Just last night, here in Olympia, Washington, I heard the coyotes singing as well. Halfway across the world, I'm inundated with noise and news I can barely fathom is happening, barely able to process what is coming at me in continual waves. So lying in bed, unable (again) to sleep, my mind ruminating on all the horror coming out of the Oval, and all the powerlessness I feel, the coyotes. There they were, singing, communing together over some shared secret. They were loud, strong, and the echoes they created rippled through the canopy of old conifers that surround my house. They were echoing my heart, making me feel less alone, reinforcing I'm still living through this nightmare. Thank you, Alia, for putting more words to the insanity. For calling it out, for singing it out.
How beautiful to hear the coyotes, Nancy. I've had two very memorable encounters with coyotes and am very fond of them. Connecting with nature is such an important way of pulling us out of our heads and back to earth. It has its own rules that humans cannot suppress, no matter how hard we try. I hope you get some sleep, Nancy. The nights can be hard.
Yes, the nights can be hard. And long. But also full of stars, the moon, the skyscapes and night shadows and clouds that adorn this part of the world. You are so wise, Alia. Nature is -- and will be, I suspect -- our very salvation. She always wins.
When the wild beasts are coming att you from all sides you gather together with like forces to fend for one and another. Mozart Amadeus movie distills and the crescendo of operetta harmony frees to join one among many voices to send you to swoons. Freedom is one voice among many in unison to bring one for all together. Hope this makes sense. The beasts in the wild know. Each interprets their territory tongues spoken, but allowing each their own time to speak . The hard part is listening to others opinions.
You're right Richard, listening and trying to understand another point of view, especially when you know you're unlikely to agree, is very hard. Hard, but not impossible. The test is whether society as a whole can learn to master it and sing in harmony.
Alia, I really enjoyed your analogy to Mozart's Figaro, and to the sounds of the wild. Like Kate, I don't think all the current voices and harmonies have equal merit, but I felt the relief de-personalising all this noise, and imagining the possibility of distinct, opposing, voices in wild chorus or harmony. Thank you.
You're welcome, Harriet. I found it a little ray of light, too. I think many of us do harmonise already. We're just not quite there as a society, yet. And maybe the tune will never be perfect. But we can enjoy singing along with those that try, and there are many :)
I sing in a choir, so this particularly resonates with me. Sometimes, we sing really difficult, dissonant pieces, too. They still have their own beauty and meaning, as they are reflecting something about human suffering or experience.
The more difficult thing to grapple with is that some of these voices have real-life, deadly consequences for others. That's not music, or harmony, or voices of the wild...
Alia this letter arrived just after dinner, with a cacophony of noise, including our pet black cockatoo.
It sure is hard to tune in to all the narratives these days and not all are equal or ethical. We all want to believe we can control our own stories but that depends on how you think about freedom.
I wonder if we are reaching a saturation point, where we are, and have to, deliberately tune out from the noise.
Yes, your right Kate, freedom is subjective. And I do believe we've reached a saturation point. For me, I like to know what's going on in the world, but I'm very selective about my news sources and generally avoid TV news and social media (except for Substack). I find consuming considered rather sensationalised news much easier to process. And then of course, family, community, writing, and being outdoors bring balance.
A lovely noise Alia, considered news is the way. I have been blown away by the number of my friends who tell me they only consume news on Facebook, eeek! And the sounds of the wild, so important to remind us where we all come from. I need to watch the Mozart movie now.
I have to go back and watch Amadeus too, it finished too late for me to get involved in, but I remember my parents watching it as a kid so it also has nostalgic value to me. It's on SBS On Demand at the moment.
The narrative has indeed gone wild, and it's a lot to even attempt to keep up with it. A journal article I read today about the role of the librarian in helping society navigate (and avoid) fake news/mis-/disinformation used the term 'post-truth world' throughout and I can't help but wonder at the landscapes of this place. Nothing makes sense, but I do like the hopefulness in imagining some sort of harmony on the other side of all this!
That's interesting that they used that term Lucinda because I've often thought that is (almost) the case. I feel the truth is out there (sounds like the X Files 😄), but it's harder for the average person to find, especially those who only tune in to social media.
Yes, and unfortunately I think ‘the algorithms’ don’t assist for those finding news via socials - with your bubble / echo chamber being fed on the daily.
This article catalyzed a lot of thoughts about the importance of narratives in human life. Stories are how we understand the world and ourselves, so it’s not surprising that when our narrative is disrupted, we experience dislocation, confusion, even grief.
And as you point out, we’re currently having to deal with all kinds of conflicting narratives forced upon us, their diversity and sheer volume (in both senses) unique in human experience, probably. A lot of them created in bad faith.
We may feel that they’re mostly coming from a particular area of the political spectrum; personally I think the practice is broader than that: wilfully ignoring certain facts and perspectives to give others salience is how individuals, organisations, communities and ‘movements’ of all kinds assert themselves.
I don’t tend to think there will ever be a time when the ‘narrative web’, for want of a better term, reverts to being simpler, more harmonious, less pernicious. Pandora’s Box is open now.
Mind you, it could be that the narrative will be simplified by an actor which is non-human, albeit one of our own creation. There’s a danger, a very great danger, that artificial intelligence will take control of the narrative. That could be the new order which emerges from this time of chaos.
Trying to find a positive takeaway from these dark thoughts, for me it emphasises the importance, the responsibility of storytellers in our society. We need to find the courage to tell it as we see it, without fear or favour. It was a surprise to me, when I first started writing fiction, how brutally honest I needed to make myself be, in ‘making stuff up’, and what a struggle it was – and still is. If it ever starts being easy, I’ll know I’ve ‘lost it’.
So we’re back to free speech, aren’t we?
Many sectors of the intellectual community seem to be constantly vigilant for shibboleths which reveal a storyteller’s ‘allegiance’. Using the wrong word, having the wrong thought, can be a career-impairing, possibly career-ending transgression. I think we need to give ourselves permission (particularly in literary fiction?) to think and articulate the uncomfortable, the transgressive. We also need to allow ourselves to be offended by the offensive thought without immediately rejecting everything the story has to tell us.
Wow, what a great comment Steve. On your point about the noise is coming from more than one particular side of the political spectrum, I agree. I feel one side is creating more fear at the moment, but I've also been turned off some environmental organisations that I would like to support because they're using the same sensationalist tactics. It's like they're competing to see who can slump lower than the next.
And your point on AI is very interesting. It will be interesting to see how the new wave of AI federal institutions in the US rolls out. I suspect it will have a bit of Robodebt to it. I often use AI to assist with browser searching as it's better at pulling out hidden info that SEO doesn't catch. But it's definitely going rogue. The other week, I was trying to find the complete text for a quote by Wordsworth as I didn't know which poem the line was from, and AI pulled out a cracker quote by Wordsworth. It was perfect! Better than the one I was looking for. It sent me to the source, but I couldn't find the quote anywhere. I told the AI chatbot the source was wrong and to look again, and it admitted that it made the quote up. It said it was very sorry. I'm hearing university lecturers are getting the same thing, with an increasing number of references in essays coming from sources that don't actually exist.
Just last night, here in Olympia, Washington, I heard the coyotes singing as well. Halfway across the world, I'm inundated with noise and news I can barely fathom is happening, barely able to process what is coming at me in continual waves. So lying in bed, unable (again) to sleep, my mind ruminating on all the horror coming out of the Oval, and all the powerlessness I feel, the coyotes. There they were, singing, communing together over some shared secret. They were loud, strong, and the echoes they created rippled through the canopy of old conifers that surround my house. They were echoing my heart, making me feel less alone, reinforcing I'm still living through this nightmare. Thank you, Alia, for putting more words to the insanity. For calling it out, for singing it out.
How beautiful to hear the coyotes, Nancy. I've had two very memorable encounters with coyotes and am very fond of them. Connecting with nature is such an important way of pulling us out of our heads and back to earth. It has its own rules that humans cannot suppress, no matter how hard we try. I hope you get some sleep, Nancy. The nights can be hard.
Yes, the nights can be hard. And long. But also full of stars, the moon, the skyscapes and night shadows and clouds that adorn this part of the world. You are so wise, Alia. Nature is -- and will be, I suspect -- our very salvation. She always wins.
When the wild beasts are coming att you from all sides you gather together with like forces to fend for one and another. Mozart Amadeus movie distills and the crescendo of operetta harmony frees to join one among many voices to send you to swoons. Freedom is one voice among many in unison to bring one for all together. Hope this makes sense. The beasts in the wild know. Each interprets their territory tongues spoken, but allowing each their own time to speak . The hard part is listening to others opinions.
You're right Richard, listening and trying to understand another point of view, especially when you know you're unlikely to agree, is very hard. Hard, but not impossible. The test is whether society as a whole can learn to master it and sing in harmony.
History is in pudding of time. 2K years of war 200 years of peace. Not good enough reviews.
Alia, I really enjoyed your analogy to Mozart's Figaro, and to the sounds of the wild. Like Kate, I don't think all the current voices and harmonies have equal merit, but I felt the relief de-personalising all this noise, and imagining the possibility of distinct, opposing, voices in wild chorus or harmony. Thank you.
You're welcome, Harriet. I found it a little ray of light, too. I think many of us do harmonise already. We're just not quite there as a society, yet. And maybe the tune will never be perfect. But we can enjoy singing along with those that try, and there are many :)
I sing in a choir, so this particularly resonates with me. Sometimes, we sing really difficult, dissonant pieces, too. They still have their own beauty and meaning, as they are reflecting something about human suffering or experience.
The more difficult thing to grapple with is that some of these voices have real-life, deadly consequences for others. That's not music, or harmony, or voices of the wild...
Alia this letter arrived just after dinner, with a cacophony of noise, including our pet black cockatoo.
It sure is hard to tune in to all the narratives these days and not all are equal or ethical. We all want to believe we can control our own stories but that depends on how you think about freedom.
I wonder if we are reaching a saturation point, where we are, and have to, deliberately tune out from the noise.
Lots to ponder, as always, thank you :)
Yes, your right Kate, freedom is subjective. And I do believe we've reached a saturation point. For me, I like to know what's going on in the world, but I'm very selective about my news sources and generally avoid TV news and social media (except for Substack). I find consuming considered rather sensationalised news much easier to process. And then of course, family, community, writing, and being outdoors bring balance.
A lovely noise Alia, considered news is the way. I have been blown away by the number of my friends who tell me they only consume news on Facebook, eeek! And the sounds of the wild, so important to remind us where we all come from. I need to watch the Mozart movie now.
I have to go back and watch Amadeus too, it finished too late for me to get involved in, but I remember my parents watching it as a kid so it also has nostalgic value to me. It's on SBS On Demand at the moment.
The narrative has indeed gone wild, and it's a lot to even attempt to keep up with it. A journal article I read today about the role of the librarian in helping society navigate (and avoid) fake news/mis-/disinformation used the term 'post-truth world' throughout and I can't help but wonder at the landscapes of this place. Nothing makes sense, but I do like the hopefulness in imagining some sort of harmony on the other side of all this!
That's interesting that they used that term Lucinda because I've often thought that is (almost) the case. I feel the truth is out there (sounds like the X Files 😄), but it's harder for the average person to find, especially those who only tune in to social media.
Love the X Files!!
Yes, and unfortunately I think ‘the algorithms’ don’t assist for those finding news via socials - with your bubble / echo chamber being fed on the daily.
This article catalyzed a lot of thoughts about the importance of narratives in human life. Stories are how we understand the world and ourselves, so it’s not surprising that when our narrative is disrupted, we experience dislocation, confusion, even grief.
And as you point out, we’re currently having to deal with all kinds of conflicting narratives forced upon us, their diversity and sheer volume (in both senses) unique in human experience, probably. A lot of them created in bad faith.
We may feel that they’re mostly coming from a particular area of the political spectrum; personally I think the practice is broader than that: wilfully ignoring certain facts and perspectives to give others salience is how individuals, organisations, communities and ‘movements’ of all kinds assert themselves.
I don’t tend to think there will ever be a time when the ‘narrative web’, for want of a better term, reverts to being simpler, more harmonious, less pernicious. Pandora’s Box is open now.
Mind you, it could be that the narrative will be simplified by an actor which is non-human, albeit one of our own creation. There’s a danger, a very great danger, that artificial intelligence will take control of the narrative. That could be the new order which emerges from this time of chaos.
Trying to find a positive takeaway from these dark thoughts, for me it emphasises the importance, the responsibility of storytellers in our society. We need to find the courage to tell it as we see it, without fear or favour. It was a surprise to me, when I first started writing fiction, how brutally honest I needed to make myself be, in ‘making stuff up’, and what a struggle it was – and still is. If it ever starts being easy, I’ll know I’ve ‘lost it’.
So we’re back to free speech, aren’t we?
Many sectors of the intellectual community seem to be constantly vigilant for shibboleths which reveal a storyteller’s ‘allegiance’. Using the wrong word, having the wrong thought, can be a career-impairing, possibly career-ending transgression. I think we need to give ourselves permission (particularly in literary fiction?) to think and articulate the uncomfortable, the transgressive. We also need to allow ourselves to be offended by the offensive thought without immediately rejecting everything the story has to tell us.
Wow, what a great comment Steve. On your point about the noise is coming from more than one particular side of the political spectrum, I agree. I feel one side is creating more fear at the moment, but I've also been turned off some environmental organisations that I would like to support because they're using the same sensationalist tactics. It's like they're competing to see who can slump lower than the next.
And your point on AI is very interesting. It will be interesting to see how the new wave of AI federal institutions in the US rolls out. I suspect it will have a bit of Robodebt to it. I often use AI to assist with browser searching as it's better at pulling out hidden info that SEO doesn't catch. But it's definitely going rogue. The other week, I was trying to find the complete text for a quote by Wordsworth as I didn't know which poem the line was from, and AI pulled out a cracker quote by Wordsworth. It was perfect! Better than the one I was looking for. It sent me to the source, but I couldn't find the quote anywhere. I told the AI chatbot the source was wrong and to look again, and it admitted that it made the quote up. It said it was very sorry. I'm hearing university lecturers are getting the same thing, with an increasing number of references in essays coming from sources that don't actually exist.
Wow! AI ‘deliberately’ making up quotations from a specified source to support the points we would like to find there: that’s huge. And scary.