You are looking at AND, OR, NOT. That’s it. Once computers became “digital”, that is what everything is built out of. Layers and layers of those 3 things build all we now interact with. “Hardware” is simply those elements pushed into “stone”, while “Software” is able to change easily…As soon as anything “analog” can be digitized, it is… simple 1’s and 0’s that are then pushed through those layers of “programming” to develop these characters on this screen on this device. We are all used to it now – particularly in the era of Zoom with “bad wifi” when the sound gets ‘chopped’ up… literally some of the bits went into what is known technically as “the bit bucket” – otherwise known as “lost”. That information has to be interpreted, made up, invented to fill in the gaps. AND Do you observe anything having to do with America, Kansas, or our upcoming 4th of July?
I didn’t either – at first. Those elements are from “Logic”, and whole books are written about them… some of which head into the world of Philosophy – which I have a minor in… sorta computer science with words. It is the world that Locke and Rousseau leveraged, and now was being expressed in America. We talked before about theoretical and experimental science – this is why America is always called “the great experiment”. Other lands had Kings, royalty from “God” – we didn’t. And now there is a chance to try out those theories. NOT Kings, OR domination by government AND Liberty of each man OR God in government. If you wanted to write down America in Logic – that is the simple equation. And ..as with computers, sometimes the output is not exactly what you expected – and you need to “reboot” – usually 3 times before I will help you.
Drumming alone is really not that much fun… and probably why drummers tend to start bands. Larry with U2, Don Henley with the Eagles… and Phil Ehart with Kansas. Like the other guys, he was in and around Kansas music for his formative years… and realized that he wanted to take it to the next level. He even went to England looking for musicians, and after a few years, was homesick for Kansas (don’t start…). When he returned, he was the one that observed they had the makings of a great band among the musicians. He knew Steve had the vocals and keys down cold, and Rich (tomorrow) was a great guitarist. RIch knew Dave Hope (Saturday). That was most of what they needed – until he was in Lawrence one evening, and observed Robbie and said “That is a guy I need to be in a band with. I’ve never seen anybody look like that, anybody play like that, and sing that way”. The last part was Kerry who wrote amazing songs… but needed Steve to sing them. Phil demonstrated a drive and commitment that was missing from his other bands.
We are up to their 5th album, and the title track, Point of Know Return. This is one of the few that Phil wrote… with Steve AND Kerry. The video is an amazing time capsule back to the mid 70’s complete with Kimonos for all the members, and you have the fun psychedelic effects. You see them all playing, including Phil gently and masterfully keeping it all put together. That could be another reason that drummer build bands – that is what they are supposed to do – keep everything synced up. I have a very good friend that is always talking about looking for the “and” – which is interesting as I observed this song is “only” 2’53” – under 3 minutes. That meant it was not only played on FM…. AND …. AM radio… continuing their chart-topping climb. I remember friends saying “wow” this is a GREAT band – and I was “I know that – I have been listening to them for years….”.
These terms are embedded in our daily life in a way that we need to step back and observe. NOT this… this OR that… the language of division, another mathematical term that leads to less – always. As I went through my Math, EE, and Philosophy classes, the application of Logic also built on the structure of Debate… how to make an “argument” or “proof” – and always the basics of “causality”. Is what you are observing really that – or simply a coincidence, or a convenient twisting of logic you can unwind to find a flaw. Debugging, rebooting, rebuilding – became my rhythm in everything I did – my programming. What am I NOT seeing, what OR is a false choice, or as a good friend constantly beat into me – “Find the AND”. AND is generative – more results after. States AND Federal, me AND you, us AND them….maybe we need this reboot… AND perhaps why I love the lyrics and the vocal harmonies (the musical AND) behind so much of Kansas’ music… including this clever title. Pay attention – what do you “know” – programming that needs to be left behind… AND what would that allow as you reach The Point of Know Return…
