Just yesterday, I finished reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey and sought to craft my post in relation to the novel. I came across an image of a vintage Electro-shock therapy (EST) machine from the 1930s and felt it would be a fair representation of the novel since EST plays such a significant role in the tale. The title of the post, “He Who Marches Out of Step Hears Another Drum“, comes from the novel as well. The line refers to someone who is going against the established social norms and doing his own thing. Those who march to the beat of their own drum run the risk of colliding with hospital staff and being sentenced to EST. To enhance the image, I sourced two audio files, the first is the sound of a hydraulic hammer press starting up and the second is the sound of electricity buzzing. The sound of the hydraulic hammer press was included because it augments the foreboding feel of the image in conjunction with the sound of sparking electricity. I used Audacity to merge these two audios in a way that allowed the hydraulic hammer press to rev up to full speed prior to the crackle of the electric shock and created a new master audio file for embedding into the post.
Terms of use “He Who Marches Out of Step Hears Another Drum” by Sara DeRoo is licensed underCC by 0 1.0
I had the “Boop Oop a Doop” song stuck in my head for a few days – the one from Betty Boop. I’ve only seen the cartoon a few times, but it is certainly catchy. There is this one version on YouTube, and then I thought it would be a fun bit of audio for this assignment. Helen Kane sang the linked YouTube version, but I noticed many comments referred to an “Esther Jones.” I didn’t think too much of it then and continued my search for a song for the assignment. The search Betty Boop on Internet Archive guided my journey, and I found the results “Mae Questel, the voice of Betty Boop” and then the track “Don’t Take my Boop Oop E Doop Away.” This was the song. After retrieving the song, I thought, huh, that’s strange – Mae Questel is another name. My history teacher senses tingled, and it had been a while since I did a Wiki deep dive, so I searched for Betty Boop on Wikipedia, and sure enough – Mae Questel was a Jewish actress who played Betty Boop and Olive Oyl. So that was one name down – Who, then, was Helen Kane?
The Betty Boop Wiki explained who the other voice actresses were, and further scrolling led me to a reference about the Helen Kane Lawsuit. Helen Kane sued Fleischer Studios and Paramount in 1932 for allegedly copying her distinctive “baby” singing style to create Betty Boop. Another handy, dandy Wikipedia search later for “Baby Esther” led me to the page of Esther Lee Jones – the same Esther Jones of the YouTube comments from earlier. Baby Esther was an African American child singer and entertainer in the late 1920s known for using a distinctive “baby” or “boop-oop-a-doop” vocal style. During Helen Kane’s infringement lawsuit against Fleischer Studios over Betty Boop, evidence showed that Baby Esther had performed this style earlier and, in fact, was the inspiration for both Fleischer’s Betty Boop and Kane’s flapper persona, weakening Kane’s claim that she originated it. This testimony helped lead to the dismissal of Kane’s case in 1934.
There is little known about Esther Jones; unfortunately, there are no recordings of her songs or voice. What a piece of history that would have been—the first Betty Boop on record. But alas, we live in this timeline. And there was my little wormhole, peaking back through history over an unfamiliar topic. As for the rose pictured, Betty Boop has her own flower as well, a floribunda rose, to be specific, which was produced by rose grower Tom Carruth.
Worry, anxiety, and distress are normal emotions to have in life. Worry, anxiety, and distress, however, are not the end of the story. For me personally, you can bridle these thoughts and emotions by seeking professional support, confiding in a trusted group of friends, or by confiding in someone you trust and love. I chose the image Rainbow over the Missouri because, as someone that has and manages anxiety, I believe that in the midst of times of darkness, there is peace, hope, and beauty always present. Some folks need a little light to make it evident and others hold onto faith when there is no light. Others may need a reminder of hope from a familiar and trusting voice. Although the beautiful green landscape and waters are shadowed by darkness in the image, I love that the rainbow is present with just the right amount of sunlight to make it appear. To supplement the emotions this image evokes to me, I chose Pitx’s Dark Side of Tranquility. The use of acoustic guitar is calming for me while the 120 beats per minute express the uptick anxiety can have on someone like me. Anxiety no longer keeps me down as long as I seek support or just have that someone I love and trust to lend a listening ear.
Hygge is the Danish and Norwegian concept of embracing comfort, coziness, and contentment during the cold months. Since Tallahassee is experiencing its yearly one month of winter, I have been enjoying the opportunity to embrace coziness and comfort. I feel that this photo perfectly exemplifies a sense of cozy comfort. What could be more peaceful and warm than reading a book in fuzzy socks by the fire?
I added the sound of a cat purring because this is one of the coziest sounds imaginable. I am biased, of course, since I love my two cats immeasurably. However, some studies have shown that the sound of a cat purring may actually lower your blood pressure! For me at least, the sound of a cat purring immediately evokes a sense of warmth and peace. This sound adds that additional layer of comfort to the photo and implies that, out of frame, there is a cat enjoying the Hygge lifestyle with you. If you have a cat, you know that they are the perfect companion to the Hygge lifestyle, as there is nothing a cat loves more than a warm nap.
Upon researching topics the idea of the Industrial Revolution came into mind as I’ve always been more of a city buff. Yet at the same time I enjoy nature and it’s gifts such as horses, dogs, cats, trees, and flowers. How can someone want to both be in an urban center yet have nature all around them at the same time? Although I’ve never been or lived in London I have lived in New York and often would find myself strolling in Central Park, appreciating flower stands, or watching birds and squirrels make homes in the trees. Wondering why people are drawn to the nostalgia of living more among nature it brought me to my audio choice being a part of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony, specially the pastoral suite pt. III. The theme of the pastoral contrasting with London a portrait of Industrial Era London may seem strange at first. However, when you look more closely at the painting you see elements of nature all through the cityscape such as the roads still being open dirts, trees growing along the buildings, and storefronts painted with earthy colors. It makes me feel that people even in large cities still feel a sense of nostalgia for when humans were more immersed in nature and are still trying to recreate it.
Over the last few months my sister has really gotten into baking, specifically iced sugar cookies. I have never seen her take pleasure in a hobby before, but when she gets to cooking, I can see her face light up when her masterpiece comes out of the oven and it’s time to decorate. Looking through all of the pictures on Unsplash, none of them were really speaking to me on a personal level until this one caught my eye, and my sister immediately came to mind.
The audio to pair was easy to select. How it came so easy, you may ask? Well, my sister is what we like to call our “manic baker.” Jokingly, we describe her as this because she cooks as though she is being timed (with a countdown to the end of the world) and has no sense of the mess she makes while doing it. If you were to see my kitchen after my sister bakes, you would think the Tasmanian Devil went through it. It is truly chaotic, but I can attest that her finished product does not reflect the process. The audio I chose is very upbeat and just what I imagine is playing in my sister’s head while she bakes. Maybe there’s a method to the madness?
Terms of Use “Madness in the Kitchen” by Kaleah Gonzalez CC BY-NC 4.0
The image and audio I picked work together to show the complex and powerful nature of Dionysus, a god who represents both joy and chaos, creation and destruction. I was drawn to the marble statue because it has this timeless beauty, and even though it’s in black and white, it feels so full of emotion and depth. The details, like the flowing lines and the expression on his face, show both calm elegance and an underlying wild energy. It’s such a great reflection of his dual nature as someone who brings both delight and disorder.
The song “I AM Dionysus” adds another layer by telling the dramatic story of his revenge on Thebes. It gives the silent statue a voice and so much intensity. The music really brings out themes central to Greek tragedy, like revenge, justice, and the constant push and pull between human struggles and divine power. It makes these ideas feel raw and real.
I’ve always been fascinated by Greek mythology and the gods, and Dionysus has always stood out to me because of how complex he is. He’s a mix of light and dark, joy and chaos, and that’s what makes him so interesting. Pairing the statue with the song brings his story to life in a way that’s vivid and emotional, really showing the timeless power of Greek myths and their ability to capture the human experience.
“Operation Crossroads Baker” credited to the United States Department of Defense. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States.
“Oh, Christmas Tree” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
I am always a fan of dark humor and this particular combination of media certainly scratches that itch. I was scrolling through the creative commons websites while listening to music and I was on a fairly upbeat song when I came across this image and I could not help but laugh at it. At that point I started my hunt across various creative commons audio websites to find just the right sound that would maximize the juxtaposition between it and the horrific nature of nuclear weapons. I eventually came across a creative commons instrumental version of “Oh, Christmas Tree” that got the effect I was looking for.
The image of the nuclear explosion of the Crossroads Baker Test is both informative and sobering, showing the terrible nature of weapons of mass destruction. This is hard juxtaposed with the well known and very positive feeling the Christmas song “Oh, Christmas Tree”. These two clashing media forms something that I hope can invoke feelings that would contrast against the horrific nature of nuclear weapons.
As someone who believed they would be a paleontologist growing up, this image immediately stood out to me. I was instantly hit with a wave of nostalgia, recalling moments from my childhood filled with dinosaur figurines, books, and parties (yes, multiple). However, it’s a bittersweet feeling reconciling what the future currently is vs. what you thought it would be as a kid. Not to say that I’m unhappy, but there’s a tang of sadness when I realize I am no longer this little girl dusting off store-bought fossils in the middle of her room–I’m an adult, with a child of my own, watching time slip through my fingers.
It took a minute to find music that successfully aided in emoting those intense feelings. The track, “The Stars Look Different (Ziggy Stardust Mix)”, features an infusion of soft rock and strings, creating a melancholy ambiance that aligns with the intention of my image selection. Overall, I think the audio/image combination enhances meaning and provides additional depth.
I have always loved Valentine’s Day. Sure, it is a holiday that capitalizes on money and getting gifts for loved ones. Many people say they hate it because of the idea that there is a special day to show people that you love them. I think that is interesting, as we often forget to tell the ones we love just how much we love them. I pour myself into my friends and family and recognize on a daily basis that I am a mosaic of everyone I have ever loved and who has loved me. Valentine’s Day is a season for love, and it fills the air during January and February. Some of my favorite memories happen around Valentine’s Day, watching Romcoms with my friends, making cherry pies and friendship bracelets, and eating way too many conversation hearts.
My mom’s favorite flowers are tulips. For Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, I would watch my mom get tulips and gush over how pretty they were. They came to symbolize spring and Valentine’s Day for me. Fields of tulips are gorgeous and in my romantic mind, I would love to run through them in a princess dress as it trails behind me. The song is entitled spring which I think fits perfectly in the way that the picture looks. They tell a story of how spring (and Valentine’s Day) makes me feel. This specific piece reminds me of middle school, when I would listen to it as I learned Spanish. The song has given me focus and the ability to learn what is now my favorite language.
I hope this audio and picture inspires you to go out and tell your friends and family that you love them. Love is not finite and should be shared as much as possible. May you all live your lives with love!
