While selecting the golden records songs, the first thought that came to my mind was: Who am I to decide which songs need to be included and which ones to be excluded. I tried to include ‘ a little bit of everything’. While working on this task, I felt as those who work on digitizing the analog material. What are the guidelines and criteria to determine what is in and out?
More does not mean that is better. However, when it comes to telling other lives and civilizations about planet earth, is challenging to decide what represents us. I tried to include tracks from different cultures but at the same time I wanted them to represent different feelings. While listening to the tracks, I felt that some represented specific emotions that are very unique of humans.
If what was written on the record could have also been considered as a “track”, it would have one of the ten that I chose. What if they cannot hear nor feel the sound waves produced by the pieces. If they are able to see, then they could at least try to decipher what was written on the record.
Next to each record, I have added a short explanation for choosing it.
Track #2: Greetings in 55 Languages. This includes a variety of languages, portraying the different cultures that planet earth has.
Track #3: United Nations Greetings/Whale Songs. The reason for choosing this track was due to the whales rather than the greetings. The whales’ song is another for of life other than humans that are delivering a message via their song.
Track #4: The Sound of Earth. This track included the evolution of Earth; volcanoes, thunder and lava, portraying the planetary development. Additionally it includes the planets’ frequency. I interpret it as a representation of our entire solar system.
Track #8: Alima Song. It includes the sounds that one could hear in the rainforest. It is the representation of our planet’s vegetation, which has not been destroyed by man so far. Should extraterrestrials find earth one day, maybe they still have a chance to listen and visit this beautiful place.
Track #10: El Cascabel. This is a very joyful song. Emotions or feelings are part of what makes us humans, it is a characteristic that makes us unique. This song might allow extraterrestrial life understand how we humans are.
Track #13: Sokaku-Reibo (Depicting the Cranes in Their Nest). This was a very unique piece since it was only done by the flute, there were no additional instrument. The song is about the cycle of life cranes who are raised by their parents cranes and when grown leave the nest and, the parent cranes who grow old and die. This is the usual circle of life for humans too.
Track #14: Melancholy Blues. What can I say? Jazz is Jazz. How can one not like it? This was my first time listening to this track. I felt as if the song itself was narrating a story. This song is from a very specific genre. I believe that it would catch extraterrestrial listeners attention.
Track #16: The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du Printemps), Part II—The Sacrifice: VI. Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One). I link this piece with the word tension and pressure. This is another of those tracks that can show the different emotions that humans go through.
Track #18: Symphony No.5 in C Minor. This is a Classic! This piece is so powerful. When it comes to Classical music, this is one of the most famous ones. It is radiant and energetic. It also provides a sense of history on how music evolved. Another reason for choosing this piece is because I would like to portray the different string instruments that humans use to produce music.
Track #24: Liu Shui. This is a very relaxing piece. I chose this one to show a contrast the Asian music with the Western music. Also, it would be therapeutic for an extraterrestrial life who has been under amount of stress.