  THE MEANING OF MUSIC In the discussion about music in the Republic, Socrates says the flute is a dangerous instrument. Although flutists are sometimes indeed very scary people, I think that this point is nevertheless questionable. But Plato's point that the instruments/music you listen to reveals more than a little about your nature-- especially today, when most encounter and communicate big ideas only through music. For me, good music consists for good lyrics with flow, harmony, melody, and of course a good beat. One of the genres I really like is country, and until recently I thought the best country artists were Mary Chapin Carpenter, Faith Hill, and Alan Jackson. But I now have a new favorite: Rhett Miller. He's actually in a new genre, alt. country, so there's no not too much twang. Anyway, this guy's stuff is addictive, and I would highly recommend that anyone with any sincere interest in good music go out and buy a copy of his solo album.
One song I'm addicted to is, "This is What I Do," partly because its so addictive, and partly because of the lyrics. If you listen to it 100 times, you will pick up on Miller saying that the love affair between Wagner and Matilda is far worse than the affair between Kafka and Milena. Thinking about this during a break in the library, I decided to go and read Kafka's letters to Milena, which indeed are very sincere and loving. When I get a chance, I'm going to see what exactly the problem is between Wagner and Matilda. 
