The 19th century was huge for encyclopedia. Following the success of the dictionary, specifically Johnson's, the encyclopedia was the obvious next step. Why stop at defining words, then thought, let's define the entire world. I think Wikipedia is proving however, that definition is going to take a lot longer than they first thought.

I saw a band last night. Givers. I don't know how to describe them. They're young. That's about as close as I can get. How much simpler it was when every type of music was easily classifiable. There was folk music like Woody Guthrie, jazz with Miles, the blues, classical, gospel, and of course the devil's music rock n'roll. But where are those today? They're all bending in and out and over each other like a rambunctious game of Twister. I placed this post in the general music category, the other choices I had were Classical Music or non-classical music. What is the definition of classical music anyways? What makes something non-classical? A guitar? What about a DJ's analog board?

One of my least favorite questions in the world: What type of music do you like? Also: What kind of band is that? Whenever I hear those questions I look for the nearest exit. "Fuck," I think, "is afro-postpunk with neo-jazz and disco tendencies an acceptable categorization these days?" I don't know anymore, music is music. What do we gain by categorizing it except alienating it? If I call someone hip-hop or a rapper I might as well as brand it with Hester Prynne's giant A. There is stigma attached to classifications and of all things music should be wiped clear of stigma.

Sure classifications help in some respect. They generalize enough to give an indication of what to expect. But they also can impede trying new things. In almost every instance I'd rather conceive my own classification than rely on someone else's because in the end definitions only matter in how they apply to my own encyclopedia.

From what I can tell definitions are on their way out. In the 250ish years since Johnson's dictionary we haven't come closer to defining anything. All we are finding are more and more layers of complexity. And today's music is proof to this. The most successful bands are the ones who are rejecting classifications and learning from different genres. Likewise, individual personalities are embracing their different chords. You, me, and the next guy are undefinable. We are infinitily fragmentable. And would we want it any other way?