Dragonline - Comments

Biofeedback to sound

Hi Taryn, Unfortunately, we haven't done a great deal of work with biofeedback per se. I dealt with it ten years or so ago and got some interesting results using skin sensors on the fingertips. These sensors were connected to a Wheatstone bridge whose output was used to generate audio tones using a voltage to frequency converter. These tones and voltages were fed to a charting program (Dataq) on a PC and the resulting biofeedback signals were used to drive headphones or generate varying levels of white noise. The signal is based on the galvanic skin reaction (GSR) and its origins are based on the fact that human skin changes resistance when stressful events are experienced. It is similar in nature to the polygraph "lie detector" and may be graphed in a similar manner. These changes in resistance can occur when the individual is exposed to certain audio frequencies and some changes can be measured when the eye detects different colors of light. A subject who is asked to solve even simple math problems in his head will generate GSR responses as well.

The bad news Taryn is that these devices involve the connection of a human to an electrical device as well as computers and audio equipment and there can be a serious risk of electrical shock. I would be very reluctant to dabble with this stuff unless you have a sound background in electronics and an understanding of medical protocol where electrical devices are used. I have to admit that I've received small accidental shocks in my years of electrical experience servicing televisions and stuff that I've built myself. Most parents and loved ones hate it when their offspring are incinerated in the name of amateur science so I'd suggest that this stuff be very carefully dealt with and that professional folks are available to make measurements and determine safety practices.

Your question and ideas are interesting and I'm sure that you can obtain some good results. Keep us in the loop and let us know how you're doing.

visual sounds

In reply to THE MUSIC MACHINE:

Hello there…I am studying for my Masters in Visula Communication and am particulary interested in this subject. I am currently exploring and researching how sound combined with colour and visuals affects our body, perceptions, and psyche. My main area of focus is to create an interractive animated art peice that is generated by the biofeedback from participants. However I am still trying to find out how to collect the biofeedback and then convert it into sound. I have the sound to visuals covered so would appreciate any suggestions or advice. Do you have a link to any of your experiments it would be great to see and hear…thanks Taryn

Inner sound

In reply to THE MUSIC MACHINE:

Rick,

I couldn't agree with you more about the inner sound. I'm familiar with this experience through the Radha Soami Satsang of Beas, India, where the sound is referred to as "shabd" or "nam". No question that shabd meditation trumps any outward sonic experience.

Thank-you for bringing this up and feel free to add any comments about your experiences with inner sound to this blog. It's a great and timely discussion!

Best, Duncan Laurie

Radionics

In reply to Coast to Coast AM interview:

I want to share my own personal recollections of radionics from my childhood. My mother believed in alternative medicines and she had an instrument which she used under the auspices of a medical doctor. I remember her, at times, taking a bit of blood from my finger and sending it to the doctor for analysis who would then send back pages of hand-written notations which mom referred to as “rates”. These were the settings for the different dials on the instrument. Both my brother and I received occasional treatments. While laying down, Mom would place a small (3x3) sheet of lead on a certain part of our body that related to an internal organ. The lead was attached by an alligator clip to a wire which connected to the instrument. The dials were set as per the dr’s instruction and for about 10 minutes we would just relax and let the instrument transmit what it was set for. I think there were also vials of substances (minerals?) which were placed into the instrument if prescribed.

We also were given homeopathic remedies in conjunction with the treatments. I believe mom used this instrument until the dr (who was elderly) retired or passed away. My father told me that he believed that the radionic treatments I received when I was diagnosed with polio at about age 3 0r 4 prevented paralysis from afflicting my body. The era was the 50s and early 60’s and I am now 59 and enjoy excellent health. Since both of my parents have passed on I regret that I can not ask them, (mom, in particular) for more information, but I have always remembered this as a unique aspect of my childhood. I was always reminded not to speak of the use of the instrument because it was illegal and the doctor could get in trouble, so it was to be taken very seriously.

Medical advice on radionics

In reply to Coast to Coast AM interview:

Dear Visitor, I am sorry to disappoint you by saying that I have no medical qualifications and no direct experience treating people with radionics in any medical fashion. In fact, I do not recommend such a course of action unless under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. My book focuses on the historical and creative aspects of radionics, but I do cover a number of people and organizations in the book that may provide some help in locating a radionics practitioner. Personally, I do not favor or endorse any one person or instrument and have no commercial relationship with anyone in this field. Some of the individuals whose work I admire and respect, are covered in The Secret Art, but there are many others, (and no doubt some are highly qualified), that I don't know anything about. I am sorry not to be of more help. Duncan Laurie

Medical advice on radionics

In reply to PURR GENERATOR:

tinitis

In reply to PURR GENERATOR:

my wife has meneurs disease with a constant ringing in the ears. Ian seemed to have relief
and made reference to an ap that you were working on. Any suggestions. I found your insight
and input very interesting. Any suggestions ? Thank you.

Jack A Hurst
Newmarket , Ontario , Canada
jhurst@tritonpromo.com

The Gift of Radionices/Orgone Energy in Human Health

In reply to Coast to Coast AM interview:

Great show in C2C, introducing Radionic’s Healing aspect.
Post your interview I was searching the net in various
Radionics healing devices and methods.

But for some one who is newly introduced to this field, it’s
difficult to determine the right equipment and method to
use radionics.

It’s would be nice, if you could make a post referring
your experiences and recommendations perhaps on this.
Noticed that some of the devices could be very expensive
for average people to afford. So low cost effective means
would be appreciated very much so.

I think millions of people who are chronically ill out there
would be helped greatly.

Inner sounds

In reply to THE MUSIC MACHINE:

Hi !

This is a response to the following statement “Atmospheric sounds like short wave background noise and even modulated white noise can precipitate an experience of altered consciousness when ones attention is enveloped by that experience.”

I think you might be interested to know that one of the ancient and sacred meditation techniques of Raj Yoga involves focusing intently on the sounds audible within one’s own head. These sounds are generated by the Life Force vibrating within. I have personally experienced merging into the inner sound stream created by the Presence of Life. I “became” the sound; it was as if I had suddenly gone from observing a river passing by to jumping in to it. Actually it was even more profound than that, because my experience was that I WAS the sound. It was very exhilarating, but unfortunately only lasted for maybe 5 seconds before I popped back out of the altered state.

I would humbly suggest that these divine inner sounds generated by the Self make a superior object of meditation to physically created sounds. Raj Yoga also has several other methods for focusing the senses within to see and feel the infinite and divine power that is living us.

Blessings,
Rick Field
rickf1@roadrunner.com

Thank you for your interest

In reply to Coast to Coast AM interview:

Hello Luis,

Thank you for your interest. The interview was audio only. Coast to Coast AM has the program in it's entirety up on their website in RealAudio and MP3 formats. You can find it at http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2010/07/17

Excellent Interview

In reply to Coast to Coast AM interview:

Your interview with Ian Punnit on C2C was extremely informative. I had never heard of radionics until tonight. Thank you for your introduction to yet another alternative healing method. Mainstream medicine should take note of your research.

Your interview with Ian P., 07-17-10

In reply to Coast to Coast AM interview:

Good morning, I missed your chat with Ian P. Is there a way for me to get copy (Video) of this interview, I'd like to have it and treasure it, I would love to have the chance to see it and listening to your wisdom and gift to to all of us !!

Yours, Luis D. Rey

Very cool interview

In reply to Coast to Coast AM interview:

Hi there

thanks for the interview you gave to Ian Punnett on coast 2 coast. Very informative. I have never heard of Radionics and I’m looking forward to learning more.

thanks again

teresa

John Norseen

In reply to John Norseen passes Sept 27:

I came across an old paper he wrote, and remembered our time together in 2001.
Everyone around me thought he was a kook and I should not take him seriously.
But I did, and respected his thoughts. But I also recognized he was in tremendous internal
pain, both from his knee replacements and in his heart.

I am saddened by finding his obituary. I was just thinking as I was googleing him that he may
not have survived. Not by the way I saw him drinking in 2001.

I’m sorry I did not keep up with him. I have been through a lot these past 10 years and sought out
peace and obscurity.

I will miss him and perhaps we will continue some of the research we started so many years ago.

Cheers!

dr. D B Karron

Plant Tones - Music From The World Of Plants

In reply to Duncan at The Stone, NYC - Dec 9th:

http://www.discogs.com/Michael-Theroux-Plant-Tones-Music-From-The-World-…

how do they work?

In reply to Radionic Socks:

it says place them on the body and rub until you feel a connection. im not sure exactly what that means ?? what do they actually do .?

Available again

In reply to Radionic Socks:

The radionic socks have just become available again. They are $20 from the manufacturer - http://www.ozonesocks.com/radionic.html

where can you purchase a pair

In reply to Radionic Socks:

where can you purchase a pair of these, and how much do they cost ?

Richard Devine's Electronic Manuscript

In reply to Bat Boxes:

Richard Devine used the Bat Box 2 in creating sounds for the Electronic Manuscript library disc for Sony.

Piezo Systems

In reply to PIEZO CHIPS:

We have been using piezo elements from PIEZO SYSTEMS, INC.

Purr Generator at AVAM

In reply to PURR GENERATOR:

The latest incarnation of the Purr Generator is on display into September 2010 at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore Maryland.

Ableton examples

In reply to ABLETON LIVE:

Two recent pieces by David Last exemplify using Ableton Live with Nature signals.

Plant Relax for Stone

process part 088

Question by Bruce

In reply to Rock Music paper posted:

Bruce,

Many thanks for taking the time to post an interesting question on the blog. I am not sure I can be of much help, but will give it a try. The late John Norseen who’s ideas I have tried to convey in Outlaw Technology was the semiotics expert, not myself. However, he continually stressed the work of Charles Sanders Peirce, often called the founder of pragmatism. I would also take a look at the papers of Alexei A. Sharov on the semiotic paradigm in biology. Consider these thoughts from Sharov:

"Organism as a Message. Living organisms have internal
self-description written in a DNA form. This description comes from
previous generations and summarize the experience of all ancestors in the
art of surviving. Thus, an organism has a dual nature: it stands for
itself and it is also a message sent from all previous generations to all
future generations (Calow 1978, Hoffmeyer 1997). This duality is the
essential feature of life which makes biological evolution possible.
Differential survival and reproduction of organisms is a semiotic process
which incorporates present into the future. Hoffmeyer (1997: 16)
characterizes life as survival in a coded form. Messages that provide
better recipes for surviving are reproduced together with organisms
whereas messages with poor instructions disappear together with their
bearers."

At first blush, you may not see this as connected to your artistic goals, but understanding how symbols function in a primal, biological context should certainly help you determine how best to construct them to affect a specific audience. Norseen saw successful art as combining hitherto unrelated semiotics, images superimposed along side or upon one another that provoke irrational feeling. In the context of Islam, the Danish cartoons seemed to have created such a situation. I’m sure you can think of many other artworks that essentially do the same thing. I personally consider this type of audience baiting essentially trivial, unless the metaphors that are unlocked are truely astounding and revelatory. But, I am reluctant to cast dispersions on any specific art works; after all, who am I to judge anyone elses efforts?

Here’s another bone to chew on from Sharov on the Peircean semiotic triad; object (O), representation (R) and interpretation (I):

"Semiotic Triads. Peirce suggested a triadic scheme for a sign
which is the relationship between a sign vehicle (e.g., the dinosaur
bone), an object (the dinosaur), and interpretant (the recognition of the
dinosaur from the bone by paleontologist) (Deely 1992). Hoffmeyer (1997)
applies triads to genetic code by considering the DNA as a sign vehicle,
fertilized egg as interpretant, and ontogenetic trajectory as object.
Despite obvious differences between these two examples, they both satisfy
the conditions of a sign relationship. In both cases the sign vehicle
triggers the process of building another object: the mental model of the
dinosaur or the material model of an organism. But if an organism is the
model then the model of what? I think that any organism is a model of its
ancestors. And as with any other model, it may slightly deviate from the
original."

Norseen used to say that in order for ORI to be a complete semiotic, it needed to convey value or meaning to a future condition. Sharov put it this way:

"A message requires an interpreter, and the genetic code is interpreted
by each cell in the body. The offspring organism is supplied with both the
code and interpreter that can read this code and build an organism from
it. The processes of interpretation of the genetic code (organism
building) are called epigenetic processes. Thus, heredity always has
genetic and epigenetic components."

So, thinking about a painting, what value does it convey to a future interpretent? The art with the most longevity seems to be the art conveying the most information for future interpretants. This observation begs the question of what constitutes "value" in art? You can potentially use the study of semiotics to arrive at an answer to the question of value. Again, borrowing liberally from Sharov’s paper, "Towards the semiotic paradigm in biology" 1998:

"Value. One of the basic problems in biosemiotics is
understanding how ‘something’ becomes ‘someone’ Hoffmeyer (1997). In other
words, what is the origin of subjectivity, or how a system can start
interpreting the world? Action is the only possible predecessor of
interpretation. In primitive organisms, interpretation is always reduced
to some simple action. For example, the sound of a bat means ‘fall down’
for a moth, and a source of light means ‘move here’ for unicellular algae.
Organisms also exhibit numerous spontaneous actions which are not induced
by any external signal. The question is: what makes organisms perform all
these actions? According to physics and chemistry, organism activity is
predetermined in its structure. But this is only a half of an answer or,
better to say, not an answer at all because the next question is why
organisms have this specific structure. Action and structure are two sides
of the same thing which can be called ‘organization’.

The explanation of the origin of organization comes from the theory of
evolution which in its most general form states that action and structure
may form a self-stimulating loop based on self-reproduction (Conrad 1983).
As a result, action and structure are integrated into an organism."

Note the reference to the ‘self-stimulating loop’. In biology, the loop is based on self-reproduction. So, what is it based in in Art? I would argue that great art stores a type of energy, especially emotional energy, but perhaps also something more. I’ve been trying to write about that energy in terms of Radionics. I think talking about the tools that people can use to manipulate the energy is more productive to actual work than considerations of pure theory. Certainly, in order to learn how to paint, you had to come to grips with the process and materials first. If you take that approach to Radionics, you may find that your art tools are also radionic tools, and your paintings become objects with a new level of interpretation. Good Luck!

Hope that was of some marginal help to your efforts.

Duncan Laurie

I am an Oil Painter who has

In reply to Rock Music paper posted:

I am an Oil Painter who has just “dabbled” with using my Art to create socially relevant messages. I have been unconsciously successful several times now, and have been nicely rewarded by Art buyers. It was not until recently that I decided to stop “dabbling” and understand the “science” of symbolic messaging and purposeful channeling of subliminal “feelings” to my audience (as did Eminem, maybe the Doors).

I am most interested to understand the “state of the Art” in semiotics and radionics with respect to Painting about Socially Relevant issues.

So, for example… I plan to do a series of 10 paintings (and collaboratively, photographs) about the re-emerging expansionism of Islam, now, since it halted on September 11 1683 at the gates of Vienna. I want to accomplish this without “beating the audience over the head” with my message, but I do want them to very clearly “feel” what I am trying to convey…a sense of concern about how he/she deals with this and what it means to them.

Just to make sure you do not misunderstand my motivations…I am also working on a series of 10 paintings called “die neueiserne Gardiene” (Neueiserne Gardiene being literal in German for New Iron Curtain)depicting 10 paintings of the Wall through Palestine built by the Israeli’s. Again, I want to convey a sense through symbolism of outrage at the act of separation…without making it a political statement for or against Zionism.

I must confess, I have some ideas, but I need to “learn” how to translate the feelings I have about issues into Oil. Semiotics/Radionics seems to be a way. What do you think, and where do I start reading?
Bruce