TOK Exhibition: Knowledge and Knower

The TOK prompt I have selected is: “Does some knowledge belong only to particular
communities of knowers?”. This exhibition explores this prompt by reflecting on
knowledge and different and specific groups, and more. The prompt circulates on whether
these “communities” are the only group, that can have specific types of knowledge. A
community is a group of people who show a lot of similar interests or passions. This means
a community is a group that shares common experiences/knowledge but can also in our
case, personal knowledge.

Object 1. AT-LP60X Record Player

https://images.app.goo.gl/GHUXSG65rBp3Tqj67

A turntable is a machine for vinyl phonograph records. The machine rotates around, and
then the disc/plate is “read” by the needle. It has now been a “trend” to come back and play
music with this instrument. However, many people ask the owners of this machine
questions, “Why to use a turntable when we have digital software like Apple Music or
Spotify to do it for ourselves?”. The saying within these lines is some things a person that is
not in a community of record player owners would say. They tend to ask, why or how
people would prefer to do something more complicated than just opening an app on your
mobile device.

Communities of turntablism tend to think that it is more aesthetic than just playing music
from your mobile devices. Or in a lot of the cases surrounding why people like turntables,
they carry a nostalgic experience for selected and specific communities of Turntablism.
People that do not understand it might think that using a turntable is as simple as playing
music with their phones, which isn't. The two have very different processes, in which
turntables you need to take off the stylus protector, not touch the lines of the vinyl, clean
the vinyl, and such. It is essential to learn the works and knowledge of the machine, so it
doesn’t break the turntable or the vinyl.

Going back to the prompt, it asks if some knowledge belongs only to a particular group, in
this case, yes. The knowledge remains closed and restricted without learning how the
process works, its terms, and the turntable itself without making yourself in this
community. For example, most of the people that are not in the community don’t
understand how to work the machines, rather, not even understand the basic terms of
turntablism, which are essential terms you need to know if you have a turntable.

Object 2. My Al Quran

https://images.app.goo.gl/Pb67BFAxUYTnnLoU7

The holy book of Islam or known as the “Al Quran” comprises several things. Those raised
in the Islamic faith are aware of the hadith, stories of Allah’s prophets, etc. The holy Quran
is written in the old Arabic language. It is another language, thus to read the Quran itself,
you have to learn how to read and pronounce its letters. These are things that a non-
Muslim might not understand. A Buddhist or Catholic would not be able to comprehend or
read a verse. However, with that said, not even every Muslim understands/can understand
it. Muslim individuals who have not attempted to learn how to read Arabic script may find
it difficult/won't be able to read the holy Quran's verses. And sometimes, even though
some Muslims can read the Quran’s letters, not a lot of them can understand it, or be able to
translate its meaning. For example, while I can read the letters, I am unable to translate or
understand what is being said if someone were to speak to me in Arabic.

From this to link to the prompt, proves that in the case of the Al Quran as my second object,
it depends on whatever your position you are in the community of knower. First, where
your in a community of knowers or not of Islam, then which specific community of knowers
you are, like the community of knowing how to read the letters, the community of knowing
what it means, and last community of knowing how to talk in arabic. We can safely say that
the knowledge of the Quran belongs to particular circles of its community.

Object 3. An Electric Guitar

https://images.app.goo.gl/rYsySgRXrpW48pAb7

For my third object, I have chosen something I am not familiar with or as we can say I am
not in the specific community it has. I decided to choose an electric guitar since it's
something I want to learn but can't understand. I'm curious as to what knowledge I need to
begin playing the guitar, where I should study it, and how I may connect with the
terminology that is crucial to understanding and mastering the instrument.

The idea is that without truly studying the guitar and joining its community of knowers, no
matter how hard I try, I will never learn or be able to play the guitar. You cannot play the
guitar if you are unable to understand musical notation, chords, and other necessary
information. Some knowledge is still exchanged, though. Since music is such a vast subject,
practically all instruments are related to it in some way. So, for instance, if my friend could
play the piano, he could still read music and perhaps even perform it on the piano, but he
couldn't play the guitar. With this in mind, we may conclude that the guitar only limits
one's ability to learn the instrument without being inside the community.

Going back to the prompt again, I lack all of the necessary information to play the guitar
without becoming a member of this community, answering the question, yes. Some
knowledge is meant to be a part of/belong to only a specific community of its knowers.
Work cited:

Shopee.co.id, shopee.co.id/Al-quran-mushaf-cover-SILVER-A5-

i.158413090.4717490440.

“AT-LP60X.” Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable,

www.audio-technica.com/en-au/at-lp60x.

“Jual Squier Bullet Stratocaster Hardtail Electric Guitar.” Galeri Musik Indonesia Com,

galerimusikindonesia.com/en/squier-bullet-stratocaster-hardtail-electric-guitar-

1921279780.