It's interesting to hear about new uses for music. This morning, NPR did a piece (on Morning Edition Sunday) about a town in California--Lancaster--where the mayor is experimenting with playing quiet music and nature sounds through speakers downtown.

Here's the story. Though some residents scorn the idea, most seem to like it. And it makes sense to me. If the army sometimes uses rock and rap music at high volume as a weapon, then why wouldn't quiet music calm people in a similar way? Of course, we know that it does--and Muzak has reams of research to prove it.

So, bravo to the mayor for taking a unique step to bring a measure of relaxation and peacefulness to the people of his town. Let's hear if for a slower pace and more quiet music!