Some April

AI-generated summary:

Some April 2025 is a compelling collection of diary entries that offers a multifaceted lens on the month of April, uniquely interweaving personal reflections from 1997-2025 with observations and historical contexts from prior centuries. The narrative creates fascinating juxtapositions, such as an 1818 entry by Anne Lister alongside a 1998 reflection on Jenni-Cam, highlighting the profound and accelerating impact of technological progress on society and individual lives.

The book critically examines the pervasive influence of technology and media, from the evolution of the internet and social media to the rise of AI in art and music. It explores "aesthetic erosion" and the challenges of maintaining authenticity and craft in a digital age, as well as the potential for AI to introduce both innovation and "happy accidents" into creative processes.

Beyond technology, Some April 2025 provides a stark commentary on the socio-political landscape, particularly the anxieties surrounding the Trump era, the decline of democratic norms, and escalating global conflicts. The author observes how current events frequently mirror past historical patterns, creating a sense of "World War III moments" and blending celebrity culture with politics.

Interspersed throughout are deeply personal reflections on dreams, the pursuit of self-improvement within creative endeavors, the spiritual dimensions of music, and the ongoing quest for authentic identity in a world demanding conformity. From the "April gloom" of contemporary anxieties to the timeless appeal of artistic expression, Some April 2025 invites readers to contemplate the intricate relationship between individual experience and the broader forces shaping our collective future. 

 APRIL IMAGES

 

Given the popularity of the Gentleman Jack series, for April I am including a few entries from the diaries of Anne Lister (4/13/1820, 4/16/1818, 4/19/1819, 4/22/1817), in addition to Keith Haring, Brian Eno, William James, and Anne Frank, and for 2023, Patti Smith, with excerpts from Book of Days.

As I've interlaced the journals and diaries of others with my own, interesting juxtapositions emerge: For example, an entry by Anne Lister for April 16, 1818 and my April 16, 1998 entry about Jenni-Cam. In the gap between those two events happening on the same day 180 years apart, electricity, cameras, an audio recording industry (and the beginning of its ultimate demise in 1999 with Napster), TV, and the internet were invented, and would have been utterly inconceivable by the general public in 1818. If technological developments occur at the same pace, an additional four wildly inconceivable technologies could be invented by the 2170s. In the 18-teens one's daily activities would have been walks around (Halifax) watching cows calving and going to the bookstore (Whitley's) for flute sheet music. You would have been excited by the prospect of going to see a talented flutist play God Save the Queen, as you had bought the score and were eagerly learning to play it (however simple). In April 1966 there was a group called The Beatles experimenting with playing things backwards; so the idea of someone almost 200 years into the future being a blatant exhibitionist and playing things backwards would have seemed like an insane horror, vis-a-vis things like playing the flute, having tea, and witnessing a cow-calving, compared to a mass shooting/suicide mission at a school in Colorado in April 1999.

***

Some April: War in the Balkans continues (1999), XM radio released (2003), Weather extremes (Chicago): both 30-degree temperatures (1997, 2013) and 80s (2001, 2010, 2011) in early April (evidence of climate change), Snow in April (2011, 2014, 2022), Tornado outbreak 2011, Deepwater Horizon Spill (2010), COVID lockdown (2020), Swine Flu outbreak (2009), Titanic sinking centennial (2012), Royal wedding of Price William and Kate Middleton (2011), Andy Warhol visits Pope John Paul II in Rome on April 2, 1980 and Pope John Paul dies on April 2, 2005, The Beatles in the studio in 1966 recording tracks for Revolver, Death of Prince (2016), Brian Eno in Sicily (1995), Ai Grace (Neone) in a studio in Berlin with her band Nth recording tracks for the album Strategic Erasure (2046), Anthony Townes prepares for a group show with Nic Eben "Equality of Vision" at Ramona Stone's gallery (2048), Got a 56K modem (1997), Russian forces poised to attack Ukraine (2014), Films watched in April: Memento (2001), Mulholland Drive (2002), Goodbye Dragon Inn (2005), There Will Be Blood (2008), Spencer (2022), Allen Ginsberg dies on April 8, 1997, The notion of an "iPod Society" (2005), The San Francisco earthquake (1906), Iraq occupation seen as another Vietnam (2004), Elian Gonzales raid (2000), Oklahoma City bombing anniversaries, Earth Day celebrations, Columbine (April 1999).

Stories about a girl named April generated by ChatGPT:

Some April (1886)

April was a 32-year-old woman living in the year 1886, in a small town in the American West. She was born into a wealthy family and had lived a privileged life, but she was never content with just living a life of comfort and leisure.

April was a woman ahead of her time, with a thirst for adventure and a desire to help those in need. She had always been fascinated by the frontier and the people who lived there, and she felt a strong pull to explore it for herself.

One day, she packed her bags and set off on a journey to the frontier, determined to make a difference in the lives of the people she would meet along the way. She traveled through the rough and rugged terrain, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles, always with a smile on her face and a sense of purpose in her heart.

As she traveled, April made a name for herself as a fearless and compassionate woman, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. She became known as the "Angel of the Frontier," and people would come from miles around to seek her help and advice.

April's kindness and courage won the hearts of many, and she became a beloved figure in the communities she visited. And even though she faced opposition from some who didn't understand her desire to help, she never let it deter her from her mission.

Years went by, and April continued to travel the frontier, making a positive impact on the lives of those she encountered. And although she never returned to the life of comfort and leisure she had once known, she was never happier. For she had found her true calling, and she was proud to be known as the "Angel of the Frontier."

***

Some April (2046)

April was a young woman in her mid-twenties, living in a world that had changed dramatically since her birth in the early 2020s. The year was 2046, and technology had advanced far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

She was a skilled hacker, using her talents for good as a member of a group of underground activists fighting against a corrupt government. The group was small but effective, relying on April's expertise to keep them one step ahead of the authorities. One day, the group received a tip about a top-secret government project that threatened to undermine the privacy and freedom of all citizens. They knew they had to act fast to stop it.

April spent countless hours pouring over the information, using her hacking skills to uncover the truth. She was shocked by what she found: the government was developing a highly advanced AI system that would have the power to control and manipulate people's thoughts and emotions. She shared her findings with the rest of the group, and they quickly sprang into action. They staged a daring operation to break into the government facility where the AI was being developed, with April at the helm. As they made their way through the complex, her skills were put to the test as she navigated through the advanced security systems. But she was determined to succeed, driven by the knowledge that the future of humanity was at stake.

In the end, they successfully destroyed the AI and all of its data, freeing the world from its grip. April emerged as a hero, her name becoming synonymous with bravery and determination. Years later, as she looked back on that fateful night, she was proud of what she had accomplished. She knew that she had made a difference, and that her actions had helped to shape a better future for all. And she continued to inspire others to fight for their beliefs and never give up in the face of adversity.

Some April Juxtapositions

On April 3, 1998, I made a comment about a book I was reading, Internet Dreams, and wrote, "The fact that we have fast communication and access to lots of information is a product of how brains have developed, which sets the stage for how they will continue to develop." 7 years later on April 3, 2005 I wrote, If it's anything that prevents rapid progress, it is the short attention span, but as in Norretranders' User Illusion, it's the "exformative" process that causes the simplification of the attention span." 16 years later on April 3, 2021 I wrote (for a possible essay, "Gaia of the Mind"): "People are adapting to the new normal of short attention spans and short pieces of information. But the problem is that we're trying to impose a high-context system over a low-context system. Dates with similar themes 16 years into the future would occur on April 3, 2037.

On April 11, 1944 Anne Frank wrote, "...Ten o'clock, footsteps on the stairs. Father, pale and nervous, came inside, followed by Mr. van Daan. "Lights out, tiptoe upstairs, we're expecting the police!" There wasn't time to be scared. The lights were switched off, I grabbed a jacket, and we sat down upstairs. "What happened? Tell us quickly!" There was no one to tell us; the men had gone back downstairs. The four of them didn't come back up until ten past ten. Two of them kept watch at Peter's open window. The door to the landing was locked, the book- case shut. We draped a sweater over our night-light, and then they told us what had happened...". 51 years later on April 11, 1995, Brian Eno writes, "Fantastic spaghetti vongole and talking about the war; nice Regaleali wine and cigarettes." 10 years later on April 11, 2005 I wrote about a photographer at the San Francisco Chronicle who had won the award for feature photography for a project documenting the life of an Iraqi boy who lost both hands, commenting that "photographer is famous, but the child remains nameless." 51 years in the past from 1944 on April 11, 1893 similar events occurred or could have in a work of fiction, as well as in the future on April 11, 2056.

On April 27, 1943 Anne Frank wrote, "Our German visitors were back last Saturday. They stayed until six. We all sat upstairs, not daring to move an inch...", and 52 years later on April 27, 1995 Brian Eno writes, "I called Mum and talked to her a bit about her time in Germany. She told me that a farmer used to slip an egg through the fence of the camp for her." Projecting that into the past and the future, there could be someone writing about similar things on April 27, 1891 and on April 27, 2047, 52 years into the future from 1995.

On April 30, 1969 the Beatles were in the studio doing a lead guitar overdub on Let It Be, and 26 years later on April 30, 1995, Brian Eno was in Sarajevo hoping the cease fire would hold: "...Very slender crescent moon, silvered clouds over a silhouetted mountain range. Distant, muffled explosions." (Possible scene in a film with those audio-visual contexts) 7 years later on April 30, 2002, during the run-up to the Iraq war I wrote, "Planetary alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, and Mercury in western sky at sunset. (First time in 80 years) It's been cloudy, so no one's been able to see it." 80 years into the future on April 30, 2082 there may be other "alignments". 80 years into the past on April 30, 1922 there were perhaps similar contexts.  

***

AI-Generated FAQs:

- What kind of content does "Some April 2025" contain?

  The book features a blend of content, including the author's personal journal and diary entries interlaced with excerpts from the diaries of historical figures like Anne Lister, Keith Haring, Brian Eno, William James, and Anne Frank, as well as Patti Smith's Book of Days. It also includes stories generated by ChatGPT featuring a character named April. The content spans various topics, reflecting on events, observations, and creative ideas across different years in April.

Themes and Concepts

- What are some key themes explored in "Some April 2025"?
  
The book delves into several overarching themes:
    - Technological Evolution and Societal Impact: It examines how technology, from electricity to the internet and AI, has dramatically shaped human experience, communication, and creative practices over centuries.
    - Art and Creativity in a Changing World: The author explores how artistic processes, values, and the very definition of art are affected by new technologies, market forces, and shifting cultural norms, touching on authenticity, sincerity, and the role of the artist.
    - Social and Political Commentary: The book offers reflections on historical and contemporary events, political figures, the spread of misinformation, and the human condition in times of conflict and change.
    - Personal Reflections and the Nature of Reality: The author frequently shares personal dreams, observations, and introspections on topics such as identity, memory, spirituality, and the challenges of navigating a complex world.

- What is "aesthetic erosion" in the context of the book?

  "Aesthetic erosion" is a metaphor the author uses to describe how the things artists and musicians used to focus their attention on are diminishing, similar to how a shoreline recedes. The author explains that prior to the internet, artists worked with a "constrained vision" in their studios. However, the internet and social media have excessively expanded this vision, constantly pushing content and demanding the artist's attention. This phenomenon has effectively "kidnapped" and "demoted" the traditional "artist archetype".

- What is "tombstone technology"?

  "Tombstone technology" refers to technology that is developed as a direct response to a catastrophe that exceeds human tolerance for pain and suffering. Its purpose is either to resolve the problem or to create the appearance of being proactive, regardless of the actual cost-benefit analysis. The author cites the government's actions in the "war on terrorism" as an example of this concept.

- How does the book explain "high context" and "low context"?

  These terms are drawn from anthropologist Edward Hall's Beyond Culture.
    - Low context implies that everything requires explicit analysis and explanation.
    - High context means that information is incomplete, requiring interpretation or inference from limited clues.

The author uses the "Smith Slap" incident (presumably Will Smith at the Academy Awards) as an example of an initial "high-context event" that, with more detailed information, resolves into a "low-context" understanding.

- What is "metamodernism" according to the author?

  The author views metamodernism as an interesting and desirable artistic direction. It is presented as a framework that can integrate various elements, including modern technology like computers, the internet, social media, and AI, which some artists might otherwise avoid. Unlike postmodernism, which the author finds intellectually stimulating but sometimes lacking in deeper satisfaction, metamodernism allows for a return to "proper songs with interesting lyrics" and a re-engagement with traditions and craft. It enables artists to revisit and re-examine past artistic epochs and concepts, bringing everything under a singular umbrella.

The Author's Perspectives on Art and Creativity

- What are the author's views on the role of AI in art and music?

  The author sees AI primarily as a tool that can offer conceptual value, but questions the pervasive trend of making AI art simply because it's popular. While acknowledging that AI art could find a place in museums, the author emphasizes that it shouldn't make creativity "easy". They believe AI can be a "material supplier of prefabricated elements" in creativity, but they prefer a synthesis of AI-generated ideas with their own manual craft, rather than AI producing final products. The author also suggests AI could serve as a "palliative drug" for creative blocks. However, they note that current AI music generators often lack specificity in fundamental musical elements (melody, harmony, rhythm) and are more geared towards a listener's experience rather than a composer's.

- What is the author's "Songday" system for music creation?

  The "Songday" system is the author's method of generating song ideas, which they describe as a form of "modding," borrowing from gaming terminology. The process involves:
    - Extracting musical or poetic lyrics from daily diary entries.
    - Developing a main riff and then "modding" it to create variations, often starting harmonically simply before becoming more sophisticated.
    - The system operates with three basic rules: a song can be based on a certain date, started on a certain day, or finished on a certain day. This allows for an abstraction of events rather than a literal storyline.
    - The author notes that this method, starting from the "music of language," leads to a wider range of musical styles.

- How does the author describe their overall creative process?

  The author's creative process is characterized by exploration, non-linearity, and a hands-on approach with physical materials and instruments. They prefer to set initial constraints for projects, which paradoxically can foster creativity. The process often involves combining disparate "fragments" of ideas, experiences, and cultural inputs to form new works. A core aspect is the pursuit of sincerity and pure intentions, rather than creating for social media attention. They aim for the "flow state" in their work and appreciate the unique personal insights that emerge when connecting life experiences with ongoing creative projects.

The Author's Views on Technology and Society

- How does the author describe the impact of technology on human connection and communication?
 
 The author observes that the internet, initially seen as a vast information resource, has evolved into a "firehose of interruptions" and an "amorphous wave" of information, leading to shortened attention spans. Social media, in particular, is described as a "fool's joke" that traps people due to a fear of isolation and loneliness, and it has been instrumental in "fascist movements". The author notes a shift from deep engagement with content to skimming, clicking, and sharing, often without full comprehension or meaningful connection. They lament the decline of long-form communication like letters in favor of truncated forms like texting and the replacement of book-based knowledge with screen-based "shareability".

- What is the "Glass Generation"?

  The "Glass Generation" is a term the author uses, sometimes interchangeably with "Generation Alpha" (children born after 2010), to describe children who are seen as both more transparent and more fragile due to the constant exposure and information overload of the digital age. This concept highlights how electronic devices with glass screens act as both a gateway to vast information and a barrier to tactile experience and deep interaction with the physical world, fundamentally altering cognition and sensory perception.

Personal Reflections and Experiences

- What is the author's recurring reflection on the weather in April?

  The author consistently notes the cold, dreary, damp, and gloomy weather throughout April, often contrasting it with expectations of spring. They describe April as a "lag of winter", and on several occasions use the anomalous weather as a point of reflection on climate change.

- How does the author reflect on aging and nostalgia?

  The author observes the increasing influence of nostalgia as people get older. They contemplate future demographics, imagining older millennials with gray beards resembling "ancient Greece" by 2040. The author experiences a "terrible nostalgia" for past creative endeavors or influences they are currently avoiding. They also note a generational fascination with the 1980s, despite the era's initial "culture wars" and the dawn of stressing technologies like the PC and internet.

- What are some of the author's thoughts on spirituality and religion?

  The author identifies as "not religious" but "hectically SBNR" (Spiritual But Not Religious). Their sense of spirituality is primarily derived from music, and they believe most musicians inherently understand this, even if they don't label it as such. They are interested in "universal spiritual truths, myths, and archetypes". The author recounts a personal experience where a spiritual path in the late 1980s inadvertently suppressed their creativity, leading them to question the potential for absolutism in spiritual or group adherence. They advocate for "quiet faith" that can exist without needing external validation or widespread sharing and suggest that in extreme societal conditions, "going mystical" might be a way to pull civilization back from the brink.