And people wonder…

I reproduce a text message I just received from a co-worker in its entirety.

WALK NAKED ON AUSTRALIA DAY

Don’t forget 2 mark ur calendars!!!
 As u may already know, it is a sin for a Muslim male 2 c any woman other than his wife naked.
He must commit suicide if he does! 
So on Australia Day at 4 PM Eastern Time
 All Australian women are asked to walk out of their house completely naked to help weed out any neighborhood terrorists. 
Circling your block 4 one hour is recommended 4 this anti-terrorist effort. 
All Patriotic men are 2 position themselves in lawn chairs in front of their house to prove they are not Muslims. & 2 demonstrate they think its okay to see nude women – other than their wife and to show support for all Australian women.
Since Islam also does not approve of alcohol, a cold 6 -pack at your side, is further proof of your anti-Muslim Sentiment.
The Australian government appreciates your efforts to root out terrorists and applauds your participation in this anti-terrorist Activity. 
God bless Australia!
 It is your patriotic duty to pass this on.

And people wonder why I don’t like Australia Day

 

Freedom for my people

How we treat music in the digital realm demonstrates why organizing CDs in alphabetical order is counter intuitive and just plain wrong.

When transferring a CD collection into a digital library, by default our music software arranges our music in alphabetic order. Computers don’t see emotion, favourites, moods or feelings in music, so they are forced to sort our music rather arbitrarily. This system that computers use is not born because it is the best or most logical way to sort our music collections, but because it is the only way a computer could arrange the data.

Humans instantly saw the flaw in this, and began to imagine new ways of sorting our digital music. Last.fm was born, a digital way of visualizing listening patterns; what songs, albums and artists are on high rotation and how has that changed over time. iTunes genius took this to the next level, analyzing the listening habits to instinctively know what music you would want to hear after the music you have put on now. Developed were very sophisticated ways of digitally reproducing something that CDs, like vinyls before them, have been able to do for decades.

When I look at my CD collection, patterns instantly become apparent. Apparent randomness is in face a complex system of darwinian survival and natural selection. CDs of similar persuasions are group together over time and the strongest come out on top. For example, my hip hop CDs are grouped together, not because I deliberately placed them that way, but because I usually listen to them in close proximity, so the are taken off, and placed back on the shelf together. I don’t need iTunes Genius to tell me that when I’m listening to Radiohead, I might like to go a little bit of Smashing Pumpkins next. These CDs are next to each other on the shelf because I usually do. Last.fm would tell me I’ve listened to a lot of Sherwood recently, but that’s kind of redundant when the CD hasn’t been put on the shelf since I got it.

My CDs go through a certain process of natural selection. Why try to control it when the eco system knows best? The weaker CDs get pushed to less accessible locations as the more frequently reached for CDs get put back to the most desirable locations on the shelf. CDs group together for survival, clinging to stronger albums knowing that they compliment each other well. Some CDs are in the care because they are good driving music. Some are in the lounge room because they work well during the day, others are in my room because I like to fall asleep to them. Why fight the tactile nature of CDs?

In arranging your CDs into alphabetical order you treat them like your computer treats them. It’s heartless and indiscriminating. It fights the very essence of what is contained within.

I’m not saying iTunes Genius, last.fm and digital music libraries are not amazing things. They are wonderful, convenient and a great way to discover new music. What I’m saying is why treat CDs the same way when they have their own unique appeal?

So I implore you, you have your MP3 libraries to be alphabetical and ordered. Let your CDs roam free the way they were meant to. Your music experience will be the better for it.

 

Brain spew…

I really feel like writing something, but I am not much of a writer.

So I settled for just pumping a blog into my very neglected blog.

Can someone write my screenplay that I have been planning to write for over a year now and haven’t even started? Or that other screenplay that I have been brooding on for over 3?

Maybe I could adapt one into a TV script. Problem is it would probably just end up as a cheap Office clone. Or I could develop another, slightly biographical, idea into a TV show, but that would be like a more teen angst version of Seinfeld. I’m sure that neurotic, obsessive, angsty and nerdy protagonist has been done to death.

And I don’t know how to write a screenplay.

Maybe a book?

But I don’t think in books, I think in visuals.

But I know I want to write or create something.

A short film?

A picture book?

Fuck, even if I can decide on a medium, I need some substance.

I got nothing.

 

Letter to the Editor…

This is a letter that was sent to the local rag after my former school has totally fucked over its current students

The letter was co-authored by myself, my sister and her friend who are both current students of the school.

Feedback more than welcome, one can only hope it gets published to encourage wider discussion.

Notre Dame College is failing its students.

A recent move by Notre Dame College to cut VCE English Literature and Art has alienated students and staff alike. The culling of these apparently unnecessary subjects has left a number of VCE hopefuls out in the dark.

What is the rationale for a school the size of Notre Dame to cut these staple subjects from the VCE curriculum? Did the College really decide that these subjects are redundant and ought to be axed, or can the gambling of these students’ futures simply be put down to economic mismanagement? The question of why the school has allowed itself to fall into such a situation where it is forced to make choices between subjects must surely be asked.

Students are told that English Core is a viable substitute for English Literature, too bad for students selecting both. Would Specialist Mathematics be dropped from the curriculum because Mathematical Methods is a suitable substitute? Would students be told they need not Chemistry when Physicals will suffice? Further to this, students are strongly discouraged from exploring the option of distance education and were told that they would receive no designated teacher help and would be on their own. Students who continued to pursue the option of studying via correspondence were actively discouraged and were even told that they would have to cover the school’s costs over and above the school’s fees.

Students have been encouraged to develop their skills in Literature and Arts up until the completion of their year 11, students of the disposed subjects are now left to ponder their significantly reduced options.

Found on the cover of any Notre Dame Student’s planner is the College’s Mission and Value Statements. Under the statement for excellence, students are told “We seek to promote an environment whereby students and staff are able to develop themselves to their fullest potential. We seek to provide a curriculum and structure whereby students can experience success according to their unique personal capabilities.” What part of cutting these subjects has allowed these students to develop themselves in their fullest potential? Or experience success according to their unique personal capabilities?

Notre Dame Management have been unwavering in their decision despite numerous parent and student protests. This decision has demonstrated a strong majority rules attitude from the school; what’s to say your son or daughter’s favourite subject won’t be next? If Notre Dame College persists with this approach, will students be pressured into a pack mentality for fear of the school’s discretion in subject choices? As two students who hope to achieve the most out of their final year of studies, this decision has left us feeling both ostracised and restricted in our future potential.

 

The Internet as real life

An interesting thought occurred to me yesterday. I was telling my sister about the large number of people who were searching “Google Wave” on twitter and asking for an invite to anyone who mentioned they had spares. She thought it was hilarious that people would be so desperate to use this thing she’s never heard of that she asked me to show her.

So I was showing her all the replies, reading them out and pointing out the randoms and skimming over the people I am familiar with. She pointed at one that I skipped over and asked why, I said “I know them”. She inquired as to who they were, I said “well, he writes a blog that I’ve been reading for ages and I’ve been following him on twitter for ages”.

My sister, not being a web 2.0 junkie, found my statement that I “knew him” a little bit peculiar.

Twitter is a unique platform in many ways, but the aspect of it that has been fascinating me tonight is the way that it allows people, in particular people that I have never met, into my life in ways that are more meaningful than one might first imagine.

In the past I have found myself referencing something that someone has said on twitter in real life conversation and thinking nothing of it. I have found myself taking life advice from strangers and sharing quite personal elements of my life with (in real life terms) complete strangers

But it got me thinking, the lines are blurring, no?

I can think of at least one instance where ‘The Streams’ were crossed in the last couple of days.

There are quite a few examples of people who I have known on the internet for quite a while, and I can’t see our internet contact ceasing any time soon. How long will these relationships last? I can’t imagine myself suddenly stopping tweeting, so it’s hard to see these people falling out of my life anytime soon. Will I still know these complete strangers in 3 years? Do internet friendships evolve over time? How do they change as we change? Is it even right to refer to them as friendships?

Has anyone had similar experiences on Twitter or other platforms where the Internet, and the people they know exclusively through the internet start to become a part of their real life?

 

Giving birth?

The school holidays are 2 weeks away. And although this doesn’t really mean much to me anymore, as school holidays no longer mean my holidays, I am getting very excited about them.

Because even though I don’t get holidays myself, school teachers do. Which means that my I will be able to start work on Matty Hooper’s EP after hours. And this has been getting me very excited.

I am excited, not just because I love his music (although this is a huge factor) but also because of the challenge and opportunity for growth that it presents for me as a musician, engineer and producer. Up until now everything that I have produced or engineered I was also involved on the performance and songwriting side. I was imaginer and interpreter. It is much easier to chase a sound, a feel, when you know exactly what you are chasing. With Matty’s EP, I will not be imagining the songs. I did not write them, I will not play on them. But he did. There is something very scary about that.It is not my vision, it is not my song.

In a discussion I had with Matty the other day via text we were talking about the excitement of creating the EP and finally being able to hold a physical copy in our hands. He described it like Tom Hanks in Castaway rejoicing about the fire he just made. “Look what I have created! FIRE!!! FIRE!!!”

I described the feeling more like that of a proud parent. You give birth to a song, there is only so long that you have to influence it, to teach it. There will always come a time it will think for itself, be influenced by more than just it’s parents. I feel that when a song is being recorded it is like a child’s adolescence. It can easily be corrupted, take wrong turns, make mistakes. Mistakes are meant to be made of course, all you can do is hope that you have given it the foundation that it will come out strong at the end. This is particularly true because of the collaborative nature of recording music. As engineer and producer I feel like I there is huge level of responsibility, like I really am being entrusted with someone else’s child. I did not give birth to or conceive the song, but I I have an opportunity to influence and change what it becomes.

Matty added to this analogy. Once that recording is finished, pressed to a CD, it is no longer yours. It belongs to the world. He suggested that it can go on to give birth to children of its own. It can spawn covers, re-mixes, influence other songs, just like other songs influenced it.

I have so many thoughts about this recording, that I will need to post another blog soon about it. This is already too long.

But what do we think, a song as a child?

 

Charts are fun!

A break down of the things that come out of my mouth.

Discuss.

 

… but maybe if I was somewhere else

I am having this strange urge to travel again.

It’s not a feeling I feel very often, in fact, I am one of those kinds of people who typically, if left to his own devices would just sit in bed all day, watch TV and socialize rarely. When I do leave the house I am still constantly on my phone, so can still avoid any awkward ‘conversation’ with people around me.

Not really the kind of personality you would typically associate with wanting to travel.

But every now and then I get the urge to travel, and I don’t partially care where to. Far away is generally ideal.

Normally when I get the urge to travel I jump on the internet and start googling, looking at the prices for airfares to far away places.

New York, London, Darwin, Tokyo, Berlin, Hawaii.

Seeing as these urges to travel normally coincide with me feeling generally shit about how things are traveling in my life I’d say I do this because of some deep seated urge to run away.

“I don’t like the way things are going here, so maybe if I go somewhere else things will be better.” It’s completely irrational, totally ludicrous and flawed thinking. But it seems to make perfect sense.

I know it won’t solve anything, at all. Seeing as most of my problems are caused by myself, surely they will just follow me. But sometimes I just get so sick of cleaning up messes that I make. I just want to leave it all behind.

Silly, yeah?

But we all do it, don’t we?

Do we?

Am I the only person who gets the urge to just run away sometimes?

 

Personal Pros & Cons

Been thinking. (uh-oh!)

Decided to make a list of the negative and positive aspects of my personality. For every negative point I list, I’ll list a positive point in contrast.

I think this is healthy. I can see if I need to make some changes to better myself.

This is mainly a contemplative blog for my own reflective purposes but feel free to comment on anything, and even add things you think I might have missed (in the same negative-positive point form to keep the ol’ self-esteem at a healthy level please).

* * *

1. I can be aggressive. / I like to confront people and have them confront me and be upfront with issues and try to resolve them openly instead of closing myself off. I try not to be passive and let people walk over me.

2. I seem to argue with people a lot. / I think civilised debate is healthy and often fun. Hearing other people’s views which differ to mine often strengthen my own views, and occasionally someone says something I didn’t think of before, or makes a valid point about something I initially disagreed with, which broadens my perceptions of things.

3. Sometimes I feel over-opinionated. / I am passionate about things.

4. I am self-righteous. / I have strong beliefs and principles and defend them with conviction.

5. Sometimes the things I say come out badly because I don’t think before I speak. / I am honest, don’t sugar-coat things, and am not afraid to say things to people’s faces instead of behind their backs.

6. I ruminate, dwell on things, replay events in my head. This often leads to doubt in myself; doubting the things I did or said. Thoughts often become emotional and negative. I ponder ways to resolve the issue, playing out different scenarios and wording and rewording speeches. / This also leads to a more objective analysis of things I said or did, resulting in organisation of thought and a thorough assessment of situations. Thinking about what to say before I say it is never a bad thing either. This all may actually lead to the resolution of an issue. Sometimes I realise I need to adjust something about myself.

7. I am sometimes more close-minded (or is it closed-minded? Someone please let me know) than I’d like to be. / I am glad that I have strong views about things and that I care and actually give a damn and have chosen particular stances about things, even if people might look down on me for having those views etc.

8. I am critical of things. Perhaps too critical. Maybe I’m too serious. Sometimes I think I need to lighten up and just not care about things as much.  / I can be social without having to be intoxicated etc; I am cautious and a believer in ‘better safe than sorry’; I am good at risk-assessment; I rarely give in to peer pressure, if at all; I don’t mind that my idea of fun is more ‘boring’ and homely than some other people’s; I don’t feel the need to always conform; I feel mature, aware, responsible and sensible (which is comforting).

9. I am more pessimistic than optimistic. I am cynical about things. / I try to be a realist and weigh up the pros and cons. I try to see the good in things, including what good aspects could come out of a bad situation.

10. I seem to always have to be right. / I am determined to prove my points. But I have no problem admitting I am wrong when I am wrong.

11. I doubt myself a lot. I am insecure. I wonder if I am nice enough, too bitchy, how I come across to strangers, too sensitive and emotional, too pushy and naggy (or whatever the adjective form of ‘nag’ is), too [see 10 above points] etc. / I believe that ultimately I’m a good person and that I have purpose and value. I know that I mean something to my friends and family. At least that’s what I tell myself.

Things which are both pros and cons:

- I set high standards for myself
- I am competitive
- I am emotional

 Okay, can’t think of that much more without repeating things. What a nice long list…

Gives me an idea for my next blog topic… Light VS Dark: the Indivual’s Inner Battle.

I like it. Stay tuned.

I’m glad we had this talk, me.
: )

 

This is not a blog

Man, this blogging thing is hard work.

I mean, the idea of sitting down and writing a coherent piece of writing regularly is challenging. I never thought it would be a walk in the park, but I never saw it being as hard as I have found it.

I struggle to find things to write about. Who wants to read about a day in retail? Or the massive amounts of repeats of Law & Order I watch on Pay TV?

There are people who write so well, with such insight, thoughtfulness and humor about politics, the media and social issues. What is the point in writing about things that other people already write about better?

I aimed to write one blog a day, I still do.

I sit there and look at the screen, I start thousands of sentences and delete them just as quickly.

Even if it’s a blog about not blogging, it’s still a blog.

Maybe I will see you tomorrow. Maybe.