Last week I wrote about a book by Michael Spitzer, "The Musical Human," that traces music from the present time back to the development of work and social behavior, showing how integral music is to existence.
Work can be just as important to who we are.
In a book called "Work: A Deep History, from the Stone Age to the Age of Robots," James Suzman describes constructive activity in various species, and builds a narrative out of archaeological evidence, and modern-day observations, to contemplate the increasingly adaptive behavior we use to survive and to fill our time with purpose.
He observes the weaving of nests by birds, and the specialized, social behavior of insects, and the crafting of sharp-edged, flint ovals unchanging over eons until up to an apparently sudden profusion of technology.
Along the way, Suzman questions many assumptions about the development of human agriculture and industry, and the nature of work and its place in our lives. From his studies of the foraging people of the Kalahari and his observations of mechanized society, he contributes to a new understanding of work's necessity to our spirits.
In every culture, work is both natural and necessary. We'll have more chance to contemplate that in the context of music, in the continuing series of conversations, Tuesday nights at 6:30, on popular music of the thirties and forties, moving from "Buddy, can you spare a dime" through the call to arms and purposeful industry. Please let us know if you'd like to come to these events by calling 231-4980 or emailing info@mohrlibrary.org to register.
And please request the books I mention or any others that interest you, or tell us something that could help us make a recommendation, because that's the purposeful work that's necessary to us.
Editor’s Note: Jon Anderson serves as the Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library Director. Watch for his column weekly in the Johnston Sun Rise.
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