Asha Coutrier

UWRT 1102
Ms. Voltz
April 22nd, 2016
Reflection on Freewriting on Mahler
I do enjoy classical music every now and then, but I usually do not associate it
with death of possibly millions. So when I was informed of the song reflecting the
dispersal of a nuclear bomb; I was surprised but, could also see how it would be
interpreted as such. However, older music has an eerie tone to it, especially music from
the 50s and back. I have no idea what it is about the melodies or vocals that send
shivers down my spine, but whenever a videogame or movie starts playing a tune from
those eras, it seems to signal almost immediately that something horrendous is waiting
for whomever is around the bend. Music has this almost supernatural tendency to instill
a subliminal message, regardless of whether or not it utilizes words.
Imminent nuclear destruction is a reality that we all have to be familiar with and
expect because the amount of weapons in these stockpiles present, just in the US alone,
is enough to decimate the world hundreds of times over. No country that has such
weapons, seem willing to give them up. The aforementioned is mostly due to the fact
that it has been shown that other member states have gone behind the backs of
international organizations to continue development anyway. So while the proliferation
of arms, shows no sign of stopping, the disastrous effects of nuclear materials seems to
have become a sobering factor especially after the Fukushima-Daichi disaster that still

has parts of eradiated Japan practically uninhabitable. Eventually alternative

methods of power and disposal will arise, but for now we live teetering in the edge of
permanent and excruciating eradiation.