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Wk4 Leadership Project Blog Post: Leadership Role Model Reflection

photo courtesy of addyosmani.com 

Ok, so here goes a little dreaming…I love Google. Maybe you’re thinking, “Right, who doesn’t?” Whenever I drive by the Corporate Google offices here in Austin, I end up coming home and doing a little research, I mean it’s just right there, not far from my house!

There are very specific reasons why I love Google that are directly related to leadership. One of those reasons is culture and diversity. I would love to be a part of an organization of people from all over the world who come together to collaborate on ways to create products that make life more interesting and efficient for the world. There is no single “type” of Googler. Google hires creative, innovative and smart people who are able to work collaboratively to think into the future and explore the next world-changing technology that could impact billions of people. This is like the NASA of everyday technology!

Another reason that I love Google is that women lead major portions of the business. I look to women as role models for leadership because I am a woman. That is not to say that I cannot learn from male leaders, I can and do, but a holding female leadership as a core value is a very important to me.

Finally, as a leadership role model, I appreciate how Google sees their employees as human beings. While they may refer to their employees as Googlers, at least they are not numbers. From what I know about the company, they have invested the same type of innovation that goes into their products into their benefits. They care about the whole person, that is, they strive to address the needs of their employees like we wish any company would. Their benefits are designed around taking care of the whole person’s health; physically, emotionally, socially and financially.

I’m not saying that Google is a perfect company or the only possible great place to pursue a career but it is certainly a role model for 21^st century companies on the cutting edge of innovation in technology, marketing and employee care.

Week 4 Wimba Blog Post

I was sorry to miss this Wimba session because I really enjoy the conversations related to the reading. In lieu of attending, I am posting my own responses to the questions posed to the live group.

How is The Art of Possibility different than The Power of Positive Thinking or Oprah’s “The Secret?”

This was a difficult question for me to answer because I’ve not read either of those books so it was good for me to read other’s responses to the question. It seemed that the key difference was that The Art of Possibility starts from a point of reality then expands that reality with the question, “Now what are you going to do?”

What were the most meaningful chapters for you? Why?

It is difficult for me to pick favorite chapters because all of the chapters are beneficial to me in different ways so I will have to choose a few chapters that are most relevant for me currently. I found chapters 3 & 6 very relevant to my current evolution. They are kind of related. Chapter 3 is “Giving an A” and Chapter 6 is “Rule Number 6/Don’t Take Yourself so Seriously”. There has been a lot of pressure on me this year to “make the numbers happen” that my campus needs to meet AYP (national standards). The pressure from administration has been relentless and it began before the students even arrived. Along with the need to meet national standards for funding, Texas introduced a new standardized test with impressive rigor that made meeting former standards extra fun. So this was an interesting year to undertake a graduate program! To be honest, I have just had my nose to the grindstone for 12 months. The process has taken it’s toll on my emotionally and even physically. I have questions with regard to the profession of education that will remain unanswered but knowing that I am nearing the end of this graduate program has created some room for a shift. I would not want to live my life like this and I’m glad that this season is coming to a close. It is time for me to lighten up and give myself an A. In moving forward, I hope that I am able to extend the same levity and encouragement to my students that the Zanders do in their work.

What things are you going to take from the reading and use in your teaching and life?

The Art of Possibility is very much in line with a general life philosophy that I have maintained and practiced for years. Even though I still consider myself a beginner, when Zander speaks of “a universe of possibility”, “creating space for possibilities to emerge”, “being the board” and “telling the WE story” these are aspects of the life I aspire to live, personally and professionally.

Response to Mary Wilson’s Week 4 Reading Blog: Being the Board

Mary’s Blog:

Every chapter of this book has shifted my perception of my world a little bit. Being the board tilted my perception even more. I, as many people do, often blame others for what happens to me. But in this chapter I was presented with a new way of thinking. Putting the blame on others takes all of your power, it makes it where the situation seems helpless because it is out of your realm. Instead in the new way of looking at things you take that power back on to your "board" you have control of situations, or how you perceive the situation. 

I try to apply all of the chapters I am reading to my own life and this one is no different. I have been really stressed out lately and often blame it on my kids, my students, homework, time. But this is taking the power away from me. If I bring everything back to my board then I can choose a different way to look at or view my world. I chose to have a family (whom a truly love and am thankful for), to work at a school with challenging students, and to attain my master’s degree this year. As I sit here at the start of a holiday weekend completing homework with my youngest child on my lap my older one sitting next to me, a stack of papers to grade, and a husband urging me to hurry up so we can leave on our vacation, I have to think this is my life, this is my board and I love it.

My Response:

Mary, I enjoyed your candid blog post. This has been such a challenging year and it has been nice to have some time this month to reflect of who we are as leaders. It has been especially nice to dream a little about the leaders that we hope to become, how we want to “show up” in the world and where we’d like to take our post-EMDT dreams to make them into realities. I think that the reading this month has been well positioned in terms of our overall learning. As I stated in my blog about being the board, there is so much freedom in holding a perspective that puts us in control of our interpretations of situations. Thanks for sharing your experience. Hope you had a great vacation. You deserve it!

Response to Nykoli Hyatt’s Week 4 Reading Blog: Who Said it isn’t About Me?

 Nykoli’s Blog:

It isn't about me...Really?

My daughter is always reminding me that things aren't always about me but I believe her to be wrong.  It is always about me in as much I am always involved, I might not be at the forefront, I might be giving to others but I believe that so long as I am actively involved then I will make it about me.  

I believe in treating people's children with dignity and respect.  I have children and I hope that the kindness I extend to other people's children will be blessings waiting out there for my two.

Is it the power of music or the power of possibility? Or even the powerful force of paying forward.

The possibilities of that first spark. To see it ignite, take hold... the changes, make a child, an adult believe in the possibilities of their own existence is something I would like to witness.  I am in contact with some of my past students, maybe I am witnessing without being consciously aware that I am (I just thought of that). This is s wow moment for me.

I always feel that there are choices and even when our back is up against the wall, we have choices.  When we do one thing, it means we have neglected the other choice (irrespective of whether we think it so or not).

Whether I accept myself as the Board or not, I guess that is what I am. Using Mr. Zander's analogy, I imagine, would empower me rather than feeling like 'stuff' happens to me and life is fair/unfair. It is not an easy concept to accept and put into practice at this point, but with conscious thought and effort, who knows...

Being the Board all the time may leave one weary. I just can't seem to conceptualize how it would work as I think about it, others around me would have to be in a similar mind frame (as Cora, knowing about the 'A') in order for it to 'work'.

Rule number 6 is a great start for me. I do take myself too seriously and I get what Mr. Zander but once again a bit difficult to create these frameworks of possibilities and share it with others on a daily basis... Some things are much easier said than done (practiced). Could it be just small acts of kindness (like the teacher did for that student) or is it much more?

This way of thinking, living, being, calls for a renewing of the mind which no one would argue is an ill-fated task, but rather a conscious way of assessing and living one's life.  Whether it is or isn't, I guess I will start with small acts of kindness for right now, I do not feel like being concerned with anyone else but myself.  I will have to start small if I hope to incorporate these frameworks of possibility as part of who I am.

This all calls for a consciousness of thinking...

Though I have seen small changes (every now and again) in past students.  I haven't had the opportunity of seeing any of them realize their potential yet... but I believe I will see that and Lord knows, I am hoping to see that time and time and time again repeated by many.  I have encountered numerous young lives that I know have abilities beyond what had before been tapped into... My hope is that something I said, something I did will be remembered and that will take them to their dreams... and far beyond... only time will tell.

Hasanni and Imani- the possibilities are endless-You are and I know I will see great things!

My Response:

Nykoli, as I read your blog, I felt like to could track a progression of thought. It seemed that you were processing some new information and thinking of how to practically apply some new insight. That was fun to read! I have read Zander’s book previously so it was nice for me to be in a more reflective mode than assimilation mode. I love that you ended your blog by applying the promise of endless possibilities towards your children. If there is a better gift that a mom can impart to her children, I don’t know what it is. You may enjoy reading a little book called, Mastery by George Leonard. I have found it to be a great little handbook for applying new learning. I have referred to it many times throughout my time in this program. 

MAC Week 4 Reading Blog: The Art of Possibility Chapters 9-12

photo courtesy of pixalatedpallet.com

Chapter 9. Lighting a Spark

The art of generating a spark of possibility seems very connected to presence. If am able to stay open to the “noticing” that we read about last week, then I am often able to feel for openings, ways to connects. Many times this kind of connection will happen with words but sometimes it’s small gestures or even just allowing space that can be enough to let what might occur to occur. I’ve experienced this kind of connection in my work, personally and creatively. So often “enrollment” is simply allowing things to unfold naturally and that natural unfolding often seems serendipitous.

Chapter 10. Being the Board

At some point in my adult life I began to think of responsibility as “the ability to respond.” The actual definition is not far off but somehow embedding my personal response into the meaning of the word made a difference for me. Now that I am the board, the captain of my ship, the master of my fate, I get to choose. Often choice is related to redesigning something and sometimes it’s about cleaning up messes that I’ve made but it’s all mine even if it’s only mine in thought or perspective. I am the board and I make the executive decisions of who I choose to be in the world.

Chapter 11. Creating Frameworks for Possibility

This chapter allowed me to reflect on the power of gratitude. In my own personal experience, gratitude had been the single most powerful practice that I have cultivated. In terms of restructuring meanings and creating visions, there’s a lot to be said about creativity, letting go of spiral thinking and living without a scarcity mentality but nothing will expedite the process of creating frameworks of possibilities for me like gratitude.  

Chapter 12. Telling the WE Story

I had to laugh about getting past the “us and them” in this chapter because I get so caught up in the “me, myself and I” that I’m often not even in that conversation! But I do get the point. I like how Zander gives contrasting conversations in this chapter. When you compare an “I” conversation with a “we” conversation, the possibilities really stand out. “I” conversations sound very closed. I don’t know an effective leader who is not good at maintaining this type of perspective.

Week 3 Leadership Project HUB

An International Society for Technology in Education publication 

 The title of my project is, "Research on Social Motivation and School-Wide Broadcasting." After choosing to publish, I read through lots of journals to find a good fit for the content of my paper. Initially, I wanted to publish with Edutopia for reasons previously posted. They are currently only accepting articles in the form of blogs so I will continue to pursue that type of publication this summer. For this project, I submitted my project for publication with ISTE's magazine Leading & Learning with Technology. This publication features practical ideas for integrating technology into classrooms. I think my experiences with school-wide broadcasting will fit well with this publication and their readership.


Week 1 Leadership Blog Post

Week 2 Leadership Blog Post

Leadership Project Document

Response to Rosa Santana’s Week 3 Reading Blog: Art of Possibility Part 2

Rosa’s Blog:

"The Art of Possibility" book is so fascinating and speaks some great truths. It enlightens your mind and brings about possibilities. In the seventh chapter The Way Things Are, it speaks about taking a situation and spinning it in a way that is not like how many have mentioned before. It speaks on how some things cannot be changed or controlled but one can take their situation and find a solution that is suitable. This chapter allowed me to look at some of my situations and state the issue and then I actually finally found a solution. It was like a foggy storm just cleared up and vanished. Vanished like it never existed. Wow. I enjoy "aha" moments. Sometimes things are placed in front of you to provide you with the light you were needing for your darkness.  "Accept the wrong, come to terms with it and then ask what next." Love it.

As if that was all that brought a bit of clarity. This next section speaks about clearing your "shoulds".  I can't tell you how many times that I have done what it stated there. I know that I have thought or said, this should be like this and this should be like that. You become stuck and I have caught myself doing just that. It takes time to change your thought process but what great advantages.

The two steps to giving way to passion. I know many have the problem of enjoying what they are truly desiring. Barriers placed by oneself, society, family, loved ones, friends, and the so called norm of society, cause many to withdraw from what brings the most joy to their lives. I most say that my passion for being a graphic designer was never diminished. I have never felt like a barrier was placed. So the steps provided in this book are a perfect way to spark up those flames that have been slightly lit for so long.

"Where is the electric socket for possibility, the access to the energy of transformation?....... lean our bodies to the music; dare to let go of the edges of ourselves.... participate" (Zander & Zander, ch8, pg121)

Man, did this hit it on the nose. "lean our bodies to the music; dare to let go of the edges of ourselves.... participate"  I had to say it again. Listen to that beat and dance like no one is watching. Let go and enjoy what's in front of you, enjoy the possibilities of life. Holding on to the shoulda, coulda, woulda brings nothing but an endless wall of barriers. Let go, Release! "lean our bodies to the music; dare to let go of the edges of ourselves.... participate" Participate.....

My Response:

Rosa, I think it’s amazing that you have never felt barriers in your work and yet you can embrace the need to participate more fully in the dance. Somehow that seems very insightful to me. It’s so easy to see a lack when you struggle, but when you’re living your passion and doing well, it’s easy to become complacent. I love your candor is describing the dimly lit flame. Your blog reminded me that there is always more…more life to lived, more greatness to be given!

Response to Irving Peralta’s Week 3 Reading Blog: Rule Number 6

Irving’s Blog:

This week’s reading brought me back to my days when I use to play the trumpet in my Jr. High school band.  My music teacher had a face and style that you can’t forget.  With his bold head and eyeglasses, he would greet us every morning, raise his baton and we would play.  At that age, many of the students including myself gave him a very hard time.  But as I grew up I started to take band more seriously that by the time I got to high school I was able to respect the conductor, which was my Jr. High teacher, who had moved up with us.  As I was reading the book I started to think how I too am a conductor in my class and how I could be a complete dictator or facilitator.  How I could bring the best out of everyone or just simply build them to perform as I please.  I tell you, this book has to be at the top of every educators list.  I’m already thinking about next year and how things will be different.  Not that I’ve been a bad teacher, I just have a different perspective about being their leader. 

I have fallen into being a very serious “don’t talk to me” teacher at times, and through the reading I’ve found that Rule number 6 should be applied at all levels of education every day.  I have seen the difference when I’m relaxed having a good conversation with my students. We are laughing and just talking.  I see how they are more open to express their ideas and not worried if they are right or wrong, just exploring.  I don’t want to have the attitude of this is just the way things are so why even bother.  I’ve seen that in many teachers especially during standardize testing.  They quickly accept a child’s attitude and behavior because that’s just how he/she is and there is nothing that we can do to help them change.  I want to say that I’ve done a pretty good job to exclude myself from that kind of mentality.  I’ve always said, that’s who he/she is now, but wait until the end of the year when they leave my classroom.  The goal is that they will become better students all around.  

My passion is driven by the thought that things have to be better then this.  My classroom needs me to be a better facilitator, coach, trainer, scientist, historian, mathematician, reader, etc.  My passion is driven by not being confortable with what I see happening today.  I don’t want to wake up one day and wonder what I’ve done with my life all this time.  I want to be productive and do anything that will benefit my family and my career.  I don’t want to go to work just for a pay check, I want to go to work to carry out my passion to help my students and in doing so better our community.

My Response:

Irving, thanks for the passionate and insightful blog. I can relate to so many of your stories. I started middle school orchestra with a similar experience and over time I came to love my teacher. If he had gone with me to high school, I likely would not have giving up the violin. Personally, I have had a difficult time with levity this year. I’ve been breaking rule number six way too much. It has just been this month, now that testing is over and the school year is coming to a close that I find myself relaxed, laughing with my students and just being silly. This has been a “very serious” year…I hope I never let that happen again!

MAC Week 3 Reading Blog: The Art of Possibility Chapters 5-8

Ode to Joy!

Chapter 5

Any Chair

Our 4^th grade class went on field trip to the symphony today. Over nine hundred 4^th and 5^th grade students from our district attended. The students had been practicing playing a small portion of Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony on their recorders all year. As the conductor turned to the kids and began guiding them to join with the orchestra, I couldn’t help but think of the chapter. I’ve never heard Ode to Joy sound more beautiful. Wonderful things can happen when you are “willing to give away greatness!”

Chapter 6

Rule Number 6

Again, I thought of my students as I read this chapter. Many of my students feel so incredibly pressured by standardized testing and the resulting “data” that their educations have become something to survive rather than enjoy. It is sad to see kids so stressed about learning. I make “a practice” out of making mistakes in my classroom. I tell my students how wonderful mistakes can be; I try to do what I can to help lighten up the academic mood that is prevalent on my campus. Educationally, I think this “rule” speaks to a social/emotional capacity that our students will need to survive. Our  social/emotional classroom instruction is driven by data we receive from students in the form of body language and facial expressions. Meeting each kid’s needs is an art but with rule number 6, it’s impossible to make a mistake!

Chapter 7

The Way Things Are

I love the diagrams in this chapter. The diagram of the closed conversation (spiral) verses the open conversation (sun with rays). There is a lot to be said about assumptions verses assessments (or facts) here. That can be a little confusing at times because what often seems like “fact” is actually just something we started believing at some point and it seems as real to us as the actual truth. I like the quote by Anais Nin, “We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.”

Chapter 8

Giving Way to Passion

The 2 steps written about in this chapter are easier said than done. Sometimes “noticing where you’re holding back” can be like trying see a color you’ve never seen before. I also think that noticing is the hardest part. If I can stay open to noticing, then letting go and following the possibilities becomes more like going with the flow.

MAC Week 2 Leadership Post: Where to Publish?

I don’t know if Edutopia would be considered a scholarly journal but if it were possible, I would love the opportunity to submit my work with them for publication.  I have several reasons for this choice. One is that this is the one publication that I personally take the time to read every month. I have gained an immense amount of encouragement and insight from being a part of the Edutopia Community and to be able to contribute to the work would be very exciting. Another reason that I would be interested in publishing with Edutopia is that I believe strongly that The George Lucas Foundation is in many ways setting the standard for 21^st Century learning and that is something that I’d love to be a part of.  If I cannot find a clear path to publishing with Edutopia, my plans B & C will be to apply for publication with the following journals, Journal of Education and Society or  Leading & Learning which is a magazine published for members of The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Response to Katie Ross’ Week 2 Reading Blog

Katie’s Blog:

It is all invented! I have found that as I get older it is very hard to think outside of the box. I think this is because we allow everyday life to get in the way of free thinking. The question is how does one cultivate a place that doesn’t allow the boxed walls to trap them inside the box.  For me and my team at work we regularly have brainstorming activates. Some of the ideas we come up with never leave the room some become new workshops for all the new students. However just having a team of people coming together all building off of each others ideas is enough to keep the boxes of the wall down in my environment….for the most part. I think working in a place that welcomes a collaborative attitude is something that has been invented to help us work on thinking outside of the box.

My thoughts and actions allow me to see the world as a beautiful place! Don’t get me wrong when my thoughts focus in on politics, diet, processed foods, I get sad.  I feel hopeless at times to the things I mentioned above and I can see how it effects my measurement of the world.  I try to use my positive energy and thoughts on seeing those things as issues that will one day change. 

Chapter 3 really hit home for me.  I struggle with not being so harsh on people and myself, and I’ve been looking for ways to help me not be so

 harsh.  Adapting the “ Give everyone and yourself an A” mentality is a great way to challenge myself to see the A in everyone.  Even to see the A in people who procrastinate, an A in the people who don’t put in as many house as me, an A in the people who gossip or have a negative attitude. Giving an A to myself is a great way to boost my confidence in areas that I lack confidence.  It’s saying that I’ve already done a great job no matter what the outcome is at this point.  Chapter 3 is going to stick with me for a while, I’ve even posted a sticky note at my desk with a big A, to remind myself to give everyone and myself an A.

How will I contribute today is a great question.  I will contribute by smiling at everyone I see.  They say that smiles are contagious so hopefully my smile will brighten someone else’s day today. 

My Response:

Katie,

As I read about your desire to think outside the box, beyond the “measured universe” as the Zanders would say, I remembered the part of chapter one where they refer to how “calculating self” is concerned for it’s survival in a world of scarcity. Your blog reminded me about how I felt when I read that. In a culture where the majority lack nothing, many of us find ourselves feeling a lack. Not that you expressed that in your blog, I just remembered thinking about that as I read. What you did mention about how collaborating helps you to stay open to possibilities really resonated with me. I am at my best creatively whenever I get to work others or bounce off of other’s idea. 

Response to Amanda Rhymer Week Two Blog Post: “Giving an A”

Amanda's Blog:

In reading the first four chapters of The Art of Possibility by Roz and Ben Zander, I was struck by several interesting ideas.  First, the beginning of the book appears to be about positive thinking, and the power of positive thinking.  I recognize it immediately because that is what I was taught growing up.  All you have to do is picture yourself doing....or being...or wearing...My mom was especially good at helping you channel your wants and desires into positive thoughts.  To this day, my grown children will still call her (or me) and ask us to help "think" them into (or out of) a situation.  My mother also taught me the opposite side of this coin, be careful what you ask for...you might get it!

The second thing that resonated with me is the idea of giving all of my students an A in the beginning, to break down the barriers to learning.  Several years ago I had a very diverse class, with every level of learner and every kind of student, it was a real challenge.  There was a lot of competition, both real and imagined, between the "A" students themselves, and between the "A" students and everyone else.  I was an "A" student myself, but as a teacher I've found that I have a real affinity for those students who work hard but don't ever seem to reach that "A" level of work.  So I gave my students the assignment of bringing in a 3-D cell model, made of any material they wanted to use, as long as they could properly interpret the required parts of the cell.  I gave the class three days to present the project to their classmates, and of course the "A" students signed up for the first slots.  All of their projects were elaborately done, made with purchased materials, some even commercial grade look-a-likes.  At the end of the second day, I held two of my basketball boys back and asked them if they had gotten some ideas for their project so they could present the last day.  They hemmed and hawed, it was too much money, too much work, too much time, etc.  You've all heard it.  I jokingly said, "Oh come on guys, I could buy a 99¢ hamburger from Wendy's and present it to this class as a cell model...you two have to be able to come up with something!"  Well, the next day they showed up, one with a hamburger still in the wrapper (a plant cell) and one out of the wrapper (an animal cell) and they did a perfect job explaining how they'd arranged all of the add-ons, condiments, etc. to represent the cell.  They both received A's on their project.  Now, I thought it was a fair grade, but don't for a minute think that my traditional "A" students liked it.  They thought it was cheating, or that I was playing favorites.  I tried to explain to them my reasoning for the A, but in the end I decided that it didn't have to be justified.  According to the rubric, the two boys earned an A.  In my heart, they deserved an A.

Maybe I should try giving them all an A in the beginning and see what they can create when the grade isn't the most important thing.

Response:

Amanda,

I enjoyed reading your blog. I can see how the “A” students would balk that something so simple could fulfill the assignment while they may have chosen complicated ideas and put hours of work into their projects. I can also see how the whole concept of simplicity being effective worked for the “hamburger boys” and that alone makes a great point. I do think that “giving the A in advance” creates that space that serves the purpose of what we are all trying to accomplish which is a higher level of learning and some self observation.

MAC Week 2 Reading Blog: The Art of Possibility

photo courtesy of starpolisher.com

I have actually read this book before. As I’m re-reading the book, it’s giving me an opportunity to reflect how this book (and a few others related to linguistic ontology) created an open space in my life for me hold questions with no answers needed and to think so radically outside of my “measurement” box that I actually considered pursing a graduate program in Educational Media Design and Technology! How serendipitous that as this journey is coming to a close, I am being taken back to the year of contemplation that led me to this program. I had a dream to create an educational coaching practice that could help kids to become their best selves in their respective educational environments. I even took a year off of teaching to invest time and energy into this idea and I wasn’t even exactly sure what it was. So that is how my company One Life Learning was born. From there, I was drawn to the opportunity that Full Sail offered of gaining a skill set that would allow me to market this dream, to place it in a relevant context. And here I am. So when Zander & Zander refer to “inventing a framework”, “set the context and let life unfold”, “give yourself an A” and “ declaring yourself a contribution” they are reading my mail! What a joy it is to re-read this book on this side of a long transitional journey…full of possibilities. 

Response to Rodolfo Fernandez's MAC Week 1 Reading Blog: Reflections From a Communication Student

Rodolfo's Blog:

This week on our Media Asset Creation class we began with the discussion of Copyrights.  During my Bachelor's Degree in Broadcasting, I took a law class and we discussed the topic of copyrights, especially Media related copyright law.  We covered censorship, trademarks, music and art copyrights.  A lot has changed after that class.  On the "Fairy Tale" video, I saw how, basically, copyright holder (artists) can own the rights of their work, almost forever.  When I took the law class, the artist had the right of their work during their lifetime and 75 or 50 years (depending of the medium, music, paint) after their death.  Now, by the fair use act, works can be used as long it is a short amount of the work that is used for teaching, critique, illustration of a topic.  For me, Fair Use is still a very thin line, in the area of education. What if a movie producer or a musician doesn't want their material use for educational purposes?

In the Good Copy, Bad Copy movie there was an important point that was brought to the topic of the music industry.  If the user pays an "x" amount of dollars for connecting on the internet and download or use the music to their liking, the user will be spending almost the same amount of money that he/she spends on a music store.  Could this mean that the music industry can't control what the public wants, and what musical output they want from their favorite artist?

It's not that artist shouldn't get payed for their artistic output, but we have seen how musicians rebeled against record companies for not allowing them to do the work they want, and now they support the same companies that "restrict" their creativity (does Metallica vs. Napster rings a bell?).  How many musicians "used" part of other musicians' songs/music as a base for their own music?  Let me give you a couple of examples:  the guitar riff at the end of the "Ballad of John & Yoko" by The Beatles, is the same guitar riff of "Lonesome tears of my eyes" by Johnny Burnett. "The old man down the road" from John Fogerty sounds almost the same as "Green River" from Creedence Clearwater Revival, in which Fogerty was a member and main songwriter and which the former members of CCR sued Fogerty for plagiarized himself, but the judge decided in favor of Fogerty after listen him playing both songs with his guitar in court (listen to both songs on the You Tube videos below).  Keith Richards once said that we are like sponges and absorb everything we heard.  Not a direct quote, but if you want to listen to him, I recommend to watch "The History of Rock and Roll: Guitar Heroes".

As a semi pro musician, I'm not an avid fan of sampling, I feel that "artists" that use sampling don't want to push their creative juices to come up with original music.  On the other hand, it takes a lot of creativity to mix different beats and different samples of music to come up with the re-mixes we heard in parties and on the radio.  It's incredible how in Brazil they come up with these big parties.  "Music producers" in Brazil they create these re-mixes and record them on CD and sell them as a promotion to the big parties they made.

Finally, on the movie side, Nigeria has come up with a smart way of promoting their movie industry.  They can't copy or pirate the productions they do over there, but they can copy all the productions outside of Nigeria.


My Response:

Rodolfo,


Thank you for creating a blog that organized some your prior knowledge about copyright law with the readings from this week. Your blog clarified for me some of the most important aspects from the videos and articles. While being new to the whole topic of copyright law, taking in all of this information in one week was like trying to drink from a fire hydrant! Even as I was taking notes, I would stop, write some things down and think, "I know that's really important" but I wasn't able to connect it the other things that made it important. Specifically, your reference to the the video, Good Copy/Bad Copy, I noted the idea of a flat user fee and how the presenter stated that artists would benefit more from this type of agreement because they would be making profit as opposed to no profit. I'm still not totally clear on what that would mean to the artist but it made sense to me. I've even looked into Rhapsody and some other companies that offer unlimited downloads for a flat fee but I've not been very impressed with the limited range of artists the companies currently offer. I do see a future in that type of marketing that has already pretty much take over other commercial industries here in the U.S. (like the Television/ Advertising industries for example). In your blog you allude to the possibility that record companies and artists might lose control over what the public wants. I thought that was an interesting question as you presented it. It made me wonder who is really selling to whom here? Hasn't it always been the public that determined the fiscal success of art or is that just how I think it should be? That question leads to a whole other conversation about cultural and artistic evolution, for another blog!