My parents probably did these things because they were fun, but they were much more than that. Parents who play music and read aloud to their children give them a head start on a lifetime of learning. Like many artists and educators, I am concerned about a growing sound bite mentality in everything from arts to news to politics. Nowadays we get a whirlwind sense of information, but with only the lightest dusting of meaning. Meaning requires time and context.
Sound bites offer neither.
Deep down, I want to hear music and read books that stretch the imagination. I want in-depth interviews and documentaries that challenge me to think and remember. I want to feel real sand between my barefoot toes, not virtual, and wonder at the nighttime sky. I want to hear my own muse, yet also raise my voice with other voices, including the whales, to make a symphony worth living for. Click here for an audio sample .