But music has this strange quality which Alan Moore pointed out.

It makes you feel things, and it doesn’t matter how old it is or even who made it.

That feeling might be irritation or annoyance or reverence or joy…but it happens almost instantaneously.

Visual art can’t do this.

Rashomon requires multiple viewings or some understanding of the art form to break through indifference.

The written word can’t do this - try reading Chaucer without training.

Even dance can’t do this.

So there’s potentially something divine about music.

And perhaps its effects on a “society” are just a distraction.