[rumori] computer geeks and negativland

Thom Fowler [rumori] computer geeks and negativland
Thu, 3 Sep 1998 15:48:27 -0400 (EDT) (00904852107, Pine.LNX.3.96.980903152132.294A-100000atcornea.retina.net)


> they aren't neccesarily that smart

boy, you can say that again! hehe

okay, BUT your average computer geek does have some presence of mind even
if it is extremely narrowly focused. complex problem solving skills are
not such a bad traits.


But you know, the RIAA's response was fairly balanced. They did have a
point. on the radical fringe, sure, who gives a fuck. storm the gates. But
really, it is a pretty complex issue when you agree that material costs
money and that people are willing pay for entertainment or art or whatever
grey area permutation you want to call it.
It never occured to me that there was a market for repackaged pop music in
HI NRG dance form for aerobics classes. "Hey, thats not art!"
okay, I think there should be the "art council" in the RIAA. These will be people nominated by their peers to determine what is "Art" and what is "copyright infringement". Its too bad that in order to protect a few assests that innocent victims have to be punished. I mean, this is really
about greed right? How much money does the music industry lose each year
due to pirating? And how much money do collage artists make each year?
hmm... it seems to me if they are after the money, they are targeting the
wrong people. If the RIAA is so good at training law enforcement to
recognize piracy, why the fuck cant they train them to recognize artistic
expression?
So here is my total solution

A) increased arts funding for public education, including strategies for
recruiting and retaining /actual/ artists in the schools. heck, lets throw
in a few poets too.

B) increased public funding for art that would result in publicly
sponsored exhibitions (not just sending money to ppl who write good
grants. but "hey, we pay for it, show it to us"). Since this art is paid for by the public, the public would own a portion of it. Of course, this
would entail setting up a public arts administration council that could
set up partnerships with publicly funded museums and galleries, tapping
into the vast network of influence of the ppl who sit onthe boards of
these publicly funded institutions.

C) with all this new found wealth and resources, the arts council begins a
public awareness campaign, making art "people friendly" and providing opportunities and encouragement for a non-elitist participation in the
production and experience of art. Art is no longer bound by PBS and a few
ppl who think the experience of art belongs to the educated and refined.

D) a silent revolution takes place where people are more creative, more
expressive, more in touch with their own humanity and the humanity of
others. A golden age dawns on american civilization.

E) along with this change comes the public awareness of artistic
expression, commodification of experience, consumerism and the illusion of
choice. The market becomes hungry to see their sensory world in a new way
through collage. Everyone becomes a commentator on society and our sensory
environment. The RIAA tries to control this great creative foment. The ppl
rebel. The king is decapitated and his head is paraded
through the streets of paris. oops, got a little excited there.

Dare to dream, folx. dare to dream.

-thom

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