Convergences Introduction

So I was hesitant to start reading "Convergences". I thought this was going to be another boring English book that I would be forced to read. To my surprise I was actually intrigued by what the book had to say. I liked how it jumped right in and got to the point.

The way the three perspectives (message, method, and medium) were broken down helped me a lot to understand each one. Also, it was much easier to understand simply because each one was broken down and not all compiled into one part.

I related what was being said in the book back to music, because that is such a big part of my life. Like when the book talked about "message". Obviously when a song is written it has a message to it. Whether it be something personal to the person writing the song or if its just a general message for everyone to think about or enjoy. But also I believe in music a lot of times there isn't just one message and I know this is true too for books. I think a lot of the time the message is left up in the air for the reader or listener to decide for themselves. The message/meaning to the listener may be completely different than the message/meaning to the person who actually wrote the song.

I could relate easily when on pg. 4 the book mentioned when trying to identify the message to be careful not to just identify the subject or theme. That is something I hear a lot when someone may ask about a movie. Someone usually says "oh its about a girl and boy falling in love" or "this movie is a revenge story." They never really say what its really about unless you actually ask.

To me, the most interesting part of the reading was the part about "method", because its so true that artists, photographers, musicians, etc. really think about and take the time to make sure their "method" of showing their message is the most effective it can be. Once again, going back to music, I think most song writers are constantly thinking of ways to say things that have already been said. At least I know for me I always become frustrated because I can never think of a new way to say something or write a guitar part that is innovative to the style of music I'm playing. There is so much music out in the world so of course the same thing has been said the 1000 different ways already. This is when "method" comes in. The way a songwriter may say something that someone else has already said can make it more or less effective. I think good lyricists say things in a symbolic manner rather than coming out and saying them straight forward.

The section with the different ways of asking "Will you marry me?" were definitely interesting as well. Especially the guy who mowed into a whole acre of farm land and flew his girlfriend across it. I would never think of that haha. That right there should be enough to know that this guy is definitely in love.