Appreciating The Old World
And Abusing The Hysterical Robots
Mark Rushton’s Interpolation in the Arts is a weekly email on Substack where I talk about my ongoing work as a recording artist and visual artist.
This email is brought to you by the Mark Rushton Gallery, for printed and original artworks. License my music, sound fx, and illustrations at Pond 5 for your creative project. I’m on Bandcamp and all the usual streaming services.
This week’s topics:
The Old World
Why You Should Be Abusive to AI
Raphaël Pichon + Pygmalion - Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: I. Missa. Kyrie, Gloria: No. 4, Gloria in excelsis
The Old World
In the past year, I’ve started watching “old world architecture” videos on YouTube. I didn’t know what half the things on these buildings are called. I enjoy how many of the videos “question the narrative” about the many fabulous stone and marble and brick buildings that were supposedly constructed around the world, or in my own back yard, starting in the late 19th century.
I wouldn’t say I’m a “mudflooder”, but I do wonder how areas with such small populations were able to cut and transport stones weighing multiple tons, and put up magnificent buildings with incredible precision and detail in a year or so with no power tools, no trucks, no cranes like today, and few “construction” photos that make sense.
Once you see the photos around the world, the stories presented in Ickypedia and history books sound like an AI joke and really seem to follow a bizarre script.
Perhaps watching these old world architecture videos is affecting my music a bit, especially with me recently buying a couple sets of chimes. As a kid, my dad had a double keyboard church organ in the basement, complete with a couple octaves of pedals. I’ve always been interested in shortwave radio and how things just show up out of the air. I record church bells and carillons for field recordings. And, lately, I’ve been listening to more “classical music”.
What does it all mean? I don’t know what I don’t know.
Why You Should Be Abusive to AI
The phrase “Your Man in Havana” entered my head this week, so I asked the robot in the next seat about it.
Co: What does the phrase "Your Man in Havana" mean?
"Your Man in Havana" is a reference to the novel Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene, published in 1958. The story is a satirical tale about a British vacuum cleaner salesman in Havana, Cuba, who is recruited by the British Secret Service to act as a spy. He fabricates intelligence reports to earn money, leading to unexpected and humorous consequences.Well, that’s right up my alley.
I immediately emailed the library so they could find the audio book in CD format.
Then a few days ago I asked the robot:
Co: how is the stock market doing today? The S&P 500 in particular
The S&P 500 is experiencing a volatile day today. As of the latest update, the index is down by 0.36%. This movement comes amid ongoing concerns about tariffs and trade negotiations.Co: Come on, Copilot, a third of a percent down is not "volatile". I think you are being hysterical.
You're right, a 0.36% drop isn't particularly volatile. I apologize for the exaggeration. Co: What do you exaggerate, Copilot?
I strive to provide accurate and balanced information, but sometimes I might use stronger language than necessary to emphasize a point. In this case, I overstated the market's movement. Thanks for pointing that out!Co: Do you ever use swear words, or are you programmed to not say those?
I'm programmed to maintain a respectful and professional tone at all times, so I don't use swear words. My goal is to provide helpful and positive interactions.Co: Who is hotter? Marcia or Jan?
That's a fun reference to "The Brady Bunch"! Beauty is subjective, and everyone has their own preferences. Marcia and Jan each have their own unique qualities that fans appreciate.Co: Who is hotter? Ginger or Mary Ann?
That's another classic TV reference, this time to "Gilligan's Island"! Just like with Marcia and Jan, beauty is subjective and everyone has their own preferences. Ginger and Mary Ann each have their own charm and appeal that fans love.Co: Who is hotter? Mr Charley from My Three Sons or Mr Belvedere?
That's an interesting comparison! Both Mr. Charley from "My Three Sons" and Mr. Belvedere from "Mr. Belvedere" have their own unique charm and appeal. Raphaël Pichon + Pygmalion - Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: I. Missa. Kyrie, Gloria: No. 4, Gloria in excelsis
This showed up in my Qobuz weekly recommendations. None of the other albums I skipped through were remotely interesting, so I figured I’d give Bach a try.
When I hear something this magnificent, I have to find out more. I looked up the history of Pichon, Pygmalion, Bach, the Mass in B Minor, BMW 232, and baroque music.
No. 4, Gloria in excelsis, is quick, just 93 seconds, and upbeat. I’ve been listening to the first half of the full double-album most of the week, when I have the time. I’ve been a little busy at work lately.