not wholly yours? Love demands all….My heart overflows with a longing to tell you so many things-Oh- there are times when I find speech is quite inadequate-Be cheerful and forever my faithful, my only sweetheart, my all, as I am yours (88.)” Do you have any experiences you would be willing to share similar to Beethoven and his Love, how did you handle it? (Post anonymously if you wish.)

Have you ever found yourself often doing/expressing the opposite of how you truly feel to cover your emotions? Why? (89) (Post anonymously if you wish.)

Chapter 14

Prescient: perceiving the significance of events before they occur
Elucidate: To make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
Oeuvre: A work of art

Chapters 13 and 14 delve further into Beethoven’s life and music. What especially in Chapter 14 ‘hits’ you the most emotionally; as a musician; as a human? (Post anonymously if you wish.)

Performing music either for yourself or others helps one to release pent-up emotions, de-stress, among other things. What does performing music (in any sense) do for you? (95)

Do you think you could be as honest and direct as Beethoven was (96, 100-1) in your music? In your life? Why is it so difficult?

Chapter 15

Bestrode: To sit or stand on with the legs astride; straddle
Diaphanous: Characterized by delicacy of form
Sophomoric: Exhibiting great immaturity and lack of judgment
Tableau: An interlude during a scene when all the performers on stage freeze in position and then resume action as before

How does Eger believe that Berlioz’s music is both the closing and opening of the Romantic/ Impressionistic era (respectively)?
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