December 7, 2008

RjDj -- "That is something very similar to the effect of drugs."

An iPhone app, explained and demonstrated well here:



I love this app and enjoy making, say, going shopping aurally weird and arty and challenging. It's cool to be connected to your environment and disoriented at the same time. A bit like being crazy, but you can turn it off. I was walking around a bookstore with "Echolon" playing, and it picked up snippets of conversation and echoed and transformed them in a highly amusing way.

ADDED: I realized that running this app into your own ears is like imposing a "Harrison Bergeron" program on yourself. Are some children smarter than others? Let them listen to the teacher through "Echolon."

15 comments:

Palladian said...

It's a great substitute for actually having the intelligence to compose music. Counterpoint? Who needs it!

Anyway, when I want a drug-like music experience, I'd rather listen to Terry Riley. I love Terry Riley.

Ann Althouse said...

I love the way it incorporates the sound in your environment. For example, if you laugh, it picks up the laugh and runs with it.

I also like the Brian Eno app "Bloom," which you tap notes into and then it evolves into ambient music. Visuals too.

Don't be so cranky, P!

LoafingOaf said...

Whoa, that's righteous. Have you tried it while you're actually on drugs, too, yet?

I'd have a lot of fun with that. But I have no IPhone. :( (I might consider an IPhone, but my home is in an AT&T dead spot.)

Palladian said...

"Don't be so cranky, P!"

What kind of commenter would I be if I weren't caustic and cranky? A big nothing, that's what!

If that Scandinavia Moby dude in the video weren't so serious about it, I wouldn't be so cranky. It's not a new, mind-opening evolution of music. It's a fun little iPhone app. That's always been my problem with hippies and these newer techno hippies. The whole "consciousness-raising" mentality. It's like Up With People on mescaline.

LoafingOaf said...

Now you're making fun of this nice man in the YouTube, Palladian? His accent and manner is pleasant.

Meade said...

"Up With People on mescaline"
Har! No, Palladian - don't ever change.

Did you see his beautiful children at the end of the clip? They'll grow up with parents who can tell them, "Don't do drugs... drugs are so last century... here, here's something better."

Ann Althouse said...

"What kind of commenter would I be if I weren't caustic and cranky? A big nothing, that's what!"

Not so. You'd be entirely lovable.

"Have you tried it while you're actually on drugs, too, yet?"

Yet?! You think I use drugs?

Wince said...

Are we to assume this app would make us more attuned if a 14 year-old girl is being kidnapped in our midst?

Here's a story about a 14-year-old girl who, fortunately, saved herself from a kidnapper. But she went through a terrifying experience that could have ended a lot sooner if people on the street were more attentive to their environment instead of off in their own private iPod space.

MayBee said...


If that Scandinavia Moby dude in the video weren't so serious about it, I wouldn't be so cranky.


I think if we had this guy making pro-drugs commercials, we could have all Americans off drugs in one generation.

Rick Lee said...

I'm going to go download that right now. I usually do grocery night with my headphones playing rock... I can't wait to experience Wal-Mart and Krogers with this app.

Meade said...

"Yet?! You think I use drugs?"

Be honest - there have been days when even you have smoked too much blog. One post over the line sweet jesus.

Ron said...

That video looks like Dr. Evil couldn't afford an actual band and went all dots and loops on us!

Ann Althouse said...

"Be honest - there have been days when even you have smoked too much blog. One post over the line sweet jesus."

I don't need drugs. I'm high on blog.

Levi Hustle said...

Wow, I've never bought an iPhone app based off of an Althouse blog post. Now I have! Eargasm is awesome on the El in Chicago. Every time the train starts moving, a human chorus starts up! Awesome!

Anonymous said...

"RjDj -- "That is something very similar to the effect of drugs.""

Seems more like an electronic alternative to waterboarding.

I'm sure ultimately it will lead to an increase in autistic nerdism.