Creation

“Ya know, as a musician sometimes you have to give up some stuff so you can do other stuff.”

“Why? Because you're playing solo? What if you had a band? Or just... some time and an eight-track recorder?”

“And a well of talent both broad and deep, and the ability to hold complexity in your mind, and to organize your thoughts so you don't have to hold all that complexity in there at once.”

“Sure, why not?”

“Some people have these things. It's not their own limitations they're up against, it's those of the audience. The audience doesn't get to listen as a band. We may talk about collective listening experiences, and sometimes there's something to them, but they aren't going to make people better at handling complexity in a consistent and sustained way. You can't get 'em in a groove and lead 'em off the beaten path at the same time.”

“I don't know... that sounds more like a bad metaphor than a real limitation.”

“I'm not saying you can't alternate between the two, just not at the same time.”

“Meh, still don't buy it. You can listen to music, dance along, turn your head in surprise and delight, and keep dancing.”

“Speak for yourself. Have you seen me dance?”

“Uh... no?”

“There's a reason for that.”