Hidden Nature

describes how the Alpine farmers while stirring the fertilizing liq-

uid would sing into it (see p. 230).

Callum Coats cites:

Research carried out by Dr John Diamond in the field of

behavioral kinesiology (BK), yields some interesting

insights.^1 A member of the International Academy of Preven-

tive Medicine, Dr Diamond found that while the deltoid mus-

cle of a healthy adult male can normally resist a force of

40-45lbs, its strength is reduced to 10—15lbs through the

negative effect of certain types of rock music, such as heavy

metal and hard rock.^2

In contrast to a more natural rhythm, where the beat

emulates that of the heart, with emphasis on the first beat,

i.e. DA-da-da or 'LUB dup rest,' as he puts it, in the above

type of music this emphasis is reversed, i.e. da-da-DA, which

conflicts with the body's natural pulsation and in poetry is

known as an 'anapestic beat.' As Dr.Diamond states: 'one of

the characteristics of the anapestic beat is that it is stopped

at the end of each bar or measure. Rock music that has this

weakening effect appears to have this stopped quality; it is as

if the music stops and then has to start again, and the

listener subconsciously "comes to a halt" at the end of each

measure. The anapestic beat is the opposite of the dactylic or

waltz like beat, which is DA-da-da, and in which there is an

even flow.'^3

Dr Diamond further asserts that:

these forms of music and unnatural rhythms cause switching

in the brain's responses, which induces 'subtle perceptual dif-

ficulties' that may well manifest themselves in children as

decreased performance in school, hyperactivity and restless-

ness; in adults as decreased work output, increased errors,

general inefficiency, reduced decision-making capacity on the

job,... in short, the loss of energy, for no apparent reason.

HIDDEN NATURE