Does Anything Matter Anymore

Dropism

Im Fluss der endokrinen Nervensäfte

Monarch

H-Friday Train

(Free WAV Download available here under '••• More'; and eventually, as part of a future solo album)

Latin, literally ‘not having control of one's mind’.

If there was ever a time in my life when I questioned the sanity of the world, this would be it. So many things are not working; and so many people in power seem to want to keep it that way. How does one maintain hope (and provide others hopeful ideas), when the daily news tells such a different story? At what point do the hopeful messages just feel out of touch, rather than helpful?

Bo Burnham’s comedy special ‘Inside’ (on Netflix, but you can find several skits on YouTube as well) should be recommended viewing for all human beings right now. It’s a brilliantly insightful and snarky view of the world we live in, and a candid peek into his struggles facing that world. Half charming, half alarming… he is unapologetic and razor sharp in how he interprets the modern age. Here’s a line from one of the opening songs that really hit home for me:

"The more I look, the more I see nothing to joke about. Is comedy over? Should I leave you alone? Cause really who's gonna go for joking at a time like this? Should I be joking at a time like this? I wanna help to leave this world better than I found it. And I fear that comedy won't help, and the fear is not unfounded."

This so accurately summarizes how I feel right now. Is what I’m doing helping? Or does (you pick the hot topic driving you nuts at the moment) seem so out of control, that I seem out of touch with reality… trumpeting loving and hopeful messages in the face of the chaos? 

In the end, I feel there are only two paths available to us at any given time; activity and inactivity. I don’t know that the specific activity matters as much as the drive and purpose behind that activity. I suspect the point is simply to do anything positive that tells the universe where your heart and intent are focused. The alternative… inactivity probably looks a lot like freezing in your tracks, getting lost in fear (or anger, which I consider a sub-category of fear)… and refusing to (or feeling like you can’t) move forward. It’s pretty easy to imagine how that energy won’t be helping anyone… especially you.

So maybe it’s as simple as just doing something that seems meaningful to you. Maybe that means protesting. Or donating to causes that align with your values. It might be conserving water, limiting waste, and recycling. Perhaps it’s providing your services and skills to someone in need; or simply smiling at someone as you pass them on the street. And it can also take the form of artistic and creative expression; a valuable offering for people in need of evocative images, sounds and ideas. All of these things hold power. And all are important in my mind. So rather than questioning whether we’re doing the right things, or enough of the right things… maybe we just need to follow our hearts (not our minds), and see where that leads us. Our hearts already seem to know us better than we know ourselves anyway. Let’s try trusting that little fellow, and see where it takes us.

I hope you enjoy my latest sonic adventure, ‘Non Compos Mentis’. :)

WTF! The Musical

Non Compos Mentis

A harmless training with the Kitchi Gbo (Kess Kess, Télévi, Thelevi, Alasalato, Aslatua, Kashaka,  Kosika, Asalato)ends in a recording :)
Other instruments:
Hang Gede, Berimbao, Brumle, walnut wind toy, crystal singing bowl, cajon, finger cymbal

The name of the colors (instrumental)

Data Krypton