Class dates 4/4 and 4/6

This week, we read The Tweaker by Malcolm Gladwell. I had heard that Steve Jobs was pretty strange before, but I had no idea it was to the extent that the author asserts that it was. The article states that Steve Jobs waited to buy a washer and dryer for 8 years because he was such a perfectionist. I certainly couldn't have dated the man; He sounds exhausting. The article also states that the industrial revolution occurred in England because it possessed an advantage in "human capital", which means that England possessed a large population of engineers and artisans that could tweak existing technologies. I thought that it was interesting that he and Gates did not get along at all, especially since they're both such influential visionaries in today's society.

The antagonistic relationship between Gates and Jobs has been lampooned in popular society. The above rap battle is an example of how well their poor relationship was known. 

We also watched RIP Remix Manifesto last week. Here are some of my notes on the film:

- There are four main ideas of remixing:
1) Culture always builds on the past
2) The past is always trying to control the future
3) Our future is becoming less free
4) To build free societies you must limit the control of the past

- corporations unfairly control most copyrights and buying the rights to most songs is extremely expensive (Girl Talks album would cost a few million to buy all the songs used)
- "nobody creates in a vacuum" basically means that without the ability to use past songs, new music will be difficult to create
- Brazil is leading in sampling and creating great new music


As much as I wanted to like GirlTalk's music, I couldn't get into it! I suppose I am a purist when it comes to Black Sabbath.

I think that its great that Brazil is making inexpensive HIV medication for their people. I am really happy to see how their music (remixing) programs help the youth and I can't wait to see the art that these kids make!