I was discussing with my fellow monk
maverick the bizzarre
and almost spiritual powers behind the concept of symbolic references, and
the use of the symbol table as a data structure, when a truth
came upon me. One can not be strict, and symbolic at the
same time, the two, are exclusive. Much like in art and music,
strict structure sometimes precludes symbolism and experimentation,
while simultaneously furthering rigidness and predictability.
Much like the difference between a jazz improv, and a fugue,
one based purely on symbolism, and the twists and turns of
the mind (which can be thought of as an extended symbol table),
the other on rules, and experimentations within the
axioms and paradigms set forth, a complex and beautiful
melody, however tightly constrained by the designs of some
higher deciding force.
In the jazz improvisation, the symbol table is used freely, it
is abused, it is turned, it is twisted, it is made to contort
itself in forms and functions that it never conceived as
part of it's form or design. Whereas in more strict
compositions, the symbol table, the mind, is used to explore
the infinite microcosm that exists within the lines of the
paradigm.
I also realized how this metaphor extended itself, in an
improvisation, it is very rare to keep a coherent composition
going, and to grow it, and expand it, and to revisit it, and
enhance it. An improvisation, is a snapshot in time, a tunnel,
directly into the heart of the composer. Much like a script,
without strict, is often a solution to a snapshot in time,
a one-offer, something that is a solution to a core problem
at a time and place. Whereas something like a fugue, or a
symphony, can have themes much greater than the state of
emotions of the composer at a place and time. A symphony,
or a fugue can be written over a great deal of time, revisited,
extended, expanded, grown. It can be made to symbolize more
eternal questions, such as Beethoven's L'Eroica, a symphony
originally tributed to Napoleon, and the great "peoples rebellion"
which he lead in france. When Napoleon turned out to be
a traitor to the people by crowning himself emperor, or when the system specification
changed, Beethoven was able to revisit it, and tribute it
to the people who had fought in the revolution.
The strictness which contstrains the music, much like the
programs, gives it the strength and the power to grow into
something that transcends any one experience, where one would
be challenged to attempt such things during an improvisation,
purely symbolic, without any strict.
