Can Music Help Overcome Psychological Barriers to Action? Chapter II

By Emiliano Rodríguez Nuesch, Nancy Nuñez and María Morena Vicente

While music may not be a silver bullet for global issues, it's a powerhouse in breaking down psychological barriers that hold us back. With the ability to inspire, motivate, and unite, music creates a positive mindset, fosters empathy, and highlights critical issues. By dismantling individual hurdles, music sets the stage for a collective mindset ready to take on the world's challenges.

This post is part of a series of 3 articles that delve into the transformative power of music, unraveling how it aids us in breaking through various psychological barriers pinpointed by social science. Consider this not just a read, but a playlist against psychic numbing—a melodic journey to break down walls and inspire change. Let the music guide you through the exploration of the mind!

Music to Overcome Psychic Numbing

Embarking on the sequel of our musical exploration, we continue the odyssey through tunes that act as potent catalysts for empathy. Join us again to uncover how artists weave sonic narratives to inspire empathy and bridge the gap between individual experiences and the broader human tapestry.

Track II: The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll by Bob Dylan

The revolutionary Robert Allen Zimmerman, aka Bob Dylan, infused the craft of songwriting with groundbreaking contributions. He incorporated poetic and socially conscious lyrics into his songs, deviating from traditional structures. "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" exemplifies this as Dylan addresses racial injustice by narrating a true story.

Take the rag away from your face, now ain't the time for your tears

In 1963, African-American barmaid Hattie Carroll was tragically murdered by a wealthy white man. Dylan's storytelling vividly depicts the incident, compelling listeners to connect deeply with the gravity of racial discrimination. The song's narrative paints a vivid picture, making listeners feel the personal impact of racial discrimination. Dylan aimed to create a powerful, emotionally resonant connection by focusing on Hattie's personal details and the injustice she faced.

But you who philosophize, disgrace and criticize all fears

Dylan’s song can be related to psychic numbing by illustrating how societal indifference and systemic injustices contribute to the numbing effect. Despite the profound narrative of the song that highlights the inequity faced by Hattie Carroll, repeated exposure to such stories of racial discrimination and the failure of justice systems might lead to numbness among the public.

Lyrics are bold and intended to personalize racial injustice. Focusing on the real story of Hattie Carroll's tragic death, Dylan humanizes the victim, making the injustice tangible and relatable.

“She was 51 years old and gave birth to 10 children
Who carried the dishes and took out the garbage
And never sat once at the head of the table
And didn't even talk to the people at the table”

While horrific tragedies occurred, they decided to write a song and sing it as long as it needed to be sung. The song expresses the band's condemnation of the violence and calls for peace and reconciliation.

This personal narrative strategy fosters empathy and emotional engagement, challenging desensitization and contributing to the dismantling of psychic numbing around the broader issue of racial discrimination.

One of the mechanisms to break Psychic Numbing is, actually, by starting an honest conversation about a difficult topic. In this other video, Dylan describes the benefits of telling the story through music, amplifying what the tabloids said about Hattie’s death and sharing his feelings about injustices that everybody was choosing to ignore.