Plato

Initially, I was amused by this reading, which essentially entails Plato contemplating the proper brainwashing method to apply in his ideal society. He carefully weeds out the methods, mediums, and contents of storytelling and music which his citizens must not be exposed to if they are to "be true architects of freedom for [his] city". They must not think it is okay to act in an unjust manner- to mourn or lament or resent. It reminds me of a Shel Silverstein drawing which I sadly could not find online in which a parent is choosing which words to shove into his kids head. Also, of the opening in High Fidelity, where John Cuisac asks a poignant question: "What came first- the music or the misery?" What I found especially relevant was Plato's insertion that music is "composed of three elements: words, harmonic mode, and rhythm" and that these three things must all agree with one another: "the mode and rhythm must follow from the words". I thought I'd look for a song with obviously conflicting words and rhythm and contemplate its effects- Here is what I found, an acoustic, sweet hearted cover of a dirty rap song which emphatically illustrates a clash of dispositions in modern American culture that may be leading our citizens manically ASTRAY. Oh save us Plato.