alters. stream of consciousness audio

Earlier in this semester I created a podcast intended to be listened to while walking through an urban enviroment. I attempted to systematicaly strip away the user's social status in order for the user to gain a different understanding/perspective on the city they live or work in. My final project was originally intended to be an offshoot of that approach. I planed on creating a map that would lead the user from point A to point B without passing by a single bit of advertisement there by alienating those not in the "consumer class." I found out that it was impossible to get from point A to point B. So I then decided to just continue on with shifting (views of) social classes. With notebook in hand I set off for Market St. After about an hour of watching and writing I became overwhelmed with the different types of people going about some daily action or ritual. This podcast is a result of that. I have attempted to build a performance of frustration with the religious fervor of the modern day capitalistic attitude. The result is sort of a wandering internal monologue that explores the emotional fabric of San Francisco. The listener is placed on top of a soapbox that they might not normally stage. Through the podcast medium, alters attempts to explore the physical city through the lense of another's emotional reactions to that space.

This podcast can really be utilized anywhere in the city, though I was on the corner of Market St. and Fifth when I wrote it.

alters. stream of consciousness PDF

the text:

Turn your face toward the heavens reach out and touch the buildings and their contents listen to the wails of the plundered plowmen and the beggared yeomanry lamenting the rise of yet Another infringement on our space another tower to heaven tower to Babel lead me to God oh skyscraper lead me to the stars and financial success the weak shall parish and the rich shall dominate over the animals and sky land sea soul kill deer kill skunk kill starfish bat baboon baby this cement jungle is growing dense with steal trees and concrete mountains blocking out the moon trying to battle the sun for the domain in the heavens and stars watch on as cities gain valuable ground swiftly and silently creeping up on the celestial battle field the sun shall loose the war the moon shall loose the war the skyscraper will set the new dawn shall leave the lights on day and night to lead the faithful to worship on hands and knees in the religion of progress singing: HOLY HOLY HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY WHO WILL REIGN HERE ON EARTH AND IN THE STARS ABOVE FOREVER AND EVER AMEN and as those oh so faithful followers now drink the wine of efficiency which signifies the blood of Jesus Christ and now they eat the bread of demolition which signifies the body of our savior Jesus Christ they demand our walk through life be righteous we must take the narrow path forward for success will surely follow we must tear down our sinful ways they are dark and unholy places they are where the buses stop running after seven every night they are where the fires burn under the streets they are the places that make our neighborhoods seem so safe but they should always be out of sight and they scream BALANCE WE DEMAND BALANCE not realizing that balance is a curse that torments those unfortunate souls they call the middle class perched between nothing and everything they lash out in all directions hoping to make some sort of fucking difference with their balanced gavels and guillotines these lion dens are full of work horses that clean our stables and pile our shit on their own heads they reek of unworthiness but it’s their own damn fault we’re all born into sin and all we have to do is accept Him into our hearts but do it somewhere else we need your land you’re crowding our view so we’re going to rebuild from the ground up starting with a STARBUCKS and a hymn and ending on the 45th floor with fasting and repentance the elevators are our alters operating on prayers where we sacrifice our first born, shed our skin, and then don the garb of the pure and polish our wing-tips while crying: GOD I KNOW I’VE SINNED BUT I NEED A NEW CAR AND A POOL FOR MY BOYS TO PLAY IN PLEASE FORGIVE ME BECAUSE I WORK HARD AND LIVE A PEACEFUL LIFE FULL OF LOVE AND I SURPASE EVERY QUOTA I give my life to you at approximately seven o’clock am and my life is in your hands until my forty-five minute lunch break which is reserved for cheep hamburgers made out of the gods of others I haven’t seen a farm in I don’t know how long I thought meat was grown in Petri dishes then you can have my life back but only until about five-thirty which is when I go home to spend time with my television I mean my family haven’t I lived a life worthy of the tallest building? Haven’t I lord? Why aren’t you answering me? I give ten percent on Sunday when the plate is passed around my blood flows green like steel over fake plastic rocks and plants from other climates into the baptismal pool where my children will be washed of their sins and made holy as chlorine I am a family man like you demand my children can already balance a check book and understand the importance of developing third world countries I’ve earned more than enough money to pay you back for the life of your son now it’s your turn. You. Owe. Me. A little more financial success who said greed was a sin who said the strong shall survive was it Matthew? Mark? Luke? John? Ah well fuck it either way I earn plenty I don’t need Jesus or God or you or anybody because I SEE THE FACES OF ANGELS they are working hard in their cubicles getting close to their deadlines they break a sweat but push diligently ahead and they glow at night in the sky neglecting their families and their loved ones the buildings are replacing the stars their blinking lights warning our Lord that He is approaching our territory take off your shoes, God, I hope you are pure and have valid identification

I am no prophet—and yes that’s “prophet” with a ph—but I can read the writing on the wall. Look around you. Look at the so called heaven we have built. Look at these deities tooling away in their quiet desperations and wonder if they are aware that only the buildings shall inherit the earth.