Wax Scrawls: Introvert Shocked Pale by Close Encounter with a Tornado

Wax Scrawls is an occasional feature on Scrawled in Wax where I link to bits and bobs that don’t fit into my usual ‘culture of technology’ schtick. Hope you like ‘em.

This Atlantic piece (courtesy of Matthew‘s Shared Google Reader items) suggests that introversion is an orientation rather than a choice and makes a couple of suggestions for dealing with introverts. It’s hard to tell how much is serious and how much is tongue-in-cheek, but if this is a new form of coming out, then fuck it: “Hi. My name’s Nav. And I am an introvert.”

Is musical consonance something we just naturally like more? Why else, asks this article, have once-avant-garde atonal compositions not become commonplace? I distinctly remember when listening to a punjabi folk song, my brother walked in and remarked, rather disgustedly, “this is totally out of tune”. A lot of Indian music works by invoking a root note – usually with a drone instrument – and then creating a dynamic of tension and release by moving off and then on key. This means that, in a sense, my brother was totally right – and wrong – which I think would support the argument. So yes, in response to your question, atonal medleys by Phillip Glass are a sin against nature.

With all the unsettled weather we’ve been having in Toronto lately, this picture of a tornado makes me not want to leave the house. Like, ever.

This nifty little tool lets you upload a picture of yourself and see what you’d look like as ‘a member of a different race’. I tried it and came out looking like a pale Frankenstein – so, all in all, pretty accurate.

A newspaper clipping from 1971 that criticizes a new show for being boorish and racist. Which show? All in the Family.

And finally, if you’re looking for proof that men are socialised to never grow out of their adolesence, here ya’ go.