The Secret is in the Codec

We grew up struggling to form letters in Latin script. Some of us are still struggling with handwriting and, even with computers, putting a coherent sentence together. In spite of this obvious human limitation, we sustain a level of hubris and even talk about Truth (and for some - inerrancy).

I hit the wall of a different language (Spanish with fleeting attempts at Russian and French and no insignificant struggle with English) and was truly amazed when communication actually seemed possible. But dealing with Cyrillic restored modesty.

We are reminded of our hubris and vanity by the 40th Anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's walk on the moon. The camera present at the moon walk was capable of better resolution than television sets at the time (NTSC)  (with all due respect for Phil T. Farnsworth). But only recently have we appreciated that what we see is only an approximation of what is "really" there. The screen I am looking at renders text in a 1650x1050 matrix. My eyes are sufficiently tired that I am painfully aware that what I see is only a clumsy approximation of what I think.

Getting back to Rodon, I found myself there because they have a collection of Taize in mp3 format. After downloading, the fingerprints generated by Picard match those at Taize.  This is how the boys at RIAA know what you and I are downloading.

Obviously, getting from thought to the page (codex) and from reality to the image depends on sophisticated intellectual (and cultural) activity. Getting there efficiently is a matter of semiotics. Almost makes me with I had paid more attention in Psychology class.

I am indebted to Henry S. Hsiao for this juicy morsel of wisdom, "The secret is in the codec."