Sample Analysis Report: Specimen 10
This piece was originally published as part of the liner notes to the album To the Country by The Size Queens.
SAMPLE ANALYSIS REPORT
Department of Specimen Collection and Examination,
Digital Archive Division
SPECIMEN 10
BATCH 5-5.02.11
CONTAINMENT UNIT 530-4 ANNEX
ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
SPECIMEN 10 was subjected to thorough scanning in an unnetworked computation cluster. It presents as a linear arrangement of 69,958,784 binary units, encoded in two parallel streams, with the possible purpose of inducing, via an unknown computational and electromechanical interface, variations in pitch, timbre, and amplitude perceivable by, and meaningful to, a biological entity of undetermined origin. The receiving entity is presumed to possess dual decrypting apparatus capable of perceiving the messages encoded within SPECIMEN 10.
Researchers report success in reëngineering and simulating the host mechanism and approximating, within the projected simulated acoustispatial environment of origin, the experiential intent of the specimen. SPECIMEN 10 is evidently an approximation of a biological sonic event involving multiple organisms performing, collaboratively, a series of repeated interactions with objects and auditory phenomena generated by strategic repurposings of communicative apparatus.
SPECIMEN 10 is believed, in its original context and form, to initialize with a reiterated series of mathematically related acoustical tones produced by an unknown mechanism. Comparative analysis of related artifacts strongly suggests that the tones are consistent with the collision of hardened vegetative matter and mined and processed metallic ores. Further specificity is impossible. After several repetitions the pattern is joined by what researchers believe to be biologically generated tones (it is also possible that these tones are digital virtualizations, algorithmically altered to embody computationally meaningless variation, but researchers prefer the simpler explanation), perhaps employing the host organism’s nutritive apparatus. Further specificity is again impossible. The organism is next accompanied by a second organism, and also by a series of simultaneous, temporally and mathematically related tones, produced and recorded by unknown means.
The patterns repeat with minor variations and halt abruptly without apparent purpose. The meaning, within its original socio-biological context, of SPECIMEN 10 cannot be assessed with confidence. Researchers are also unable to determine the proper temporal positioning of the artifact relative to the host organism’s lifespan. It is believed, however, that SPECIMEN 10 was intended as a reproductive aid, inducing sexual arousal in its recipient, and that it was presented only in a religious, devotional, and/or ceremonial context, most likely under the strict control of some governmental authority.
This report may later be altered based upon the results of simultaneous research into the remaining contents of BATCH 5-5.02.11.
