APA PAPER

This week, most of my reading consisted of dissecting long scientific text for facts I could use to support my research. I read three papers this week that all dealt with music and its affect on mood. While the material was very interesting, I found it somewhat difficult to understand the vocabulary used. Writing a scientific paper is quite an extensive process, that requires time and dedication. My paper was aimed at identifying whether a correlation between music and mood exist. This was a topic of particular interest to me because music plays a central role in my life. I often look to music as a way to escape and be free of everything tangible. Music allows you to express your emotions through its beat text and lyrics. With my study I wanted to test if others felt the same way about music as I did. The question I was especially interested in hearing response to was, Why would you say you listen to music? The answer caught my attention and I felt best captured what I felt went as follows “Because music is a definite mood-enhancing drug; the only medication I need to whatever ill things life brings. Music to brighten me up with its happiness and optimism when I'm feeling dark and grim. Music in that melancholy tone or somber voice to keep me company when my soul is down and weary. Music as a light shining through clouds that seems to awaken moments of understanding and unthought intellect. Music as the perfect sound and feeling that I need to accompany a riddled mind. Music is an aid to any thought, feeling, emotion, mood or living, breathing, waking moment. I really liked this assignment because it allowed us to explore areas of music we were interested in while still teaching us of writing at the college level.

Tuned in, Zoned out By Abigail Leichman

The article Tuned in, Zoned out, tackles the issue of whether ipods are making the current and future generations more antisocial. I agree with the idea present in the article that since the advent of the Ipod more people seem to be “wrapped up in their music.” This however is not a result of people wanting to intentionally alienate themselves but a mere side effect of being able to have thousands of songs in the palm of your hand. There has to be sometime you can listen like when riding the bus or walking to class. Just because you choose to listen to your ipod rather than have a conversation doesn’t mean you are becoming more or less social. Everyone has those days where they want to avoid contact with others and the ipod provides the opportunity for this. I myself am guilty of this type of behavior and I don’t consider myself antisocial because of it. Using your ipod as way to escape conversations because your having a bad day or in a rush shouldn’t be looked down upon. As Leichman states “ the devices help them relieve stress or, particularly at work concentrate.” I typically look at my ipod as a way to shut outside noise and focus on my work. Also I don’t think that I am in away losing touch with the people in my life because of it. If anything an Ipod can bring people together if you share musical interests. I can recall many times where my ipod has attracted the attention of someone and ended in a new friendship. Take the Zune for example which allows you to instantly share music, it can serve as a great conversation starter. In the end, I think Technology is what you make it. It can either prevent you from interacting with others, or it can keep you in contact and bring you closer .