Over the course of the semester, I have had the privilege of reading some of the most influence works in the western world, one of those being Plato’s Republic. The allegory of the cave has been one of the most interesting educational representations that I have ever heard — because of its links to life and spirituality, I am excited by the story in itself. After examining it in my honors seminar, I was reminded of a song by one of my favorite artists. On his first album, this song has had a substantial impact on me, for I have been listening to it for quite some time. It is open for interpretation, but I think it is very clear what he is trying to say here.
Brushfire fairytales
Itsy bitsy diamond wells
Big fat hurricanes
Yellow bellied given names
Well shortcuts can slow you down
And in the end we're bound
To rebound off of we
Well dust off your thinking caps
Solar powered plastic plants
Pretty pictures of things we ate
We are only what we hate
But in the long run we have found
Silent films are full of sound
Inaudibly free
Slow down everyone
You're moving too fast
Frames can't catch you when
You're moving like that
Inaudible melodies
Serve narrational strategies
Unobtrusive tones
Help to notice nothing but the zone
Of visual relevancy
Frame-lines tell me what to see
Chopping like an axe
Or maybe Eisenstein should just relax
Slow down everyone
You're moving too fast
Frames can't catch you when
You're moving like that
Well Plato's cave is full of freaks
Demanding refunds for the things they've seen
I wish they could believe
In all the things that never made the screen
And just slow down everyone
You're moving too fast
Frames can't catch you when
You're moving like that
Slow down everyone
You're moving too fast
Frames can't catch you when
You're moving like that
Moving too....
"Inaudible Melodies" – Jack Johnson
Sometimes we just need to slow down and listen to the silence that is trying to get our attention. Intentional silence is a rare occurrence; the constant buzz of everyday life can become so numbing to the point where we actually perceive it as quiet, when really there is none to be found. As a culture we are hard-pressed to get things done instantly — we rarely make enough time for reflection. I am often stuck in a frame of mind that promotes in-the-moment behavior, and it is hard to get out. It’s hard when deadlines, homework or life in general is looming overhead, with no sign of it drifting away.
I'm reminded every time that I hear this song to challenge myself to go against the grain of modern egocentricity and step back from my own life for a little while, so I can see what is really happening on the screen. When I consider those around me, less often do I find myself struggling to hear the truth in things. Give yourself a break, and listen once in a while, you just see the truth behind the shadows.
