As an artist, blending intellect and creativity is an essential part of my work. I approach a piece with a plan on how to work and play my instrument, but I also approach it for the 'musical side,' where I figure out what the composer wanted, what his/her message was, and what I can do to make the piece sound cool for the audience. Here is the epitome of blending intellect and creativity; I use intellect to learn the piece, improving technique which then facilitates my communication of the message of the music.
As a student, blending intellect and creativity is somewhat, though not entirely, new to me. Much of my schooling has been along the lines of bland academic papers with bare facts and no fancy fluffy stuff. Perhaps it is that I have not yet had many assignments which call for a blend of intellect and creativity. There is a time and place for such a blend, and prior to recently my work had not needed such a blend. Now I am receiving work which not only prompts the blend, but in some cases requires it. A whole new world of possibilities.
Now a concern will be on the balance of intellect and creativity. Each piece, each assignment is different, and each requires its own unique mix. Finding that mix is a journey in itself, but fortunately that journey looks to be an exciting one.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The video medium was definitely the most complicated and hard to use for me, but I also found it to be the most communicative. It blends all aspects of media into one, making it very easy to convey whatever message is necessary. For this video my goal was to bombard the viewer with the word truth, zipping by in quick succession so that you don't know quite what the real picture is. I wanted to make the viewer feel confused, overwhelmed, and force the question into their head about 'what is true and what is false'. The video clips helped me show both sides of the story and show how global the effect of wikileaks is, ranging from the US to the UK to Germany and beyond. Then again I wanted to overwhelm the viewer with images to further the confusion of what truth is, and the final message is plainly seen in the last image.
Out of the media we have practiced, I found video to be the most successful in producing my message. It goes to show that a blend of all forms of communication tends to be the most effective.
digital media worries
The rise of Digital Media has brought with it concerns in the form of two basic questions: are people becoming too attached to the screen, and is this a problem? Within these are the subcategories of social, psychological, and behavioral worries. And since digital media is a relatively new phenomenon, people are wondering if this is something we can use, or something that will use us.
The obvious question is, 'does digital media detract from traditional social interaction?' Many say yes, and some say no, and I tend to agree with the latter in most cases. The world of digital media is similar to the world of letter-writing. Before letters people delivered information in person, and then people began doing so with letters. The face-to-face aspect of communication was somewhat removed, but did not become an impossibility. Letter-writing became an alternative form of socialization, and the same is true for digital media. To take my case as an example, digital media is a supplement to my everyday social interactions. It does not hinder, but helps, my interaction with others. In fact it facilitates interaction with people I do not see otherwise. In considering how digital media affects my life I take it as a way to augment my social capital.
The second category of worries, psychological, presents another situation altogether. For most it is seen as a plague that decreases our concentration and makes us dumber, skimming the surface of many things. However, I see it in a different light. Perhaps the reason people see digital media as detracting from concentration is because people treat it that way. There is no reason why one cannot concentrate on a single bit of information provided by digital media. The opportunity for intense understanding is still there, it just seems that people do not make the effort to actually do the concentrating. On the emotional side, the escape into a digital world to escape the worries of the physical world makes sense. There have been many a time when I turn on a tv show or video game to put off worry about homework or a stressful performance. However, this is an area where the media can turn into a negative influence. People can misuse the escape function and let responsibilities slip by in favor of entertainment media.
The final category, behavioral worries, is one that most affects youth. We are a generation of speed, we need to do a lot of things fast, and multitasking is how we try to deal with the sheer volume of information. I found it interesting that while digital media presents us with the opportunity for lots of multitasking, it also allows for the poor performance that comes from trying to do too many things at once, making digital media a double-edged sword.
In my own use of digital media, the only concern that I run into is using media to put off worries. I rarely multitask on my computer, and I often spend time with friends, but I do tend to watch lots of online tv shows instead of getting ahead on work. However, I feel this is an easy fix, one which I implemented just last week by telling my roommates to do whatever they need to do to stop me from playing games or watching tv insted of doing homework. As a result my homework got done quick and I had more time to sleep, always a plus.
The obvious question is, 'does digital media detract from traditional social interaction?' Many say yes, and some say no, and I tend to agree with the latter in most cases. The world of digital media is similar to the world of letter-writing. Before letters people delivered information in person, and then people began doing so with letters. The face-to-face aspect of communication was somewhat removed, but did not become an impossibility. Letter-writing became an alternative form of socialization, and the same is true for digital media. To take my case as an example, digital media is a supplement to my everyday social interactions. It does not hinder, but helps, my interaction with others. In fact it facilitates interaction with people I do not see otherwise. In considering how digital media affects my life I take it as a way to augment my social capital.
The second category of worries, psychological, presents another situation altogether. For most it is seen as a plague that decreases our concentration and makes us dumber, skimming the surface of many things. However, I see it in a different light. Perhaps the reason people see digital media as detracting from concentration is because people treat it that way. There is no reason why one cannot concentrate on a single bit of information provided by digital media. The opportunity for intense understanding is still there, it just seems that people do not make the effort to actually do the concentrating. On the emotional side, the escape into a digital world to escape the worries of the physical world makes sense. There have been many a time when I turn on a tv show or video game to put off worry about homework or a stressful performance. However, this is an area where the media can turn into a negative influence. People can misuse the escape function and let responsibilities slip by in favor of entertainment media.
The final category, behavioral worries, is one that most affects youth. We are a generation of speed, we need to do a lot of things fast, and multitasking is how we try to deal with the sheer volume of information. I found it interesting that while digital media presents us with the opportunity for lots of multitasking, it also allows for the poor performance that comes from trying to do too many things at once, making digital media a double-edged sword.
In my own use of digital media, the only concern that I run into is using media to put off worries. I rarely multitask on my computer, and I often spend time with friends, but I do tend to watch lots of online tv shows instead of getting ahead on work. However, I feel this is an easy fix, one which I implemented just last week by telling my roommates to do whatever they need to do to stop me from playing games or watching tv insted of doing homework. As a result my homework got done quick and I had more time to sleep, always a plus.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Audio Collage
The audio collage presented some technical challenges, but once those were overcome the project was enjoyable and effective. The audio medium was able to convey the tension in the controversy better than any other medium so far with the use of suspense music and fragmented conversation.
The intent of the crowd talking at the beginning is to show the conversation that is going on about the organization and the documents. The organization is about stopping secrets and opening up governments. The first half of the audio is introducing the listener to the conversation, and the second half is reminding the listener that truth is questionable, and that secret must be kept a secret.
This project highlights the different kinds of truth and how malleable it is. One must always keep this in mind when dealing with claims such as those of Wikileaks.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The times they are a-changin'
This week really showed how our world has changed dramatically with the introduction of digital media. The What is Digital Media and Did You Know videos highlight the overall impact of digital media on society and the world. Manovich's articles help put into perspective everything that digital media has become and how we use it. The digital sampling rate article gives practical information on how information is digitized, using the same principal as calculus and scientific research; the larger and finer your sample is, the better and more accurate your data will be. Charlie Chaplain's video also gives a commentary on how new media has affected our daily lives. The atomic tom and Girl Talk videos show an interesting use of digital media and show how it has transformed art in modern times.
What was most interesting to me was the idea of new media and the internet being a massive pool of shared information to be recomposed by every consumer. This means that anyone could be a 'digital artist,' using the information and materials available to create something new from something stale. The internet is in one way an art gallery of the age, with pieces and compositions from everyone and everything as the exhibits.
As a visitor to this exhibit I have realized that this world of ideas and pieces is rich in diversity and is the culture of the world. Here is where everyone comes to meet and exchange their ideas, where the new and the old mix to make the future.
What was most interesting to me was the idea of new media and the internet being a massive pool of shared information to be recomposed by every consumer. This means that anyone could be a 'digital artist,' using the information and materials available to create something new from something stale. The internet is in one way an art gallery of the age, with pieces and compositions from everyone and everything as the exhibits.
As a visitor to this exhibit I have realized that this world of ideas and pieces is rich in diversity and is the culture of the world. Here is where everyone comes to meet and exchange their ideas, where the new and the old mix to make the future.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Boundary Dissolution post
There have been a few instances of boundaries changing in my life. One of the most significant was my acceptance into the North Carolina Governor's school. From here the boundary between music and my life was changed. Music became a much bigger part of what I do and who I am; for example, from Governor's school I auditioned for UNCSA and after being accepted here I truly became a musician.
Another boundary that has changed is within my relationships with other people. Since my entrance into college I have been constantly reevaluating the way I relate to people and defining for myself what and who matter(s) to me most. This change from a rather passive take on people has reshaped the boundary of my personal relationships.
The resources put up some interesting points. Empathic civilization is a great explanation of how our boundaries of emotions are merged due to our predisposition for empathy. Ecstasy of influence brings up an excellent point on how musicians, especially jazz musicians, break the boundaries of ownership over musical ideas to create a boundless artform. The new literacy shows how the boundary between my generation and the previous generation in terms of literacy has been changed; we write more than anyone, but what we write about is a whole other story. The free appropriation writer takes the idea from the musicians of ecstasy of influence and applies it to written art, breaking boundaries between creative property and artforms.
Another boundary that has changed is within my relationships with other people. Since my entrance into college I have been constantly reevaluating the way I relate to people and defining for myself what and who matter(s) to me most. This change from a rather passive take on people has reshaped the boundary of my personal relationships.
The resources put up some interesting points. Empathic civilization is a great explanation of how our boundaries of emotions are merged due to our predisposition for empathy. Ecstasy of influence brings up an excellent point on how musicians, especially jazz musicians, break the boundaries of ownership over musical ideas to create a boundless artform. The new literacy shows how the boundary between my generation and the previous generation in terms of literacy has been changed; we write more than anyone, but what we write about is a whole other story. The free appropriation writer takes the idea from the musicians of ecstasy of influence and applies it to written art, breaking boundaries between creative property and artforms.
Wikileaks Collage
Wikileaks information. The background picture, the computers separated by a wall from the Wikileaks symbol, is meant to show the limits of our access to information, either there is a wall between us or a filter that we must go through. This is what Wikileaks claims and it is what the organization is trying to fix. However, the truth in the picture, upon further examination, could in fact be composed of a chain of lies. The baton passing is meant to show a disconnect between information we are given and the truth, whether that information is from Wikileaks or from our government. The final two pictures symbolize the power of Wikileaks no matter if it is posting true information or not. The organization has the world in its hands, and can drastically affect politics and government, and the impact on the world could be as significant as a meteor.
The collage does a better job of representing the power of Wikileaks and its potential effect on the world. However, text more readily conveys the analytic side of the argument, the nuances of politics and the logic and ethics behind potential misinformation.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wikileaks Text
"This is not journalisim," she says. "Did they write stories, talk to sources, analyze the information, go to the government for a response or put it in context? Did they do something to inform the public about what these documents show? No."
Assange doesn't dispute that notion. He concedes that no more than about 2,000 pages of documents released this week were reviewed substantially by his own staff or those of the three news organizations that got an advance peek at the material. That, he says, is up to journalists, historians or anyone with an interest in sifting through the documents.
USA Today- July 27, 2010 Peter Eisler & Gregory Korte.
The legitimacy of Wikileaks is a concern which has direct bearing on the way the world will handle this type of information exchange. As a young adult in the United States, whether or not Wikileaks is posting valid information directly affects my view on the political processes of my country. After much digging, however, the legitimacy of Wikileaks still seems suspect. Some trusted news organizations such as the New York Times claim that the material is valid, having been vetted by their own journalists, while others like USA Today condemn the website as poorly thought out, as seen in the quote above. This question of veracity could possibly change the way I as a young voter act in politics.
The New York Times and The Guardian (London) both state that the Afghan War Logs and diplomatic cable releases seem to be genuine information. Both organizations were given access to the Wikileaks documents prior to release so that they could investigate the information and determine what was newsworthy. These are reputable news organizations, and their credibility can be trusted. But the fact that other reputable sources like USA Today are calling foul muddies the situation a bit. Who can I believe? Of course some governments are flat out denying the truth of some documents, but this is to be expected. The problem lies with finding neutral, credible sources that give the facts on whether or not Wikileaks is legitimate. So far my searches have proved disappointing and inconclusive, but I will still search.
However, after some reflection I have started to realize that in a way it doesn’t matter if the information is true or not, because it will cause a stir no matter what. People who do not take the time to review the information will take it at face value, which could cause drastic effects on the politics in the US and abroad. Governments must react to this information regardless of truth value because of potential threats to their countries.
So perhaps the real lesson to be learned from Wikileaks is that people must learn to audit the information that they receive in every case so that clear thinking can be achieved and decisions can be based on solid support. If Wikileaks turns out to be illegitimate it still teaches this lesson. If it turns out that it is legitimate, it could be the start of massive reform in government structure and practice. In a way, Wikileaks will be significant no matter what it posts.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tron/Wikileaks
The Tron movie shows a parallel with Wikileaks in that Flynn plays the role of Wikileaks for the corporation Encom. Flynn seeks to expose the true dealings of Mr. Dillinger, the Senior Executive of Encom who gained his position by stealing Flynn's video game ideas. Flynn uses his prowess in technology to find a secret data memory that proves he is the original writer of the Encom video games, much like Wikileaks finds secret documents revealing supposed truth behind sensitive situations.
My only question about Wikileaks right now is: "Does Wikileaks post legitimate documents and information?" This must be the starting point for any investigation into Wikileaks because if the answer is no, then the subject can be dropped. My main interest concerning the validity of the information posted by Wikileaks has been unsatisfied by my current research. Many articles from reporters in multiple countries talk about how the credibility of the information could easily be suspect. After all, the internet is known for less than accurate information. With this problem in mind, I don't see how any meaningful analysis of the effects of Wikileaks on politics can be achieved without first verifying the information which is causing the stir.
One thing that we do not require information verification for is an analysis of what Wikileaks shows about digital media. What we see in Wikileaks is the next step in the information age. First was the mass access to user created projects and information. The next step is using this mass access function to examine how we structure society and the government. Whether or not Wikileaks turns out to be legitimate, it does represent a new way of using digital media. We have entered a time where information about how the people we elect actually conduct themselves could be at our very fingertips. The only barrier is knowing whether or not anything is true.
My only question about Wikileaks right now is: "Does Wikileaks post legitimate documents and information?" This must be the starting point for any investigation into Wikileaks because if the answer is no, then the subject can be dropped. My main interest concerning the validity of the information posted by Wikileaks has been unsatisfied by my current research. Many articles from reporters in multiple countries talk about how the credibility of the information could easily be suspect. After all, the internet is known for less than accurate information. With this problem in mind, I don't see how any meaningful analysis of the effects of Wikileaks on politics can be achieved without first verifying the information which is causing the stir.
One thing that we do not require information verification for is an analysis of what Wikileaks shows about digital media. What we see in Wikileaks is the next step in the information age. First was the mass access to user created projects and information. The next step is using this mass access function to examine how we structure society and the government. Whether or not Wikileaks turns out to be legitimate, it does represent a new way of using digital media. We have entered a time where information about how the people we elect actually conduct themselves could be at our very fingertips. The only barrier is knowing whether or not anything is true.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Gathering
My current strategy for searching for and gathering information on the web is very simple and also limited; I just use Google. While it has served me well in the past, and I have had little complaint about the relevancy of the search results, after reading the search strategies pages I have realized how small a box I have been working within. To know about this so-called 'invisible web' of databases and other search engines makes me want to assimilate those strategies into my search procedures.
Of particular interest to me are the databases with access to scholarly journals and articles. As a resource for education and exploration I believe they would be very useful. In addition to this, the idea of taking time to think about what I'm searching for is another essential search strategy I must add to my arsenal. With a clear picture in my mind, navigating through the world of databases will be much more efficient and productive.
Another interesting concept that stuck with me was the idea of learning as you search. People always say the journey is the important part, and this applies at least somewhat to searching for information on the web.
Of particular interest to me are the databases with access to scholarly journals and articles. As a resource for education and exploration I believe they would be very useful. In addition to this, the idea of taking time to think about what I'm searching for is another essential search strategy I must add to my arsenal. With a clear picture in my mind, navigating through the world of databases will be much more efficient and productive.
Another interesting concept that stuck with me was the idea of learning as you search. People always say the journey is the important part, and this applies at least somewhat to searching for information on the web.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Initially I found it difficult to figure out what was meant by framing and reframing. However, after some thought and observation I have come to the conclusion that this class is about thinking of the resources, technology, and concepts we have in as many different ways as possible. This class is framed in such a way that we will develope skills in manipulating media, but not in a traditional 'computer skills class' sense. We will be learning to use media as a tool to tap into the bigger culture of the world which is brought together by many different mediums.
Thus far the reframing ideas I have seen in this class have been interesting and diverse. From Bogdonovich to the Persuaders, each instance has given as slightly new perspective on something seemingly mundane. Looking at a good movie as an indelible piece of time, seeing education as an emergent phenomenon that comes with interest instead of force, discovering a tapestry of human experience in the form of a website, considering the focus of today's industry and environmental concerns as a shift from the broad to the focused takes place, and taking a closer look at the world of advertising and sales, all of these are reframings of concepts which I had previously thought had limited facets.
A moment of reframing came when I first came to this school. Before I had thought of music as a career, but after entering the music world here I have come to see music as an experience instead. It has changed from a job to a communication tool.
The diagram of the material we have seen so far is my way of visually defining what each piece was about. Each shape represents a key aspect of each presentation. The reason I connected the shapes in an all inclusive web and not in a loop is that I am in the process of reframing the way I view the impact of each on the other.
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