What is Particle Conflict?
BY Editweapon @ May 12, 2008
(This is a follow-up to my two posts about the Advanced Thought Particles class I took at Wizard Academy.)
Particles = The various “languages” of the brain (eg. shape, color, music, symbols, etc.)
Particle Stack = Where the languages stack up congruently, such as a red octagon with the word “Stop.”
Particle Conflict = Incongruity in the stack, such as a red octagon with the word “Go.” And this particle conflict is what breaks the Brocca area of the brain, which raises interest.
“Particle conflict is something that doesn’t belong, but somehow fits.” -Roy H. Williams
Music
Another example of particle conflict are songs with happy melodies and sad words, such as “Undone (The Sweater Song)” by my favorite band, Weezer:
“If you want to destroy my sweater (whoa-whoa-whoa!) pull this thread as I walk away (as I walk away!). Watch me unravel, I’ll soon be naked (lying on the floor!) lyin’ on the floor, I’ve come undone.”
The Frickin Windmills of Your Mind
Sir Williams talked a lot about the particle conflicts in music, both good and bad examples. A bad example cited by Roy was the song, “Windmills of Your Mind”. (Here’s a version of Sting doing it, in a minor-ish key jazz thing like everyone else.) Roy’s argument was that this song would probably win a Grammy if someone would just do it in a major key.
So taking his queue, here’s my remix of Windmills of Your Mind.
Btw, this was my first song using Garage Band on the Mac. I’m not terribly pleased with the mix, but I didn’t have time to obsess over compression and EQ. I did this on Friday night and Saturday morning with my buddy Greg Davis. We were going for “The Rentals having brunch with The Postal Service” feel.
PS – More songs to come from the mad mind of Greg. Beware of the mullet mania, aka “Business in the front, party in the back.”
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Nice observation. I like when musical examples help make a point. To that end and in support of your point, I saw a Ben Folds live video of Song for the Dumped that he rewrote in a minor key. (Plus he sang part in Japanese and added a Dream On bit on the end, so it’s worth a watch)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfBrf2cOkr4
Knowing you from the class, this fits with your personality…
First, the remix of Windmills…..made me smile..Was not sad….Keep going!
Second, the particles stack/conflict…I like your stop sign example.
I’ll just add if too much particle stack, it becomes repetitive & boring & broca “kicks it to the curb.” If too much particle conflict, it becomes……what….cliche??
Keep going…you’re doing great. A very talented guy!!
Jean
Hey Patrick – Your site just appeared on my computer this morning. Isn’t that odd? I wonder if that is another example of particle conflict? Thanks for linking your site to mine – The Naked Accountant.com.
Question: How do I link mine to yours??
Your site has so many things that I am curious about….As I look at it, I keep seeing something new & interesting. How do I get more information about things like “twitter”, “add a video comment”, etc.??
You rock!!
J
> Question: How do I link mine to yours??
You could write a post
For understanding new technologies, I think Common Craft has this locked up. Take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o“>Twitter in Plain English. I think you’ll like it.
Otherwise, learning things like “Add a video comment” requires jumping into the deep end and just trying it out. Honestly, I wish most of this stuff was easier because I’m lost half of the time. But I fake it well.