So I'm reading this book right now called Hamlet on the Holodeck.

The first chapter compares dystopian entertainment (the "feelies" from Brave New World and the "televisors" from Fahrenheit 451) with utopian entertainment (the holodeck from Star Trek, especially as used by Janeway in Voyager to experience her favourite "holonovels"). The conclusion reached is that the major difference between the two technologies is the habits of interaction that they encourage, the defining interaction of the dystopia being simple sensory/stimulus-response, the utopia being imaginative action and reflection (for the implied purpose of emotional/intellectual maturation).

Obviously there is a lot going on here rather than just the technologies used; responsibility for proper use of the technologies seems to be dispersed among three things: the Medium, the Content and the Percipient.

I'm pretty sure that the analysis is sound (if not exhaustive) and I'm wondering how this can be applied to my relationship with music. I've come up with the following questions (so far).

1. How does the actual medium cause me to respond imaginatively?
2. What kinds/genres of music encourage this type of engagement the best? Specific artists/albums/songs?
3. In what manners can I imaginatively respond to music? How can I encourage myself to respond more fully and in more varied ways?