The Future (Now) of Music

The audience wants to be in the band.

They (we) want to make the album with you.

They (we) want to be a bigger part of the lifecycle (viral/participatory marketing).

Exhibit A: Year Zero

(Note: Trent Reznor does not approve the term "marketing" when discussing Year Zero. To him, all that has happened surrounding the album has been part of the overall creation. It's like a story where the readers are also characters.)

They (we) want to make the songs their own (remixes, mashups, derivative works, etc.).

They (we) want to take you everywhere (portability, multiple platforms).

They (we) want to engage more of the senses (multimedia, multi-context).

They (we) want the best of everything that's out there (innovation, variety).

They (we) want music to be something to do, rather than just something to consume.

As always, you are welcome to share your opinion.

Today's Horoscope (for All Signs)

Some of your friends secretly want you to fail.

Don't feel bad. It's because they're secretly assholes. There's no way you could have known. They count on nice people like you giving them a chance. They're lucky to have any friends at all, really. They know this. Trust me.

Advice for Smarties (the People, Not the Candy)

Are you a smart person?

Smarter than average, I mean.

Are you good at noticing or figuring out things that most people don't, can't or won't?

Do you excel at standardized testing and sudoku?

Are you a card-carrying member of MENSA?

Ever build a rocket ship?

Ever code a bitchin' "New Web Media 2.0" app that turns RSS feeds into text-shaped bumps on your skin so you can finally touch the tender, sweet knowledge and show the world how interconnected you are with the multiverse?

Here's some advice for you:

Don't be one of those smart people whom all the not-quite-as-smart people hate because you have the reflexive habit of saying--directly or indirectly--that you are, in fact, smarter than most people around you most of the time.

The people who do this are called "egomaniacs" or "jerks" or "huge, obnoxious assholes" and are often completely rejected along with their kickass brains and awesome ideas.

That may seem cool because then you can say that people don't "get you" and then you can skulk around like Dr. Moreau or Dr. Smith or Dr. Frankenstein. Maybe you'll even start calling yourself Dr. (your name here). But sooner or later you're going to need a ride somewhere or something and if all the other reclusive, evil geniuses are busy robbing graves you can count yourself as good and screwed.

Plus, it's awfully impolite.

New Pics

There are a few new shots up on my Flickr page. Have you seen that thing yet?

I'm barely an amateur and my only gear is a point & shoot but I'm really into it. Most of the pics are as-is or just have a few minor crops/color adjustments.

I'd be interested in hearing what you think, good and/or bad.

If you're a photographer it would be great to see your stuff, as well.

Entitlement

Everyone's a star. Everyone's an activist. Everyone's on a mission. Everyone deserves to be first. Everyone's opinion matters. Everyone's feelings are important. Everyone's smart. Everyone's talented. Everyone's a winner.

No one has to prove any of it.

Excuses

The most valuable thing I could have ever learned about myself is that things in my way are often there because I put them there. They are often the scapegoats of insecurity, fear or just plain laziness.

Knowing this makes it only slightly easier going. It makes me slightly better able to take a step back and recognize that it's happening. Even then, I'm only slightly more likely to get myself up and around these obstacles.

Still, it's an edge. It's something I can feel improving each time I put it into practice.

OX

Occasionally, YouTube gives you something like this:


Say, "Thank you."

While I'm waiting for tater tots...

Tater tots. Real healthy eatin'.

Anyway.

Don't Go Gettin' All Pensive On Us Again
I'll try not to but I am thinking about something. It's communication-related. What I'm thinking of is that gap between who you really are and who people around you think you are. What do you think your friends say about you when you're not around? Do you give a shit? I honestly do. I worry about the things that get garbled on the trip from mouth to ear having (hopefully) passed through two brains along the way.

It's worth the extra effort to be understood. I don't wanna be that guy. Am I?

The Laboratory
The mixer is here. The POD is here. What's next is a FireWire adapter, bass d.i. box and Sonar. Not much else to say there. I play guitar a lot these days, owing to the bevy of delectable tones found within the POD. I'm a big fan. Line 6 has many detractors but I am not one of them. At least so far as this particular device is concerned.

The Risking Life and Limb Report
The bike's battery appears to be weakened to the point of being unable to turn the engine over more than once. Common problem and an easy fix. I'm going to throw a new one in there and should be good to go. Good news is that the bike is all registered. I'm looking to buy a helmet and jacket now so I can get my newbie ass on the road to figure out how not to crash. I've gotten offers to help me on that front which I will be gladly accepting.

Movie Review(s)
'The Invisible' was shit. Don't waste your precious time or your hard-earned money. 'Hot Fuzz' was reasonably funny, getting much better toward the end.

Tots are done! Have a good one!