Music – Infected by Sound

Music has played a significant role in human life for centuries, inspiring, evoking emotions, and connecting different cultures. In his book “Infected by Sound: The Music Market in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Stanisław Trzciński uses an incredibly suggestive term that refers to the processes occurring in music and the influence that music has on listeners. Can it be then considered that music truly infects us with sounds, affecting our thoughts, emotions, and well-being?

Arguments “PRO”

Certainly, one of the arguments in favor of this term is the power of music to impact human emotions. Sounds can touch the deepest corners of the soul, eliciting joy, sadness, or even euphoria. Examples of such influence can be found throughout the history of music – from majestic symphonies to moving ballads. Music becomes a kind of emotional virus that penetrates our inner selves, eliciting reactions of which we are not always fully aware.

Another argument in favor is the ability of music to transport the listener through time and space. Melodies, rhythms, and harmonies can transport us to distant eras and countries. This infection by sounds opens gates to other dimensions, where time flows differently, and space takes on new colors and shapes.

Arguments “CONTRA”

However, there are also arguments against this term. Not every listener may be susceptible to being infected by sound in such a strong way. Some people perceive music merely as background, and sounds do not penetrate their emotions or thoughts to the extent described by Stanisław Trzciński. For some, music is just a form of entertainment, and its influence on their lives is limited.

Furthermore, individual approaches to music cannot be underestimated. What is a healing sound for one person may be an irritating noise for another. Cultural differences, personal preferences, and life experiences shape our perception of sounds, making not everyone equally susceptible to being infected by music.

Aspects of the Musical Virus

Here are several aspects that can be developed in the context of the term “infected by sound”:

1. Touching music: Music becomes an almost physical experience that we can “touch” not only with our ears but also with our hearts and souls. Sounds penetrate our bodies, build an atmosphere, and create a strong connection between the artist and the listener. It is as if we are touching the emotions that the artist wants to convey with our fingers.
2. Feeling music: This term suggests that music is not just an abstract set of sounds but something that can be deeply felt within ourselves. The emotions it generates become our own, and the melodies become the backdrop for our own experiences. Feeling music is like a vibration that permeates our existence.
3. Penetrating music: Music penetrates various spheres of our lives. It can accompany us in joyful moments, during sadness or reflection, and even in everyday activities. It is like an invisible stream that flows through our experiences, giving them a new dimension. This penetration of music makes it an integral part of our lives.
4. Impact on daily life: Music that infects us becomes the narrator of our daily lives. It creates a background for our memories, accompanies us in journeys, provides us with energy in difficult moments. Musical sounds are constantly with us, shaping our daily experiences.

The Term “Infected by Sound”. How I understand them

This term is very suggestive and visual. It moves music from the realm of merely physical reception of sounds to a metaphorical sphere, suggesting that music has the potential to influence our emotions and thoughts in a manner similar to the impact of a virus.

This metaphor can be fascinating as it captures the dynamics of the relationship between music and its audience. It may suggest that music has the ability to move from one person to another, spreading like a virus, infecting listeners with its expressive power and emotions.

Moreover, this term can prompt reflection on the power of sonic art and its impact on the human psyche. It indicates that music can be more than just a collection of sounds – it can be a carrier of feelings, stories, and even ideas that permeate our minds and hearts.

Summary

The experience of music reflects being infected by sound. Music infects if we open ourselves to its stimuli. Music is active, it acts and touches, stimulates and transforms, connects and separates.

As a result, the term “infected by sound” emphasizes that music is more than just a sonic phenomenon. It is an interaction, an infiltration into our sphere of feelings and thoughts. In this way, music becomes an integral part of our daily lives. This infection by music becomes a catalyst for creators and listeners, leading us to new and fascinating realms of musical exploration.

I am “infected by music,” how about you? Share the musical virus with others!