Introductions Sean Patrick Faling

1. What has been your favorite course of study in or out of school? Why?

While I have enjoyed many of my studies, I most likely would say painting courses have been my favorite. Because I am visual person, I think I recieve the kind of feedback I need from creating something.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?

My longest assigned paper was a 10 page paper on genetic mutation in human melanin receptors. It was written with the AAA writing style guide, which was completly new to me. It included an annotated bibliography.

3. Which was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.

The paper that I enjoyed writing the most so far was on the evolution of military technology. It summarized the impact of Sputnik, and the creation of micro technology. The main point was how efficiency and minimalization of devices were originally designed for strategic weapons use. I presented the fact that consumer electronics were actually aged military devices, programs, or experiments.

4. Is there a particular kind of writing you love to do?

I particularly enjoy writing in freeverse, or short stories. I also enjoy reporting and journalism.

5. Which books have you read lately: art, fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, poetry, environmental, film? Any comments are welcome.

Lately I have read the Tao Te Ching, The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts, and Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence by Jaques Cousteau.

6. Which artist or writer really impresses you? Why?

I have always been a big fan Charles Bukowski, I appreciate his work for it's honesty and brutal examinations of life. For art I appreciate many but for now am into Joe Coleman. His work is very intense and visual, and the fact that he paints with a four-haired brush and a magnifying glass is impressive.

7. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?

My other interest than the humanities, would be psychology.

8. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.

I just re-read an interview with Edgar Froese regarding the 1970's and his band, Tangerine Dream. I play a similiar style of music, and to me this is the man who invented it, so I try and read everything I can find published, and from time to time I come across something new. In this article he described their early concerts where he would call out what key to be in for each song and just play. I also do this and was excited to read that we both used this method for improvisational electronic music.

9. Which recent cultural event has really impressed you? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons).

Sometime in July I attended a Concert in Denver, it was a bar we play at regularly and is an open stage for experimental music. This night featured a synthesizer player from Ohio called Radio People. I was told I would like his music and I did, so much that I bought his double LP and two Tapes he was selling. Now he and I are sharing music and networking. I had hesitated to go out that night but it proved to be a very good idea.

10. Is there another, non-cultural event that has affected you deeply.

Two weekends ago I saw an ad for a electronics garage sale near my house. I typically will go to these but am often disappointed at all the solid state junk thats being offered. However, this trip promised to be unique. The gentleman who was hosting the sale was a retired electrical engineer and electronics repairman. I went to the address provided, and when I arrived I saw rows upon rows of the coolest vintage electronics! I immediatly found something I had to have and wanting to make an offer I found the gentleman who was hosting the sale. He was in his 80's, hard of hearing and quite shaky. I introduced myself to him, and as we made eye contact I realized that we had on the same make of shirt - I also collect 50's clothing. I remarked about how much our shirts were alike and he agreed and smiled. I then told him what I was looking for. He heard my descriptions and a little more life glowed from him. He then took interest in me and proceded to describe just about everything he had, how to experiment with it, frequency ranges, tube amplification etc. I told him that I would be back, that I could have spent the whole day picking his brain. He told me if he didn't see me he would have another sale and to look for it. As I waved goodbye, his daughter said to me that he might not be here for another season as his health was deteriorating rapidly. I really felt bad, as I saw a bit of myself in this man, and how everytime we lose an individual such as he, it's a huge impact on our society. People as creative as this gentleman is who have such an incredible knowlege of "things" and how they work are becoming very hard to find.

11. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those who are interested know where to go.

Alan Watts' Lecture on "nothing" describes how everything exists because of nothing and that nothing is a background for something. Therefore it is almost impossible to describe nothing as indeed nothing, as without nothing you would never have something. This really got me thinking as minimalism is something I have always been interested in.