Trent Reznor and the Gray Code Madness

For the last 4 days now I have been utterly distracted by the website of my all time favorite: Nine Inch Nails. The man behind the curtain, Trent Reznor and all of his many talents.

It began with a random glance of the NIN.com website during a ‘coffee’ break at my corporate job. I have my favorite websites and blogs, it just so happen I chose this one on my break just to see if any new pictures were posted, messages, etc. And so it began, throughout the week, 3 random photos had been posted. These photos have spurred many theories on the blog. Some say he is in Hong Kong, some think it’s part of the ARG, some don’t care and just want more tours, and more music! Adding to the photos, they are tagged with simple titles such as ‘From the Future’, ‘Overtones’, and ‘Gray code’.

The blog in itself is distracting; once you began reading you can’t stop. It’s a divine comedy, soap opera, porn, drama; suspense with a mix of thought provoking blurbs to the infamous ‘Anons’ nay saying and subliminal messages. Oh what fun it’s been over the last week. Chicluba, Mytwinflame, Tone, Hrs, M, you all know who you are, such dedication and good job watching other peoples backs. Anons – well you know who you are, some think Trent himself logs on as an ‘Anon’. I don’t know. Just adds to the fun of it.

Looking past the blogging fun though – Trent Reznor has created (innocently?) such a stir, and for me personally it has been such a distraction, that I can barely work. Because I too am trying to figure out and imagine what this man is up to. All from 3 photos and thousands of posts on the blog.
IS he sending a message? However deep or simplistic it may be?

The last posting of the ‘Gray code’ picture has really been a blast.
I’ve learned about gray coding at the most elementary level – and I can’t say I really understand it. But does that really matter? No. What matters, is that while these are random posts, the purpose is to get our minds in action, to explore and ponder the possible meaning. Which for some, we’ve done just that, and I am distracted by this to the point I must write about it so that I can get back to work and earn my living.

Many theories abounded. The one thing that I could relate to through my investigation of the Gray coding was the method used to solve the Towers of Hanoi problem. The Towers of Hanoi was solved by the Gray coding method and has since spurred the popular mathematical game/puzzle of the same name. Beyond that, another interesting tidbit, there is a legend called the Towers of Brahma, which employs the gray code method, claims once the puzzle is complete – the end of the world will come.

So am I left to believe he is all knowing and IS god? NO! It’s just another fun theory.
However – we can take it to another level and say maybe, just maybe he’s saying he is relating this method to his own life. A puzzle that requires similar methods.
Or it could be a method he is using for his next project. Or it could be just randomness, just a passing photo op donning the first word that came to his mind. But the fact of the matter is the word was in his mind.

So why am I writing this random note? Well beyond this glorious madness, which has become my favorite pastime, I realize this man is brilliant. With all of the years that I have been a fan I have now gone a step deeper to try and figure out why it is I continue to come back to his music. My purpose here is to convey my great appreciation for the man, the music, and all that he’s given to the world, to me. Everyone experiences music on a personal level. The fact of the matter is that it is felt within each one of us. Year in and year out he has graciously shared his music and talent. I can’t imagine this being an easy thing to do in any way shape or form for any artist / musician / public figure because of the vulnerability factor. His life’s journal for all to read and experience through his many talents. And he’s sharing this with us, which should be cherished.
Realistically, there isn’t a way I could ever personally pay my respect except through my words and of course the obvious: support of his music.

His simple gray code picture has set me on an internal exploration, trying so hard to figure out why his music fascinates and speaks to me and many, many others. I think for everyone of us it’s different but the same. I am not saying he’s the end all be all of musicians. As there are many great musicians out there, but for us, for me his tune is the antidote to whatever is ailing me. I love music from every genre, but there are not many musicians for me that I can say this about. He is an icon in the music industry, and truly stands out from the rest in this crowded world.

From simple little posts on the Nine Inch Nails website, I’ve now set on a journey to figure out why we appreciate one and not the other. With no disrespect to the others out there in music land, for they have their fan base too. I’ve come to the conclusion that some how, some way, to be a fan of someone’s music, and connect to it, and feel it, means that there is a connection underneath it all. I believe that music is the translation of ones soul. I stress THE MUSIC, although lyrics and poems are beautiful in themselves, but the music with all of it’s magical layers, rhythms, and tones is what keeps me coming back for more.

So in closing, I pay tribute to the musician, the artist, the photographer, the tech wizard, the man Trent Reznor. Through all of his years we’ve witnessed the birth of a kaleidoscope of music as if it were a screenplay of his life, we’ve watched his ‘bad’ behavior without condemning eyes, and we’ve all seen him make it through to the other side with scars we cannot see. I don’t believe words can express how deeply moving it is to see and hear what is deep inside of his very soul. He’s shared this with us so unselfishly. These gifts are felt deep inside, and hits chords within each of us that in the end connect us even at a microbic level, which convinces me even more that music is the universal language.