Reading Blog #2: Searching for Silence

To my surprise, I enjoyed this article about John Cage, Searching for Silence by Alex Ross. I think the main things that grasped my attention and made me think were the suggestions he made about human nature and the idea of United States society and culture. After explaining some of Cage's productions and shows, the author examines why there could be some resistance to avant-garde music and sounds: "Human ears have a catlike vulnerability to unfamiliar sounds, and that when people feel trapped ... they panic ... It's no surprise, then, that Cage has always gone over better in non-traditional spaces" (Ross). This stood out to me because it was very interesting to think about how we as humans have the ability to recognize sounds that we enjoy and also do not enjoy, or rather, do not understand. It is very easy to turn away from something we don't want to see, or turn off something we don't want to hear. However, when in a non-traditional space, like Ross mentions, we are more open to non-traditional things, and finding meaning and enjoyment in things that are not what other people say we're supposed to connect with.

Another part that was impactful to me was when Ross mentioned a part of the speech that Cage gave in 1928: "One of the greatest blessings that the United States could receive in the near future would be to have her industries halted... We should be hushed and silent, and we should have the opportunity to learn what other people think." This was impactful to me because I really resonate with the idea of slowing down, reflecting and listening. Especially in this day and age in U.S. society, there is so much focus on instant gratification and speed and constant information, that we forget to slow down and enjoy company and silence every once in a while. I really like what Cage was saying with this speech and the reflection on noise and listening to others.