I had trouble sleeping the other night and remembered that I used to listen to this podcast. It is really interesting because one of the prominent things in the podcast is non-linear, unfinished (narratives?) stories. We talked about our favorite podcasts a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to put it in the blog.
I’m sure everyone has interacted with or seen a copypasta in some way, shape, or form throughout their time using the internet. These chunks of text are originally created in a “serious” context either by users in an internet forum or chatroom or from commercials, films, etc. and are then re-purposed by copying and pasting (hence the name) by other users in a humorous and “memeable” context. The concept first originated in the mid-2000s, and has since then remained a giant in the meme world. The two most well known copypastas are the Navy Seal copypasta, a rant by a 4chan user to another user on the platform, or my personal favorite the FitnessGram ™ Pacer Test copypasta, the transcript of an audio clip of the instructions for the FitnessGram ™ Pacer Test, a multi-stage fitness test that estimates an athlete’s maximum oxygen uptake. I find it interesting that any humorless bit of text can become a copypasta and be comical once it’s resurrected in a satirical light by multiple people. If you want to see more hilarious copypastas, visit this reddit page (disclaimer: it’s the internet — some of them can be offensive). If you have your own favorites, comment them below.
We briefly discussed originality during our last class, and I was surprised by some of the other perspectives in the room on what should be considered an original work. I personally have thought about this topic a lot, both because of art classes at Colgate and through some research on my own. I’m attaching some material that I’ve appreciated in case anyone else in interested. What do y’all think makes something original?
Steal Like An Artist
Banksy’s Picasso Quote
Ive been thinking a lot about how false news can spread now that there are so many media outlets. This fact is honestly very scary, because so many people believe everything that is on the internet. It is also interesting how credible media sources like Daily Mail and CNN can spread untrue news so easily, and it will be believed by millions of people. It is really important to think about where your news comes from, and to not believe everything you read. This video I found is really interesting, and honestly a little frightening. What are your thoughts? Have you ever read something online that you knew wasn’t true?
I listened to an episode of a podcast called Invest with the Best where they had the CEO of Spotify, Daniel Ek, come on the show to answer some questions. It’s a neat episode that gives insight into the audio market and how Spotify exists within it. In the episode, Daniel mentions how although Spotify is attempting to create original content, he explains that when people take the mechanics of underlying businesses and implement them within their own, oftentimes, they will fail. For example in music, copyright laws will allow other companies/stations to play their content so the value of exclusivity diminishes and content creators will want to get their content distributed as widely as possible because they make most of their money from touring. We see this occur with Luminary (The Netflix of podcasts) where the media company is not earning nearly as much as people thought it would. This is because content creators are not willing to move their show to an exclusive streaming channel from dominant companies like Spotify, etc who hold a larger market share. Luminary charges consumers on a monthly basis, but consumers can get the content elsewhere already. Streaming services do well when they already have an existing library and its hard for companies like Luminary to license content and monetize it when consumers can get it somewhere else at a lower cost. Now, my question is, how does this apply to streaming services outside of audio? As more companies begin to enter the “streaming war,” would it be better for media companies to distribute content in-house with what they already have like Disney has or to license and acquire the right to stream shows as Apple has? Also, how do content creators benefit or not from the large plethora of streaming services available in this day and age?
Btw: They begin talking about all this at 35:12 if you wanna listen.
I have noticed that clubs here play songs that sound like hip hop but with elements that are slightly different. I recently learned that it’s a genre called ‘Grime’. It’s a genre of electronic dance music that emerged from London in the early 2000s. For people who didn’t know about this genre before (a.k.a me), I found a short video that briefly explains what Grime is.
And check this song out too
Honestly just a random question. Has anyone been listening more to UK artists than they had been previously? I feel like this would be a good time to get into UK music, too, seeing as how it’s a fairly politically-charged time right now. I’ll attach an article that may reflect this; Slowthai, a rapper from Northampton, is up-and-coming in the mainstream for his political messages and actions, like waving around Boris Johnson’s head at a prize ceremony.
Maybe that allows further discussion, too. Do you guys think that music is inherently better when it’s topical?
Did you know your skin is considered a tangible medium? A tangible meaning is defined as ” a writing, copy of a writing, or facsimile, or a physical reproduction, each on paper or on other tangible material.” Weird I know, but there is an importance to the fact that skin is categorized as a tangible medium. Under Copyright laws, anything defined as a tangible medium of expression is protected. Typically this refers to a work of art, i.e photography, graphic art. This all changes when you add skin as the tangible medium. It deems the question: should tattoos be protected under these copyright laws? Therefore, if you get a tattoo should the artist get the right to continue to own that work even though it is on your body? Should artists be paid from a film if a celebrity is sporting that artist’s tattoo? It’s been under examination of four court hearings but nothing has gone through to create true precedence. The only change I have found is celebrities being told to get licenses from the artists so as not to create another lawsuit. This really caught my attention when I was looking up what is considered a medium today and I found it an interesting yet not commonly known legal topic. Do you think that tattoo artists should have the right to have ownership laws of their work on others bodies? Does the possibility of an artist having a continuous connection to your body make you any less likely to get a tattoo?
Sorry not sorry I’m posting again. I just found this project called anthroposts. This website takes and scans post-its found in random places, and records people saying what it says on the post it. Some of them are just phone numbers, others are grocery lists, and others are notes to loved ones or themselves. Something about this website, reading the messages, and hearing people read out the messages is so emotional. It is little glimpses into peoples lives. It is so interesting to contextualize each message, and theres something so personal and human about each message. I highly recommend going on the website and read them and listen. Sitting in the library tearing up at a message that says the wifi code lol. Doing great thanks.
The other day we discussed possible ways for audio to progress in the future. 8D audio is one recent innovation. It is interesting to feel as though the sound is coming from different locations even though it’s just coming through headphones. I find myself forgetting I have headphones on as it feels as though there is surround sound or something similar. Here are some examples of 8D audio for anyone who was interested – make sure to listen through headphones!
This a great SNL skit making fun of the podcast serial. Highly recommend.
SO MUCH CONFUSION. If anyone understands what the professor protest is and how long it lasts, please enlighten us. I had one professor explain how all of our assignments during the weeks of the strike are still due, but we are not allowed to see any class PowerPoints or email him. I feel like this would not happen in America. Honestly, I’m just looking for information, but it would be cool to hear about people’s experiences with strikes in the US.
So, we were waiting at the hospital across from our accommodation and like, there is such a difference between the healthcare in the United States vs the healthcare here. The wait time in the emergency room ended up being nearly five hours in total before I saw a consultant. Now, of course, the wait-time would vary depending on the type of injury, but in the U.S that long of a wait would never occur despite how minor the injury may be. Also, I had to hobble to the X-ray room when typically, hospitals in the U.S would aid you with a crutch in your travels within the hospital. There was also blood on the walls in the A&E and the sanitary conditions throughout the hospital hallways weren’t the best. However, this was all free of charge and that was the best thing that came out of it despite all of its issues. In America, healthcare is expensive and is still somewhat privatized, which limits the general public’s accessibility to treat their issues. What do you guys think of these differences? Is the payoff worth it? I believe so because I LOVE ANYTHING THAT’S FREE.
I loved going to the John Rylands library, and learned a lot; although, I thought there was more information they could tell us. I did some researching, and found this really cool video about preserving culture. I found it enlightening, and I hope you enjoy too.
1) a burger is just a sandwhich. The word “burger” does not imply beef. If you order a mushroom cheeseburger, you will get mushrooms and cheese on a bun.
2) mars bars are milky ways. Milky ways are three musketeers
After class I started thinking about what tools I use while taking notes, and how it affects the way I think. Personally I prefer to take my notes with a pencil on paper. I find that I learn much better, and feel most comfortable when I use a pencil. I was wondering which tool and writing surface that you all like to use. I know that when I take notes with a pen or on a computer I don’t retain information as well, and don’t feel as focused. Also, why do you think this is. I was always taught in school to write with a pencil and paper, so I believe it has become ingrained in me.
Why is Colgate so far behind in the most mundane bullshit? Remember when 113 Broad didn’t have a printer and the ceiling was falling out? But then the first-year class got sick sweaters for the Bicentennial and we got, like, a plastic water bottle? I just have too many questions concerning not only Colgate’s money management, but also their facilities. Like we don’t have operational printers sometimes, but we have a fucking observatory? For space shit? I don’t know, man. It’s been a long day.
I have a bit of a ~narrative~ to share. This morning I sought out treatment for this lingering illness I have been dealing with… more specifically, I have a cough and symptoms of bronchitis, a fun condition that I have been treated for with antibiotics twice this year already :) (and once last year) not even a sob story, just necessary context for my story
Anyway, back at colgate, I would go to the health center and tell them my symptoms and remind them of the medicine that has worked for me in the past (my doctor parents also insist that I share their input). Then they would give me some antibiotics and I would be on my way to getting better.
Here, I did not end up in the university health center but instead I figured out that attached to the emergency room, they have a “walk in centre”, which is a very similar concept to colgate’s health center. I waited among commoners for a bit and eventually got called in. They couldn’t care less about what I had to say, it was all about the health science or whatever and they started listening to my lungs. The conversation began with the fact that I was American and they seemed to even pass judgement that I had taken antibiotics for a cough in the past. They told me that my infection is viral and that there is no medicine that would help.
I have had issues with receiving treatment before at the Colgate health center, in that there have been times where I have had to do up to three visits before convincing them that my symptoms were not just a cold. Plus, the only reason I sought help from the emergency room in the first place is because of my insistent dad on the phone telling me that I NEED antibiotics. Now. (as he put it) I let them know this and got dumb American treatment. Looking forward to see if my dad still thinks that the British healthcare system is less “fucked up” than the American one when he wakes up. Personally I’m wondering if their hesitation to prescribe me antibiotics is one of the criteria that DOES make their system less “fucked up”. They said “they don’t do that in the UK” because it would be “irresponsible”. I respected that and left, wheezing.
They do certainly win in the sense that the service was free and seemingly available to everyone. They did not require insurance from me, although they were interested in both my USA and UofM ids.
unimportant detail but still funny, had to argue with the receptionist to convince her that my DOB was in fact dec9 and not sept12. lol. (“my country does it BACKWARDS”)
Last week in class we discussed the power of written language and how it is superior to oral language in its ability to withstand time. At the end of class when we were writing I was considering the power of oral language in a different regard: its ability to motivate a group of people. Consider the way a coxswain (the tiny person in a crew boat who steers and yells commands to the rowers but doesn’t actually row) uses language to encourage a group of athletes. Crew is a very demanding sport, requiring the use of every muscle group and intense focus on technique to row efficiently. The commanding way in which a coxswain speaks is crucial to the response they get from the rowers. Tone, volume, and several other factors come into play. On a bigger scale, public speaking can be used to win over an audience and convince them of a cause. Hitler’s public speaking was arguably a necessary cause in his becoming the elected leader of Germany. For me, this galvanizing potential of oral language is lost in written language. Perhaps there are more factors coming into play such as mob mentality, which would not exist when reading, but it is interesting to consider this facet of oral language and the way it can be used by one to influence many.
(Here’s a video where you can hear a coxswain during a race if you’re curious)
I found a funny Reddit chain online, and it reminded me of our discussions on bias/perspective and how it influences narratives. I have included two posts below that display how perspective influences narratives, and how the writer’s bias affects the conclusion the reader reaches. Comment thoughts and whether you think the narratives are in the wrong, right, or obviously leaving critical parts of the story out.
After going to see a film the other night I can’t stop thinking about the 20min long slot of advertisements. Similarly to the United States, there was a range of advertisements shown. What I felt was different, however, was the quality of the ads. So many of the ads were beautifully captured. They carried out a well-told narrative and then at the end pictured the product. It was also clear that there was a different audience being targeted than what I was used to. What shocked me even more, were the ads for products we have at home. Even though it was the same company, the style of the video was very different from the US. I know that the few advertisements I saw may not be a clear representation of the whole UK or I may be seeing a difference that is not actually present. I am curious if anyone else has noticed this difference in advertisements. Are they any specific variations that I have not noticed, or do you believe the style of most of their advertisements is pretty similar to back home?
Last time our discussion about how technology is good/bad gave me so many black mirror flashbacks. In Nosedive, where characters are sooo immersed in the world of social media (one that in my opinion is very similar to instagram), they adopt “instagram mode” interactions even in person. For example, they comment on others’ events/pets/whatever in person as cute and stuffs and give others ratings after their encounter. I’m thinking if social media is actually slowly changing our face-to-face interactions too? Is it also changing the ways we think about social interactions?
And in another episode called Smithereens, there is also a lot of discussions of social media. The “boss” that created the social media Smithereens (sth like ins/fb) was the one that actually went on a retreat and seemed least negatively affected by his own creation Smithereens. Others either lost their loved ones because of checking their social media too often, or first posted on social media when someone else’s life was at stake. Spot the irony.
While we discussed on Wednesday that a narrative needs a beginning, middle, and end, I found it interesting that there are narrative techniques that work against this definition; for example, in media res (literally, in the middle of things) allows a writer to start a narrative in the middle of an action or chain of events, like going up stairs. We also briefly discussed about the necessity of a “certain” ending–one that clearly concludes the story, though some disagreed with this. Maybe it boils down to semantics, but I was wondering everyone’s opinions on what qualifies namely on being a beginning and end of a narrative.
I found the reading extremely illuminating; although, it was hard to digest. After researching Mcluhan, I found this video that cleared up a lot of his points. I think Mcluhan would be fascinated with the new forms of technology and media present today. Radio and T.V. is only the tip of the iceberg.
In “Narrative,” we discover the typical sense of satisfaction and revelation that one encounters when reaching the end of a story. In satisfying the humans’ desire to know, the teller accomplishes his/her mission. However, when encountered with a questionable ending that leaves the audience with nothing but speculations, are we automatically expected to have loved the “journey” of arriving at the ending? Tellers around the world fail to execute this type of ending since the journey itself is dependent on the perspective of the listener. For example, different audiences may love a drawn-out movie with a speculative ending, but others may hate it simply because they thought the journey was not worth the ending they witnessed. Is it possible for tellers to sufficiently and consistently build a journey throughout their story to arrive at a speculative ending that satisfies everyone?
Apropos a conversation some of us had a while back:
“Banksy Celebrates the Erasure of his Brexit Mural.“
I’ve sifted through the questions you asked in your “first reading assignment,” and I have some answers for you.
If you think of other questions, leave ’em in the comments and I’ll answer there.
As mentioned on the syllabus, 10% of your grade depends on your participation here. At the end of the semester, I tot up all the posts and comments and assign a point value according to a curve. More is better. Spread throughout the semester is better.
I won’t always nag you about participating (and I hope I’ll never need to), but it doesn’t matter: The grade will go on. Two contributions a week or so is what you should aim at.
Participation, however, can be as informal as you like. In fact, informal is better; long speeches on blogs make for boring reading, especially when you’re doing it for a grade. And you don’t need to stay on topic — that’s what class is for.
Things that could make good blog posts:
Two things are very important to know:
1. Comments are just as valuable as original posts, in terms of both grading and the grand scheme of things. If you follow up to other people’s posts a lot but never write a single post of your own, you will still get 10/10 for participation. Frankly, comments are better than posts, because the whole point of the blog is to keep the conversational fires burning.
2. You gotta keep it civil. Ad hominem/uxorem attacks on anyone are completely off limits. Disagree as vociferously as you want, but call someone an asshat and experience my wrath. That said, I don’t care about keeping it clean. New media is all about screwing with conventions.
If you want to get a sense of how the blog has worked in past semesters, keep reading down. But each class makes its own vibe, and ours will be different.
I thought it was interesting to see how Simon addressed storytelling in the Bible and the concept of time. I had a difficult time grappling with understanding the concept of time from today’s lecture. Living in constantly passing time was a baffling concept to understand. I thought it was interesting to see how Simon thought that John 1.1 was a timeless line because I had a difficult time deciphering it at first.
Woke up this morning and checked twitter for my daily news and saw net neutrality trending. Started looking further into this and thought it could be good topic for discussion as it relates to last reading’s claim that narrative is becoming more communal. What do you guys think about this and how it could affect narrative looking towards the future?
https://www.savetheinternet.com/net-neutrality-what-you-need-know-now
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/14/570526390/fcc-set-to-repeal-net-neutrality-rules-for-internet-providers
