“Donate your band to science” is the catch phrase of scientist Dr. Sara Mednick and artist Lilah Freedland, who have traveled throughout the United States performing field research on hundreds of bands as part of Banthropology, their multi-disciplinary exploration “of the nature of the species Band”. They join us to discuss their findings on the realities of band life and more.
Comments [6]
As a member of the tribe (band) Golem, being studied by Bandthropology, I'd like to add that the interview process itself was very interesting and thought-provoking. We didn't know what we were getting into, and ended up discussing the questions amongst ourselves around our campfire (ha) for days.
Whether or not you think the study of band behavior is significant, you can be sure that the creators of this project will present their findings in an interesting, stimulating and creative way. After completing the written portion, I found myself wanting to read all the tests to see the different kinds of answers relating to body image, sexual practices and rules for group behavior.
If some NPR listeners find these issues irrelevant in general, they should just bury their heads further in the sand. I personally think they apply to people living in any group configuration - school class, office, presidential cabinet, even nuclear family.
As a musician and a hands on experienced observer of Bandthropology what these women are doing is groundbreaking and a time consuming process.
Support science in support of music.
Speaking as one of the musicians these ladies tested rigorously, I think what they're up to is totally fun and interesting. The patch work community of people dedicated to the creation of music is so vast and diverse, it makes for a fascinating topic of study anthropologically, medically or speculatively.
Music is an elective, it doesn't build bridges or manufacture penicillin, we chose to participate in it because it feels good. So far as I can tell, that's the same spirit these folks are bringing to their efforts.
To address the previous comments, if the study was on classical musicians or jazz cats, you'd have a Ken Burns series on PBS. I say if you're annoying the fuddy-duddies, you're doing something right. That's what jazz and rock did.
And how do you know it is not science? Where is your evidence, hypothesis...
have williamsburg hipsters completely taken over soundcheck? really, these people are ahameful..
sorry guys, but this show is absurd. it sounds like you're all having a great time, but for listeners (at least this one), this sounds like a bunch of bourgeois self-indulgent folly. these folks can't really be thinking they're making any real contribution to anything other than their own images...it's certainly NOT science...and sorry, it's not fascinating...a waste of a show, and member $$$.
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