The Shark

shirt from CreativeCommoners

So, after watching Rip: A Remix Manifesto, I have to admit, I was inspired and reenergized.  


Seeing how technology has advanced, and the impact it has made on our culture, in such a succinct and interesting way was quite refreshing.  Sure, I knew of how just a few groups own practically all the media we see and hear - but Rip also gave some historical background, and showed why this oligarchy feels threatened.  The impact of the internet, our growing digital culture, is given even more depth in this film. 


It was very interesting to see how and why copyrights came about in the first place, and how they have changed and been abused over the years.  One of the interviewees in the film made a point that I never knew about, and really align with: when America was starting out, the country would not honor copyrights of previous, foreign literature. The money that publishers made from selling various Charles Dickens novels, for example, was then put to good use by protecting and fostering domestic authors (e.g.: Mark Twain).  Nowadays, though, America is forcing other countries to take a reverse stance - our foreign counterparts have to honor our policies if they want to play ball, and that means that their own national artists, the next Chinese Mark Twain, will not have the same opportunities that ours have had.  As one Brazilian interviewee had stressed, sharing is essential for a culture - for survival, even - and I can definitely appreciate his stance.  


Aside from spurning me to go home and DJ for a bit, Rip also gave me some ideas as to how I might format some future projects.  Especially the bit about sharing...I really can see myself creating something that requires interactivity, where sharing is necessary, for the piece to be truly successful.  It might work aesthetically on its own, but I would like to challenge myself by enticing viewers to interact with my piece.  


One comparison I found interesting was when this new wave of consumer/creators making YouTube videos, musical mashups, etc., had been compared to quilting and other "folk arts" of the past.  It is kind of interesting to think of this stuff as such, as the folk art and hand-me-down techniques of our day and age. 
















meh.


who knows what the future holds.  
we'll see.