The urban stethoscope?

I think telephones are a great invention. It keeps people connected all around the world. Just hearing the sound of a loved ones voice on a bad day can make the world go 'round again. When I read about Robin Rimbaud in John Shiga's article, I was a little creeped out. Rimbaud records conversations over the airwaves from cell phones and 2-way radios etc. and puts it to a beat to create "music". I am always dumbfounded at ways the people keep coming up with to create music, or something like it.

First of all, I find that this is an incredible breach of privacy. I think there is an unsaid code of etiquette when it comes to telephones or the use of airwaves. It amazes me the extent people go through to eavesdrop. No one particularly enjoys being eavesdropped on. It's interesting to me to see that this is allowed despite it's illegality.

Second, how far will art go when anything can be considered art. Yes, there is reference made to the fact that the urban body has a rhythm just like the human body. Yes, I agree that these both can be beautiful sounds. But, as far as my taste goes, I like being able to hear the classic melody.

However, with this all being said, I have to argue in support of this. There could be other ways of revealing this world of music that would not go against people's privacy. Rimbaud is interested in the way people communicate with one another; the way they interact. There is something about the realness and candidness of these conversations that he records that makes it even more beautiful than if he would have brought people in and recorded things with their knowing.