In this week lecture, we did an analysis on “RIP: A Remix Manifesto.” In it, there are four points that are being emphasized. They are:
1. Culture always builds on the past.
2. The past always tries to control the future.
3. Our future is becoming less free.
4. To build free societies you must limit the control of the past.
In the tutorial, we are asked about our opinion on particularly the third and fourth point of the subject.
With the emergence of different forms of today media, especially with the support of web 2.0 and UCG (user-generated-content) sites, information is always within a reach for those who are looking for it.
There is now, a steep and ambiguous gap between what is called “original” data, compared with “altered” data.
With many websites today, enabling users in the modification and editing processes (such as WordPress, LiveJournal, Tumblr, Facebook), it has indeed given more freedom for users to express their creativity and access the website according to their likes and preferences. Whether there is a sense of realization or not, there is no doubt that in the process of editing, modifying, “playing around” with the information and data, it has brought benefits not only to the users as the consumers but also to the company or website that is acting as the producers. That is where the term “produsage” comes from. (O’Reilly 2005)
I disagree that the future seems to be less free when indeed despite of controlling efforts by many of the producers company, especially in the music area, the process of “remix” in this case never seems to cease. Napster, a website that allows users to “share” their music, was established many years earlier. Though there are indeed many oppositions from the “copyright” owners, there are many more supports and positive response from users around the cyber space. This is shown by the fact that with the closure of Napster, many similar ones have arisen.
It used to be a time where it is not easy for artistes, especially new ones to reach out to their potential fans or fans without the help of the “professionals”. Today, even without Napster, new artistes are able to reach out to their listeners with social tools such as MySpace and Facebook. Today, even websites with specific music-sharing purposes have become a hit in a certain community, such as GorillaVsBear, Stereogum and Hype Music.
An example of a remix music uploaded to the website.
Architecture+In+Helsinki+-+Contact+High+Clock+Opera+Remix+
I stand at the point where I do agree that if the past does restrict many of the movements in the present, the future then as a result will be less free.
Thus, it is important for the present to have a consistent examination and re-evaluation of what role does the past have in limiting and restricting the future.
A mashup of top 25 Billboard Hits 2009 by DJ Earworm, under the title of United State of Pop 2009 (Blame It on the Pop).
Today, the video has over than 35 million views and its success is proven by the song being played over and over again at many dancing clubs around the world.
“If you alter the tempo and pitch of any music enough, you could get anything to fit together, whether it’s Bach or the Black Eyed Peas. What it does prove is how far technology has come to make these alterations sound convincing. I’ve manipulated some of these vocals HEAVILY.” – DJ Earworm
ismantohadi 