Music obviously plays a big role in every one's lives. Judgments are almost made immediately, once someone finds out the type of music you listen to. It draws people with similar tastes together, as well as seclude us from the rest of the world when we're alone in the subway. What I want to know is not why we are so drawn to these combinations of noises, but rather why we are so drawn to each different genre of music. Everyone has their own standards of what they consider "good music." So how would these standards reflect on the key aspects of each individual's life?
Some of my (naive?)interpretations are:
People look for the song's...
1. Ranking in Top 100 Songs- wants to keep up with the trends, and familiarize themselves with what's going to play on the radio/at other people's houses.
2. "Cool beat"- if not a dancer, then the person is probably looking to be accepted by a wide range of people. Trying to demonstrate their openmindedness, or at least tolerance, to everyone.
3. Technicality/Vocals- perfectionist. Does/judge things by the rules and what they've learned.
4. Lyrics- want to know they can relate to others. Or see music as a way of making a message into a wildfire.
5. Mood- wants to lose him/herself into a world created by the combination between the prior images that the person have seen and the sounds that he/she is currently hearing.
These interpretations are very vague, and I think I'm making a lot of assumptions here. But this is what my experience has led me to believe. I definitely do not think this can be a unit, or something that is even worth teaching. It is merely came out of my curiosity and desire to break down the different components in music and to see what they can say about a person.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Hypothetically Speaking
"I have a competition in me. I want no one else to succeed." [Daniel Plainview, There Will Be Blood]
Suppose we live a society where only the elites can survive. And suppose that everyone can only do one of the three things:
1. Obtain self-excellence (In video games terms, "buff" yourself)
2. Remain the same ("AFK BRB")
3. Debilitate another person ("debuff")
Which one would you do? What if you were under a time constraint to become the best. In the first option, you can become one of the elites through your hard work. But keep in mind, this will require many times as much effort and time. The second option will be the most boring, but at least you won't fail...nor succeed. The third option would be the easiest and the fastest. Although you don't improve, you can surely be the best if you "debuff" the people enough times- muhahaha.
Suppose we live a society where only the elites can survive. And suppose that everyone can only do one of the three things:
1. Obtain self-excellence (In video games terms, "buff" yourself)
2. Remain the same ("AFK BRB")
3. Debilitate another person ("debuff")
Which one would you do? What if you were under a time constraint to become the best. In the first option, you can become one of the elites through your hard work. But keep in mind, this will require many times as much effort and time. The second option will be the most boring, but at least you won't fail...nor succeed. The third option would be the easiest and the fastest. Although you don't improve, you can surely be the best if you "debuff" the people enough times- muhahaha.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Remember to Comment, Rate and Subscribe...Please
[We talked about this before in our last meeting, but I guess it took me several weeks for me to gather my thoughts and focus to blog about it---even now, I think this post is really broken up]
In the last meeting, I was talking about how much time, effort, and money we spend in order to trigger certain reactions from the people around you. How hard do we try so that people will comment, and momentarily revolve around us?
I would say that most people, or at least most teenagers- or at least most of the teenagers that I've met in my life, focus very much on trying to get these responses/approvals. I think this is the reason why people buy big shiny cars, buy nice clothes, put make-up on, go to the gym to work out, go to tanning salons, jack up the volume on their iPods while shaking his/her head frantically, etc. In one of essays that I wrote for the AWOL class I said, "In America, it is a rare to have people doing something for the sake of doing it. There has to be some sort of self-satisfaction, whether it in shape of a gift, money, return-service, tax-reduction, etc." And I think it still applies here. We're doing all these little things so that we can receive these comments that will satisfy our desire to be the center of attention.
This obsession for others approval may be the reason for our obsession for things like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. Those web pages may just be another accessory to project him/herself to the world, and have the world comment on his/her status.
Perhaps we're doing all of this because it has always been our nature to put ourselves out there. As an infant, we always projected ourselves whenever we wanted something that only others can provide us. But as we grow out of the diaper changes and the nipple, the need for the attention remains (for some, the other two will return at a later age). It could also be that it is part of our animal instincts to demonstrate that amongst each other, each of us are number one, if not in the world then at least in our capitalist society. Or perhaps, it has to do with our constant exposure to the media. Almost every aspect of the movie is made to display information to the viewers, whether it be about the characters, the mood, or the plot. Maybe, in the same way, we feel like we need to recount our lives. We want people to know about us and what's going on in our lives, so that they can give us reviews. Regardless of what the reason is, I think that we spend great amounts of efforts in getting others to acknowledge us and comment on us.
Other than just putting in time, effort, and money to receive these comments, I think we're also sacrificing our private lives and thoughts. For those who are honest, their private lives/thoughts are no longer private since "the outsiders" are well aware of what goes on in your family and in your head. For all the others who think that their lives and thoughts are boring, theirs might as well not even exist, because even the host will not have it. In this case, most people create lives (not really thoughts) that they wish they had. And I guess this is how this blog would connect to Kate's blog about the masking. One reason we create masks would be to conceal the our boring lives, and instead we display something that can win the approval of others and possibly trigger responses and comments.
In the last meeting, I was talking about how much time, effort, and money we spend in order to trigger certain reactions from the people around you. How hard do we try so that people will comment, and momentarily revolve around us?
I would say that most people, or at least most teenagers- or at least most of the teenagers that I've met in my life, focus very much on trying to get these responses/approvals. I think this is the reason why people buy big shiny cars, buy nice clothes, put make-up on, go to the gym to work out, go to tanning salons, jack up the volume on their iPods while shaking his/her head frantically, etc. In one of essays that I wrote for the AWOL class I said, "In America, it is a rare to have people doing something for the sake of doing it. There has to be some sort of self-satisfaction, whether it in shape of a gift, money, return-service, tax-reduction, etc." And I think it still applies here. We're doing all these little things so that we can receive these comments that will satisfy our desire to be the center of attention.
This obsession for others approval may be the reason for our obsession for things like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. Those web pages may just be another accessory to project him/herself to the world, and have the world comment on his/her status.
Perhaps we're doing all of this because it has always been our nature to put ourselves out there. As an infant, we always projected ourselves whenever we wanted something that only others can provide us. But as we grow out of the diaper changes and the nipple, the need for the attention remains (for some, the other two will return at a later age). It could also be that it is part of our animal instincts to demonstrate that amongst each other, each of us are number one, if not in the world then at least in our capitalist society. Or perhaps, it has to do with our constant exposure to the media. Almost every aspect of the movie is made to display information to the viewers, whether it be about the characters, the mood, or the plot. Maybe, in the same way, we feel like we need to recount our lives. We want people to know about us and what's going on in our lives, so that they can give us reviews. Regardless of what the reason is, I think that we spend great amounts of efforts in getting others to acknowledge us and comment on us.
Other than just putting in time, effort, and money to receive these comments, I think we're also sacrificing our private lives and thoughts. For those who are honest, their private lives/thoughts are no longer private since "the outsiders" are well aware of what goes on in your family and in your head. For all the others who think that their lives and thoughts are boring, theirs might as well not even exist, because even the host will not have it. In this case, most people create lives (not really thoughts) that they wish they had. And I guess this is how this blog would connect to Kate's blog about the masking. One reason we create masks would be to conceal the our boring lives, and instead we display something that can win the approval of others and possibly trigger responses and comments.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The C Factor
Recently I've noticed that I am becoming more and more reluctant to do anything (such as the blogs; even now it feels like I'm taking a big leap- a few big leaps now). Every task that I want to accomplish always seem to be at a distance. This inconvenience just makes everything appear so much more difficult. So the main questions I am trying to get at are:
- How much of a role does the convenience factor play in our lives?
- How much are we really sacrificing for convenience? And which of those, if any, sacrifices are worth it?
It has also come to my attention that big corporations (e.g. Procter&Gamble, WalMart, Dannon, etc.) are taking advantage of Americans' predilection for convenience. In recent commercials, all three company advertised their products by saying something similar to, "If you do not like our product, then you can return it and get your money back." These products are somewhat inexpensive and very minor things like liquid soaps, steaks and yogurt. So of course, not many people are going to return it if the money they're getting back is two figures or below. I might be making a huge assumption, but I know that if it were me, I wouldn't bother making the effort and just let it go. It just seems like it is far too inconvenient.
- How much of a role does the convenience factor play in our lives?
- How much are we really sacrificing for convenience? And which of those, if any, sacrifices are worth it?
It has also come to my attention that big corporations (e.g. Procter&Gamble, WalMart, Dannon, etc.) are taking advantage of Americans' predilection for convenience. In recent commercials, all three company advertised their products by saying something similar to, "If you do not like our product, then you can return it and get your money back." These products are somewhat inexpensive and very minor things like liquid soaps, steaks and yogurt. So of course, not many people are going to return it if the money they're getting back is two figures or below. I might be making a huge assumption, but I know that if it were me, I wouldn't bother making the effort and just let it go. It just seems like it is far too inconvenient.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Human Superiority
John "nice SAT teacher" Ma recently said that humans are the only beings that understand the world, the minds of other people, and the minds of animals. I, being who I am, was skeptical about his statement. Amongst humans, I have always felt that there was a sense of superiority over the other animals, and even over the world. I think it would be interesting to pinpoint and explore some of the key aspects of life that humans have conquered.
By studying this topic, it can possibly lead to insight about human corruption, as well as a less cocky attitude. This is definitely a broad topic, and feel like Andy has covered some aspects of it during the past year (i.e. conquering: birth, food/land and the animal unit for the other class). But I was thinking that we could also explore how we conquer:
- Our bodies - not letting nature take its course on building our bodies- not using it for survival, instead we go to gyms and act as a hamster in a wheel
- Our minds - education through MP3 files and sleeping
- Animals - not only looking at how we, ourselves, are animals, but why an animal has the right to imprison another animal as a pet?
There are certainly many other things from nature that humans take and manipulate for their own convenience and display of power. But are these actions truly beneficial to the world as whole? And can the world not live on without the big brother to hold it together?
By studying this topic, it can possibly lead to insight about human corruption, as well as a less cocky attitude. This is definitely a broad topic, and feel like Andy has covered some aspects of it during the past year (i.e. conquering: birth, food/land and the animal unit for the other class). But I was thinking that we could also explore how we conquer:
- Our bodies - not letting nature take its course on building our bodies- not using it for survival, instead we go to gyms and act as a hamster in a wheel
- Our minds - education through MP3 files and sleeping
- Animals - not only looking at how we, ourselves, are animals, but why an animal has the right to imprison another animal as a pet?
There are certainly many other things from nature that humans take and manipulate for their own convenience and display of power. But are these actions truly beneficial to the world as whole? And can the world not live on without the big brother to hold it together?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Starting after Finishing
1. What ideas or feelings do you find yourself focusing on these days?
Recently, I've been mostly focusing on the whole idea about "you don't know what you got 'til it's gone." Applying to my own personal life, I can see that I am missing the sense of obligations now that school is over. I also see this everywhere else, especially after MJ's death. Almost everyday, I can hear a MJ song coming from every other car or apartment. It's quite amusing how people tend to criticize and shoot down anything that is present, but once it's gone, everyone strives to get it back.
2. Its weird that school deeply structures your life for 9.5 months - from 7am-3:10pm you're dealing with school and beyond that, with homework and projects. Then all of a sudden you're in summer vacation and have no institutional structure. How does the contrast feel to you? Does family/capitalist-labor/etc conquer the area that the school has temporarily abdicated, leaving you no freer than before or do you have more freedom? Have you been enjoying your time? Are there aspects of school that you miss? Are there aspects of school that you're particularly glad to have a break from? How are you filling/wasting/enjoying the extra time you now have?
There seems to be a shrouded transition between school and vacation, for me at least. I'm left not knowing what to do, so I've been killing time by riding my bike to Manhattan from Queens and playing handball everyday. I definitely feel less productive, and even though I'm given to the chance to do what I want, I'm not doing it because I don't know what I want to do. Other than duties, I also miss the social network that the school creates. Ever since school ended, I've only kept in touch with a few people in school. And most of the time, they either have something else to do or do not feel like going out.
3. How many hours a week would you be willing to put towards reading an easyish novel that we were all reading? How many hours a week would you be willing to put towards reading a hardish essay that we were all reading? How many combined?
Easyish:2, Hardish: ~6 = 8 hours (what is your definition of "easyish" and hardish?")
4. What is a small - 2-7 hour long - adventure that you'd enjoy doing with the rest of us? For instance - make a short film, go to Rockaway Beach, walk on the Appalachian Trail. see a strange movie?
Uh, biking around NYC? I wouldn't mind doing those activities, especially the walk on Appalachian Trial.
5. Will you be able to meet in the City for the whole summer or do you have a planned excursion for part of the summer - if so, when?
Nothing has been set in stone yet, but I'm continuing SAT Prep, which has yet to be scheduled. Everything else is just up to me; I don't have much of an obligation towards anything or anyone.
6. What else would you be interested to address or read other peoples' thoughts on?
Changes in mindset after Junior year, particularly after Andy's class. Primary obstacles, now that school is over.
7. Post some comments on other peoples' blogs that respond to the above points.
Recently, I've been mostly focusing on the whole idea about "you don't know what you got 'til it's gone." Applying to my own personal life, I can see that I am missing the sense of obligations now that school is over. I also see this everywhere else, especially after MJ's death. Almost everyday, I can hear a MJ song coming from every other car or apartment. It's quite amusing how people tend to criticize and shoot down anything that is present, but once it's gone, everyone strives to get it back.
2. Its weird that school deeply structures your life for 9.5 months - from 7am-3:10pm you're dealing with school and beyond that, with homework and projects. Then all of a sudden you're in summer vacation and have no institutional structure. How does the contrast feel to you? Does family/capitalist-labor/etc conquer the area that the school has temporarily abdicated, leaving you no freer than before or do you have more freedom? Have you been enjoying your time? Are there aspects of school that you miss? Are there aspects of school that you're particularly glad to have a break from? How are you filling/wasting/enjoying the extra time you now have?
There seems to be a shrouded transition between school and vacation, for me at least. I'm left not knowing what to do, so I've been killing time by riding my bike to Manhattan from Queens and playing handball everyday. I definitely feel less productive, and even though I'm given to the chance to do what I want, I'm not doing it because I don't know what I want to do. Other than duties, I also miss the social network that the school creates. Ever since school ended, I've only kept in touch with a few people in school. And most of the time, they either have something else to do or do not feel like going out.
3. How many hours a week would you be willing to put towards reading an easyish novel that we were all reading? How many hours a week would you be willing to put towards reading a hardish essay that we were all reading? How many combined?
Easyish:2, Hardish: ~6 = 8 hours (what is your definition of "easyish" and hardish?")
4. What is a small - 2-7 hour long - adventure that you'd enjoy doing with the rest of us? For instance - make a short film, go to Rockaway Beach, walk on the Appalachian Trail. see a strange movie?
Uh, biking around NYC? I wouldn't mind doing those activities, especially the walk on Appalachian Trial.
5. Will you be able to meet in the City for the whole summer or do you have a planned excursion for part of the summer - if so, when?
Nothing has been set in stone yet, but I'm continuing SAT Prep, which has yet to be scheduled. Everything else is just up to me; I don't have much of an obligation towards anything or anyone.
6. What else would you be interested to address or read other peoples' thoughts on?
Changes in mindset after Junior year, particularly after Andy's class. Primary obstacles, now that school is over.
7. Post some comments on other peoples' blogs that respond to the above points.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)