Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site scirtp.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!rti-sel!scirtp!todd
From: todd@scirtp.UUCP (Todd Jones)
Newsgroups: net.flame,net.music,net.music.classical
Subject: Re: Background music pollution
Message-ID: <500@scirtp.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 17-Oct-85 13:01:56 EDT
Article-I.D.: scirtp.500
Posted: Thu Oct 17 13:01:56 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 20-Oct-85 05:49:59 EDT
References: <1227@ihuxe.UUCP> <771@rduxb.UUCP>, <1552@hammer.UUCP> <312@unccvax.UUCP>
Organization: SCI Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC
Lines: 54
Xref: watmath net.flame:12413 net.music:9716 net.music.classical:1403

>      Why work up such a stink about popular music. Instead, put your energy
> into hating the musical equivalent of velvet Elvis posters...background music!!
> Delivered fresh to your local (elevator, lobby, restaurant, retail store..)

Don't forget the lovely dulcet tones we are inundated with when put
on hold. This is the most obnoxious by far!

>      Anyway, I got to thinking about background music once again during all
> this, walked in my local Burger King yesterday only to hear a fine rendition
> of "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" and "All She Wants to Do is Dance"
> by the Phenobarbitol Philharmonic, Valium Quaalude, Conductor. Talk about
> an invasion of privacy? MUZAK (tm) actually makes "behavioural modification"
> claims for their brand of background music.  

The literature they give to prospective clients is hilarious! They claim
that the music is arranged in "ascending psychological thrusts" to increase
productivity and sooth raw nerves. I'm not sure what they mean by "APT",
but it sounds perverted to me.

> Their tunes are precisely 
> selected for tempo, spectral composition, length, etc. to increase worker
> productivity and the "urge to purchase." MUZAK is also scientifically blended
> so that average persons would not tend to listen to it.

Except for subliminal listening, which brings up another point: This may
be urban folklore, but I am told Muzak (and others) provides a means
of encoding subliminal messages such as "psst, better put that back, pal!
if you're caught stealing it's all over!" for department stores and
"mmm, that looks delicious. go ahead and pig out, but hurry!" for fast
food joints.

>      WHY DON'T BACKGROUND MUSIC VENDORS USE RECORDINGS OF THE GREAT CLASSICAL
> REPERTOIE or, for that matter, jazz and the original rock 'n roll/country/soul
> songs which they rip off anyway? Broadcast with DBX noise reduction ,
> and deliver background music without severe compression and
> peak limiting.

Because with the exception of sensitive types like you and me, it is largely
ignorable on a conscious level while it is (allegedly) doing its evil work
of subjugating and propagandizing us like so many Skinner-boxed rats. :-).

> David Anthony
> DataSpan, Inc

It's about d*mn time someone spoke up against this pervasive, evil and
clearly communist-inspired plot to turn our brains into so much oatmeal!
I dare anyone to defend this musical mockery monikered as "Muzak."

   |||||||
   ||   ||
  -X O-O X-       Todd Jones
    \ ^ /        {decvax,akgua}!mcnc!rti-sel!scirtp!todd      
    | ~ |
    |___|        SCI Systems Inc. doesn't necessarily agree with Todd.