Digital Media and Information in Society/Student Journals/Bartgis/Phenomenological analysis of the phonograph

This passage discusses the role of phonography in capturing and reproducing acoustic events. The author highlights how sound recording goes beyond mere convenience, allowing people to create personalized rituals and replay experiences. The diversity of recording formats is also considered, with different time limits shaping how people interact with the recorded material. The passage contrasts Evan Eisenberg's perspective, emphasizing the capacity of phonography for replaying musical experiences, with Theodor Adorno's view. Adorno sees repetition as potentially regressive and even masochistic, particularly in popular music, which he argues relies on standardized, repeatable elements. Adorno suggests that classical music, with its structured relationships between parts, offers a more intellectually engaging alternative.

Brown, Lee. "Phonography, Repetition and Spontaneity." Philosophy and Literature, vol. 24 no. 1, 2000, p. 111-125. Project MUSE, https://doi.org/10.1353/phl.2000.0003.