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EC Post #3: ​The Internet and Cassette Culture

4/22/2018

18 Comments

 
What does something that came after the Cassette revolution have to do with it?

Ok, we know the Internet didn't really get going until about 1995 and of course the potential was unfulfilled at the time. No easy downloading music then, no streaming movies, no cell phones in everyone’s pockets. Cassette Culture was pretty much wrapping up its show by then, or not long after.

We all knew some of what the future would hold. More net speed, easier and faster communications, unimaginable amounts of music and videos in our pockets, no getting lost in unfamiliar neighborhoods, the ability to find pizza and coffee and record stores in any town you visited, the answers to stupid questions in bars and parties, etc.

I don't think many of us realized the sea change and the pervasive nature that phones would come to represent at the time. Who knew that the desk top computer itself would almost be an afterthought by 2018 and that the phone was the center of the universe?

Will the phone eventually go the same direction as records, cassettes, and CDs? Man, that is tough to know but it seems that this one may hang around for a long time. Of course it may not be a “phone” that way we see it now. Maybe a watch, an attachment to our glasses…what  about a brain implant?

So for our purposes in 1995 the tape scene was gone, the community essentially disbanded
(except for pockets), CDs and CDRs the new platform for musical artists. I got my own digital recorder in 2002. It was an 8 track BOSS 1180 made by Roland. It provided me with a new clarity of sound, hundreds of built in effects and the ease of burning CDs directly from it. I also got the first of many CDR dubbing decks soon too.  It took some time for the cost of digital equipment to come down in price but eventually it was more or less affordable.

This was now a great way to do high quality sounding collaborations with others. This is something I have always loved and with tapes the degrading tape hiss from too many generations was not fun. Not a game changer for me but something I wished was better. The new digital set up immediately solved this. In fact, I still use the 8 track today ( in combination with  Garageband  on my Mac ) to record my tunes.

I was really stoked with my first digital collab album with Eric Wallack called “Disappearing Act”. This was like a dream come true….complete silence between tracks and in the places during the songs when stillness and quiet was needed. The sound also jumped from the speakers.

So as the Internet started to mature I always wondered, “why can’t the community we had during the tape scene exist now”? I mean, the equipment was better ( perhaps somewhat more expensive overall though), the ability to communicate immediately with somebody across the world, the closeness that could be had by such contact seemed unparalleled. 

What happened? Why didn't we group together even before social media and have our own cliques again?
OK, some of us did but it took the rise of MySpace, Facebook and all the other sites to facilitate any kind of major groupings. 

The dangers of being involved with corporate structure to this degree was on my mind, and the minds of many friends. It wasn't just that our privacy would be invaded but it just didn’t seem as personal and tactile as getting something from the post office. The ability to “like” something seemed phony and off putting. 

However, was the Internet and all the possibilities just inherently superficial? Of course not.

To me, I sometimes envision the Internet as an actual highway with the looming billboards as I travel. I do see the billboards and even read them sometimes but mostly I just try to drive and get there safely and not get consumed ( quite literally ) by the information.

One theory that is bandied around is that people got more self serving with the entrepreneurial possibilities of the Internet. Anyone could reach out to the entire world and hawk their product. I don’t really know why most people did not seem to care about anybody else. To be frank though, the social media platforms that arose did allow people to communicate and develop relationships ( if you wanted ). 

Perhaps some don't want to hear this but Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are good things…well, at least to me. I make sure that any personal information I put out is limited though. I completely understand that it is a giant corporate business and that my info is to be mined and sold back to me. I am actually fine with that as long as they are not publishing my private messages. But, if it is info I put out there publicly what can I expect?

I don't blame some for not getting involved in this but if you expect to live in this century and not be a Luddite you’d better get on the train. Also, the ability to connect with artists is tremendous. For example, I try to send every single artist notification of radio play ( you might be surprised how few DJs do this) and if I cannot find their email address it is more than likely they are on Facebook. I have also reconnected with former colleagues, high school and work chums, and made new contacts galore.
Sure, some of the chatter seems childish and stupid. Sure, the ads can be annoying, the endless political outrages are to be expected as well as all the usual ranting. There is always a trade off with anything.

I recently started creating my own visual art work as a new hobby and social media has been a great way to share it, the very same day I create it. By the way, this is not a business and, like my own music, I GIVE IT AWAY FOR FREE TO ANYBODY WHO WANTS IT. 

I got into a huge blowup with a guitar guy because he and his friends claimed I was devaluing THEIR music by giving mine away for free. How dare I? Shouldn't I be thinking about how it affects them? Was I wrong to hurt them so badly?

It is fun to get feedback from all over when I record a new song. It feels good to be “liked”. You must recall that during the height of the Cassette Glory Days many of us ( including me) were ridiculous back patting cheerleaders unwilling to really dish out criticism too harshly. Sure, Carl Howard was always there to bring us back to Earth but how many others could claim his honesty and way with words?

Another great thing ( to me ) is Bandcamp and some of the other music sharing platforms. I know nothing about Spotify or Pandora so I will leave that to someone else. I do really have an aversion to the music business in general although many of the bands I now get for the show are distinctly interested in being part of it. 
As I said in another post, “if it works for you, do it”. I realize that I may contradicting myself here. On one hand, I am all about exposing new artists to the world but I don't really examine their motives. And what does it mean now to be “independent” or “underground”? ( That will be the focus of my next post ).
PictureBrewster Kahle, founder of Archive.org
​One of the greatest resources on the entire internet is the Internet Archive, also know as archive.org. This site is run by a rich guy ( and his team) in San Francisco and the goal is to be The Smithsonian of the Internet. This site allows for ANY AMOUNT of uploading FOR FREE. I believe in what they are doing so much I make monetary donations.
From what I can tell, this is the closest thing to “permanent” the Net has to secure your files for the future.
I am in the process of uploading every album I have ever made for free download and as many radio shows as I can before I leave this planet. I will never get it all done ( because there are thousands of shows) but my recommendation is to support and use archive.org. You can stream or download for free any files posted.

OK, most of the stuff I have gone on about here is nothing new to anybody.  I just thought it would be a good bookend to the previous posts I made.

What is your opinion?

Can you stomach the ills of the internet to use it for what it is good for?  Does it work for you?


…Don Campau 4-21-18

18 Comments
Frank link
4/22/2018 03:44:35

I'll keep it short! Thanks to Bandcamp, I found out about Hal and most of you who post here... makes me love the internet.(Facebook, Twitter, ... I don't care about much)

Reply
Hal McGee
4/22/2018 04:10:52

Don, I agree with so much of what you say in this essay. I think that the Internet is a great thing. So many connections can be made, so much info literally at our fingertips. People still like to complain about Internet Music, but by now that complaining is a habit and really nothing more. I offer all of my albums on Bandcamp, and I still consider them to be my Hal tapes. Yep, they are still my "tapes", because I make them as personal as possible. I fill up the downloads with PDF liner notes, printable CD and cassette covers, photos, and other stuff. And the recordings themselves are as personal as possible - dictaphone diaristic assemblages in which I share personal thoughts and experiences with the listeners. I usually choose Bandcamp over the Internet Archive, but I think archive.org is a great and noble effort. Now, to be honest, when I do listen to music these days I usually listen to tapes and discs, not stuff on the Internet, but that's just a personal choice. People who live in locales on the other side of the globe (Iran, Indonesia, more) have instant access to as much of my music as they want: free streaming audio and $1 downloads. I charge Bandcamp's $1 minimum to deter bootleggers who would otherwise download my stuff for free and then sell it on their sites. $1 is not much to ask! After Bandcamp and PayPal fees I end up with $0.78. This adds up and I can put it toward projects. People like Per-Arne Hognert and Frank and numerous others have been big supporters of my Bandcamp sites, and I appreciate their support!

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Lord Litter link
4/22/2018 10:09:31

More and more I realise the importance of the communication via Electronic Cottage (EC)! Finally we have in depth communication again like the 4paged handwritten letters of the past ... but ... one step further because we are 30years *wiser* and it happenes in real time .. thanks to the internet!

I totally agree with everything I red here but want to add some of my thoughts to the *internet / social media* debate.

I don't know when it started that people thought: Litter hates the internet. Absolutely NOT true. It changed my life in a very positive way. Finally I could live on freelance work. I did all kind of internet services. This period of my life started when the internet became an obvious force - ca. 1997. To have the biggest ever *library* here on my desk is simply thrilling. To make a *quick music check* via YouTube, bandcamp etc is great! To have a direct link from my desk to yours... unbeliveable..wonderful!!

But ... it soon started that I saw forces on the internet changing people, behaviour, attitudes, culture, aesthetics etc etc...all aimed at the only vision - profit. When this started I was a super tiny part of all this. Developing structures to make money by glueing people to the net on a *once click* basis.

As with the music business in the 1980s, when I realised this I slowly started my retreat from this part of the internet. I really don't want to put myself on the same level with the guy who invented the *like* button for Facebook, but he said that this was the worst thing he ever did in his life (or something similar) because he realised what he did. Today the whole world only *likes*, no longer communicates on a deeper level. This leads directly to...:


"Anyone could reach out to the entire world and hawk their product."


Yes - that's the only thing - in my opinion - one should do via *Social Media*:"hawk your product." because that is the only and basic idea behind it. Any personal aspect will be used to make profit, whatever the website declares what happens with your data if you put the settings to *secure*. All that they have in their data banks is in their property and will be used.


"I don’t really know why most people did not seem to care about anybody else. To be frank though, the social media platforms that arose did allow people to communicate and develop relationships ( if you wanted )."


Today's reality is that people no longer want that - a *like* does it all for them. It needs (new) platforms like EC to bring back a deeper communication. EC reminds me very much on the discussion groups that were an important (innovative) part of the internet's early days. People having discussions, for the first time in real time worldwide and thus broadening everybody's horizon. The basis of this came via universities.

Then people like Zuckerberg came and turned this idea into something completely different. The basic idea is sure still great and could have a positive effect but too many definitely negative aspects found their way to the platform and never were really questioned by the owner. The old discussion groups had *rules* how to communicate - we had a so called *netiquette* in those days where people were asked to be friendly to have a *civilised* behaviour when disagreeing. (like here on EC by the way) the social media level opened all doors to hate, fury, dirt, racism, homophobia etc etc etc. never questioning anything for many, many years...every click brought profit.

So - yes - I'm sorry - yes, I think all this gave a united worldwide power to many aspects I don't want to support in any way. I don't blame anyone being on Facebook (really!!), but I don't spread any Facebook link anymore. This changed the world in a very, very negative way. And I don't even want to start talking about the self centered, narcissistic general behaviour that arose via other update developments. All this explains to me why:"people not seem to care about anybody else."..these days - they care only about themselves.

Not that long ago I wrote a little essay with the basic idea: *Don't go where everybody is going .. go your own way .. that once was the idea of independence*. But *they* even took the expression independence and turned into *indie* caus this is something you can sell.

Don Campau: "OK, most of the stuff I have gone on about here is nothing new to anybody. I just thought it would be a good bookend to the previous posts I made."

Well .. but we never *talked* about that in the update digital times, because this in depth communication - I'm sorry I have to repeat - is not part of the corporate moneymaking plan that rules today's digital reality.

People that have in depth communication may really start to *think* ... into different directions.

Can't wait to read the next Don Campau post .. caus it always *tickles* my mind!

Reply
C. Goff III link
4/22/2018 11:48:17

Time to stir the pot of opinion once again -- I expect to get myself into trouble, as usual.

I'm gonna start with one of my most core observations. Human beings are generally motivated to do things that benefit themselves, and often those activities have negative consequences for other people or for other species. People take advantage of other people every day, and while we all get used to it to an extent, we all also often find this activity to be an annoyance. Those who are most comfortable taking advantage of others often end up as political leaders, successful business people, infamous villians, etc. People who are most uncomfortable with this Darwinian reality often end up living their lives on the fringes of society or looking for solace in religion, philosophy, etc. (in extreme cases, creating their own doctrines for living a "moral" life) .

I personally identify more with those who rebel against the whole "survival of the fittest" attitude. I know from lifelong experience that taking on reality itself is a very difficult challenge, probably even a fool's errand, but I can't help the way I feel about things.

So, in relation to the topic at hand... I'm not inclined, no matter what so-called benefits can be gleaned, to support the uber capitalist efforts of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. I simply don't want my photos, artwork, chit chat, etc. used to help sell advertisements which make money for people I don't care about or in some cases genuinely dislike. Because I don't use Facebook, I don't know the answer to this question, so I'll ask any of you Facebook users out there -- have you ever seen an advertisement that says something like: "Sign Up Today! Your personal information is the building block for the financial profiles of corporations all around the world!" That all said, I believe archive.org is the opposite of Facebook in every way, and it serves a very needed function for the modern world. My sincerest gratitude goes out to Mr. Kahle for creating and maintaining such a valuable and selfless service.

As for Don's suggesting that "if you expect to live in this century and not be a Luddite you’d better get on the train," Well, as much as I love you Don, I gotta tell you that I've been getting through this new millennium pretty well without even owning a cell phone, much less without joining Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, political parties, or religions. If that defines me as a Luddite, I'm proud to wear the banner. I should point out though, that, I am regularly reminded of the many things I do as a human being which are bad for other human beings and which are bad for other living things on my planet as well. I try to limit these, but I always have a sense of frustration carrying on my existence as a human in this world. And to tie all of this up to our host publication, Electronic Cottage, here, it's EXACTLY that frustration that has made me into whatever sort of artist I am today. I also wanna thank Hal McGee for providing a forum in which I can feel comfortable sharing my thoughts without being concerned about being exploited.

Reply
Don Campau link
4/22/2018 20:01:16

Let me say this: The two people I am responding to here ( Litter and Goff) are at the very top of my list for honesty, creativity, individualism, intelligence and more.There aren't two individuals I respect more. I don't agree with all their points but as long time associates and friends their unique viewpoints get me thinking and make me consider my own views. We can agree to disagree and I can also be taught a lesson or two as well.


Lord Litter: More and more I realise the importance of the communication via Electronic Cottage (EC)! Finally we have in depth communication again like the 4paged handwritten letters of the past ... but ... one step further because we are 30years *wiser* and it happens in real time .. thanks to the internet!

We have to give big thanks to Hal McGee who as much as any single individual represents constant and dedicated hard work, thinking out of the box, creating a personal body of work unlike any other, and caring for others and putting forth herculean efforts for the underground community. But Hal cannot do it alone. Whether or not this new EC platform gels, expands or collapses has to do with others being involved.


Lord Litter: Today the whole world only *likes*, no longer communicates on a deeper level. This leads directly to…


I must disagree to a certain extent here. Many of the discussions I have had on social media are not superficial or filled with emojis. I have had many honest, open and in depth dialogues that have enlightened me, made me think about my own perspective, made me laugh, and brought me closer to several people. To be sure, Facebook and all social media are loaded with crap. This I will not deny but somehow I am able to dismiss it , ignore it or remain indifferent. I relish the fact that one of my kids lives in England and I can talk ( cell phone ) or chat ( facebook messenger) often.

Lord Litter: All that they have in their data banks is in their property and will be used.

This is certainly true. But as I stated, one must be careful when using such public platforms. One also doesn't pull down their pants when they are outside either. These billionaire owned platforms are for profit, that is no lie.
I think you would have to be naive to not see this.

But just about everything, whether or not it is on the internet is “for sale” now. Look at the success of ebay.
The “average guy” is now has a “store”!

Fortunately, I know many artists and people who are willing and able to share their works without being part of the marketplace. Yes, it is rare but it happens. And it happens on Social Media ( and a few other places too ).

I have nothing against people selling their work. I wish them well. Giving stuff away is not an option for many. I was lucky. I never had to participate in the artists way of life. I worked for 40 years as a vegetable man in a grocery store. This enabled me to support my family, and afford to have my music hobby. This was simply a choice I made.
Believe me, it was not easy getting up at 3 am all those years. A choice, for me and my family ( also my choice to have a family ) that turned out to be a good idea in the end because of the pension that was available then ( not anymore however).

And, yes, I am not afraid to call it a “hobby” which is apparently a dirty word to some. The fact is…nobody owes you living as an artist or musician. I can understand artists being frustrated by not having money but get real, art is simply not a day to day necessity for most ( for for some certainly ). I wish you luck but being a “successful” musician is rare like winning the lottery.

Even though I get plenty of free new music, I support musicians and artists in a couple of crucial ways.
Radio play, of course, talking it up with others and recommending their work, and actually buying tons of music ( which I still do). I am an extremely active music consumer.

If you are an artist and want to live from it all I can say is “good luck” ( and I mean it ).


Charles Rice Goff: I simply don't want my photos, artwork, chit chat, etc. used to help sell advertisements which make money for people I don't care about or in some cases genuinely dislike.

Apparently this doesn't work for you and I commend you for not participating. Would you feel differently if posting online made you a lot of money? What if it directly supported your work? Do you not agree that most artists now have to use these platforms if they have any chance at all of supporting themselves?
Facebook and the other platforms are simply offering a service. Non profit sites like archive.org are really rare, thats why they need our support. I do not believe that the people who run these profit services are evil through and through. They are business people with an idea that works for a couple billion people. Is Zuckerberg Satan ? I just don't get that feeling.

Charles Rice Goff: I'll ask any o

Reply
Lord Litter link
4/23/2018 08:53:17

This debate is great! (oups it rhymes) I just want to add this: Yes I'm often very strict .. so, yes, there are sure also the good guys on Facebook! You can also do pro_life things there.

Forgot: My life also works without mobile/Smart Phone - and - I don't use GOOGLE (there are always alternatives - 1. http://www.duckduckgo.com - 2. http://www.startpage.com) .. and my life still works!

Also - I sure admit that if you lead a completely different life you might desperately need a smart phone in 2018.

My pants down in public? Of course not .. unfortunately it's obvious that new set up rules encourage exactly this (and too many follow) ... pants down, make a *selfie* and post on Social Media. I see the endless stream of Smart Phone junkies here from my ground floor *office window*.

I think what I basicly want to say .. again and again.. a *mainstream* in today's development directs in a disastrous direction and nobody should have the chance to say in several years: "I did'nt know".

It is all very, very obvious .. now!

And it's all too many faced and complicated to compare it with the days when the telephone was new .. and my grandmother said she does'nt want this *devil's device* in her house.



Reply
Lord Litter link
4/24/2018 08:15:27

One more PS why I REALLY think we have to watch this *social media* phenomenon:

https://www.channel4.com/news/children-bombarded-with-sexually-explicit-chat-on-musical-ly-and-live-ly

We're still at the beginning of all this and up to now NOONE of the *in charge* people really does something.

There is also a link to the *becomming famous* debate here ...

I have to repeat - I'm worried and disgusted.

Chris Phinney
4/22/2018 21:47:53

Great article Don! I love the internet archive, facebook,twitter,instagram I have no use for myself, if others use it fine by me. We have recorded some great music together, traded tons of music which has always been so great for me! As for cell phones I think they will be around a long time, the internet is a great tool unfortunately I backed off due to personal reasons. I saw this Apple sleeve they were working on in a mag at my doctors office it has everything internet,social media,text,phone, blood pressue, pulse rate,camera,video was crazy I thought many other features as well. I guess I am a luddite myself lol, I do things the way I want to which is good for me. Next up chips implanted in kids with all internet functions, I gotta tell you generation z is kinda scary not all but most & some of them will be able to vote in the next election. I won't explain generation z as most here most likely are aware but will say. They love guns, hate tats & much more. Hal has done a great job with EC,,nice to be able to talk openly whether one agrees or not. Kudos to you Don for all the fine articles,the gems of your music, your ongoing commitment to radio shows. I am very proud to say that I have totally enjoyed our collaborations & trades & listening to your music. Keep on keeping on brother!

Reply
Don Campau link
4/25/2018 18:47:13

From Lord Litter's comments above; "One more PS why I REALLY think we have to watch this *social media* phenomenon:...I have to repeat - I'm worried and disgusted."

Well, the disgusting link Litter provides is just that indeed. Do human beings really have no "bottom" to their ability to hurt and degrade others? Evidently not. But...this was happening since the beginning of history probably and it was only a matter of time ( not long actually ) before the internet was a wellspring of debased human activity. Naturally.
Just like a computer itself..."garbage in, garbage out".

But let us not throw the proverbial baby out with the tepid bath water.

Let me be clear. My stance on Facebook and social media itself is because it helps me, creates dialogues with others and connects me with musicians, relatives and friends around the world. The truth is I do not really spend much time on these platforms although I do check them daily.

Litter and Goff are correct. Social media is a wasteland of ridiculous behavior, dumbed down ranting, easy to swallow political riffing, cat videos ( hey not that bad),
and "likes" of every sort of thing, good and bad.

So, I don't want to overstate my love of these platforms but I do acknowledge their worth to me.


Reply
C. Goff III link
4/25/2018 19:45:31

Don writes: ---- Litter and Goff are correct. Social media is a wasteland of ridiculous behavior, dumbed down ranting, easy to swallow political riffing, cat videos ( hey not that bad), and "likes" of every sort of thing, good and bad.---

Don, I never mentioned any of those things. It's the surveillance and resulting exploitation of unsuspecting social media users that bugs me. I agree with you that if people wanna share their base instincts in a public forum -- they'll always find a way. Oh well, I'm done with this subject -- and I'm sure that now I'm on the list of the Luddite Fundraising Committee as well. Happy Spring Everybody!

Don Campau link
4/22/2018 22:38:17

Chris,

I don;t think anyone is more missed in the "scene" than you. However, who can blame you for dropping out of music making and running a label? Its exhausting and you do have a family. I will always cherish and enjoy the music we have made and I think a lot of it is damn good.
I am very glad you have dropped in to make a comment. Could this be the start of something more? Well, we might hope but we will understand if you just appear periodically. Your voice still matters and always will.

Reply
C. Goff III link
4/22/2018 22:51:17

Hey Don,

I was digging into reading your response, and it looks like the computer cut it off in the middle. I'm hanging on those last words -- please fill in the blanks, and thanks much for this spirited online intercourse -- you're a true hero to me, and, as I mentioned above, I love ya man.

Reply
Don Campau link
4/24/2018 11:42:06

Charles, That was just a mistake. There was no further comment.

Reply
C. Goff III link
4/24/2018 13:31:49

Thanks for the clarification, Don; I wanted to hear it all before I replied. So, per your questions...

1) I think we've discussed the whole "making money off of artwork thing" before. I believe that you and I both are of the opine that our own music should be freely shared as art, not sold as commodity. Art is expression, but when it is created for profit, that expression is often sacrificed for saleability. I see the whole oxymoronic "Music Industry" as a byproduct of the money-go-round system in which we are all imprisoned. I see art as one of the best ways to get off of that wheel of bad karma, so I'm rarely inclined to sell my work for anything more than a break-even exchange. These ideals of mine often have gotten in the way of my financial well-being, but that's what I'm stuck with in this life, and I have managed nearly 60 years on the planet so far somehow. Soooo... no, I don't want Facebook to pay me for what already brings me a lot of non-monetary riches.

2) As for whether I think artists should use online platforms to support themselves, that's strictly their own business as far as I'm concerned, although I'm betting it's a rare few who are paying their mortgages from You Tube advert revenues or Bandcamp royalties. I'm not looking for converts to follow my path. My life is my own, and because I've made a lot of mistakes over the years, I don't consider myself a very good model for others to follow.

3) Zuckerberg Satan? Ha! I'm not a believer in good and evil per se, and certainly I'm not convinced there's any heaven or hell. In my experience, what's good for one person (or animal, or plant, etc.) is often bad for another. Right now Zuckerberg is getting a little Yin with his Yang, as he should of expected. People who want to dominate the lives of others seem prone to bending the truth to achieve their goals. And while truth itself can sometimes appear in several shades, a consensus of opinion on the subject usually sets things straight for society. I think I would be very careful if Mr. Zuckerberg invited me out to dinner one night.

4) Putting me near the top of your list for honesty, creativity, individualism, and intelligence -- Don, my friend, I'm honored beyond my ability to respond... I value your opinions quite highly as well, and whether we agree or not regarding anything, I love sharing thoughts with you on subjects near and dear to my heart. I tip my hat to you for your own honesty, creativity, individualism, intelligence, AND the guts to lay it all out on the table for us here in this forum and through all the art you've shared with the world over the years!

Gaby Tiger
4/25/2018 14:34:37

Hi friends,
really nice to read your discussion here..
Some peaceful communication about different thoughts and opinions that are not mutual, but worth to think about every aspect of being online,in mainstream social media or free alternatives....
I remember times when my children were more online than me and I didnt want anything outside of the real life.
Lol
But when I came into internet I fortunately met some friends again like LL or Don,who I did loose for a time since end of 80s.some new and precious communication and also collaboration started again.
The same experience I had with fb ,or with youtube.
I found people again, or I found new people ,which I still love to be with in communication.
Real deep communication and also friendship.
I accept Litters critical opinion about mainstream social media, and sure I will reflect about my behaviour there and everything else..
Sharing or trading art and music there was my only intention
Thank you, LL, for inviting me to this very interesting
Platform.... here at EC

Reply
Lord Litter link
4/26/2018 05:22:45

Hi..great to find you here! Yes this is a wonderful and civilised place to debate and exchange thoughts between artists worldwide.

Let me come straight to the point because I know we also talked about this before. I never thought or said that the social media only gatheres bad people. You sure can meet good and positive minded people there.

The basic problem is that social media itself is driven on bad and negative thought. A new report I heard today on Germany's Inforadio gave more proof.

A new group of ex programmers and inventors of the Social Media idea came together to inform about what they invented to drive the Social Media platforms, when they were part of the companies.

All this reminds me very much on what Friedrich Nobel did when he realised what he did when he developed dynamite.

The human is most active when being angry or hate driven. The system of *likes*, *share* is based on this knowledge. Combine that with the now approved fact that this system creates a behaviour that equals drug adiction. You need *shots* all the time..daily life being driven by Social Media. We all know the Smart Phone junkies. A whole family sitting at the table not looking at each other not talking all staring at their Smart Phone waiting for the next shot. Based on this behaviour Zuckerberg made billions.

I'm sorry once one really starts to *research* about the functions of social media it becomes more and more obvious that it already changed the planet in a very negative way.

Many people say: "Yeah I know it's not good ..but.." (REALLY not blaming anyone here!) Again sorry - I can't do this and even if I sometimes almost feel quite stupid because I repeat again and again .. I will never stop. It is just too horrible what is happening.

So - yes Zuckerberg is the devil .. leastwise 50%.

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Don Campau link
4/25/2018 18:51:29

Gaby Tiger:

Nice to get your input Gaby. I look forward to a deeper reflection and perspective when you find the time.


So much of the underground music scene of the "glory days" was about men. It is refreshing ( to me) to hear other angles.

For example, let me ask you...why were there so few women involved in home recording, tape trading and interacting in those days? Maybe you could just give your own opinion and experience to illustrate.

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Gaby Tiger
4/26/2018 08:57:33

Thank you, Don for your interest!
Yes I remember the times ( mid and late 80s ) when Winnie ( my further husband and band member)was totally involved in the international tape scene.
And that all in times of snail mail.lol.he always did recordings or writing letters or essays for fanzines or coping cassettes and sending them into the whole world.
His room was full of cassettes and paper.lol.it was his new world.!!!
To be in contact with so many artists and musicians far away and in the mind sooo near was the whole world for him......
I was more in "real life", in my kindergarten job, busy at home,or with friends, in the city ,on partys,concerts a.s.o.sports,painting, developing my women band.lol
But He involved me and so I took only part by singing a song or writing a lyric for him.
It was fascinating for me to be on samplers worldwide or in a radioshow in Berlin or in California.
But I didnt know how precious communication could be - also not in real life.with persons which are far away...
This experience I had a long time later in my first steps in internet and youtube.
Some really precious friends I still have with a very deep and smooth communication,some more deep than in real life,and I think this is really a phenomen.
Friends are persons who you are changing and developing thoughts together...maybe distance is a point to let flow the thoughts free.
I also see now more women in this virtual communication than in the beginnings...
I dont know why

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    Don Campau

    My name is Don Campau and I have been involved in underground and non mainstream music and radio since 1969. I continue to be an active home taper and Cassette Culture archivist with my own site, The Living Archive.

    Links to know me better:
    The Living Archive
    Lonely Whistle Music
    (my music catalog  and radio listings)

    I have no interest in the music business. I believe in giving my music away for free (although people can trade or buy if they want) and I handmake every single CD I send out. I am interested in human relationships and the community of independent and underground musicians and artists. I like contact and will play your music on the radio.

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