Unfortunately, terms like 'graphic notation' have been applied loosely to any music notation out of the ordinary. What creates the illusion of a category of 'graphic notation' is their common departure from 'traditional' notation. But here the similarity ends. Even scores that may appear similar may actually be extremely different in their notative function as different notative systems can use the same symbols in much the same way that different languages can use some of the same letters in their alphabets. Musicians and audience members often ask why traditional notation cannot be used for any musical situation.
Notation is a functional matter, but has always had social and political implications as well.
Uncomfortable with the coexistence of a multitude of notations, many scholars, musicians, and composers are calling for notational standardization. They see our present state of notational diversity as a reflection of mere confusion. To standardize notation is to standardize patterns of thought and the parameters of creativity. Our present abundance of notations is as it should be.