Knowing that Sehmon and Jamie have similar themes in their topics, and we discovered we are all reading the same books (Ways of Being by James Bridle), we met to discuss our projects.
I gave my normal pitch about the EEG work and got feedback about the identity politics / attribution topic. Jamie questioned whether my work only using inspiration from indigenous plant medicine rituals or Mayan drumming or Eastern meditation, and what about music creating transcendent experiences like the Grateful Dead. We discussed what is citing inspiration or research versus what is name dropping for credibility? Is it necessary to mention my dad taught me about Taoism and Buddhism when I was in elementary school? Other things fit into the narrative more easily, like “I learned to meditate after meeting other ravers who grew up in TM” or “I learned about Mayan trance rituals when researching the effect of repetitive beats on the mind” I want to avoid using parts of my history just as a credibility token, while weaving inspirations and references into the narrative more organically during my presentations.
Sehmon asked how I plan to show my research and background of the project at performances and suggested I make a type of guide / website / zine to distribute at shows. It could cover:
– What an audience member can expect to happen during the experience, inclduing descending down through the brain states, what that feels like
– Description of brainwaves
– Explanation of the technology
– Include my background research, citing sources and inspirations
This could be a take-home guide which is an on-ramp for meditation
Also wondered if the performance be a techno set? Downtempo morning set with such small changes that they are imperceivable, but after time, you know the entire soundscape as completely transformed.
Jamie also wondering if pressure sensors on the floor and movement could help author the composition. I had mentioned I wanted to exploring blurring the authorship line by having audience members wear EEG or heart sensors.
Notion page
https://www.notion.so/jasonjsnell/2023-04-02-Sehmon-Jamie-f054dfcdaee34594a8ba6428774f3c1f?pvs=4
So glad this trio connected!