Cuilionn,

I feel like you've read my mind. This is exactly the road I am going down. (see clip from your message below) I don't see any other way out of many of our problems. I also see this relating more deeply to our connection to the environment. (see book mentioned at bottom)

One thing that interests me is starting local song circles to investigate the oral tradition, some of the time singing in the original language. Also, I will print out lyrics, with some notes about the origins of the song, and translations into english. I think it is interesting for people to learn that 1000 years ago people had some of the same kinds of thoughts and problems (who to marry, oppression, poverty, humor, etc. etc.) Also, I think it is interesting to learn about ourselves and the oral/living tradition this way. I think we'll be very very surprised what we learn when we explicitely explore this, no kidding.

As far as your comment below (see clip) - I think that one has to keep going in pursuing these things if one believes in them as possibly being effective. As one works to understand, enthusiasm and the act of trying is actually far more effective than one may think. Often the rewards for this are not apparent or immediate, and it takes a lot of patience, thoughtfulness, compassion and faith in onesself and trust that the work helps people and improves the general situation!

One thing I'm interested in right now is the possibly fundamental tribal nature of human beings. Traditional music (the old old stuff) relates very directly to this. This "tribal" nature brings people together, but it also separates people. (i.e. irish music vs. scottish vs. west african, etc.) This ends up relating to tastes, preferences, friendships, language, music, ways of thinking, culture, and many other things.

So I'm thinking about this all the time these days, and haven't come up with a "solution" that resolves the "good" and "bad" results of this tribalism, but I think it is very interesting meanwhile to look into the oral tradition basis for all of our music, since in my mind that's where it all started and went on for thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years.

Anyway, reading the book "upright" right now, about how humans adapted to walking upright, which freed their breathing (didn't have to synchronize it with their walking), and was one of the things that led to being able to talk.

For more info:
Upright : The Evolutionary Key to Becoming Human -- by Craig Stanford

best,
G

> Cuilionn - PM
> often wonder what would happen if these angry, spirit-starved, >hungry-minded young men were given REAL cultural nourishment: powerful traditions of dance & music, community gatherings in which to learn them, stories and lore communicated to them by mentoring elders, instruction in ancient languages that open up entire worlds of perspective, insight, and understanding, and--best of all--the chance to gain meaningful employment in the service of such a heritage, through performance, teaching, archeological research, hands-on creative work, etc.