Music and space as “dialectic” (p. 192)
This theme becomes quite drastic when we look at how people in power use sound or music to control space. One example our authors give is Wired Radio Inc., a company that “began to transmit specialist programmes that could be subscribed to by businesses. Programs were implemented as early as World War II (p. 194). We know this system of influence well, as it surrounds us in shopping malls, gas stations, workplaces, transit systems, even elevators. It is interesting to consider the amount of architecture involved on a sonic level. Reminiscent of WWII propaganda films and conspiracy-like thoughts on military brainwashing of the psyche, though perhaps not as severe, we are surrounded by a subtle sonic order. Interesting to note is that Connell and Gibson analyze such order or construction at the Mall of America (pp. 196, 197).
Music and sound on the subconscious level perhaps led to an overt marketing of ambient, lounge music and the multitude of soundscape albums (whales, ocean breakers, winds, rains, jungle). In this case one can set the mood; the listener can program him/herself to raise the likelihood of a desired emotional/mental state.
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