Throughout the years, music has been an important component of human life, serving to motivate, elicit feelings, and bring together people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Stanisław Trzciński, in his book titled "Infected by Sound: The Music Market in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," (2023) use a term that is highly suggestive. This term, "Infected by Sound," is a reference to the processes that take place within music and the impact that music has on individuals who listen to it. In light of this, is it possible to assert that music does, in fact, infect us with sounds, thereby influencing our thoughts, feelings, and overall well-being?
The following is a list of different features that might be explored about the phrase "infected by sound":
1. Music becomes an almost tangible sensation that we can "touch" not only with our ears but also with our hearts and souls. This is the first of the three ways that music can be experienced. In addition to penetrating our bodies, sounds also contribute to the formation of an atmosphere and establish a strong connection between the artist and the listener. We feel as if we are able to physically touch the feelings that the artist is trying to portray through the use of our fingers.
2. The concept of "feeling music" implies that music is not merely a collection of sounds that are abstract, but rather something that can be experienced on a profound level within oneself. As a result, the feelings that it evokes become our own, and the melodies become the background for our extremely personal experiences. Music that makes us feel is analogous to a vibration that permeates our own being.
3. When it comes to music, it has the ability to permeate many different aspects of our lives. It is able to accompany us at times of delight when we are experiencing grief or reflection, and even when we are going about our daily routines. Our experiences are given a new dimension as a result of this as it is similar to an invisible stream that passes through them. As a result of its pervasiveness, music has become an indispensable component of our existence.
4. The music that infects us becomes the narrator of our daily lives, which is the fourth impact that music has on our lives. The act of creating a background for our memories, travelling with us, and providing us with energy during challenging times are all things that it does for us. Music is always present in our lives, and it has a significant impact on the experiences we have.
How do you perceive the term "sound infected", or "music infected"? Describe what comes to mind when you hear this term