011 An Improvisation on Nietzsche, Adorno, and the Grateful Dead

This episode explores the various issues surrounding musical improvisation. Is there such a thing as creatio ex nihilo? What is the role of the future and the past in improvisation? What is the role of tradition and freedom? I discuss some ideas on inspiration and improvisation in Nietzsche's Human, All-Too-Human, Adorno's objections to improvisation as it is generally practiced, improvisation in relation to the three modes (or syntheses) of time, and improvisation in relation to free will (employing the thought experiment of Buridan's Ass and some thinking by Adorno). Throughout the episode, I weave in observations on and quotations from the Grateful Dead on cliches, improvisation, and the choices involved in making something through improvisation.