Ecoörganology

Abstract

Abstract Ecoörganology builds on a recent trend in critical and new organologies to expand from a limited anthropocentric study of musical instruments in cultures to a more ecocentric focus on such instruments and cultures as inherently connected with broader Earth systems. The author proposes two potential frameworks for ecoörganology: one derived from quantitative scientific approaches (social life cycle analysis), another more humanistic in its conception (sustainability). While distinct, both emphasize the importance of nonhuman resources and are broadly ecological in scope, all the while connecting to social and aesthetic matters. To illustrate the two frameworks, the chapter considers the example of portable music players (PMPs). Rather than provide a detailed case study on PMPs and environmental issues, the chapter’s primary goals are to argue for ecoörganology and to illustrate it with two potential frameworks. The developing trend of ecoörganology represents a scholarly move from primarily anthropocentric approaches toward more ecocentric ones. Ecoörganology is a critical organology: in considering the material basis of human musical cultures, it is literally crucial (as well as analytical). If we ignore the planetary systems that sustain us, we make incomplete and incorrect analyses regarding music cultures and humans.