Besides the fact that the hauntingly beautiful music of Sigur Ros opens wonderful landscapes of emotion in sound, I recently discovered their provocative cover art.
In particular this image by Pedro Landeiro seems exceptionally pertinent for our complex lives.
My first reaction was to think of it not as Odin with lightning bolts bristling over the skin but rather, an angel taking flight, with roots, dangling from its fingers and toes.
Dopplr, facebook and the cohort of communal experiences on the web do this for us. Just take a look at the way that you can take flight to the remotest parts of our avian landscape and land safely in a network of references and connections. In a sense you have never left home because you are traveling with your roots intact. While at the same time drawing nourishment from your new environment!
This really does change the dynamics of social integration as the linear advantage of age in location does not apply any more. The new kid on the block can have far more insight about and connection to the neighborhood that the old man who has in fifty years never met his fellow inhabitants. Or virtual friendships can thrive as we are more connected to friends living half a world away than the commuters on the train next to us.
So how does this make us a happier species? Strangely the only non-dietary tip that Dr. Gary Fraser give to a long life is to live a religious life. This observation is expanded by other scientists to living a life with purpose or connected to a greater whole.
If we become a predominantly migratory species, do we regain our sense of connectedness by flying with roots?
The opportunity lies in making the interface truly non-intrusive so that we may experience the here and now, as intensely as the emotional bond that keeps us rooted in friendships and love.
