For paper #2, I will be using “ways of hearing” by Damon Krukowski and “Living with music” by Ralph Ellison to demonstrate how sounds shaped the way we lived. Living in the city, we encounter different types of sound either it is obnoxious or pleasing to the ears. Learning to adapt to the sounds we hear is essential in places where noise pollution is inevitable. Through the use of technology, we are able to manipulate sounds and turn them into our personal liking. Digital media paired with earphones, speakers, or phones can create a personalized space that allows one to detach from the physical world and to reconnect to the desired place or person.

Krukowski says, “the marginal-the rejected-the repressed-is whatever the powerful have decided is of no use at the moment.” means that larger companies have a power to decide whether a sound is socially accepted thus having a higher or lower value. This creates a social construct between these companies and the music producer on how their music should sound. Krukowski then asks, “But might it not be a key to alternate approaches-to art, to society-to power itself? This shows that the social construct can prevent a music from being produced, thus hindering an artist from creating different forms of art / expressing themselves, because it did not meet the criteria. 

In order for digital corporations to keep the user engaged, they allow the user to discover similar music and sound that seems familiar to them. This attracts the user and allows them to explore the product and use it more often. When a corporation surprises a user, the user might not like the product, thus lessening the use of the product since they don’t get the experience they were looking for. The product might not also spark an interest to the user when surprise compared to when they are given products they are familiar and comfortable with.

The music listening experience enabled by forced exposure is different from those that Paul Lamere is working on with platforms like Spotify because in force exposure it allows different artists/music to be discovered. Force exposure distributes music from all over the world while platforms like Spotify have classified music that catered recommendations to the user. In this way, users only discover similar artists and music based on their algorithm.

In “living with music” Ralph Ellison describes how unpleasant music surrounds him, thus disrupting his peace. To the left who’s blasting lullaby music, to the right with a jukebox playing from a restaurant. Windows which caught city sounds and to the back of the wall with preaching drunks and the neighbor who’s singing seeps through the ceiling. He describes his experience as if he was in a box, trapped, with each side of the wall filling the room with incohesive sounds, further tormenting him. In order to combat the sounds, Ralph bought an audio system that he used as a weapon which he used against his neighbor. His experience has led him to enjoy the music and longed for his previous apartment.

“In those days it was either live with music or die with noise…”

Ralph was trying to convey that music is a part of our lives and in order to enjoy them one must appreciate the sounds to be one with them. 

One similarity between Ellison’s essay and ways of hearing was that both of them took place in a city. It talks about how a sound create a space different from others and how it can terrorized/occupy a space creating s special meaning that only that place has

1. Hearing is to perceive sound and requires no attention while listening requires attentiveness and the ability to understand and process the sound being made. The brain gets more involve rather than the ears when listening. To listen, the listener intends to connect and engage with others creating a deeper understanding about the situation.
2. Sound has played a role in shaping a city and redesigning a place. Schafer and Krukowski states, that “through audio, we’re privatizing our public spaces just like the redesign of astro-place into a pedestrian plaza” Digital media creates a sense of privatized space on public spaces by using sounds to detach themselves from their surroundings. This of course, creates a refuge place on one’s devices that they can carrie when traveling or when they don’t want to be bothered.

Berger argues that photographs of the civil rights movement were used by white press to convey blacks as powerless to feed the white racial power. I agree with Berger as we can clearly see similarities within the photographs that were published: defenseless black restrained by white supremacy. Since photographs of violences catch more attention, it is no doubt that publishers use these kinds of images. This results in an adverse effect on the movement as it promotes violence against black while alleviating white anxieties.

1. According to Berger, publicity images influence consumers because it shows an alternative way of life. Publicity images make one desire something glamorous which results in an enviable attitude. It plays on fear of not being desirable, thus becoming “faceless, almost nonexistent”. Possessing these glamorized objects often conveys one’s life better than before because of the dream they promise. This is significant because it shows how publicity influences consumers and how one should live. This creates a mindset of how these glamorous lifestyles can change our lives by buying these objects.
2. The difference between oil painting and publicity photography is important because it shows a shift of how an artwork/image is being conveyed. The production of images for publicity shows a contrast on the promises that these products offer. While these products are being produced by factory workers who often work with harsh environments such as exposure to chemical and other factors, these products for example, fragrances which advertise being desirable and often showing sensual images, creates an illusion of a better life.
3. The dream of later tonight shows people thriving and the satisfaction of being surrounded by pleasure. The alcohol conveys an occasion in which one can relax and put all worries aside. People are having a great time as the sexual tension between you and your partner grows. The use of imagery manipulates the consumers because it shows a lavish lifestyle where the consumers are seen celebrating with intimate friends. It creates a desire where life seems perfect and a diversion from reality. The images create a sense of euphoric feeling that lingers throughout the dream.

Berger argues that women are depicted as an object by the man spectating and the artist in the renaissance painting. These painting often shows unrealistic or idealized images of a woman which is then judge by the spectators. In todays society women do have more control over their images in the media by choosing what to post and what not to. They also have the ability take down unwanted images of themselves posted by others. I do think that sexuality still play a role in images of women today for such there are some influencers that would often post and set unrealistic standard of beauty which affects women and how they think what their body should look like. This action can also be seen on the renaissance painting because the images of these woman often show sensual representation and disproportion that is appealing to the male viewer.

1. According to Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, writers should use the model of “entering the conversation” because it engage others and gives them an idea about the topic one is trying to argue. This can be seen on “that we listen carefully to others, including those who disagree with us, and then engage with them thoughtfully and respectfully”. This shows that by allowing others to express their ideas one is able to understand the opponents perspective and be able to communicate a counterargument regarding about the issue, which in turn strengthening ones stand. This allows the opponent to understand the other argument while feeling engage.
2. Learning to look at artwork help us analyze other situations because it can help one to examine a situation with precision and recognize patterns. Artwork can also train one to see different points of views that others may not see, thus allowing them to investigate further and more accurately.