e149 spinning - let the sound take you wherever it might in your imagination

i came upon a 1980’s era ‘discman’ portable CD player that still work, sort of and listened to it trying to spin up

TRANSCRIPTION OF EPISODE

(bell and breath)

(old cd player trying to spin up)

While going through a box of old technologies to be recycled, I came upon a 1980s era discman portable CD player that still sort of worked. 

I listened to it, trying to spin up to speed to do its job, but it wasn't able to, it didn't have enough power, energy, or ability left in it. But the sound was really interesting because it kept trying to get up to speed, so to speak. 

So, it feels to me like this is a symbol, as an example of modernity falling apart, not able to deliver. 

So, there's something about that fascinated me in this sound, and so I made it a type of sonic meditation, and I suggest you listen to it without any particular story in mind. 

Just let the sound take you wherever it might in your imagination.

*

The idea for this episode came from my wife Sabrina. Thank you. 

I am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this episode. (including all the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation and infrastructure that make this podcast possible).

My gesture of reciprocity for this episode is to the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts.

*

END NOTES FOR ALL EPISODES

Note : I'm currently 'pressing pause' and am not producing new content until further notice. 

Hey conscient listeners, 

I’ve been producing the conscient podcast as a learning and unlearning journey since May 2020. It’s my way to give back.

This Indigenous Land Acknowledgement statement was developed by members of the Algonquin community for my former employer the Canada Council for the Arts. I have adapted slightly to make it my own.

• I acknowledge that my studio, located in Ottawa, is on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.
• I recognize the Algonquins as the customary keepers and defenders of the Ottawa River Watershed and its tributaries. I honour their long history of welcoming many Nations to this beautiful territory and uphold and uplift the voice and values of our Host Nation.
• Further, I offer my respect and affirm the inherent and Treaty Rights of all Indigenous Peoples across this land and honour commitments to self-determination and sovereignty that have been made to Indigenous Nations and Peoples.
• I acknowledge the historical oppression of lands, cultures and the original Peoples in what we now know as Canada and fervently believe the Arts contribute to the healing and decolonizing journey we all share together

In parallel with the production of the conscient podcast and its francophone counterpart, balado conscient, I I publish a free ‘a calm presence' monthly Substack see https://acalmpresence.substack.com.  

Your feedback is always welcome at claude [at] conscient [dot] ca and/or on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Threads, BlueSky, Mastodon, Tik Tok, YouTube and Substack.

Share what you like, etc

I am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this podcast, including the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation systems and infrastructure that made this production possible. 

Thanks for listening. 

Claude Schryer

Latest update on March 21, 2026