Orbital Rhapsody – The Travelling Music Show

Last update we went over how beings earn and pay for things (with units). So how do the spacecraft slot themselves into this economic engine. There is really only one thing they offer and that is their music (seems communication satellites designed for earth do not have a lot of other uses in space).

Note, this was not a simple thing, but seems to be working itself out. As alluded to earlier, there really is no music industry. Art and performance do exist in space, but it is just music that is disjointed. There are art-type shows (and sales) with what we would call pictures (similar to paintings etc) or sculptures type pieces. There are also performances. Comedy seems very popular (Lawyers can’t get a break even in space). There are also motivational or learning discussions (think Ted-Talks).

The problem with music has always been the medium in which it is transferred (being sound). Though almost all species have a method for “hearing” what they hear is very different. Also, languages do not work. Most of the actual communication is telepathic. So, you might be singing a song in your language, the receiver would hear gibberish but hear the concepts and ideas in their language (probably not in rhythm or even tune). This made music very localized (yes people could play in local bars where most of the patrons were localized), but getting a larger audience was difficult.

That is basically how the spacecraft started. There was a small/family type fair in progress on one of the planets they were visiting. The fair was looking for entertainment, so the spacecraft decided to give it a shot. The people running the fair were not sure it would work out, but they needed the performers so figured they had nothing to lose (and before they went on the Intergalactic Road Trip, the Aliens did tell them to perform their songs, and all would work out). They went on, and as you might say, the rest is history (well if we knew history from the corner of the universe).

They ended up doing an extended set due to the reception from the crowd. They performed some of the songs from their story, some Songs From The Silicon Heart and some of their pieces based on locations they have seen (we have not heard any of those yet really). Not just did the locals like them, but everyone did, which seemed to surprise everyone. This all led to the bringing together of the different species through this music.

As people started talking and sharing the experience, the spacecraft were contacted by other event organizers for performances. This just seemed to grow, and now the spacecraft are living their adventures as they travel the cosmos going show to show.

So, they are earning money at these shows, but they really do not have any costs. They do not eat, nor do they need transportation or a place to stay. They have been saving it up, and occasionally spending some like they did in “Galactic Accelerator” for the experience. There savings continue to grow fairly large. They have even taken to separating out a portion of the proceeds for me. They thought it was only fair as I helped to start them off and continue to support them. They do not think I will ever be able to access it, but if I can, there is enough there to get me a modest spacecraft (and as time goes on maybe more). Since it is a crime to go to an planet not part of the galactic counsel, only sanctioned science excursions are allowed (and bringing me a spacecraft does not fit that description).