A decade has passed and we’re still a nation trapped by our own naivete, paranoia and most of all, a fear of looking weak. However on September 11th 2001, the latter couldn’t be more true. We failed as a nation. We failed as an informed citizenry. The degree of which people did not understand our relationship with the middle east in 2001 is only matched by the degree of which we still don’t understand. American citizens reacted out of vengeance, not knowledge after 911. We lashed out and the end result is two wars that have destroyed our nation and so many lives lost. We failed in this chess game and ten years later we seem to barely able understand that. Ten years later and so many of us can not admit that we failed as a people and as a government on 9/11, 2001.

“What happened after 9/11 — and I think even people on the right know this, whether they admit it or not — was deeply shameful. The atrocity should have been a unifying event, but instead it became a wedge issue.”

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/the-years-of-shame/

“EL. I always interested in news kinds of sounds and music. I remember seeing and listening to records of Harry Partch, and as a college student, attending new music percussion ensemble recitals at the NIU music building. Hubcaps, brake drums, and other everyday items were used along with conventional instruments.”

Looks pretty interesting. I came across this when looking up Harry Partch, who is desperately under appreciated.

http://earroom.wordpress.com/tag/eric-leonardson/

I am surprised I have not heard of Herskivits till now. I almost suspect he’s been intentionally omitted from my African-American history education. This looks like a fascinating documentary.

Why haven’t created my own generative music software yet? Also, why is Eno the only one ever cited on this topic?

It won’t bring you the success or adoration that Brian Eno’s enjoyed, but the Otomata sequencer could have you making noise like the Roxy Music alum in seconds. Way back in 1996, Eno espoused the idea of generative music, which is a non-repetitive form of music created, in this case, anyway, by a piece of software.

Via: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/19/otomata-sequencer-creates-generative-music-for-the-melodically-chal/

My views on religion and atheism have not been clarified in most of the areas of my work or communication. I’ve avoided the topic of atheism for some years because I find it boring. Arguing against the existence of superstition is not interesting to many people but I’ve come to understand it’s importance in society. So strangely it seems we have a cabal of people called “new atheists”. I think I also severely underestimated the religious structures of societies and their depths of beliefs.

During my time at UCLA it was assumed by a few around me that I was religious, spiritual or “seeking”. I’m not sure if that was the case rather I was obsessed with the idea that spiritual practice is purely cultural, psychological and anthropological and I was seeking a way to “practice” it without the dogma and baseless claims of “magic”. There is something to engaging in practices that turn your mind into states of comfort and even euphoria. One day I hope to argue that creative practice can do this – the act of creating.

So I’ve come across Sam Harris’s work. He is an “atheist” and he tends to avoid that definition (thus the quotes). I think I understand. The matter of defending non-beliefs in gods feels unrewarding. Sam Harris is now proposing the idea that science can show us morality. I don’t know how I feel on the topic yet but this is a better goal. I think it’s time we realize atheism is not a destination.

You don’t arrive at atheism, unpack your bags and give up further inquiry. It’s a fork in the road and we should consider asking harder questions beyond “is Christianity (or some other religion) true”. I suspect non-believers don’t understand this. Celebrating doubt and skepticism will not satisfy the emptiness of religion.

We need to scientifically understand why religion satiates people. We need to understand how to achieve morality. I suspect Sam Harris’s research could shed some light.

No Science, Please. We’re Anthropologists.

“While I was down in New Orleans last week at the American Anthropological Association meeting, hanging out with some cool scientists, rumors were flying every which way that the AAA leadership was attempting to create a new “long term goal” statement that would actively purge references to science from the AAA’s stated mission. Supposedly the AAA executive board had decided not to actually attempt this purge through a straightforward change to the mission statement, because that would require a vote of the membership. Instead they were said to be doing a sneaky end-run to ditch science.”

I am no scientist or anthropologist. I am an artist. My role is either meaningless to the other two schools of thought or positioned carefully in between. I never understood the science of anthropology. Instead it seemed better suited to work outside the confines of science so this is a pretty interesting development (and admission).

Via: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fetishes-i-dont-get/201011/no-science-please-were-anthropologists

“Si no sabes volar”

But I am now. I think after having a few months of only engaging in my personal work, my palette feels cleansed? Or maybe I feel like I’ve been musically jerking off for too long. Let’s share music then. Here’s some material I’m reaching at and pondering.

I rediscovered Harry Partch recently. It’s a shame he’s still greatly eclipsed by the larger names in experimental, American music:

Reading through the recommended albums of 2010 on Bleep, I came across Richard Skelton. Any album dedicated to the details of a bowed instrument is going to be interesting. I need more if this in my collection.

Another off of Bleep, from Raster-Noton. This may not make sense but I wish I were talented or “German” enough to be on Raster-Noton. This track caught my ear:

Although I’m possibly biased, here’s an amazing track off of The Social Network Soundtrack, Intriguing Possbilities, from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

A piece of music I was introduced a year ago. Even hearing it again now, it’s impact is the same. An amazing cover of “Love You Down” from Me’Shell NdegéOcello.

And just came across this on EM411.com. Slovinian brokenbeat.

Novaviator - Crave

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The Handsomest Drowned Man

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I was selected as the winner of The Social Network Soundtrack remix contest held by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It’s a shock and an honor. I hope this offers some momentum for me as I move my music career forward. Hear what others have to say:

“I find Estevancarlos’ version to be nearly unbearable” – Pierce Auburn Nicholson (from Facebook)
 
“Yeah, not a huge fan of the winner either. Like the running-up though.” – Graham Gohmann (from Facebook)
 
“Sounds like they had their team listen to the whole shit, and they randomly picked something that sounded “nin-esque-ok-normal-doable”. Pathetic.” – Nomore Dix (from Facebook)
 

“Challenging, more unbelievable than you can believe it.” – Grant Davis (VJ Culture)
 

“I really like the direction you’ve chosen with this mix. Smart, tasteful, faithful and yet a departure. Well done!” – Trent Reznor
 

It’s “In Motion (a few enemies rmx V2). You can try to find it here: http://bit.ly/bKTs6V