This is a reflection on the article ‘The Help of Hands: Reports on Clapping’ by Steven Connor.
In this article, Steven Connor explores the action of clapping as an evolutionary trait of human beings, circulation and transmission of energies from individuals in a group, and its attempt to knit a continuation of sound from the most simple sonic principles. Immediately I was inspired by the introduction of the article. Through beginning the examination of the action by referencing a human evolutionary trait I was exposed to the potential of the article before even beginning the majority of the reading. Curiosity overtook me and finishing the article was seamless.
In relating the significance of the article to my own practice and developing a perspective on the essay leading into the audio essay, I am reinstating the importance of the hook and thesis of a paper. By engaging the reader or listener from the get-go rather than the overall depth and complexity of a piece of work I believe that acts as a reasoning or rational to continue reading or listening.
While the study of the human clap was both interesting and rose questions within my own perspective on the clap, I believe the importance of this article in relating to Sound Studies and Aural Cultures was its structure and quality.