Radio Chthulucene 87.9 FM

When discussing location briefly in class last week, I felt overwhelmed by choice. But, really reflecting on it, I feel most people have ‘their’ spot(s) on campus. I didn’t tend to hang out around campus my first few years as an undergrad, mainly because I was living on campus and preferred just heading back to the dorms than lingering in public spaces.

But now I commute. When I am between classes I either need to check where to eat or check where I can charge my electronics as I catch up on assigned readings. If I am done with classes but have an on-campus event to attend later on, I’ll start exploring. A lot of my observations feel like secrets even though they are most likely not.

There’s a nice bench to the side of Warren Lecture Hall, and by bench I mean concrete rectangle. It’s in the shade so on sunny days where I don’t feel like pretending to be a plant photosynthesizing or a lizard sunbathing, I just sit there and wait for my afternoon class to start. I think a lot of my spots are spots I’ve deemed comfortable for waiting. I wonder what the impact of having a radio there will be.

Will anyone think; ‘Oh, what’s this? An art installation? To keep me company before class?’

I would only think this if the radio looked cute, like a little robot or something. I think otherwise I would be a little intimidated to touch it. Like: ‘what if I break it and it starts emitting loud beeps of alarm?’

This also makes me wonder about the audiences of this installation. I think if I stick to a bilingual piece it’ll be a fun surprise for Spanish speakers. Personally, I feel like my ears perk up when someone switches between English and Spanish, as if another layer of understanding is introduced. It sometimes feels like an inside joke.

Thinking of audiences more, of who will see it at what time, I wonder if people may be too into their phones and headphones (I am frequently and remorsefully one of these people) to notice a little friend (radio) waiting to talk to them.

Maybe it’ll be a surprise, like unlocking a secret quest.

Guau. I am the chosen one!

Am I meant to write a piece that doesn’t acknowledge the circumstances? It would be a bit funny and a bit comforting if I was able to call out to possible listeners or give some acknowledgement of the form.

Hey. I was also here, and I am here in a way, and maybe when this little piece of technology is gone I will still somehow exist here. And maybe when you go I will exist somewhere in your memory. Anyway, what class do you have next?