ranting to debussy

since i am at home today with the most awful lower back ache (and upper back ache- in fact all back ache), i am listening to debussy- pretty pretty piano thingies and thinking things that have been on my mind for a while regarding something ninad is working on in his paper.. what constitutes the ‘public’? and in the same breath what in the world is its inverse ‘private’? what are the rules governing appropriate public behavior?

i don’t mean as a description of it- but as an analysis of what shapes our perception of it. that it is culture specific seems to be too much of a cop out. is it really completely dependant on out own backgrounds therefore leaving no generalization possible? does then any form of governance of public behavior become a hindrance to free personal expression? what then constitutes a freedom of expression? how are all of these shaped?

i am fascinated when private moments are suddenly made extremely public- either violently or vilely.. the embarrassment at the nakedness (not nudity- the word seems too soft) that we feel at watching- not performing.. is the public constituted to save us from embarrassment- but about what?

this is just a rant that seems to go on in my head when i see shakti kapoor being caught for wanting to have sex on tape.. when i see men shitting facing each other on the western express highway.. when i go to peoples homes and take a look at their showcases- and look at mine.. when i see ‘indian idol’ and wonder about democracy and the sms vote method of public participation.. when i read this blog and others and see who all of us choose to be when we decide our public personas.. when i see kids walking around with walkmans listening to truly disembodied music- music that has completely lost it context and has instead become a constant soundtrack for our own lives ( the physical performance of the sound has now lost its meaning, instead enabling us to shelter in the space it creates around us- even while we move retaining its volume).. and more and more.. from crying in a movie theater to the club i choose to join..

this is a complicated existential question with no bloody answers so then why do i ask.. help!