Blog Post #6

  1. Damon Krukowski argues in the “Love” episode of Ways of Seeing that digital sound impedes our perception of those sonic qualities that help us experience intimacy. A primary example he gives is the way analog microphones provide a rich, full presentation of the human voice; whereas, digital microphones–such as can be found in cellphones–take the character out of the voice in order to create a smaller data package that can travel more efficiently around the world. At the same time, the advent of digital sound DOES enable us to communicate with people around the world, which includes far-away friends and family members and is, in this distance learning environment, even necessary for us to participate in higher learning at LaGuardia. What do you think about the ideas Krukowski lays out in this episode? Does he adequately describe the intimacies afforded by sound and the tradeoff digital sound presents? In your answer, please incorporate at least one quotation from the episode.
  2. The New York Times article “How A.S.M.R. Became a Sensation” presents something like the opposite situation by providing an example of how digital tools are being used to circulate the intimate experience certain everyday and passing sounds induce. What do you see as the most interesting or important point about sound in this short history of A.S.M.R.?