The event that jolted me into re-thinking the place of music in the experience of life was a brief remark made by the second-in-command of a university.
I was speaking to the top administrators of the university in hopes of motivating them to apply for an FM license that was available at the time. One of their questions to me was, "What programming would we present?"
The 2nd-to-the-top guy inserted, "Just so it's not music. I don't like music."
What I learned was that music is a drug. It alters our emotions and influences how we think. Precisely why music is a major ingredient of commercials and promotions, including military ceremony. Music triggers every feeling from enthusiasm to wistful nostalgia. It sets the mood.
By playing the violin while the Empire of Rome burned to the ground, Roman Emperor Nero invented the movie soundtrack. He escaped the reality of the moment by over-dosing on music.
As many of our part 15 stations petition to expand their musical reach I see it all happening amidst the world's sixth extinction event, undeclared wars raging all around, police bullies with a custume fetish executing people over minor traffic incidents, nuclear and chemical contamination spreading, climate calamity sweeping the earth, and Jehovah's witnesses knocking on the door.
On some days I think of canceling all music programs on my station and devoting remaining time to a concluding narrative. But it would be more effective with a good music bed.