Ouroboros
(By Michael Maier (Atalanta Fugiens) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons/Wikipedia Commons)
Math can get pretty loopy, at least when we try to explain it. But according to author Alex Bellos, the most straightforward mathematical concept might be the loopiest. Then producer Mark Philips introduces us to William Basinski, a composer who loops analog tape to create a unique sort of music. One day, Basinski dug up some of his old tapes, stuck them into his player, and heard a melody in the throes of death.
Life and death are a very long loop of their own, as producer Lynn Levy discovered in talking with oceanographer Craig Smith. His career began with a simple question: what happens to a whale when it dies and sinks to the sea floor? Turns out nobody was quite sure. Craig describes the curious interplay between death and life at the bottom of the ocean.
![By Michael Maier (Atalanta Fugiens) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons/Wikipedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Michael_Maier_Atalanta_Fugiens_Emblem_14.jpeg){kind=link}
Comments [9]
i love your show!
if you are still wondering about the man named Gottlob: it´s a german name, and Gott means god (of course) and lob means (to) praise. The -lieb end of Gottlieb means something with love. Wether god loves the guy or the guy loves god, i don´t know.
Caught a bit of the Disintegration Loops on BBC 6music. Think it was Stuart Maconi's Freak Zone. Loved it! Have downloaded both podcasts, thanks very much. When I clicked on the itunes link to buy, it took me to a Danish site :-) Have no idea how many kroner to the pound...
Anyway, thanks again, and I've only just discovered your site, will be back for more!
I can't wait to listen to even more of these loops. They stunned me and gripped me amd filled me with the kind of awe I desperately want art to inspire. What a wonderful treat, thanks so much.
ever thought about playing the loops backwards, after the disintergration? so the sounds come to life rather than dies? i'd like that :)
Ditto on the tape loops, those were somehow magical.
The whale falls really blew me away. It took me twice as long to listen to this episode because I kept going back to it.
Puts one in mind of life on Europa... and our planet and the universe in general.
@Nicole
You can by the loops on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/the-disintegration-loops-ii/id274447396
or listen to them hear:
http://grooveshark.com/#/album/The+Disintegration+Loops+I/3959414
Have a beautiful nights sleep :)
@Radiolab
You guys are awesome, I enjoyed this segment of the show very much. Thanks for showing me Willliam Basinski and his music.
I need to know if there's anywhere I can find the musical loops used in this segment. It would be amazing to fall asleep to.
I was blown away by this podcast. These loops have seriously begun to repeat endlessly in my head and endlessly repeat, wow. Blown away.
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