tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82250269477981294012024-03-15T09:19:21.986+00:00Feral Charm I'm Joe,
Aka PolarVoidX, I Love music, arts and science, atheist, cyclist, musician, synth addict.
Fascinated by the places where strange worlds collide.
Please don't plagiarise this blog it's copyright belongs to me!
You may reproduce 100 words (max) as long as you link back to this blog.
All views my own NOT work NOT any employer!JoeKBakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11215123988720414666noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-35772824741106972472024-02-18T11:12:00.002+00:002024-03-15T09:18:20.890+00:00The Day I recorded with Syd Barrett<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span style="font-size: 13px;">20 Aug 2021 A rainy day</span></span></h4>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIfFEnTGN5wsAyF-gqYBwE7fum7OHy74xghqMudA7VNYAD48pMpy2E8CcDOuUtDk8OZFauEYtrl7j-nNqpcc-n_yaz3u_B2X_2Ltq4vSbdOfaDYsiYoGIekR0tkBAwMs2gsA3YjKck34QZS1iwQ5GZgnJl3MzTFV_PiRbj-3Z0fsAXt1Ei8ltVxbc1y48/s251/Syd%20Barrett.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="251" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIfFEnTGN5wsAyF-gqYBwE7fum7OHy74xghqMudA7VNYAD48pMpy2E8CcDOuUtDk8OZFauEYtrl7j-nNqpcc-n_yaz3u_B2X_2Ltq4vSbdOfaDYsiYoGIekR0tkBAwMs2gsA3YjKck34QZS1iwQ5GZgnJl3MzTFV_PiRbj-3Z0fsAXt1Ei8ltVxbc1y48/s1600/Syd%20Barrett.jpeg" width="251" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Syd Barrett</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’ve no idea why but I became obsessed with a Syd Barrett song, No Man’s Land. Recorded in 1969 for his solo album The Madcap Laughs, the track is a stand out for me. There’s something about the babbling, and not quite being able to hear the words that I absolutely love. So much so that I decided to try and cover the song, but in doing so stumbled on something really eerie. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I made a recording of the song and loaded it into my DAW so that I could play along, I had the idea to play along for a while, then record myself, then remove the original track. This went really well, but I couldn’t for the life of me nail the vocal. My voice just isn’t up to it.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then I stumbled across an online AI site when you can isolate the vocals from a track, I tried it out, and there I was, playing along with Syd himself. Talk about spooky, it was like having him in the room! If I’d said I did this a few centuries ago, I would have burned at the stake.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I could literally hear every blip, I decide to keep the track that way, with Syd’s vocal, even though I can never release it, and never would of course without permission. I didn’t add too much, just a bit of knarly lead guitar, and some synth, job done. When I listen to it now, I can still feel the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, like the first time I isolated that vocal, I don’t believe in ghosts, but there is something ethereal about making a song with someone who has already passed over.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few years back I was fortunate to hear Vieux Farka Touré play live at End of the Road festival, on one track he duetted with Alice Farka Touré, his father ,who had not long passed away. Once again to play music again with a dead person would have been regarded as witchcraft a few centuries ago. Now it’s taken for granted. To hear that wonderful voice coming through the sound system was unbelievable. RIP Syd and Ali, long may your musical souls live on. </span></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>JoeKBakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11215123988720414666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-59916915890077986052023-09-18T14:41:00.003+01:002023-09-18T18:09:01.010+01:00On the radio with PolarVoidX<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>PolarVoidX Interview with Vinnie Grist for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092013255949" target="_blank">Old Wave New Wave Show</a>, Phonic FM 16 September 2023 Listen to the show here: <a href="https://www.mixcloud.com/vinnie-grist/old-wavenew-wave-show-with-special-guest-polarvoidx-160923/" target="_blank">Old Wave New Wave Show</a> </b></span></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>Dark Equilibrium Album Release Sept 23 on the Solstice on all streaming platforms and <a href="https://polarvoidx.bandcamp.com/album/dark-equilibrium-2" target="_blank">Bandcamp </a></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I was lucky to be invited onto the Old Wave New Wave show on Phonic FM hosted by Vinnie Grist, and a lovely experience was too.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Vinnie sent me some great questions before the show about my music and related topics. The answers are below and you can listen to the show on Mixcloud, link above. Also tune in to the show every fortnight on Phonic FM at noon, guaranteed a great listen.</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW7IMK0v1bZEjNXsRy_D7DFLZJQ1n04muwGu4aD_NH2lhvg8WQa48CCje3bmyDx5LzldoqMebXpvjjOr41GTL78RrnLdBhPKHBzoU1S3jQyqcyEizQLMtjkKeV6WCmo_HAzdT7eb0GTqkpGCCcSoEsVz7u8PcmuJxjagKmKzzGrakjASwnamkKwzLwol9/s3088/IMG_3468.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW7IMK0v1bZEjNXsRy_D7DFLZJQ1n04muwGu4aD_NH2lhvg8WQa48CCje3bmyDx5LzldoqMebXpvjjOr41GTL78RrnLdBhPKHBzoU1S3jQyqcyEizQLMtjkKeV6WCmo_HAzdT7eb0GTqkpGCCcSoEsVz7u8PcmuJxjagKmKzzGrakjASwnamkKwzLwol9/s320/IMG_3468.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Tell us a bit about PolarVoidX – how would you describe PolarVoidX’s music to others and how did the project get started?</p>
<p style="color: #497a2b; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">PVX started September 2019, Ghost Hands my band had split, so I had to find a way of having other instruments to play along with. I’d always wanted an analog synth, I I’d toyed with the Wasp in the 1980s in a band called Bermuda Triangle, (needless to say they disappeared without trace). I could have used a computer DAW, but instead opted for analog, so I could really learn about synthesis. I chose the Korg Minilogue XD. As it happens my learning curve was very steep, but covid gave me a bit more time. I’ve always been absolutely fascinated with synths and electronic sound manipulation. But not on a computer as I find that tedious. Up until recent years synths we’re hugely expensive, thankfully now that’s not so much the case.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Where did the name PolarVoidX come from?</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Whilst I was looking for a name, I was looking at a book of Polaroids by Taschen that a friend gave me, coincidentally the first image on the page I opened was of the polar ice shelf collapsing. Polaroid, polar void. I was reminded of a scientist saying we had ten years to the tipping point for the planet. Hence the X for ten. it was a play on words. Sadly, by my reckoning that gives us 4 years.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIu2X0BUQv_AtOdRhckfIn5_d57MS0jzW-9HWuKpQYp7LNWIp0VYFV_Rf8yPHbO5849o216IWeDY05uOkG4tXHBEalGLeZFyqD1fRcY4EMIDfGsRyGXe8ZwOUKpizT-K2ti1YLrSYCPyn_vd2tNYsCU4_Thm0QQ7QOPLdB67F2Q4GMNeMEXrKER94WrRv/s5184/P1011644.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIu2X0BUQv_AtOdRhckfIn5_d57MS0jzW-9HWuKpQYp7LNWIp0VYFV_Rf8yPHbO5849o216IWeDY05uOkG4tXHBEalGLeZFyqD1fRcY4EMIDfGsRyGXe8ZwOUKpizT-K2ti1YLrSYCPyn_vd2tNYsCU4_Thm0QQ7QOPLdB67F2Q4GMNeMEXrKER94WrRv/w148-h198/P1011644.JPG" width="148" /></a></div>The album Dark Equilibrium has a very dark sound, what was your inspiration behind the album<span style="color: #408002;">?</span><p></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I love dark sounding music, I listen to a lot, so I’m thrilled that comes across on the album. The inspiration was mostly about the long dark period that the planet and humanity is going through right now. The rise of populism, the limitation of protest, poverty, and above all the ignorance of the climate emergency and what it’s already doing to people around the globe, combine that with the threat of war and pandemics, you’ve got the perfect environment for a dark album. There’s also a whole lot of personal reflection, which I think everyone feels at certain stages in their life. And some quirky sound experiments.</p><p></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">The name of the album came from Daryl, my friend, he described Solstice für Letze Generation as the sound of dark equilibrium, which I loved. So he takes credit for the name. You can read full explanations of the tracks by track elsewhere on this blog </p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">It’s an Instrumental album, did you find it easy to convey the themes/commentary you wanted to through instrumentals?</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Not easy at all, I’m dyslexic, but I love words and even more so images, describing things in sound was a real challenge. I’m in absolute awe of people like Eno, Hannah Peel, Johann Johannsen, Hildur Gudnadottir, Helene Vogelsinger, people who can convey an atmosphere and paint pictures with sound.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">All the tunes are like mini films in my head, so I’m basically making the soundtrack to each one. I’m not a massive fan of rigid traditional song structure, even in guitar bands my songs never went verse chorus verse chorus etc. This is why I love Bowie’s Low album, side two so much. sometimes I don’t know how to end my songs, so preparing for performance was a bit challenging in that sense. I note that Bowie’s instrumentals often just peter out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdhuxli6buWgZ7tPRbUzSk3lsFGAJbePRoNSGxWD4hMWkxskk4lVT-dS3vy-rUlih11vnKgi_Ol15vvQJaGNwmR1QkAmlelPgSI9NvhR784RtnOIc877Rpkr7QK6hj62pPPJtZOQeWQl7UEWW-dccHnZNNY4T3DxKpVxUSpGCb-vXSG-jBdpDG0R-8bLL/s3000/PVX.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdhuxli6buWgZ7tPRbUzSk3lsFGAJbePRoNSGxWD4hMWkxskk4lVT-dS3vy-rUlih11vnKgi_Ol15vvQJaGNwmR1QkAmlelPgSI9NvhR784RtnOIc877Rpkr7QK6hj62pPPJtZOQeWQl7UEWW-dccHnZNNY4T3DxKpVxUSpGCb-vXSG-jBdpDG0R-8bLL/s320/PVX.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">You write on your blog that you're fascinated by the concept of hauntology, could you give a bit of an explanation of what hauntology is and why it fascinates you and acted as a source of inspiration?</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">So hauntology, ‘Hauntology is a range of ideas referring to the return or persistence of elements from the social or cultural past, as in the manner of a ghost. The term is a neologism first introduced by French philosopher Jacques Derrida in his 1993 book Specters of Marx.’ (Wikipedia <span style="color: #0b4cb4;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauntology_%28music%29">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauntology_(music)</a></span> )</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I read a lot of Mark Fischer’s writings in lockdown he writes a lot about futures that were predicted but never happened. If you grew up in the seventies, like me, then you believed the world would really look like BLADE RUNNER now and we’d all be in flying cars. When I was making the tune futures, it occurred to me that at any given moment there are an infinite number of possible futures available to you. That blew my mind! That small choices and decisions could completely change your life, and yet it seems we have so little control.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I also studied cultural theory for my MA which had a profound impact on how I see the world. Coincidentally, Mark Fisher interviews John Foxx in his book ‘Ghosts of my Life’, I was reflecting on life as a series of small films, then I read this interview, and John Foxx describes it perfectly, it was a spooky moment for me, like hearing my own thoughts played back to me. Tiny Colour Movies is fantastic. Both the concept and the music. Oddly, as I was reading about it and JF’s connection with Harold Budd, Maryanne Hobbes played The White Arcades, by Harold Budd on BBC6! Spooky once again!!</p>
<p style="color: #0b4cb4; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/mark-fishers-k-punk-and-the-futures-that-have-never-arrived">https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/mark-fishers-k-punk-and-the-futures-that-have-never-arrived</a></span><span style="color: #408002;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">What’s your writing process/how do you go about writing tracks?</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Haha, usually I get an idea when I’m reading, looking at art, or most inconveniently when I’m in the shower. I think about the feel and pace of the track and what I’m trying to convey, then I put myself in the scene in my head and see what follows. I have a grasshopper mind, so I have to get things down as a musical note as quickly as possible. Sometimes I’m intrigued by images or numbers, like Si’s Mystery Water Meter, I literally programmed the sequence of numbers on the image, thanks Si.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">In another life I’d have studied composition so I could score the music from my head. As it is I carry a notebook or use my phone notes for ideas on the fly. I love museums and art galleries. As a hint of what’s coming next, I spent a whole, very weird, afternoon with Egyptian mummies recently! Eerie!</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I’m also very interested in the seasons of the year as experienced by pagans, the changes in the light, times of the year etc. it’s amazing to imagine that people have experienced those things in the same way as we do since humanity existed. That’s fascinating to me. When I was writing Solstice Für Letze Generation, I imagined watching the sun rise on the last solstice, it’s a very sobering image.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Also, I find periods of change in history are resonant with me, moments at which we have faced great crises in different parts of the world, revolution, financial crashes, poverty and famine, and now climate emergency. These things must not be ignored.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">You record your music at home? What’s your home set up<span style="color: #408002;">?</span></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I use four main synths, Novation Mono Station, Korg Minilogue XD, Korg Modwave, Korg MicroKorg XL+ and an Arturia Drumbrute Impact, drum machine. I also have a few other synths and sequencers, like the Roland under my bed, but I like to play and record ‘Live’, so I can’t play them all at the same time. In some respects this limitation is good, otherwise I’d spend all the time tinkering. I also use an iPad for effects patches such as voices, explosions etc. I’d like to find a more intuitive way of doing this, but for now the iPad works.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I mix the recordings using a Zoom L12 mixer, this means I don’t have to turn on a computer to mix and record, because it has a record each track to an SD card function. </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Most times I record just one or two takes, ironically, I had to relearn them to play them live. As a result I’ve got way better at documenting what I’m doing.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I only use a Digital Audio Workstation DAW on the mac for final mix down, panning etc. I find computers and all the notifications and complexity a total distraction from creating sounds.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">The tracks on Dark Equilibrium were mastered professionally by Antony at RedRedPaw. He’s a genius and has worked with a lot of famous people. Coincidentally, at the same time he was mastering the epic Vangelis tribute for charity, which includes one of my tracks, Futures.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wjvyJ0eL2lEU0TucMNYerKgfxjgvAR_uOEtykgsusqF0zPHODBCEDUoKHXe5ccNd0Vxre8vzwbv3ZT5dvCqUwlDf2mNZHwg9iXOBaO4JNDGvBl1q_Z4yTZb-NCm9TsV4wMkjhwA_kkIa87zpL7PKJNSoYHx_PoKQVX39SMec1yxQ4zNZ3WA-n6ckUdKj/s2048/IMG_3163.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wjvyJ0eL2lEU0TucMNYerKgfxjgvAR_uOEtykgsusqF0zPHODBCEDUoKHXe5ccNd0Vxre8vzwbv3ZT5dvCqUwlDf2mNZHwg9iXOBaO4JNDGvBl1q_Z4yTZb-NCm9TsV4wMkjhwA_kkIa87zpL7PKJNSoYHx_PoKQVX39SMec1yxQ4zNZ3WA-n6ckUdKj/s320/IMG_3163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">You've been in other bands in the past, what’s different about working on this as a solo project and also playing live? </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I love playing in bands, and playing live, and collaborating with others, and I really want to do that again before too long. Playing solo is fun but has it’s limitations, when PolarVoidX played at the Phoenix, my pal Daryl was my co-pilot, because I literally couldn’t easily trigger and play all of the instruments at the same time. It’s a bit more complex to reproduce things live, that’s why I try to simplify things when recording. I recall that David Byrne said that it took nine or more musicians to reproduce Remain in Light live.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">To be honest the fewer people I play live with, the more terrifying I find it is, but also rewarding too. I quite liked Creep Show, PVA and Fever Ray for their live set up, enough people and performance to keep the music interesting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv1KQxcmO4HU4gh9Hrbhyn6sKVPD73zZVku_QmCm5MUJ21PcUUKVGc3q_HCif3AmeYrg-z70MljC8ZetB1ltU7xZo-GaWkZG9r58kckgr6N7V8MWm5N3wclqY0okjmrhVyTTr3eNutOD_453qf991X9lsTDmHBMhQk8ogdJzxhCxP0T6MoSWnmveBKlpx/s1267/E1456222-F0BD-4BF7-8ABE-BA0915512C32.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1267" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv1KQxcmO4HU4gh9Hrbhyn6sKVPD73zZVku_QmCm5MUJ21PcUUKVGc3q_HCif3AmeYrg-z70MljC8ZetB1ltU7xZo-GaWkZG9r58kckgr6N7V8MWm5N3wclqY0okjmrhVyTTr3eNutOD_453qf991X9lsTDmHBMhQk8ogdJzxhCxP0T6MoSWnmveBKlpx/w282-h187/E1456222-F0BD-4BF7-8ABE-BA0915512C32.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b>Influences </b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Which bands have influenced the PolarvoidX sound? </span></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Oh my, I’d love to nail this, but I just listen to so much music of all genres new and old, in fact I actively seek out music I haven’t heard before. Hence going to Rewire Festival, among others. That was an eye opener. so much fabulous experience.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Most of the people whose music I really admire have some form of classical training or background, but I also love it when people experiment, cut up tracks, use real life sounds and field recordings, this requires infinite patience. I have done a little bit, on Aviator for instance. But it takes courage and patience to be Delia Derbyshire. </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I also love when musicians play very unusual electronic instruments, or traditional instruments, combined with electronics.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I literally fall in love with different musicians, bands, and tracks every day. Some stay with me of course, like Bowie and Eno etc, but I’m a musical gadfly. I’m often intrigued and influenced by soundtrack or incidental music for film or TV, particularly when it isn’t recorded anywhere, just used for the programme.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">This week I listened to Lankum (and bought tickets to see them in Bristol), also Jockstrap, Agnes Obel, Alto Arc, Heilung, Ziur, and an album of Real raw Rockabilly. as well as Phillip Glass and a Doom Folk playlist, plus Helene Vogelsinger on YouTube. If I had time I’d share more of what I’m listening with everyone.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">This being the old wave/new wave show – what part did post punk/new wave play in forming your style?</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Wow, yes, post punk/new wave, like many people I think it gave me permission to have a go at a time when working class kids didn’t really have a musical education, or access to decent instruments, and also allowed a very broad church of music to emerge in a short period of time. Luckily I played bass initially, as synths were astronomically expensive, in the tens of thousands. When I started playing. People like Bowie, Eno, Pete Murphy, John Foxx, Siouxsie, Midge Ure, but also Hendrix, John McGeoch, and some proggers were very cool, they gave you encouragement to express yourself. But they could also afford instruments that were out of my reach.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Who are some of the recent bands acts you are listening to/excited by</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Alto Arc, Fever Ray, Lankum, Jockstrap, PVA, Creep Show, Kaelen Mikla, Ziur, and lots of dark doom folk from Scandinavia, like Heilung and Wardruna also some fabulous new classical stuff on the BBC Proms, and prog guitar, like Animals as Leaders. I caught Heathen Apostles live at the Cavern recently, and was very struck by their performance, they are musically superb, but they also act and dress the part, which I love to see. I’m drawn to anything with an element of performance, or some compositional component that goes beyond the usual band structure. Take Lankum for example, they use 30 or more instruments and experiment for hours to get a song or an idea. I’d love to see Laibach and Animals as Leaders live. I’m very intrigued by Goth festivals After reading John Robb’s excellent book.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a good grunge thrash, or metal gig, so I’ll be at the Phoenix Tonight for Freak by Wire.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">What was the last album you bought? </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">This week, Alto Arc’s EP on Bandcamp, and before that, probably Fields of the Nephilim boxed set. But loads of charity shop classical, and some others. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b>Synths</b></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">How did you get into Synths – both listening to and playing synths</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">My first awareness of synths was seeing Brian Eno in Roxy Music, I thought he was so cool (LoL) and later Simple Minds and Ultravox, who I saw live early on in their career. I was very taken with the way they combined synth, guitar and vocals, which I still think is hard to do well. I love John Foxx’s music, and am going to see him later in the year, playing piano unaccompanied, which I’m very excited about. His catalogue and career is phenomenal.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"></p><p style="clear: right; color: #408002; float: right; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><img alt="EDP WASP Image" class="img-responsive" height="173" src="https://www.vintagesynth.com/sites/default/files/2017-05/edp_wasp.jpg" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;" typeof="foaf:Image" width="270" /></p>I love Wagner, Bach, and many other classical composers but I can’t imagine playing with that degree of skill, but when I first heard Tangerine Dream for example I thought, my goodness it’s electronic Wagner or Bach! So maybe it’s possible. I’m massively impressed by the lengths they go to to get their sound.<p></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Like John Robb, the first synth I laid hands on was the wasp, it was plastic and had a stick on keyboard. There were three of us, 2 wasps and me on bass, hence the Bermuda Triangle! John Robb drew a wasp synth in my History of Goth book when he signed it. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">What some of the synths/equipment you use on this album? </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I use the same four synths, Novation Mono Station, Korg Minilogue XD, Korg Modwave, Korg MicroKorg XL+ and an Arturia Drumbrute Impact drum machine.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I also use field recordings made on a zoom H2n recorder, and I manipulate them using the micro korg, then turn them into patches for the iPad.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">What’s your favourite synth? </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Difficult, I love the minilogue XD for its analogue coldness and the way the sounds are developed using a really logical analog system, but I also love the Modwave as it works in a very different way and has an unpredictable randomness.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">How much of your gear did you take with you for the live show<span style="color: #408002;">? </span></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">All four synths and the drum machine. It’s all pretty portable and we got into a good pack down set up routine during rehearsals at the awesome Tazma rehearsal studios.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b>Visuals </b></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Visuals/videos were an important part of your live show, and you’ve made videos for a number of your songs – where do you get your ideas for your videos from?</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I love visuals and I’m a visual thinker, so most of the tunes have a visual mini film story already in my head. I try and find images that tell the story. For Example, Dietrich’s Ghost is about a recurring nightmare, and it makes much more sense combined with visuals than as a stand alone piece of music. I personally think Aviator is the same. I probably see all music as images, although I’m not sure?</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">You’ve also used AI in imagery – what’s your thoughts on the potential of AI in art/music? </span></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ml6UL-vrqE9LagOoF-1B-kN9VtorG4gYYddQt3F70FEWKMXcNs_TNxh3-dh4BcCNXVCkwCryZ8CAsln2Ek2L5UiDtp_AUSTxlgs3IbrsFAS0XnjJ1BTLdpot6-xp4IERg1q_E_Ff6288ze2PkEBCbhb61Okcrp1rD8vYjaus1B0wYoVfJWqTNQN8R4Ts/s640/A7014A5E-D896-4CC3-9A3E-41BEBB13C755.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ml6UL-vrqE9LagOoF-1B-kN9VtorG4gYYddQt3F70FEWKMXcNs_TNxh3-dh4BcCNXVCkwCryZ8CAsln2Ek2L5UiDtp_AUSTxlgs3IbrsFAS0XnjJ1BTLdpot6-xp4IERg1q_E_Ff6288ze2PkEBCbhb61Okcrp1rD8vYjaus1B0wYoVfJWqTNQN8R4Ts/s320/A7014A5E-D896-4CC3-9A3E-41BEBB13C755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yeah, I used it to make some photos into a comic, it worked really well. I think AI could be a wonderful tool, some people like Holly Herndon have used it to good effect, but I’m terrified that it will take over from some real life skills and be manipulated ruthlessly by commercial interests. We’re already seeing this sadly. It’s hard for musicians to make a living as it is.</div><p></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I don’t want the day to come when AI scores a movie instead of Vangelis or Hannah Peel, I’d be really sad. Movie scores are among my favourite music of all time.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">In fact because of AI I’m considering putting together a performing collective of musicians to play live (I did this before with the Lullaby Collective), this is something AI can’t replicate (YET). Like many creatives I’m looking at ways of making things that AI CANT do yet. </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I was talking to a print maker recently, they were using a subtractive process that could only be done once. As a result each print was absolutely unique. I love this way of thinking. I’m thinking of applying that to musical performance. I saw a lot of that at Rewire, ‘one offs’ that will never be replicated exactly ever again. </p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b>Aviator story</b></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">What’s the story behind the aviator song?</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qZcgcQiDeQ1IUzDTAxii0LpXu3js9M05Q3kqzGqhHpSLNPYlartj8K_86orOi0D9Cxp0u4CGAKlq3dZ7abEJ_oZzfb4nCFVVB53zSY42AbEa852YEUYr2W2E7YicNasCj5zwSc3dxgTTFweS62yTO38GTmk3OcWuBOAA4sav1s90oUoiqqIYuH0y_YFZ/s640/134C15E8-5E87-4980-A0CF-6F10DECA06B0.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qZcgcQiDeQ1IUzDTAxii0LpXu3js9M05Q3kqzGqhHpSLNPYlartj8K_86orOi0D9Cxp0u4CGAKlq3dZ7abEJ_oZzfb4nCFVVB53zSY42AbEa852YEUYr2W2E7YicNasCj5zwSc3dxgTTFweS62yTO38GTmk3OcWuBOAA4sav1s90oUoiqqIYuH0y_YFZ/s320/134C15E8-5E87-4980-A0CF-6F10DECA06B0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I don’t know why exactly, but the tragic story of my uncle Terry, told to me when I was a small boy, stuck in my mind. A kind of moral warning not to behave irrationally. I have a tattoo on my arm, as part of a montage, its the aviator.<p></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sadly, just as with my grandfather who died between the wars, I never met uncle Terry. He tragically crashed his aircraft between the wars in a freak accident. Try as I might I’ve never found any details of the crash, or of his military service, or very sadly where he is buried. (Also strange is my grandfather’s story from the navy, but that’s for another time).</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Hauntology again, the Aviator song and the video are all about that sad lost future that uncle Terry might have had, and also the sadness in forgotten graves and loved ones. Of course I never met him so I can only imagine what he’d be like (more hauntology. T<span style="font-size: 11px;">he full story of Aviator is in this blog elsewhere and on YouTube <a href="https://youtu.be/ZSWNM-W34Ag?si=aPcd-dK9cCnCuThv" target="_blank">here</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><br /><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b>What next for Polarvoid X?</b></p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I’d love to collaborate with more people from folk and classical music worlds, as well as world musicians with traditional instruments. I’m interested in doing more cover versions, but ‘way out’ ones. </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">The most important thought idea is an epic one off performances, something that people will remember for a long time. Like Hanna Peel’s Fir Wave or Rival Consoles Now Is. </p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">I’m not sure I could ever reach their level of excellence but I’d love to work with others who can. I have plenty of big ideas, but not enough time or cash.</p>
<p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Probably more recording, but it’s time consuming, costly and sometimes feels a little futile considering how much music is out there.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyqiLWWjPxEYtfgk_tFMDnAmaRT0RZaZtv-rHB5M531BpoPa3mk0hWE8XyLjiPgf9lLQ3I3G8zs5wFGBQy8xG6sxPwimbOynGCgYNm4V1PW9BQ7L2lKsdsGKcJQL7lw-lpMnNmXinZsYtgvulZSCTL7n_5OP-8qBgiHBBKsXVxgEdotthi_i3eiQGBO64/s2048/IMG_3184.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyqiLWWjPxEYtfgk_tFMDnAmaRT0RZaZtv-rHB5M531BpoPa3mk0hWE8XyLjiPgf9lLQ3I3G8zs5wFGBQy8xG6sxPwimbOynGCgYNm4V1PW9BQ7L2lKsdsGKcJQL7lw-lpMnNmXinZsYtgvulZSCTL7n_5OP-8qBgiHBBKsXVxgEdotthi_i3eiQGBO64/s320/IMG_3184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;">“I’m always torn between more beautiful and composed, or more experimental and challenging” </b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;"><br /></b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;">Follow PolarVoidX here <a href="https://hyperfollow.com/polarvoidx?fbclid=PAAaYcRj6ItoBHNQYfFrJLrtvW-RSRx_OTlg4Ego-YtB2ULZMJWJkhMPNqai4_aem_AbTPbHjnL3GAZCaGEzsp_HTOHJR5QP_vDLGYUdXOmTNaSPEgJpQVlTMxRNQloBehkKc" target="_blank">Links PolarVoidX</a></b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;"><br /></b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;"><br /></b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;"><br /></b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;"><br /></b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;"><br /></b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;"><br /></b></p><p style="color: #408002; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 13px;"><b style="color: #497a2b; font-size: 11px;">JKB talking to Vinnie Grist for the Old Wave New Wave Show Sept 2023 </b></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><br /></p>JoeKBakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11215123988720414666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-14712965735966105252023-06-01T16:23:00.000+01:002023-06-01T16:23:04.097+01:00<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dark Equilibrium Track by Track</span></h2>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I often ponder hauntology, by that I mean possible futures that were possible but didn’t happen. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It strikes me that an infinite number of different futures is possible at any given moment. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">These themes trouble me and sometimes keep me awake at night; War and it’s consequences; climate crisis and the lack of action; alternative futures, all in all some, very real, ghostly moments in between sleep and awakening.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDv1CtiEZSqBvWQX6CSjqa4JYFJbBXuhNv7C6f3-api5RqPVUV_upxqVbragDTLJiO1J6CstLIbbCgH73d3A1SbTwEM1mfii9PPvML-XXnuVZHKuzXuJwyvF_-z0rAFMMzNUpOe6Y46d417l9zzQ3hsFy4ahE4mnjlECXg2G4xoel_yYNNDKsQEOas3A/s1142/IMG_0077.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1142" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDv1CtiEZSqBvWQX6CSjqa4JYFJbBXuhNv7C6f3-api5RqPVUV_upxqVbragDTLJiO1J6CstLIbbCgH73d3A1SbTwEM1mfii9PPvML-XXnuVZHKuzXuJwyvF_-z0rAFMMzNUpOe6Y46d417l9zzQ3hsFy4ahE4mnjlECXg2G4xoel_yYNNDKsQEOas3A/w295-h279/IMG_0077.JPG" width="295" /></span></a></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"></blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Looming Deep 8:13</span></li>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Winter Solstice Für Letze Generation 4:05</span></li>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sharp Symphony 01:56</span></li>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Awakening 5:15</span></li>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Drive out the Devil 8:13</span></li>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fern Unfurling 01:50</span></li>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Slow Return to Zero 6:20</span></li>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aviator (album version)7:20</span></li>
<li style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Futures 7.30 </span></li>
</ol>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/polarvoidx/dark-equilibrium-2">https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/polarvoidx/dark-equilibrium-2</a></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Looming Deep</span></h4>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Imagine the sound of an ice shelf collapse, imagine the dark freezing, foreboding waters, the rush of a huge wave heading away to devastate a low lying island. Imagine the terror of the islanders, fleeing to unwelcome refuge in the UK, or staying to face certain death, trapped, unable to ride out the wave, or hide.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the stuff of nightmares that becomes inevitable with every day of carbon increase. In some places it’s already a reality.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Looming deep is a metaphor for where we will all end.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Winter Solstice Für Letze Generation</span></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Winter Solstice always conjures up a feeling of unease, bring in the flock, batten down the hatches, one last big feast before the winter bites. In another part of the world people (Die Letze Generation)are defying winters icy tears to protest, taking to the streets, using every opportunity available to them to raise awareness and consciousness about the climate emergency. This is my tribute to them,the self titled Last Generation in Germany, and to Extinction Rebellion in the UK. What if they are the last generation? Such sadness fills my heart at this prospect I can hardly speak. I have such admiration for their bravery in the face of overwhelming public denial and government inactivity. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope with all my heart they are not the last generation, but if they are at least they can say they tried, they truly did.</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sharp Symphony</span></h4>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An ode to identity and consciousness. I learned that every time we fall asleep, when we awake, we reinvent ourselves, our identity from scratch. This means we can completely reinvent ourselves if we wish. As an aspiring electronic artist I find this concept really exciting. I hope that the joy of waking up today as the person you want to be is felt strongly in this tune. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Awakening</span></h4>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Slowly but surely the people are getting the message, positively making the right choices and turning the tide, if we get twenty five percent it’s possible we can change history. It’s a slow lumbering awakening, like a landslide, hopefully once in motion unstoppable. Whether it’s too late we cannot know. But the snowball is slowly rolling and gradually gaining pace.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Drive out the Devil</span></h4>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In some people’s heads, disease and pandemics are believed to be the work of satan or a conspiracy. For these people there is no hope, they are delusional and sadly if a pandemic like Ebola hits, then they will die without vaccination. Even in less lethal cases they are at great risk and, put other people, even their own loved ones at great risk. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is dedicated to their victims, for whom the dancing, singing, and praying to ‘drive out the devil’ sadly didn’t work.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fern Unfurling (further explanation elsewhere in this blog)</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the sonification of an image by Paul Giblin, Paul sketched the fern as part of a larger exhibition auctioned for a cancer charity. I used sonic scanning to turn the image into a synth patch. From that emerged this combination of chords. A short but sweet ode to nature and it’s beauty.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Slow return to Zero</span></h4>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After lockdown all the politicians were trying to enthuse everyone to return to whatever so called ‘normal’ was for them. Personally I believed, and still do, that there never was a normal, and I also know life will never be the same again for many people, especially those who lost a loved one to covid for whom I feel incredibly sad.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is my sunny riposte to those politicians, it’s a slow return to zero, zero in this case is my belief in peoples will or ability to conform to populist stereotypes, they never have, they never will and I love them all the more for that.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also Definition;<b> Return-to-zero</b> (<b>RZ</b> or RTZ) describes a line code used in telecommunications signals in which the signal drops (<b>returns) to zero</b> between each pulse. This takes place even if a number of consecutive 0s or 1s occur in the signal</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aviator (further details elsewhere in this blog)</span></h4>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Inspiration for the Aviator</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have a tattoo on my arm, part of a montage, its an aviator. I don’t know why exactly, but the tragic story of my uncle Terry, told to me when I was a small boy, stuck in my mind. A kind of moral warning not to behave irrationally.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sadly, just as with my grandfather who died between the wars, I never met uncle Terry. He tragically crashed his aircraft between the wars in a freak accident. Try as I might I’ve never found any details of the crash, or of his military service, or very sadly where he is buried. (Also strange is my grandfathers story from the navy, but that’s for another time).</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Futures </span></h4>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An infinite number of futures are possible at any moment in time. When I first began to comprehend this it blew my mind. I realised that in an instant humanity could shape the future. So many wrong turns, unrealised futures, regressive acts have led us to very negative consequences. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can, either collectively or individually, imagine positive, progressive futures and bring them into being simply with our thoughts, imagination and ingenuity. Why we choose the opposite I cannot grasp, this leads to a slightly melancholy theme, where the image is beautiful, but the music is yearning for something unreachable </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="s1">“The point of life is to find the delicate equilibrium between dream and reality” <br /></span><span class="s1">Lillian Smith </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span class="s1">"If you take people to the edge of a void in which nothing is familiar and the outcome is uncertain then they will kick and scream"</span><br /><span class="s1">David Toop </span><span class="s1">Into the maelstrom P8</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span class="s1">"Our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities of darkness" </span><br /><span class="s1">Nabakov memoirs Speak memory </span><br /><br /><span class="s1">Album written, performed and produced by JoeKBaker</span><br /><span class="s1">Mastered by Antony at RedRedPaw</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span class="s2">©️</span><span class="s1">All rights reserved GH records and SAS records</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span class="s1">Thanks to Laura Rose-Baker, Paul Giblin, Vinnie Grist, Daryl Coles, Phonic FM and the Future Sound of Exeter for your support and, of course, all those <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>influences and friends too many to mention </span><br /><span class="s1">Spine: Dark Equilibrium:PolarVoidX: GH14 SAS 16</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/polarvoidx/dark-equilibrium-2">https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/polarvoidx/dark-equilibrium-2</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 34px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 34px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 34px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 34px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 34px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 34px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 34px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p>JoeKBakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11215123988720414666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-76255058610678719212022-12-16T17:08:00.004+00:002023-01-15T15:32:55.180+00:00<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Winter solstice for the last generation</span><span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span></span></h2><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’ve always been obsessed with the hours of darkness in different locations when the equator is furthest from the sun.<br /></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I decided to create a bass line around the numbers on my CMS sequencer I included a long drone as I watched the sun set.<br /></span></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1451" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4f0xJxzHzAIKgaMjGJ4t3iM-U5jh1tlVCK5V0BX-8RIUzlwHjeQjS0_7jyvjVcQxKzhVLg9lf-TepeP6nxz8jHikhBMYmkQEA4CIvaneGSvKYhfb1imLJad0RCePblJu_n8z92VOxDGjgpgcEDR9avaNy4JIz8hi9_P9aJ8vJDg3Sz-piFlrl5A1wA/w256-h248/Solstice.jpg" width="256" /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;">It makes me feel connected to the past. I am affected by this season, it feels heavy and closing in.</span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;">Others around me share that feeling, it makes us want to hibernate, as winter solstice on the 21 December marks the start of winter, this is a sensible response.</span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;">The chords are minors, but they feel triumphant. I imagine massed voices chanting, maybe I’ll look for or create some of those to add in. </span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-align: center;">It made me think about the power of nature, and how it must have felt to people in the past who knew what was happening to the light and the dark, but not why. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Finally, why the last generation? A group of climate activists in Germany named themselves Leztze Generation, I find this a really poignant and alarming recognition that they could be the last generation, and it makes me question where we will all watch the final solstice together?</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"> </span></p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They could smell the crackle of the air as the sun made its low arc across the sky returning to the horizon for the final moment, never to be seen again by their eyes...</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Music Links: <br />BandCamp <a href="https://polarvoidx.bandcamp.com/track/solstice-fur-letze-generation" target="_blank">Solstice Fur Letze generation<br /></a>Apple Music <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/solstice-fur-letze-generation-single/1660279309" target="_blank">solstice-fur-letze-generation</a> <br />Spotify <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2bJWFiTZl3yFuSK2Fk75qr?si=qjON3Xh2SJ2eREHGL5Nz2g" target="_blank">Solstice Fur Letze Generation</a></span></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Karl Magi, Synth reviewer kindly posted this review of the track </span></p><p style="font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Synth Single Review: "Solstice Für Letze Generation" by PolarvoidX</span></b></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Author:</span></b></p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #dca10d;"><a href="https://discover.hubpages.com/@kpm2017"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karl Magi</span></a></span></p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">PolarvoidX’s <i>Solstice Für Letze Generatio</i>n mingles misty desolation with an undercurrent of threat. Intensely shining chimes ring out above a gruff, swirling lower sound that trembles below. Chimes flicker and ring out, forming a pattern as wide, flashing sounds slice through and intertwine as broken bass throbs.</span></p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sweeping sounds float through as the music creates a sense of hidden, misty shadows. There’s a feeling of omnipresent danger hidden just out of reach. Hissing, metallic sounds shiver and dense bass slowly shifts while reverent notes breathe. Crunching, gritty sounds vibrate hungrily as the swirling, misty background sends out seeking tendrils.</span></p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Diffuse sounds add dark undercurrents as raised notes flit past. There’s something desolate in the slowly gliding background to contrast with the animalistic, snuffling synth. Metallic notes scrape through as the reverent underpinning flows past and silence falls. The inevitability of loss is keenly present in the emotional tenor of this track.</span></p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">© 2023 Karl Magi</span></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote>
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JoeKBakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11215123988720414666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-53100481574948030652022-10-27T17:21:00.002+01:002022-10-27T17:36:19.388+01:00Aviator, Ghosts, Hauntology and Music <h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Inspiration for 'Aviator' by PolarVoidX. </span></h2><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have a tattoo on my arm, part of a montage, its an aviator. I don’t know why exactly, but the tragic story of my uncle Terry, told to me when I was a small boy stuck in my mind. A kind of moral warning not to behave irrationally.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp_IfcR_OC5yp4LOtgd42BQcoOiN2unrKnIXH2RZVDZiv6lhbTy_DFtwhctNZB467kzv6_taQMs2LbDm81IsZEkCwPIOrNbdmX5wPIbzOm6IxUc_Q2CZPDMsKy5j63VLFGSk3zrd3L0tUvUPi1IfRSljdyshd5YO3Swt5r1HJ799mdLOe-yTb0d7Eog/s600/IMG_1022.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp_IfcR_OC5yp4LOtgd42BQcoOiN2unrKnIXH2RZVDZiv6lhbTy_DFtwhctNZB467kzv6_taQMs2LbDm81IsZEkCwPIOrNbdmX5wPIbzOm6IxUc_Q2CZPDMsKy5j63VLFGSk3zrd3L0tUvUPi1IfRSljdyshd5YO3Swt5r1HJ799mdLOe-yTb0d7Eog/w219-h219/IMG_1022.JPG" width="219" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sadly, just as with my grandfather who died between the wars, I never met uncle Terry. He tragically crashed his aircraft between the wars in a freak accident. Try as I might I’ve never found any details of the crash, or of his military service. Also strange is my grandfather's story from the navy, but that’s for another time</span></div><p></p><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">In search of the Aviator</span></h3><p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’ve spent many an afternoon wandering the Heavitree graveyard in the hope of finding his grave and that of my grandfather and grandmother. Searches of the local archive don’t reveal anything and no physical grave exists, despite the fact I can remember as a small child the cheery call of the bus conductor, “anyone for the boneyard” as my gran and I would get off the bus to visit his grave, she would take flowers and put them in the silver grey pot, it was very forlorn and sombre. Oddly I find a strange calm and beauty in the cemetery now.</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Ghosts?</span></h3>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ba72kkwP3YrvhWMS-m0m43-PUUVZTnHPEUhvWSDXnrYpQ1oS0NUYtPi-XfE3U4hZAmBFqgrzIqWR_62vQuQSbLwB55Qpc9QKdLKJ8t4veaNgrS96J6OEQnyXIRW2lX44KNLGVb5Qq0ZKv-kaZTyaK24ePMa5C-q5W-VUlQHkOfAXf2Ut8Wf4hMJGFw/s1454/IMG_0064.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1454" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ba72kkwP3YrvhWMS-m0m43-PUUVZTnHPEUhvWSDXnrYpQ1oS0NUYtPi-XfE3U4hZAmBFqgrzIqWR_62vQuQSbLwB55Qpc9QKdLKJ8t4veaNgrS96J6OEQnyXIRW2lX44KNLGVb5Qq0ZKv-kaZTyaK24ePMa5C-q5W-VUlQHkOfAXf2Ut8Wf4hMJGFw/s320/IMG_0064.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: left;">I don’t personally believe in ghosts, although I know a great many people who do. What I will say is that the pull of the past is very strong in that graveyard, the sense of collective history and personal tragedy seems very present. it doesn’t take much of a leap for a believer to assume that some souls stalk the grounds looking for loved ones or trying to find peace amongst the stones.</div></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With that in mind I was inspired to place the aviator in that graveyard, forever lost searching, perhaps for his own resting place. Long forgotten as he indeed seems to be.</span></div><p dir="rtl" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">YouTube Music Video</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMo6WNREWI_OYLS9h40UE6moYbacdVSqD1g9PmUsSFsgHaea-PDTNKfCPw2yXgv6SfyeuCwBZItF8aNb0m_PpZIodHIzbrJmDvcFuxG3z40fgTcxnolPr2euLI7lYTtBcnictFqAwoGBM6my9rsAXyeESRdID73Kqz6H6URMEi6MPLrEnqZRPP7HLuw/s5184/P1022354.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMo6WNREWI_OYLS9h40UE6moYbacdVSqD1g9PmUsSFsgHaea-PDTNKfCPw2yXgv6SfyeuCwBZItF8aNb0m_PpZIodHIzbrJmDvcFuxG3z40fgTcxnolPr2euLI7lYTtBcnictFqAwoGBM6my9rsAXyeESRdID73Kqz6H6URMEi6MPLrEnqZRPP7HLuw/w295-h221/P1022354.JPG" width="295" /></a></div></span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a windy, Sunday afternoon my long suffering friends and family wandered the graveyard looking for the grave of the lost aviator, this time with a not so subtle difference. Vinnie with the help of Phill was finely adorned in the costume of the aviator. We shot some footage of hime wandering amongst the graves. You can see the result here <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsyE37VupjHGOZnycW0bIlw" target="_blank">PolarVoidX</a>. As it's a music video a not so subtle, fun ending was added for Halloween.</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The Music and Process</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I candidly decided, despite the seriousness of the topic, to make it tongue in cheek. I’ve always been a fan of Hammer Horror and Halloween tales, so not much of a leap to find a ghostly aviator stalking the cemetery.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The music began almost hilariously with an E minor take on the devils triad it also pays homage to Danse Macabre which I love. This underpins the entire thing. I love some of the classic horror music and with that in mind I created a grating sequence using a patch on the Korg I made named squeezebox. Once heard you can never quite get it out of your head. The other played elements hint at both Halloween and the exorcist in tone and timbre. the whole theme is designed to be unsettling.</span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMVWKMfr1VYzzyPg9iOkCdx6rDBiFIP0x-sS4S4LWIYijNtdNrSRLGIJ6CPLquhoYP6vT9adLfvEV6QpUIJmH3suC3jAumRMAqrzH4FIDqZ2NoRr1-vbozUrU_GQtXnn4q-qmL5e4wCQsC00aZjiXW0VXjhqJB3eXb3KFxera8_g2pOCpSA9UL19aoA/s1714/IMG_0020.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1714" data-original-width="1713" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMVWKMfr1VYzzyPg9iOkCdx6rDBiFIP0x-sS4S4LWIYijNtdNrSRLGIJ6CPLquhoYP6vT9adLfvEV6QpUIJmH3suC3jAumRMAqrzH4FIDqZ2NoRr1-vbozUrU_GQtXnn4q-qmL5e4wCQsC00aZjiXW0VXjhqJB3eXb3KFxera8_g2pOCpSA9UL19aoA/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: left;">To add to this I added a huge bass roll that plunges down, almost unnoticed except on a really good hifi.</div></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the creepy effects were produced using a zoom recorder. I pinged the strings of an electric guitar above the nut, then slowed the recording down and passed it through a guitar effects pedal. Mixed with some distortion it sounds like someone is trying to tune a radio to a certain frequency but can’t get it to stick. Just as an Aviator in distress might do. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The second unnerving effect is the vocal, heavily echoed and slowed down, this is the persistent, “Where are you? I can’t find you” it runs through the song and echoes through the cemetery too!</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I added a second drier vocal to punctuate the words as they felt important to the sense of lost and loss.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also present are footsteps, these were recorded as I recced the graveyard in the early evening with my phone. Oddly they seem to have doubled? I didn’t put any echo or reverb on them it must be the natural ambience. Its unsettling to say the least. I sat and isolated that track whilst editing and couldn’t help looking around to check there was no-one there!</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The drums are understated, more of an irregular heartbeat than a drum beat.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally the diminished finish chords and reveal, it’s cheesy but fun, oddly I felt the need to take the edge off. The squeaky door hinge is my back kitchen door, slowed down a bit.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All the music is played on Korg synths and the effects are added in as patches so I can reproduce and play them live. I try to play everything in a way that I can replicate without a computer in a live setting. Recording often in one hit.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Listen to the music here: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/5sDdtzPkwBYjVM4sxw39r7?si=qjchqktbR5SzbKLs7DmsKA" target="_blank">Spotify PolarVoidX</a> <a href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/aviator/1651143552?i=1651143553">AppleMusic</a> <a href="https://polarvoidx.bandcamp.com/">BandCamp</a></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>See the Video Here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsyE37VupjHGOZnycW0bIlw" target="_blank">PolarVoidX</a></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Conclusion</span></h3>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I said I don’t believe in ghosts, but I do feel the resonant pull of of the past and the energy of certain places very strongly. I have a deep connection to this city, and sometimes when the sun is setting, the clocks are changing and the shadows are getting longer, I get the sense that that past isn’t as far away as I once thought it was.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><h3><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The team</span></h3><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I couldn't have pulled off the video and the still images above without a great fun group of co-conspirators, special thanks to <b>Vinnie</b> for being the Aviator, I hope you can sleep at night! Thanks to <b>Phill </b>for the brilliant costume, I've always said you should do props for a living! Thanks to <b>Paul</b> for keeping us on the path, quite literally at times. And finally to<b> Laura</b>, my wife, for her excellent video skills.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Joe K Baker aka PolarVoidX Oct 2022</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>JoeKBakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11215123988720414666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-30771129589025633762022-07-18T13:03:00.005+01:002022-10-24T16:54:57.374+01:00Fern Unfurling a Sonification<p><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Fern unfurling a Sonification </span></span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">#synth #technique </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Paul Giblin my friend, Exeter promoter, DJ, radio presenter on Phonic FM community radio station, former organiser of the long running Exeter Respect Festival (for which he carried the Olympic torch) amongst many other things (see FSOE web site <a href="https://www.fsoe.co.uk/about-and-history/"><span style="color: #dca10d;">https://www.fsoe.co.uk/about-and-history/</span></a> )</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So when it came to lock down and Paul’s usual activities were curtailed what then? Well he turned to sketching (as he calls it) the plants in his garden, producing a beautiful and prolific collection of sketches.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He then went on to exhibit them, raising over £2000 for Cancer Research at the Glorious Art House Café, in memory of his mum, who sadly died of cancer.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Vision off video process</b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I decided to combine Paul’s Garden Sketches photos into a sequence with some artistic ‘Ken Burns’ effects, using Final Cut Pro to make them dynamic and therefore of more interest to the viewer. The outcome made me think of the TV series Vision On, introduced by Tony Hart back in the day. Lots of sketches or other articles were displayed at the end of the program. The producers always played the gallery theme music; ‘Left Bank two’ by the Noveltones whilst they zoomed in on the art.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I decided to use this track, but sound mangle it to make it more appropriate for Paul’s art work.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To do this I used AI splitter online to split the track into five wavs. I made a midi track from. each of these and assigned a different synth to each one. At the exhibition evening event I recorded the ambient background conversation. I duplicated and mixed excerpts from it to make it anonymous. I added this track to the others and mixed them down to a single stereo wav, this track dictated the overall length of the video slide show.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Enjoy </p>
<p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/hWdMP9ROvhM"></a><br /></p>
<p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/hWdMP9ROvhM">https://youtu.be/hWdMP9ROvhM</a></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Fern Unfolding </b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One of Paul’s images particularly struck me when we were hanging them. It was the fern, I love this because we have magnificent fern in our own garden, and he captures it superbly.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When it came to my birthday Paul went to great lengths, to my great delight, to reproduce the fern as an exclusive T-shirt (photo).</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Which I’ll proudly wear. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTANWTHJTHcBw3bPbxL_t2MXFbAKkPkDp7g-eFPdNe1Xpqtt-UzCM5DO6nB1QVHRezpbbfcnFF5r2WnAg4FK-d5_hP5EJ_znnqVzQsjGCRVCjyZGaP8M2ckc7BDXunZ-w-G1uSlJcVLtCwHtbtjguSZ4abzy5A2AWaocdz4hRnarWyKK2HlxCC7ujOA/s686/IMG_1272.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTANWTHJTHcBw3bPbxL_t2MXFbAKkPkDp7g-eFPdNe1Xpqtt-UzCM5DO6nB1QVHRezpbbfcnFF5r2WnAg4FK-d5_hP5EJ_znnqVzQsjGCRVCjyZGaP8M2ckc7BDXunZ-w-G1uSlJcVLtCwHtbtjguSZ4abzy5A2AWaocdz4hRnarWyKK2HlxCC7ujOA/s320/IMG_1272.jpeg" width="228" /></a></div><p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A few weeks after I was reading a friends MA dissertation which mentioned sonification.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Turning images into sound, a new but fascinating concept to me.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">During lockdown I’ve learned to programme and play both analog and digital synthesisers, a hard road for a guitar player.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I realised I might be able to turn the fern image into sound. I did this online using and AI platform. The results were astonishing and I recorded them at several different octaves. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I then learned how to convert them to wavetable patches and transfer them to my Korg Modwave, a brilliant wavetable synth that my amazing wife bought me for my birthday (I suspect to keep me occupied, but not quiet!).</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I put the wavetable patches into the synth and used them to record an Fminor pattern in several octaves</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is the result </p>
<p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://polarvoidx.bandcamp.com/track/fern-unfurling">https://polarvoidx.bandcamp.com/track/fern-unfurling</a></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/72kDGwzFZ1amO49I13cGrj?si=lpqdytRGSwyGycO4_zz64Q">https://open.spotify.com/track/72kDGwzFZ1amO49I13cGrj?si=lpqdytRGSwyGycO4_zz64Q</a><span style="color: black;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So Paul Giblin drew this fab fern picture, which became a lovely T-shirt for my birthday. So I fed the image into ai that creates sounds from images, converted the output to a wavetable for my Korg Modwave, this is the result a short ambient piece, I hope you like it PVx </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://polarvoidx.bandcamp.com/track/fern-unfurling">https://polarvoidx.bandcamp.com/track/fern-unfurling</a></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Aka Joe K Baker</p>JoeKBakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11215123988720414666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-62528931826671981312019-01-03T20:01:00.001+00:002019-01-03T20:01:46.808+00:00Live Recordings List 2019<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I recently asked the question what live recordings should I listen to? You did me proud in your responses. I've compiled them here in alphabetical order so you can enjoy them too; </span></h3>
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<ol>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">801 live, Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">AC DC, If You Want Blood</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Alex Chilton, Electricity by Candlelight</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Allman Brothers Band at Fillmore East</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">And One, Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Anti-Nowhere League, Live in Yugoslavia</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Bad brains, Live at CBGB OMFUG 1982</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Bauhaus, Press the eject button and pass me the tape</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">BB King, Live at the Regal</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Be Bop Deluxe, Live In The Air Age</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Big Big Train, Merchants of light</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Bill Nelson, Tripping The Light Fantastic</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Black Crowes and Jimmy Page, Live at the Greek</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Bob Dylan and the Rolling Thunder Revue, Live 1975</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Bob Marley and the Wailers, Babylon by Bus</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Bob Marley and the Wailers. Live at the Rainbow</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Brand X, Livestock, Billy Cobham & George Duke band live on tour in Europe</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Live in New York City</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Cardiacs, All That Glitters Is A Mare's Nest</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Cardiacs, Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Cramps, Smell Of Female</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Cream, Live</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, Where’s the money?</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">David Bowie, Cracked Actor</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">David Bowie,Welcome to the Blackout</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">David Bowie; Santa Monica '72, David Live' 74, The Thin White Duke, Nassau '76</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Deep Purple, live in Japan</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Depeche Mode, 101</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Derek and the Dominos live at the Fillmore</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">DEV-O, Live The Mongoloid Years</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Devo, Live EP</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Doors, Absolutely Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Dr. Feelgood, Stupidity</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Duke Ellington, Newport</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Elvis Costello and Nieve in USA is really really good</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Erasure’s Two Ring Circus</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Fleetwood Mac, The Dance.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Frank Zappa Fillmore</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Frank Zappa: Does Humour Belong in Music,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Frank Zappa: In New York,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Frank Zappa: Make a Jazz Noise Here,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Frank Zappa: Roxy & Elsewhere,</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Frank Zappa: The Best Band You Never Heard</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Frank Zappa: Tinseltown Rebellion,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Free, Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Frightened Rabbit, Quietly Now!, Liver!Lung!Fr!</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Gary Numan, Living Ornaments</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Genesis,Seconds Out</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">George Harrison, Memorial Concert</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">George Lewis, Jazz Funeral at New Orleans</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Grateful Dead, Beacon Theatre, New York June 14th, 1976 (Double CD)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Hanoi Rocks, All Those Wasted Years</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Hanoi Rocks, All Those Wasted Years.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Hawkwind,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Space Ritual</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Hawkwind, Live ’79</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Heartbreakers, D.T.K. Live at the Speakeasy</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Hendrix, Live in the West</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Humble Pie, Rockin’ The Fillmore</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Humble Pie, Rockin’ The Fillmore</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Husker Du, Land Speed Record</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Interpol, Turn on the Bright Lights</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Iona, Heavens Bright Sun</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">James Brown, at the Apollo</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Japan, Oil on Canvas.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Live In Alabama</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jeff Beck, Live at the Hollywood Bowl</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jerry Lee Lewis, Live at the star club</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jerry Lee Lewis, Live at the Star Club</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jethro Tull, Bursting Out</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jimi Hendrix live at the Fillmore East (new years eve 1969). This double album starts before midnight & continues into the 1st Jan 1970. You get to hear the last moments of the 1960's...</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jimi Hendrix, Band Of Gypsys</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Joe Satriani, Live in San Francisco</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">John Mayall, The Turning Point</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">John Mayall, The Turning Point.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Johnny Cash, Folsom Prison, 1968</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Johnny Marr Live, Adrenalin Baby</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Johnny Winter, live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Joni Mitchell, Shadows & Light</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Joy Division, Les Bains Douches</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Judas Priest, Live Priest</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Julia Holter, In the same room</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Kate Bush,Before the Dawn</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Killing Joke, Ha</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Killing Joke, laugh at your peril</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Killing Joke, Live at the Forum, 2008</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">King Crimson, UK, After Night and USA</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Kiss, Alive 2</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Led Zeppelin, How the west was won, California 1974.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Little Feat, Waiting for Columbus</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Live and Dangerous, Thin Lizzy</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Loggins and Messina, On Stage 1974</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Lou Reed, A perfect Night, live in London</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Lou Reed, Rock N Roll Animal</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Lou Reed, Rock n Roll Animal.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Lou Reed, Take No Prisoners</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Luke Jackson, Solo, Duo, Trio</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Lynyrd Skynyrd, One more from the road</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Magazine, Play</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Magazine, Play.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Magma, Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Magma, Live in at the Marquee club 1974</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Man, Live at the Padget Rooms, Penarth.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Manfed Mann, Mann Alive!</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Mano Negra,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Live in Kawasaki.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Manu Chao, radio bemba tour</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">MC5, Kick Out the Jams</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">MC5, Kick Out the Jams</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Midnight Oil, Armistice Day, Sydney</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Miles Davis, at the Plugged Nickel</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Miles Davis, Live-Evil</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Miles Davis, We want Miles</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Ministry, In Case You didn’t feel Like showing Up</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Misty in roots, Live at the counter Eurovision</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Motörhead, No sleep TIL Hammersmith</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Muse, Live at Main Square Festival, 2015</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Nanci Griffith, One Fair Summer Evening</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Neil Young, Live Rust</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">New Model Army, Raw melody men</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">New Model Army, Raw Melody Men</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">New Order, 316 Taras Shevchenko, 81</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Nine Below Zero, Live at the Marquee</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Nirvana, Unplugged</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Nirvana, Unplugged</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Nomeansno, Live and Cuddly</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Nomeansno, Live and Cuddly</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Opeth, Garden of the Titans</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Ozric Tentacles, Live at Sunrise Festival 2007</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Pat Metheny, Travels...</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Pendragon, Concerto Maximus</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Penguin Cafe Orchestra, When in Rome</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Peter Frampton, Frampton Comes Alive</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Peter Gabriel, Plays Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">PIL, Paris au Printemps</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Portishead, Roseland New York City</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Prince, One Night Alone, Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Pssyche, Live From Larry's Hideaway/ Toronto/ Canada 9th + 10th August</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Public Image Ltd, Paris in the spring</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Quicksilver Messenger Service, Maiden Of The Cancer Moon</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rainbow, Live in Japan</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Ramones, It's Alive</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Ramones, It’s Alive</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Ramones, Live At The Rainbow, December 31, 1977</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rezillos, Live and on Fire in Japan (Vinyl Japan, 1994)</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, Gotta Let This Hen Out</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rodrigo y Gabriella, Live in Japan</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rolling Stones, Get Your Ya Ya's Out</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rory Gallagher, Irish tour 1974.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rory Gallagher, Live In Europe</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Roxy Music, Viva Roxy Music</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Roxy Music; Viva Roxy</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rush, All the world's a stage</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rush, All The World’s A Stage</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rush, Exit stage left.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Santana, Moonflower</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Scorpions, Live in Japan</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Live</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Siouxsie and the Banshees, Nocturne</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Siouxsie and the Banshees, Rockpalast 81</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Slayer,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Decade of Aggression</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Status Quo, live Apollo Glasgow</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Steve Earle, Just an American Boy</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Stiff Little Fingers, HANX</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Stiff, live stiffs</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Sting, Bring on the Night, Paris, 1979</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Stranglers, Live X Cert</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Super Furry Animals, Live at the BBC</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Supertramp Paris,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Swans, Omniscience</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Talk Talk, Live in London 1986</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Talking heads, Stop Making Sense</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Talking Heads, The name of this band is Talking Heads</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Taste, live at the Isle of Wight</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Band, Rock of Ages</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Birthday Party, Live</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Cassandra Complex, Feel The Width</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Clash, From Here To Eternity</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Cramps,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The smell of female.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Cramps, Live at the Peppermint Lounge</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Cure, Bestival</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Cure, Entreat</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Damned, Live Shepperton 1980</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Fall, Fall In A Hole</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Fall, Live at Reykjavik</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Fall, Totale’s Turns</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Jam, Dig the New Breed</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Move, at The Marquee</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Replacements, For Sale, Live at Maxwell's</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Sensational Alex Harvey Band ‘Live'</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Sisters of Mercy, First and Last and Always</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Sound,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Live instinct</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Stranglers, Live (X Cert)</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Tansads, Drag Down the Moon</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Who, Live at Hull</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Who, Live at Hull</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Who, Live at Leeds</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Theatre of Hate, He who dares wins, live at Leeds warehouse</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Theatre of Hate, He who dares, wins</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Thee Hypnotics, Live’r than God</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Thelonious Monk with Johnny Griffin, Live at the Five Spot.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Thomas Blug, Live in Raalte</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Tim Buckley, Dream Letter</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Tindersticks, Live At The Bloomsbury Theatre</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Tom Waits, Glitter and Doom</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Toyah, Toyah Toyah Toyah</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Traffic, On The Road.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">U.K. Subs, Crash Course</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">U2, Under a Blood Red Sky</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">U2, Under a Blood Red Sky</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">UFO, Strangers In The Night</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">UK Subs, Crash Course</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">UK Subs, Crash Course</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">UK Subs, Gross-Out USA,1984.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Underworld, Everything Everything</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Van der Graaf Generator, Vital</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Van Morrison, Too late to stop now</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Velvet Underground, Live 1969</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Velvet Underground, Live 69</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Velvet Underground, Matrix Tapes</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Ry Cooder, Meeting by the River</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Warren Zevon, Stand in the fire</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Wings Over America</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Woodentops, Live Hypnobeat</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Yardbirds, Five Live </span></li>
</ol>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-8365027363740108872017-08-04T11:43:00.002+01:002017-08-04T12:20:31.699+01:00Ownership, THE biggest issue of the 21 Century<b style="color: #111111; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is ownership THE big issue? </span></b><br />
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<b style="color: #111111; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QA5zKXCrY-0/WYRYWJivxFI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/ibUCxFzOT8UZ2TKpAQ4zqbh5c2ANq0vCwCLcBGAs/s1600/Monopoly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QA5zKXCrY-0/WYRYWJivxFI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/ibUCxFzOT8UZ2TKpAQ4zqbh5c2ANq0vCwCLcBGAs/s320/Monopoly.jpg" width="316" /></a></span></b></div>
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<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="db8g7-0-0" style="border: 0px; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="db8g7-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the UK everyone wants to own everything. Because </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="db8g7-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">historically</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="db8g7-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> that’s always been the ticket to a fast fortune. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="db8g7-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Economic reality and the consolidation of wealth into a very few hands has made the prospect of ownership of very much, very unlikely</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="db8g7-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. This is reality for many young people in the UK and beyond. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">I hear of amazing things that solve the difficulties of ownership through subscription. Take for example the local toy library. Subscribe for a small fee and you don’t have to own all that plastic crap that destroys the planet. Not only that you don’t have to store it all either. This and other examples, Uber etc. led me to question the need to own anything. Could this completely change society?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKN1x5hVy0I/WYRTKwHkqlI/AAAAAAAAFw8/BtXhznS-qtsHCQM1HaXiPhrgR_mwP1OJQCLcBGAs/s1600/maslovova%2Bpyramida.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="492" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKN1x5hVy0I/WYRTKwHkqlI/AAAAAAAAFw8/BtXhznS-qtsHCQM1HaXiPhrgR_mwP1OJQCLcBGAs/s320/maslovova%2Bpyramida.png" width="206" /></a></span></span></div>
<span data-offset-key="beh5a-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>What if everything was a subscription?</b> Could this take millions of vehicles off the road? Imagine you could summon an autonomous vehicle whenever you needed one. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="beh5a-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">If a limited number of electric vehicles were in constant circulation nearby and efficient</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="beh5a-2-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. Imagine they had drop off points in or very near the city centres. Could this idea take millions of cars off the road and free up space for pedestrians, cyclists. Could it allow electric vehicles the space to ferry us to the outskirts of cities. Where larger electric coaches or trains wait to take us on longer journeys. Without becoming bogged down in local congestion? Do we need to own the rusty heap of depreciating scrap that sits outside our door for 90% of the time? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"><span data-offset-key="b5na7-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>How about houses and Living space?</b> Do we need to own them? </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="b5na7-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">What if there were large scale not for profit cooperatives that developed houses and communal living spaces</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="b5na7-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. What if you could subscribe to them on a month by month basis for as long as you wanted? Imagine the potential for mobility, and the security this could offer. Imagine the amount of money wasted on ownership that we could recycle into the economy. </span></span><span data-offset-key="3uovb-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">If humanity </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="3uovb-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">cooperatively</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="3uovb-2-0" style="border: 0px; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> provided all necessary ( bottom row Maslov) services by subscription. then would a universal income to replace benefits would become a reality for the poor? Could we see what people need to subscribe to and make sure everyone gets it? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"><b>It seems bizarre</b> that we can subscribe to a TV package that we don’t need. Whilst we struggle to meet over priced housing costs. Isn’t it time to reorganise the way society views ownership? We are at a pivotal point in the future of our world. We can either continue to destroy it. Or we can adjust our lives to live within our means and the ability of the planet to support us. I’m taken by Kate Raworth’s </span><a href="https://www.kateraworth.com/doughnut/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Donught economics</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">. Can community based, carefully organised, benevolent subscription provide the solution for future one planet living?</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-80534400389406519672017-06-01T14:42:00.002+01:002017-06-01T14:42:41.993+01:00Why project working will be the future of work<div style="color: #454545; line-height: normal;">
<span data-offset-key="2d04n-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of my favourite analogies when talking about projects is the orchestra. I'll explain why in a few moments. first I want to make the point that project work will be the future of work even within big organisations. </span><span class="adverb" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.5s; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2d04n-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Certainly</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="2d04n-2-0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the world beyond their walls. Organisations will not survive for much longer with massive, multi-layered hierarchies. </span><br />
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="316s5" data-offset-key="2d04n-0-0" style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="7r752-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">I've helped quite a few projects get off the ground from as a facilitator. I tend not to get involved as project manager as I get bored too </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="7r752-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">quickly</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="7r752-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. After all everyone knows I can't sit still for two minutes. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="7r752-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">In my facilitator role I've noticed patterns over time that project managers should avoid if you want success</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="7r752-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. For example the initial enthusiasm for the project wanes after a while. This is often because people believe that they have to be at every meeting for its duration. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="7r752-5-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">This often means sitting through hours of stuff that's </span></span></span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="7r752-6-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">totally</span></span></span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="7r752-7-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> irrelevant to you before it gets to your (very short) bit</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="7r752-8-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. This leaves those professionals who wait to say their piece frustrated and bored. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSOo31e5wTI/WTAVux2d3ZI/AAAAAAAAFvQ/JkB-_aEU_3YDIdtEKcgYJF3Alel3BvwKACLcB/s1600/orchestra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1400" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSOo31e5wTI/WTAVux2d3ZI/AAAAAAAAFvQ/JkB-_aEU_3YDIdtEKcgYJF3Alel3BvwKACLcB/s400/orchestra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="4iv8f-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Well here's the thing</b> an professional orchestra is full of very skilled individuals. But they don't all play together </span><span class="complexword" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="4iv8f-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">all of</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="4iv8f-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the time. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="4iv8f-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">A skilled conductor will bring the instruments in when required at exactly the right moment to play their part</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="4iv8f-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. Now </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="4iv8f-5-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">clearly</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="4iv8f-6-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the orchestra generally stays put for the rest of the symphony. But for my analogy we'll imagine they can go do something else when they're not required. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="3bra1-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>So not everyone all at once! </b></span></span></span><span data-offset-key="10dbt-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Of course they all play from the same score. And I liken this to the project plan. A good composer will arrange things to make it easy for the musicians to know exactly whats required. The top line melody works in my mind like the technical plan. With other parts such as the bass clef dovetailing below. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="10dbt-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">This reminds me of the relationship between technical tasks and public engagement for example</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="10dbt-2-0" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. The engagement timing and objectives will be different to the technical ones. Consultants and freelancers come in when required not for the whole time. I've sat through some dire meetings in my time but this doesn't have to be the case.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="fqanl-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>They all play from the same score! </b></span></span></span><span data-offset-key="9lrrs-0-0" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">The other thing I've noticed over the years is a lack of commitment to see the project through. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="9lrrs-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">For an orchestra it is crucial that all the roles filled and they stay through rehearsals right up to performance and </span></span></span><span class="qualifier" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="9lrrs-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">possibly</span></span></span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="9lrrs-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> beyond</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="9lrrs-4-0" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="9lrrs-5-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">I am staggered at how many people turn up to a project induction and seem surprised when I ask if they can commit to the project</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="9lrrs-6-0" style="border: 0px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. Of course if you get the plan right people are happy because they are not asked to commit to all meetings all the time. So this makes it easier for them to spread their expertise across a range of projects.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span data-offset-key="ek6jb-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">The audience are out there </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="ek6jb-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">eagerly</span></span></span></b><span data-offset-key="ek6jb-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b> awaiting your performance.</b> Except they're not. Well not if you don't tell them. A good stakeholder engagement plan is vital. That means don't </span><span class="qualifier" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="ek6jb-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">just</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="ek6jb-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> send out stuff but engage </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="ek6jb-5-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">properly</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="ek6jb-6-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (about which I may cover in another blog).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="33ia3-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>This will be the future of work</b>. It will because people want to work less, that is they want to work in a less structured way. Most people view work </span><span class="adverb" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="33ia3-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">negatively</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="33ia3-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. Trapped in the hamster wheel of 9-5. Autonomy over when and how much to work changes lives. Project working, is the answer to this. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="38gil-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>People feel under utilised not stretched or challenged by their work.</b> Project working is also the key to this. When they get involved in a range of projects they are able to use their skills and </span><span class="passivevoice" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="38gil-1-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">be rewarded</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="38gil-2-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> for them. </span><span class="hardreadability" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: background 0.5s;"><span data-offset-key="38gil-3-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Some projects may be more challenging than others and for the players, even within organisations, this is a good thing</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="38gil-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="38gil-4-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Small project teams of experts work best. </b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">A small team of 3 to 5 people is the optimum size. Of course when you need to draft in others to play their part this group can grow and contract. I worked recently on a project with a core team of 3 that were interacting with a partner group of around 35. The key decisions and actions were controlled and maintained by the core 3 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="bhqjd-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Projects end</b>. This is refreshing for the people involved. They work with new folk. They get new opportunities to flourish and they can vote with their feet if they don't fit in. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="bhqjd-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Great examples</b> are appearing of companies and organisations who work in new ways and epitomise this approach take this<a href="http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/careers/no-more-rules-meet-the-innovative-bosses-turning-office-protocol-on-its-head-for-a-happier-way-of-working"> feature in Stylist</a> magazine. I love this example. Send me more if you have them.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="bhqjd-0-0" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">I've also seen other good analogies for project work, making recipes or building a house. What's yours?</span></span></span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-4514031089678236962017-03-24T11:31:00.001+00:002017-03-24T11:31:44.786+00:00The Organisation is dead! Welcome to the gig and gadfly economy<div style="color: #454545; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The organization is dead and this is why </span></h3>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Competition in the same field will inevitably lead to organizational death for some</span></h3>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I sat at a conference recently listening to representatives from organisations trying to work out how to work together to save the planet and it's endangered species. It was painful, a bit like listening to dinosaurs trying to work out how to avoid extinction. The future of conservation organisations is dire. This is also reflected in the future of many other large institutions. </span><br />
<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The organisation is dead! you heard it here first. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipFqymSbU50/WNUDFuFGgzI/AAAAAAAAFsE/mBF9rGaFkh4j3whFNDZk7gC68dYozDtcgCLcB/s1600/Alexander-the-Great-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipFqymSbU50/WNUDFuFGgzI/AAAAAAAAFsE/mBF9rGaFkh4j3whFNDZk7gC68dYozDtcgCLcB/s320/Alexander-the-Great-007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The point that they seem to have missed is that people are no longer joiners. They no longer want to be part of the grey horde that subscribes to, or works for some archaic behemoth. If you look at social media behaviour people are predominantly gadflies. Yes, the demographic that currently supports environmental organisations might well join them. But the generations following behind them flit from one issue or campaign to the next in the click of a mouse button. What those organisations need to ask is how should we work together within the emergent gig economy to capture the wave of clicktivism? They need to harness the enthusiasm of social movements, they need to be lean and agile in other words adaptable, they need to go where the action is. The modern workforce will abandoned the traditional organisation. More than a third of Americans are already freelance and loving it. They move happily from gig to gig, they do not spend a lifetime devoted to a one trick pony job. If you extrapolate this idea for the modern charity or trust, people do not choose one and stay with it for life. </span><br />
<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do this now!</span></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I was a humble undergraduate I joined the green movement at University of Plymouth. It contained and was courted by many of the popular charities and trusts eager to harness the enthusiasm and idealism of youth. To their credit, what came to be known as 'Green Umbrella' took them all onboard, allied itself to none of them and instead campaigned on a new issue each month. Each organisation could put forward a topic, members of the umbrella would vote on which to take forward that month. Serious campaigns followed with a great deal of energy for the month. Students loved it, the variety and currency of issues keep the group fresh and excited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Is this a way forward for the big organisations?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe but I think they need to drop some old adversarial practices, stop competing and think about how they will work together. I think the big single issue organisations will die, just like Kodak was defeated by digital photography. In many respects this will be a good thing. Diversity is after all what many of them are campaigning for. Lets focus on the problems, prioritise them and then put all of our energy in to a month of serious campaign effort. Could this happen? I suspect not because at present they can't even agree who should be in the room, let alone the issues. RIP organisations, you're too stale, too big and faced with decisions you choose inertia. Stricken by fear of offending the current member demographic and obsessed with staying part of the establishment.</span><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-2162126082235871412016-11-25T19:31:00.001+00:002016-12-09T14:56:15.177+00:00Bristol wins, Douglas McWilliams was right, and why Exeter isn't quite it!<div style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 19.200000762939453px; letter-spacing: -0.699999988079071px; margin-bottom: 1.1em; margin-top: 2px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bristol recognised as the fourth <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3967648/Bristol-named-fourth-inspiring-city-WORLD-ahead-London-New-York-Paris.html" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3967648/Bristol-named-fourth-inspiring-city-WORLD-ahead-London-New-York-Paris.html" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">most inspiring City in the World </a>ahead of London, New York and Paris. Take a moment to allow that to sink in. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AFRNKY86R8/WDiMI2g6W1I/AAAAAAAAFn4/cChW25-dlqICFYslUIkYuh97DxbfTBzxgCEw/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AFRNKY86R8/WDiMI2g6W1I/AAAAAAAAFn4/cChW25-dlqICFYslUIkYuh97DxbfTBzxgCEw/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of chat has gone on recently about Exeter's potential to achieve and get world recognition for great things. Part of that debate is about how to attract and keep skilled folk, particularly techie's in the city. Many organisations are scratching their heads. Sometimes together and sometimes alone to try and answer this question. In his book the <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flat-White-Economy-Digital-Transforming/dp/0715650653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flat-White-Economy-Digital-Transforming/dp/0715650653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">Flat White Economy</a> Douglas McWilliams lays out criteria based on economic data, to create the potential for tech City growth to happen. What surprises me is that some of the key criteria are mostly ignored. This is particularly noticeable here in Exeter. The criteria that attract and keeps techies in a given place include a large element of fun. Yes thats right, fun. Bristol won its award based not on it's ability to provide jobs or cheap housing. It won because it is fun, and has a large and active creative community. Who are recognisable in many cases on the World cultural scene. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54lf2NwLPdY/WErF1iDc-VI/AAAAAAAAFpA/deFrWa-geuwGdnvTxjEihSR5Z9-vm2GHACLcB/s1600/Bristol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="379" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54lf2NwLPdY/WErF1iDc-VI/AAAAAAAAFpA/deFrWa-geuwGdnvTxjEihSR5Z9-vm2GHACLcB/s640/Bristol.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check out the criteria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Where is Exeter's Banksy, Tricky, Roni Size or Massive Attack? (even these examples are out of date). Where are the cultural centres that would allow such creative talents to flourish? For all it's glitzy shopping arcades Exeter does not have even one 'cool' venue. Or even a decent hangout. The wealthy populate the few places in Exeter that are worth a visit. Not the struggling creatives. Even live music venues have decreased. The few that remain are overcrowded. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Come</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">on Exeter if you want to attract and keep skilled tech staff and other workers you need to be a lot more Bristol. That means creating serious cultural centres. Cool work hubs for artists and musicians. Theatres, galleries, multiple venues for new bands and much much more. The best things happen where strange worlds collide. Where 'not the usual suspects' meet and discuss and create. Right now in Exeter the same old people are talking to themselves and each other. Then patting themselves on their collective backs. This will change nothing! Exeter needs to be less superficial and much more inspiring. Check out the awards criteria in the link below.</span></div>
<div style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 19.200000762939453px; letter-spacing: -0.699999988079071px; margin-bottom: 1.1em; margin-top: 1.1em;">
<span style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50% , rgba(31 , 111 , 153 , 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 2px 4px; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3967648/Bristol-named-fourth-inspiring-city-WORLD-ahead-London-New-York-Paris.html" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3967648/Bristol-named-fourth-inspiring-city-WORLD-ahead-London-New-York-Paris.html" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">Bristol Award</a></span><br />
The Criteria: <a href="https://travelbird.nl/2016-most-inspiring-cities-ranking/?welcome=true">Here</a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-280703671985673002016-11-06T14:40:00.002+00:002016-11-06T14:42:17.043+00:00Make your messages stick <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-bvU10-Kjc/WB8_rmADqXI/AAAAAAAAFnM/U8vXa94F-PgvN9ec4Qh7woHa_ICgiukNwCLcB/s1600/seat-belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-bvU10-Kjc/WB8_rmADqXI/AAAAAAAAFnM/U8vXa94F-PgvN9ec4Qh7woHa_ICgiukNwCLcB/s320/seat-belt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Clunk click every trip! You've been Tangoed... A quick Google will throw out many more memorable phrases, mostly, but not all used in advertising.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're pitching or presenting, trying to galvanise an audience to support you or at least sit up and listen then a cool strap line or message is a must. When I pitched the startup weekend I chose 'one big beautiful map' as my line and I got the audience to repeat it back to me. It worked, I got chosen to form a team for the weekend and a great bunch of people got on board.</span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So how to create a great message?</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love the idea put forward by Martin Turner Chart (Communications micro-strategies, chartered Handbook, CIPR 2015. Chapter 11) he suggests you use the acronym:</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>ICE COLD </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Based on Advertising Standards Authority research 2002 Messages Should be:</span><br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Informative</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> - people like to hear and act on things that make them more informed</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clever</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> - people act and like messages that are clever in an entertaining sense</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enter popular culture</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> - messages that enter daily use multiply their effectiveness (daily use – clunk click)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chart adds to this:</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Crisp</b> - eye takes in 18 letters in one go, the ear is attuned to rhythmic phrases</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Obviously true</b> - the message should not need explanation or defence</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Linger in the mind</b> - memorable</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Decisive</b> - they lead the audience to complete the outcome</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three clear messages in the pitch are the max that people can take in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I like this because it encourages creativity and allows me to create something memorable and easily repeated. Don't forget clunk click every trip, the future is orange and you can Google it!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-60524470128648676752016-08-24T23:54:00.003+01:002017-03-24T11:23:47.458+00:00Changing culture, not easy but the prize is huge!<h3 class="graf--h3" name="00bc">
Want to Change culture? Then change habits.</h3>
<div class="graf--p" name="cb06">
I get asked a lot, “how can I change the culture in my organisation?” This is probably because I’m obsessed by change in the workplace (see previous posts) and I studied cultural theory along with other things as part of my MA. In a nutshell I believe If you want to change the culture of an organisation you have to change its habits. That is the habitual behaviour of it’s individual people. I always reply that’s not an easy task.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="3eb4">
It’s widely written that organisational culture is all about values, behaviours and actions of its staff. Often expressed as the unique social and psychological environment of the organisation’s members. History, technology, strategy, types of employees, management styles, national culture, vision, values, norms and systems all play a part in the creation of culture. Along with symbols, language, assumptions, beliefs that become habits! Phew!</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="e49e">
<a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.hrzone.com/hr-glossary/what-is-organizational-culture" href="http://www.hrzone.com/hr-glossary/what-is-organizational-culture">Ravasi and Schulz (2006</a>) described organisation culture as; “a set of shared assumptions that guide what happens in an organisation by defining appropriate behaviour for various situations”. Wow, that’s deep. What’s more staff teach these assumptions and behaviours to new members as a way of perceiving, thinking and feeling. The sum of this is an employee identity that affects how they identify with the organisation. In other words corporate culture.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="f3ee">
That’s really profound, and it is reinforced daily so it’s hard to change, a bit like turning the Titanic. I’ve got an old copy of <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Understanding_Organizations.html?id=NitYAC2aH2sC" href="https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Understanding_Organizations.html?id=NitYAC2aH2sC">Charles B Handy’s</a> seminal work Understanding Organisations. The first section chapter 7, deals with defining organisational culture in great detail and is still a fabulous read.</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="5714">
So how might we begin to change it?</h4>
<div>
First read this brilliant blog by<a href="http://openforideas.org/blog/2016/10/12/interesting-questions-to-ask-those-wanting-more-creativity-in-the-workplace/"> Steve Chapman</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="graf--p" name="8d67">
I thought I might try and list some questions we could ask staff to simplify the process. And I’ve begun to list the areas that change makers need to address with a specific organisation in mind.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="63ca">
Question is where are we now? And where do we want to be? What are the values in that department at present and how do we want them to change? Why do we want to change? Break that down, what are the shared departmental assumptions? What are they based on? What do people do every day? How can we begin to change it? Where do we want to end? What do we want to start?<br />
Although <a href="http://openforideas.org/blog/2016/10/12/interesting-questions-to-ask-those-wanting-more-creativity-in-the-workplace/">this article by Steve Chapman </a> focuses on creativity, I believe it contains the essence of how to change culture. Ask difficult questions and prepare for things to break!</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="3256">
Set the scene, take 1</h4>
<div class="graf--p" name="36fc">
I’m imagining as I think of a specific department in a particular organisation.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="bb14">
I walk into the dept currently in my head. It has an air of formality. Presenteeism matters, what you’re producing doesn’t. It isn’t inviting or interesting to visitors it’s actually intimidating in its blandness. It’s full of perceived stuffy people dressed in the same uniform with their heads down. The hot desks, cleared every evening have zero personality. It doesn’t cross fertilise ideas with anyone outside and the people clearly don’t get out much. This is by design and is reinforced each day by shared habits and behaviours. and a possible shared vision of the rest of the organisation. Possibly world, Gosh, is there a shared ‘world view’ also prevalent here? I’m scared, I’ll run now before my formal meeting, I’m only there for a ten second slot, the rest will be irrelevant to me. Will anyone miss me, last time they were all comatose before my bit. They scoffed at my ideas.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="8a24">
If I sit for a while what behaviour do is see? Men in suits and ties, I was struck in Hamburg recently by the office uniform of middle aged German men, blue shirts beige slacks. What do I see here? Shirts, collars ties, pointy shoes. The women are less formal but not informal and indeed some follow the format. I observe People arrive early, they stay late. They sit in the same locations. the hot desk, open plan vibe encourages no personality of space. It’s quiet, diaries are full of formal back to back meetings with formal agendas. The language is formal and reflects the professional education of the staff members. There is a clear hierarchy. People come and go from meetings. They don’t share information.</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="0afe">
Environment & silos of experts</h4>
<div class="graf--p" name="6eaf">
There are so many things here where do I begin? Let’s start with the environment in that office and progress down to the individuals. The organisation shapes the environment of this department. This means it’s open plan and there are no collaborative spaces, you’re not even allowed to stick blue tack on the wall leave alone anything else.</div>
<br />
<br />
<figure class="graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft" name="855f"><img class="graf-image" data-height="856" data-image-id="1*ai-pPHaJCVewMfoNiryMfA.jpeg" data-width="1280" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/600/1*ai-pPHaJCVewMfoNiryMfA.jpeg" /><figcaption class="imageCaption">Silo thanks to Pexels.com</figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="graf--p" name="8dc6">
People tend to sit within a set group. They can actually sit anywhere they choose but they group naturally. This is ok, and <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.universalmind.com/blog/digital-transformation/the-reality-of-silos-healthy-vs-unhealthy/" href="http://www.universalmind.com/blog/digital-transformation/the-reality-of-silos-healthy-vs-unhealthy/">research extols the virtues of silos</a> of experts. They share stuff, have great conversations and can be productive.The open plan hot desk scenario here leads to lack of personalisation. There is evidence that <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/barbaraarmstrong/2012/05/24/balancing-the-needs-for-collaboration-and-privacy-a-tall-order-in-workplace-design/#bac2bbf7a646" href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/barbaraarmstrong/2012/05/24/balancing-the-needs-for-collaboration-and-privacy-a-tall-order-in-workplace-design/#bac2bbf7a646">closed work spaces</a> can be more productive. And personal adornment of those areas increases <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://99u.com/articles/17437/the-perfect-workspace-according-to-science" href="http://99u.com/articles/17437/the-perfect-workspace-according-to-science">productivity</a>. Essentially as the articles suggest, workspace needs to be flexible. Lets redesign it together to make it more user friendly, suitable for the work to be done and useful for other more collaborative work too.</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="91c9">
</h4>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="91c9">
Bump in and get out more</h4>
<br />
<br />
<figure class="graf--figure" name="34e2"><img class="graf-image" data-height="2238" data-image-id="1*Q1kbutcCnIaVcE1zyknjeA.jpeg" data-width="2772" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*Q1kbutcCnIaVcE1zyknjeA.jpeg" /><figcaption class="imageCaption">Collaboration</figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="graf--p" name="b092">
The other problem with the silo arrangement is that people don’t bump into other silos of experts even those who work in related but different fields. Many books describe the positive effects of bumping into each other. <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Innovators/Walter-Isaacson/9781476708706" href="http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Innovators/Walter-Isaacson/9781476708706">Walter Isaacson’s ‘Innovators</a>’ is a fab book for understanding this. Steve Jobs designed the new <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://officesnapshots.com/2012/07/16/pixar-headquarters-and-the-legacy-of-steve-jobs/" href="https://officesnapshots.com/2012/07/16/pixar-headquarters-and-the-legacy-of-steve-jobs/">HQ of Pixar</a> so that people would bump into each other in the atrium. He designed the environment to make it happen. Knowing that great things would occur and they did.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="175b">
Co working spaces take this further. (<a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.devonworkhubs.co.uk/" href="https://www.devonworkhubs.co.uk/">co work hubs in Devon</a>) At the extremes the better ones actively encourage cross fertilisation of ideas. See <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.impacthub.net/" href="https://www.impacthub.net/">Impact hubs</a> and their success stories for examples of this. Essentially people should spend 70% of their time outside of their silo. Time to cross that bridge.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="c0b8">
<strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Question; how can we redesign the space for quiet silo working with like minded experts. But make this personal space just a safe haven?Question; how can we encourage staff get out seventy percent of their time to a co work space or other professional environment?</strong></div>
<div class="graf--p" name="b702">
<strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">In a nutshell go gather pollen from the flowers and bring it back to the hive.</strong></div>
<br />
<br />
<figure class="graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft" name="8fa1"><img class="graf-image" data-height="404" data-image-id="1*A7lIrtZw7gtIka5yJOHp3w.jpeg" data-width="611" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/600/1*A7lIrtZw7gtIka5yJOHp3w.jpeg" /><figcaption class="imageCaption">Buckminster Fuller</figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="graf--p" name="68b6">
Whilst we’re at it, take those empty walls, ask who inspires the folks at work there and fill em with pictures. Apparently Ranulph Fiennes was inspired by pictures of explorers on the wall of his family home. Don’t let the images go stale, circulate the images to keep them fresh and put a short description underneath. The department in my head brings pictures of James Lovelock, Heath Robinson, Jony Ive, Mahatma Gandhi, Buckminster Fuller, Petra Kelly and many others to mind. But ask your people and let them bring variety. In a big organisation they could swop occasionally with other departments. On that subject some of their time could be spent in the other department silos. Go forth to shared spaces and communicate. get out more!</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="1102">
</h4>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="1102">
Environment done! Getting out more done! What about some personality</h4>
<div class="graf--p" name="5300">
So we’ve shaken up the work place and the amount of time spent in it a bit. But we need to bring out the personalities a bit more too. What are we going to do with what we learn from the big outside? Will we discuss it at the end of our rigid formal meeting whilst everyone scoffs? Or will we clear a space in our diaries each day for some informal bumping of ideas?</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="2f40">
According to research, 52 <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://lifehacker.com/52-minute-work-17-minute-break-is-the-ideal-productivi-1616541102" href="http://lifehacker.com/52-minute-work-17-minute-break-is-the-ideal-productivi-1616541102">minutes is desired as the maximum productive time</a>, but only if we have 17 minutes in between doing something completely off the wall. So let’s use that time for an upload together. Make it a bring and share, bring ideas, learn, read, show videos and put them all to the sword in a public forum. Discuss pros and cons, make it fun. Do this every day. Have expressive space, big whiteboards, pin up spaces etc. People talk about learning and development as though it’s something separate from your work. It should be part of your DNA to learn and take on new ideas and break down old assumptions and do it collectively.</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="6811">
</h4>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="6811">
Language and identity</h4>
<br />
<br />
<figure class="graf--figure" name="b77b"><img class="graf-image" data-height="853" data-image-id="1*GIaj3iyqBOX15kGtYJkB_w.jpeg" data-is-featured="true" data-width="1280" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*GIaj3iyqBOX15kGtYJkB_w.jpeg" /><figcaption class="imageCaption">thanks to Pexels.com</figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="graf--p" name="617c">
This upload forum described above also serves a different special purpose. It begins to attack the assumptions of agreement. It starts to change the dept language. It starts to erode ingrained values and beliefs. It starts to give people personal identities as they emerge from their silos. It can begin to shape how people self-identify. There are swathes of academic writing about identity and I bow to the research of e.g. <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.libraryofsocialscience.com/reviews/Bteddini.html" href="https://www.libraryofsocialscience.com/reviews/Bteddini.html">David Campbell</a> and <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziauddin_Sardar" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziauddin_Sardar">Ziauddin Sardar</a>. I cannot begin to open this Pandora’s box, but I will say that changing language to suggest activities rather than cultural themes is a good start. Say out loud; I’m an innovator, engineer, creative, environmentalist, maker, writer, photographer. These are positives. Move away from job titles, they’re a bit irrelevant and yesterday. Move away from descriptions like, team leader or manager these are equally unhelpful. Self identity around what you want to do might be nice place to start, e.g. Environmental champion, creative engineer etc. This should become default language, the way you introduce yourself in a speed dating session. A bit like your elevator pitch for yourself. Oh and <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oHvknJfklE" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oHvknJfklE">watch this video</a> it deals with shedding old identities better than I can.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="359c">
<br /></div>
<div class="graf--p" name="359c">
As the language advances and the upload conversations will become more detailed, notions of who do I identify with can come in. Not in a negative way like I’m a facist and all my friends are white supremacists, hell No! More like I’m really into making things, I’m influenced by <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://earthship.com/" href="http://earthship.com/">Michael Reynolds</a> and Geoff ‘Earthship’ Starlington, I like the work of Jony Ive, I follow the philosophy of Buckminster Fuller and Hundertwasser, I listen to Curtis Mayfield and Megadeath. Suddenly each participant in upload develops a personality. Someone recently suggested a bring your personality to work day. Maybe that’s a possible start? Who influences you at work and why? Who influences or inspires you in life and why? What are their values and qualities you admire, have you worked this out? Do you carry this knowledge with you? Do you share it? Go share it now!</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="7331">
So the environment has changed, people are out more and the personalities they bring back begin to emerge now what?</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="43b2">
</h4>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="43b2">
How do we cultivate these changes further?</h4>
<div class="graf--p" name="0204">
So <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.shiftingthinking.org/?page_id=61" href="http://www.shiftingthinking.org/?page_id=61">identities are not fixed</a>, remind people they can change their nationality, religion, beliefs, gender, sexuality, name, status, geography (urban/rural). All of these cross cutting themes can vary throughout your life! Oh yes they can and do! But try to see people without those labels, it’s really hard and takes practice but it’s worth it. Some organisations manage this, it’s worth taking a long look at them. Ask me for details.</div>
<blockquote class="graf--blockquote" name="7b84">
<strong class="markup--strong markup--blockquote-strong">Let’s develop some ideas about culture change a bit more. How are we going to move further together?</strong></blockquote>
<div class="graf--p" name="88c2">
Well people can choose their identity and express it and they can choose their actions. They don’t have to conform to organisational assumptions. Move them further, ask them who they identify with? Characters from film or fiction, role models? heroes? Why ask them this? Because I suspect they are a great guide to where people get their ideas and possibly to where they think they’re going, or would like to go. Who influences you? Who do you aspire to be?</div>
<blockquote class="graf--blockquote" name="806d">
<strong class="markup--strong markup--blockquote-strong">How do you want to be seen now, and how do you want to be remembered?</strong></blockquote>
<div class="graf--p" name="136f">
Now we have opened Pandora’s box, we are beginning to change things. People are attempting to express themselves within the new environment and new ideas are forming as a result of the getting out more.</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="2564">
</h4>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="2564">
How do we filter those ideas into the work that needs to be done?</h4>
<div class="graf--p" name="07f0">
Ask questions of each other and ourselves. Why am doing this work? Who else needs to know about it? (Not just the usual suspects our professional partners). Who is working on this stuff as well as me? <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://hbr.org/2016/03/how-to-build-a-culture-of-originality" href="https://hbr.org/2016/03/how-to-build-a-culture-of-originality">Originality is very rare</a>, someone is doing your project somewhere else, even <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/59/7/593.full" href="http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/59/7/593.full">fire was discovered</a> in different parts of the world simultaneously. So go find out who you might be able to collaborate, share with, increase value of, learn from. Where shall I go to find out who’s doing this? Can I test it with someone completely different than me? What do I know? Why do I think I know it? What do I want to know? Who’s opinion do I currently value and why? Is that correct?</div>
<blockquote class="graf--blockquote" name="7b0d">
<strong class="markup--strong markup--blockquote-strong">I’ll say it here and now; it is sharing information that is powerful not keeping it to yourself!</strong></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<figure class="graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft" name="a2e4"><img class="graf-image" data-height="853" data-image-id="1*c7o8aPtPVorMcr3vcfk2xg.jpeg" data-width="1280" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/600/1*c7o8aPtPVorMcr3vcfk2xg.jpeg" /><figcaption class="imageCaption">thanks to Pexels.com</figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="graf--p" name="7890">
Once we work together, we need to create a vision. At present we are here. Where do we want to be? What will it look like? How will we behave? Describe ourselves and the organisation? What will people see, hear, feel when they come to see us? Once you’ve built, collected, asked, advanced, changed the environment you work in. And the way you work, got out more, questioned yourself and others. The culture will begin to change and it will show.</div>
<blockquote class="graf--blockquote" name="7135">
Ponder this scary thought, you’ve changed the culture, collectively and individually. When you finally put your ideas up there, what does it feel like? Ask any artist, writer, film maker, songwriter. Very scary but really exciting. It will be challenging or beautiful but not passive!</blockquote>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="4c1a">
</h4>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="4c1a">
So what about habits?</h4>
<div class="graf--p" name="1b36">
Question: What about habits what have they got to do with it? Habits become what we wear, where we work, how we describe things, what we eat, what we read, the cafe we drink our tea at, the tea we drink (coffee in my case can’t stand tea, was an avid Earl Grey drinker then I stopped and drank coffee instead) our work patterns, how we describe ourselves, how we relate to others. The things that shape the assumptions that lead to the culture of an organisation come down to habits.</div>
<blockquote class="graf--blockquote" name="28af">
<strong class="markup--strong markup--blockquote-strong">Individual habits and they can change. They are the elements of a culture and they are a choice.</strong></blockquote>
<div class="graf--p" name="fde2">
Some people say that they are part of our personalities. But if you vary habits and break patterns it can lead to<a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/improving-emotional-health.htm" href="http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/improving-emotional-health.htm"> unexpected benefits and adventures</a> and enhanced wellbeing. Imagine the thrill of watching a different soap opera. Get into new characters in a book. Or read different news, possibly with widely varied or opposite views to the ones you habitually follow. Scary but enticing territory. I watched horror films for a while found them challenging and jarring. I went back to my safe zone of crime, but I never quite viewed it in the same way again. I really began to understand why I liked it so much more than horror.</div>
<br />
<br />
<figure class="graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft" name="e01e"><img class="graf-image" data-height="2426" data-image-id="1*mykC9cf2S71ZODN4mn9-gQ.jpeg" data-width="3514" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/600/1*mykC9cf2S71ZODN4mn9-gQ.jpeg" /></figure><br />
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="961b">
</h4>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="961b">
Back to work and culture</h4>
<div class="graf--p" name="2676">
Do you wear a suit every day? Or wear one occasionally? If you never do maybe you should. How about you never wear the same twice in two days. Perhaps people will enjoy a guess and wonder what you might wear next. Then go sit in a different place, pick a silo elsewhere. Ask them questions about or related to your work and theirs. People are flattered by questions. Organise a non-traditional meeting, read up on how to do it. Or ask me for help. Yes you can do all of these things in the same day, after all isn’t variety the spice of life?</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="6fea">
Change your language, describe your role and yourself differently when asked. Invent a new persona at work, be who you really are. Present your work as you. Ask for critique in a constructive way, or combative if you dare! You’ll never be the same again. Programme your work in a pattern, 50 mins head down, 20 doing something radical. Go work elsewhere, invite others in! Mix your meetings up. Bring in outsiders (shock horror) Let the washing machine engineers meet the fashion designers and together they can design a new car. Read this brilliant article on collaborative culture by <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://alistapart.com/article/structuring-a-new-collaborative-culture" href="http://alistapart.com/article/structuring-a-new-collaborative-culture">Rosie Manning</a> Oh and just read more, its like learning and development only more enjoyable. <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://betterhumans.coach.me/8-ways-to-read-60-books-a-year-25d9e159c4ec#.e4ne0e1s9" href="https://betterhumans.coach.me/8-ways-to-read-60-books-a-year-25d9e159c4ec#.e4ne0e1s9">here’s a great guide to how and wh</a>y.</div>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="a2ca">
</h4>
<h4 class="graf--h4" name="a2ca">
Set the scene, take 2</h4>
<br />
<br />
<figure class="graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft" name="ed3b"><img class="graf-image" data-height="414" data-image-id="1*ikbIuc4pTdlITx8sGqrLZg.jpeg" data-width="550" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/600/1*ikbIuc4pTdlITx8sGqrLZg.jpeg" /></figure><br />
<div class="graf--p" name="8eb9">
In my mind I walk into the dept, it’s a hive of activity, individuals work here. I know that because no two look alike. They’re in groups or silos huddled together hard at work. Another group are around a display board. They discuss an idea, it’s a challenge to get a word in. When I do I’m accepted, they listen to and record my contribution. The silos break out into a hive of activity. The meeting i attend is brisk, it has objectives and outcomes. People only come in when they’re needed. Not all of the orchestra plays at once! I take actions with deadlines so do others. There’s an acknowledgment we will complete them on time.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="d21e">
A walking meeting passes by deep in conversation. I notice staff have adorned the walls with interesting images. I ponder them whilst I drink my coffee. I go to a different dept and ask what their images are all about. For the next fifty minutes I write my next project overview. I take it out to the display board, colleagues and visitors gather to discuss it, not a suit or tie in sight. The odd pointy shoe here and there and some decent beards but I ignore that and view them as people. I record all of their views and ideas verbatim, they help gel and confirm some of mine. Some are radically different. I make a note to test them against my assumptions.</div>
<br />
<br />
<figure class="graf--figure" name="c099"><img class="graf-image" data-height="377" data-image-id="1*YWcghPksgFMfnHb2dgmM4g.jpeg" data-width="625" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*YWcghPksgFMfnHb2dgmM4g.jpeg" /><figcaption class="imageCaption">Borrowed Earthship diagram</figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="graf--p" name="8575">
I’m off now to work in the <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.desklodge.com/" href="http://www.desklodge.com/">DeskLodge Bristol</a> now (or any other co work space you’d like to imagine). I know it’s full of creatives today for a conference. I’m Going to stay for the evening discussions. I will show them my project, I’m scared but excited. Work will never be the same again. I get up excited to cycle in. I’ve got a picture of an <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://earthship.com/" href="http://earthship.com/">Earthship</a> in my bag I’m thinking about building. I want to know what people think, how they would improve it. Tomorrow I’ll work at the science park, see what they think of my latest project. Will it stand up to their scrutiny or will I need to rethink. it feels exciting when I put myself out there. I’m hoping for something innovative. if nothing else it’ll be a challenge, it may be beautiful.</div>
<blockquote class="graf--blockquote" name="39d4">
<strong class="markup--strong markup--blockquote-strong">If you want to change your organisation, change the culture. If you want to change the culture change the habits. If you want to make it more diverse, stop trying and change the above two.</strong></blockquote>
<div class="graf--p" name="b023">
NB. I’ve tagged some books and articles I’ve enjoyed, there’s a wealth of research done on this topic too great to mention here. This is simply a blog of my thoughts not an academic paper. Go read more it’s fun! If you want help doing things different ask me.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="b023">
<br /></div>
<div class="graf--p" name="b023">
This blog is also on Medium: https://medium.com/@JoeKBaker/changing-culture-not-easy-but-the-prize-is-huge-dd3ed1f65a4d#.ydcreodzm </div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-48601467313763819362016-08-01T12:51:00.002+01:002016-08-01T12:52:55.848+01:00Where are the future creatives? And what are we doing about it?<span style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50% , rgba(31 , 111 , 153 , 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 19px; letter-spacing: -0.699999988079071px; text-decoration: none;">Only <a data-cke-saved-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1%25_rule_(Internet_culture)" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1%25_rule_(Internet_culture)" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; font-size: 19px; letter-spacing: -0.699999988079071px; text-decoration: none;">1% of people on the internet are creators!</a></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9k637m5Hp74/V583G5xMBqI/AAAAAAAAFXA/75M_gfe_orEzPmcgfFIGUj4zWUbvyb4WwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9k637m5Hp74/V583G5xMBqI/AAAAAAAAFXA/75M_gfe_orEzPmcgfFIGUj4zWUbvyb4WwCLcB/s320/IMG_0378.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creative tools past</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Its an odd paradox that in an age where we have the most powerful creative tools in our hands most of us use them to do passive tasks. At best we might take a selfie, add a filter and post it in the ether. That is the endless stream of social media. yes we might well look back nostalgically at our efforts. But I suggest there are less and less people able and willing to make a living out of creating. Why is this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First of all I guess the notion of jobs like photographer, artist, poet, writer, musician. Considered the creative roles appear diluted by digital technology and means of distribution. When I was a teenager if you wanted to take a photograph (my obsession back then), you had to and first save up for a decent camera. Mine was a Zenit E, followed by Canon AE and many more. Also the accessories as you gradually learned the trade of using different lenses for different reasons and flash in the dark etc. If you were a fanatic like me, you but a darkroom with a Durst enlarger. Struggled to create a space of total blackout where you could develop and enlarge your masterpieces. I was told that good print could last a 100 years or more. I wonder what digital archives will be around in 100 years?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ingrained in that crazy slow learning curve was a desire to capture images that endured and pleased others. And master the techniques of presenting them. To exhibit was to bare your soul. The great and good came from far and wide to see, and if you were lucky purchase your efforts. You would number them to make them even more desirable. Oddly I've noticed a resurgence of people using film recently that might one day return to this situation. But I doubt it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Like music and writing, the art of photography died with the digital camera. Music struggles on but the means of distribution have rendered earning a living as a musician almost impossible. Art is the last bastion. Struggling in its own way to stand out in the crowded space where social sharing and advertising increasingly co-exist. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One in 11 jobs or 8.8 per cent of all UK jobs now falls within the creative economy, and one in six of all UK graduate jobs are also <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/uk-creative-overview/facts-and-figures/employment-figures" href="http://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/uk-creative-overview/facts-and-figures/employment-figures" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">creative economy positions</a>. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is seen as good, but as work opportunities decline and the traditional notion of work disappears</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">with the coming AI revolution. The percentage is going to have to be a lot bigger!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/media/286867/cic_jobs_update2015.pdf </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Part of developing and autonomous, think on your feet, adaptable workforce is going to be all about stimulating and encouraging creative skills beyond the odd selfie. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KooOyFfiWQI/V581SkF0mbI/AAAAAAAAFWw/OSWdtpNN6vULtiZxr-Cv_DnUmdEvzwH4wCLcB/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KooOyFfiWQI/V581SkF0mbI/AAAAAAAAFWw/OSWdtpNN6vULtiZxr-Cv_DnUmdEvzwH4wCLcB/s320/IMG_0824.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My self with Prisma - 5 mins of effort!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But how? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At the moment our education system and every other facet of society pushes people towards the traditional view of 9-5 treadmill jobs. The new breed of hamsters, apart from a small minority, seem happy to follow. Disruption is happening in many aspects of society, bitcoin, crowdfunding, crowdsourcing, AI, autonomous vehicles. But not in traditional education. According to many commentators </span><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity?language=en" href="http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity?language=en" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">it kills creativity</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. This is something we need to tackle quickly. Or we will hive our future creatives to mindless silos nose to the grind wheel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The solution is opening things up, yes even schools and colleges. Oh the risks I hear you scream. But as long as we keep closed systems, closed institutions and closed thinking, we will not stimulate the 'autonomy economy' of future creatives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My vision is that the best things happen when strange worlds meet. Co working hubs around the world are demonstrating this almost daily. what we need is to do this earlier, faster and cheaper to enable worlds to collide more often. Creative hubs, freely available to all are the answer. When I was a kid the library was my education, but they are no where near cool enough anymore. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We need spaces that are the epitome of wow. Designed to attract and throw together the cleverest minds of all ages and social strata. No government will support this as this kind of autonomy terrifies them. It is for our generation, those who know how to make stuff, to provide them for the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some light is starting to appear, we have hubs coming out of our ears in Exeter and conferences too. The problem is they are disparate and not in the centre. There is no one centrally placed Loci, I propose a quiet takeover and I have a target place! Watch this space...</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-17721895584808775222016-07-19T13:43:00.000+01:002016-08-01T12:54:49.705+01:00How much reality can we cope with?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YJg02ivYzSs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YJg02ivYzSs?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"></iframe><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There it was! One minute I was responding to a post about <a href="http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/new-product/game/pokemon-go-out-in-uk-now-complete-guide-pokemon-go-get-pokemon-go-uk-3625388/">Pokemon Go</a> suggesting that its a stepping stone to full Virtual Reality and a way to get people interested in Augmented Reality (I'm totally surprised it doesn't yet have AR adverts. Then good old Google (speculation alert) are alleged to be working on, get this, a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3695485/Is-Google-developing-new-mixed-reality-headset-Rumours-emerge-firm-secretly-working-Hololens-own.html">mixed reality version of Google glass</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well I never. The question is how much reality can we take? It seems to me that people aren't yet ready for full on VR, unless they're queuing for a<a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/japans-first-virtual-reality-porn-8348006"> Japanese VR porn convention</a> that is. So the middle ground is as ever to get people interested/addicted via a game. Well done Nintendo, you've certainly achieved that. Wish I'd had a few shares in the old Wii factory but alas I don't. Apparently it's been so successful it's<a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/tech-nintendo-sony-dc-idUKTKV00351520070626"> outstripped Sony</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So what next? Well careful what you wish for, a number of commentators have been fixated about the internet of things, smart cities and augmented advertising. But they have taken their eye off the good old smart phone as the vehicle for this. Also of course the possibility of wearables if Google gets it's way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/166807261">T</a><a href="http://hyper-reality.co/">This video</a> from Hyper Reality thanks to Keiichi Matsuda (Above) gives a sneak preview of what might happen to your phone or indeed your glasses. Is it a case of glasses half empty or glasses left full? You tell me...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hyper Reality </span></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-39119521229341471802016-07-13T17:55:00.001+01:002016-07-13T17:55:21.987+01:00Cool Brittania - not anymore it isn't<h4>
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Everyone's going to Brexit! </div>
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Everywhere I go since Brexit I hear people discussing their desire to leave Britain. this is particularly evident among young people. I was in my favourite coffee shop and as always earwigging conversation. The young and interested who would have or voted remain are discussing Brexit. Not in the way you might imagine. Far from the infighting, xenophobia of politics. They are discussing the exciting opportunities and sense of cool offered by big European cities. </div>
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The primary target of this discussion is <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36758686">Berlin, itself the target of unrest lately due to gentrification</a>. The young and the interested are rebelling. <a data-cke-saved-href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6766539.stm" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6766539.stm" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">Cool Britannia</a>, a tardy phrase coined by Blair and his cronies. When they'd finally, all too late woken up to the value of our creative industries, is dead in the water. Despite the best efforts of our film, music and creative arts industries worth <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/creative-industries-worth-almost-10-million-an-hour-to-economy" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/creative-industries-worth-almost-10-million-an-hour-to-economy" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">£10 million an hour</a> to the UK. Britain is about to leech it's best creative minds. Selfish class ridden UK will become a desert wasteland of disaffected youth. Because those with the skills and abilities will realise that Shoreditch isn't it. Just take a tour of any major European city and you will sense the confidence of youth. Not for them the hang ups of class barriers for start ups. Not for them the labels of immigrant if you attempt to put yourself forward. Its a badge of honour to be well read, well dressed and entrepreneurial in the most happening cities in Europe. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27Fafmbws24/V4ZxYH4aTsI/AAAAAAAAFQE/604_Q87PNm0kiIJ0_Wobmkuu_ZwG0hOVACEw/s1600/IMG_0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27Fafmbws24/V4ZxYH4aTsI/AAAAAAAAFQE/604_Q87PNm0kiIJ0_Wobmkuu_ZwG0hOVACEw/s320/IMG_0422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out wired magazine's hottest <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.wired.co.uk/article/wireds-100-hottest-european-startups-2015" href="http://www.wired.co.uk/article/wireds-100-hottest-european-startups-2015" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">100 startups </a>and you will see the diversity of ideas and experience. It may be the baby boomers that built stuff, but it is generation Z who are using the tools to greatest effect. </div>
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It will be <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/19/think-millennials-have-it-tough-for-generation-k-life-is-even-harsher" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/19/think-millennials-have-it-tough-for-generation-k-life-is-even-harsher" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">generation K</a> who will be the test of Britain's ability to retain a skilled society. Able to compete as independent individuals against the best in Europe. <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10854584/Flat-white-sector-keeps-London-growing-fastest.html" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10854584/Flat-white-sector-keeps-London-growing-fastest.html" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 50%, rgba(31, 111, 153, 0.498039) 50%); background-position: 0px 1em; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 2px 4px; text-decoration: none;">Douglas McWilliams 'Flat White Economy</a>' describes how skilled immigrants saved London from going under in the last recession. Now Brexit has done it's worst, who will save London and the UK in the next one? The talented immigrants will leave, chased out by xenophobia and hatred. The skilled and independent generation K's from the UK will flee in their droves. I for one will mourn the loss of both. The creative youth that make our society so special. And the brilliant migrants I've met who've enriched my life and the life of our cities so much. Cool is elsewhere, just take a look at football, clothing, bikes, music, clubs, film, science, design and art if you don't agree! </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-69543879974660026652016-05-13T11:49:00.005+01:002016-05-13T11:49:59.909+01:00Find things to do and places to go in Digital Exeter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-XV7Of3-ss/VzWv6KZoROI/AAAAAAAAFEg/tn_LMlqP_vMD_CmYlIGE7HQfjMOtQNSZgCLcB/s1600/one-hour-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-XV7Of3-ss/VzWv6KZoROI/AAAAAAAAFEg/tn_LMlqP_vMD_CmYlIGE7HQfjMOtQNSZgCLcB/s400/one-hour-image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>Exeter</b> is on fire at the moment, so many digital events so little time! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/Tech%20Nation%202016%20report%20highlights%20Exeter's%20growing%20digital%20tech%20sector%20%20Read%20more:%20http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Tech-Nation-2016-report-highlights-Exeter-s/story-28722144-detail/story.html#ixzz48Wws6IZ8">Tech Nation</a> report highlighting the growth of digital sector in Exeter. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">The arrival of <a href="http://techexeter.space/">Hub@TechExeter</a> and the second <a href="http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Exeter-working-hub-Generator-set-expand-second/story-29020257-detail/story.html">Generator co-working</a> space on the Quay, </span></span><a href="http://www.exetersciencepark.co.uk/" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'proxima nova', 'ag book', helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;" target="_blank">Exeter Science Park</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: 'proxima nova', 'ag book', helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"> open for business. Those fab <a href="http://www.cosmic.org.uk/">Cosmic</a> people offering digital leadership courses. I can hardly keep up! </span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvTG_aMckxc/Vc3ENqXsHLI/AAAAAAAAD5A/R9V0X8JwPPs/s1600/meetup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvTG_aMckxc/Vc3ENqXsHLI/AAAAAAAAD5A/R9V0X8JwPPs/s1600/meetup.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Slight problem is knowing when everything is on and where to find out! Yes you can follow Twitter and Facebook feeds and email lists, <a href="http://www.meetup.com/">use meetup app</a>, but not definitive!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><br /></span></span></span><b style="color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">I've made a list of the initiatives I know of here:</b></span><br />
<b style="color: blue; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hang out and work</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.spaceforsuccess.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Innovation Centre & Cafe</b></a> - Exeter University</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.exetersciencepark.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Exeter Science Park</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://the-generator.org/" target="_blank"><b>Generator</b></a> - Co working space Exeter</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="https://www.devon.gov.uk/exeter_central_library" target="_blank"><b>Exeter Library</b> Meeting Rooms for hire</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank"><b>RAMM Museum</b>, Art gallery & Cafe Exeter</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.devonworkhubs.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Devon Work Hubs</b></a> - work hubs dotted around Devon</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://techexeter.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Tech Exeter</b></a>, community, conference and co-working space (formerly Exeter Web)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>Maker Space: </b></span></span></h2>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0yeOO1u2a4/Vc3FwuWKBXI/AAAAAAAAD5M/wh8075MZTfI/s1600/Flab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0yeOO1u2a4/Vc3FwuWKBXI/AAAAAAAAD5M/wh8075MZTfI/s320/Flab.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="https://www.fablabdevon.org/" target="_blank"><b>FabLab Devon</b> - Exeter Central Library</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Raspberry Pi Jam</span><br />
<h4>
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>Go to events:</b></span></h4>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.castledemos.co.uk/#" target="_blank"><b>Exeter Castle Demos</b></a> pitch your business</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b><a href="http://www.up.co/communities/uk/exeter/startup-weekend" target="_blank">Exeter Startup Weekends</a></b> - Start a business in 54 hours Twitter: </span><a class="ProfileCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" data-aria-label-part="" href="https://twitter.com/innovexeter" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #66757f; font-size: 12px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">@<span class="u-linkComplex-target" style="text-decoration: underline !important;">innovexeter</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b><a href="http://digitalexeter.uk/" target="_blank">Digital Exeter</a></b> - talks and networking Twitter: </span></span><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/DigitalExeter" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #524947; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #524947; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">@</span></span><span class="u-linkComplex-target" style="color: #524947; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">DigitalExeter</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: proxima nova, ag book, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b><a href="http://techexeter.uk/" target="_blank">TechExeter</a> - </b>community and conference</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.existexeter.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>EXIST </b></a>- Science and Tech talks and networking Twitter: </span></span><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/ExIST_Exeter" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #8899a6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;">@<span class="u-linkComplex-target">ExIST_Exeter</span></a><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #8899a6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b><a href="http://devon.theodi.org/" target="_blank">ODI Devon</a></b> - open data - talks and networking Twitter: </span><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/ODIDevon" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #4a913c; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #4a913c; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">@</span></span><span class="u-linkComplex-target" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a913c; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">ODIDevon</span></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>GeekCampX </b>- sporadic geek fun and games Twitter: @GeekCampX</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Many of these are also on <a href="http://meetup.com/">Meetup.com</a> Download the app if you have a smartphone</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>Please comment on this blog with any I've missed and I'll update and add to the post</b>. Hopefully it'll become a useful source of reference.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Happy Geeking!</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-35788440441687356082016-05-06T13:39:00.001+01:002016-05-06T13:41:55.880+01:00Today's Mantra all the World's a stage! No I know I didn't write that..<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 19.2px; letter-spacing: -0.7px; line-height: 28.8px;">But, always figure out who is doing what to whom in any story. Then you can look at where you fit in. Make sure that it's right. #joesmantras</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBvEi-5DUFY/VyyP_ESMhnI/AAAAAAAAFD0/xb0i5WNnCBouXrC7QjC6TH4nzGNxv6FywCLcB/s1600/Joe%2BTalks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBvEi-5DUFY/VyyP_ESMhnI/AAAAAAAAFD0/xb0i5WNnCBouXrC7QjC6TH4nzGNxv6FywCLcB/s320/Joe%2BTalks.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19.2px; letter-spacing: -0.7px; line-height: 28.8px; margin-bottom: 1.1em; margin-top: 1.1em;">
<span style="font-size: 19.2px; letter-spacing: -0.7px; line-height: 28.8px;">its interesting to me that I watch stories unfolding on a daily basis and I see the events that unfold. What I</span><span style="font-size: 19.2px; letter-spacing: -0.7px; line-height: 28.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 19.2px; letter-spacing: -0.7px; line-height: 28.8px;"> see is that people involved in those stories, sometimes even key actors, don't know where they fit in. They don't see what their part is, if any. They don't anticipate where to come in and when not to. They definitely don't realise that the plot is unfolding around them. They are unaware of the possible outcomes.</span><span style="font-size: 19.2px; letter-spacing: -0.7px; line-height: 28.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 19.2px; letter-spacing: -0.7px; line-height: 28.8px;">So be aware, ask why you're invited? What is your part in this scenario, project, adventure? Do you have to play all the time or can you just come in when you're needed?</span></div>
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Running a good project is a bit like conducting and orchestra. Not everyone needs to play all the time. Bring them in when necessary. Don't involve them at every meeting they'll quickly get bored. Most scenarios I witness have too many players altogether. They play too often they all come in at once and they don't have a clue where they fit in. Often it's my job to sort this out. I ask why are you here? Do you have the time and permission if you need it? when and where does your bit begin and end? How would you like to be kep informed? An oh yes here's the script and timings (plan) to enable you to know theses things. I'll be in touch....</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK50.718412 -3.533899000000019450.637996 -3.6952605000000194 50.798828 -3.3725375000000195tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-28775424499188502192015-10-11T15:41:00.001+01:002016-10-31T19:29:34.909+00:00You believe in your startup idea, right? Then prepare to pitch!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Got a business idea that you want to exist outside of your own head? Then you need to prepare to pitch. Pitch for financial support. Pitch to get the right team on board. Pitch to win clients. There we are I've said it four times - 'pitch'. Are you left with a feeling of dread? Maybe that’s because you've missed the more important ‘P’ word in this opening - 'prepare'. Not just write out what you want to say but really prepare to deliver it with passion!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtbsGdN0Iw5MnSe70xG1176Tl899X8oRxL3iL2ehINJI_yyw_4jvp_cPBgl_Dqp0jifMK2iySaa2ah9QnQ7U1SN4SlcfqAma4Pq76DqfeS8ZGUthAMLaqpPZLHOESgM7tr3WH0L5gF1Uu/s1600/SWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtbsGdN0Iw5MnSe70xG1176Tl899X8oRxL3iL2ehINJI_yyw_4jvp_cPBgl_Dqp0jifMK2iySaa2ah9QnQ7U1SN4SlcfqAma4Pq76DqfeS8ZGUthAMLaqpPZLHOESgM7tr3WH0L5gF1Uu/s320/SWA.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I recently spent an evening watching 3 minute start-up pitches. It inspired me to write this list of pitching tips. I don’t need me to tell you that the substance of your pitch is absolutely critical. Don’t be vague about your own numbers when asking someone to part with their cash. But there are plenty of </span><a href="https://www.wrike.com/blog/startup-pitch-expert-advice-from-famous-investors/" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">startup mentors </span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to advise you on what evidence to take to the table. Instead let’s look at the mechanics of how you will deliver your pitch. Like a good barrister, you need both the style and substance to win the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decide what you want at the end of this pitch</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You should know the minimum you want to walk away from this pitch with. This is the light at the end of the tunnel to keep you motivated even through your pre-pitch nerves and technology mishaps. Be specific and realistic about the amount of money or type of skills and support you’re looking for. And make sure you tell your audience in your pitch. If you want them to get on board with the next chapter of your story then they need to know where they could fit in.</span></div>
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Think about the structure of your pitch </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You don’t need to be an expert in narrative theory to recognise a common structure in many films, plays and books. Writers do this to make it easier for their audience to understand and connect with the story they are telling them. Pitch writers can do the same. Watch Nancy Duarte’s excellent TED talk on </span><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_duarte_the_secret_structure_of_great_talks" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Secret Structure of Great Talks</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In short, you should strike the right balance of explaining what life is like now and what is could be if your idea came to life. Spend too much time setting the scene and you'll leave us wondering "where is this going?"</span></div>
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One great idea at a time</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By all means dream big but today's pitch isn’t the place to present the whole big picture of what your empire could look like when you’re Richard Branson’s age. Keep your pitch focused on making a compelling case for investing in the one great idea you have now. You risk watering that idea down considerable if you throw in all the other avenues you’re thinking about branching out into. But do prepare to answer follow up questions from your audience about where you see your company in 5 years.</span></div>
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Either make space for video and audio content or just don't use it! </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Videos can be really powerful. You might want to demonstrate your prototype in action. Or get existing customers to validate there is a market for your product or service. If you go to the trouble of preparing a video, please don't talk over it! It’s amazing how many pitchers nervously do this. If you think this could be you, consider showing your video at the beginning of the pitch to succinctly set the scene and relax into standing in front of your audience. </span></div>
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Do you really need prompts to deliver a 3 minute pitch on an idea you’re passionate about?</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back in the 2000s I got pipped to the post for a job. The recruiter told me, "You were neck and neck with another candidate. We only decided to give it to them because they used PowerPoint". I thanked them for their feedback whilst silently screaming in my head "WHO NEEDS SLIDES FOR A 3 MINUTE PRESENTATION?!?". Others may disagree but I still think slides should be proportionate to the length of the pitch. A static slide with your logo, strapline, picture of your product, contact details will help people remember your identity. But if you’ve only got 3-5 minutes think carefully about whether multiple slides will make your key messages more persuasive or will distract from the words coming out of your mouth? </span></div>
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Make slides an asset not a distraction or irritation</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In longer pitches make your slides an asset to your audience. Avoid ladening them with text and multiple bullet points. One takeaway point per slide maximum. Don’t let them become crutches. When you're nervous you're likely to keep turning towards your slides whilst delivering your pitch. If you do this, at least some of your audience won't be able to hear you. Trust me this is unbelievably irritating. I also don't remember Steve Jobs interrupting the flow of his annual product launches to say "uh, can I have the next slide please?". Invest £30 in a wireless clicker and learn to deliver your pitch looking forward with a minimal glance and point towards your slides. When it comes to the content take a look at this </span><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/chancebarnett/2014/05/09/investor-pitch-deck-to-raise-money-for-startups/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">template pitch deck created by Chance Barnett, Founder of Crowdfunder</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
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Record yourself. Watch yourself. Cringe. Do it again.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Few of us like watching or hearing ourselves on camera but it's a necessary evil. You can capitalise on your fear of the camera to partially recreate what it'll be like stood in front of your audience. Once you've got over the cringeworthiness, watch out for clarity and content. Are you speaking too quickly? Did your voice tail off at the end of each sentence so your point was lost? Have you missed any key points? Does the pitch flow like a recognisable and engaging story? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Ditch the cast of hundreds to pitch</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every member of the pitching group should contribute something valuable. If you need one person to deliver the pitch and one person to stand there for morale support then you've got one too many people on stage. Do tell your audience who your team are but, in my opinion, you don’t need everyone stood there if they’ve nothing to say or do. It doesn't say "we're a lean efficient business where everyone plays an important role". It suggests a lack of confidence.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Expect the technology to fail</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wifi will be slower than your gran. The projector bulb will probably blow up. Even if it doesn't the damn thing is unlikely to recognise your laptop. If you expect all this and have a plan b you'll be fine. Avoid wasting time panicking and apologising for the technology, and instead show you’re agile enough to overcome a minor set back. On a related note, live demos are risky if your product is still in its infancy and you’re not confident at pitching. Consider a short, professionally edited video instead. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Screw modesty - you believe in this idea, right?</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If there was a vaccine out there to combat British modesty I’d make it available on the NHS. Then we could all apologetically queue up at the doctor’s clinic for it. You can avoid being obnoxiously arrogant without defaulting to being painfully modest. Use natural words, tone and body language to show you're passionate and confident about your idea and have the energy and commitment to progress it further. Look your audience in the eye rather than staring down at notes. Take your hands out of pockets. Most of all, smile and be you. Even if Mr or Ms Ego in the audience tries to burst your bubble with a curve ball question, don't get deflated, defensive or dismissive. Thank them for the question and present your counter evidence calmly. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mind your language</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Talk like a human first and foremost. The word ‘leverage’ and similar corporate nonsense makes my blood run cold. In fact it makes me think you’re probably faking it a little too much. </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Humour and controversy might make your pitch memorable for all the wrong reasons. On the plus side I vividly remember the pitcher used “data rape” to describe the problem his business idea would solve. On the down side I remember him because I thought it was abhorrent. </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, I know this sounds odd but, have you chosen a tongue twister for a name? Under pressure I’ve seen people unable to pronounce their own company or product name clearly. You either need to find ways to relax and slow down, or it might be time to rethink your brand!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Move on. Nothing to see here!</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You WILL screw some pitches up. It's the law of averages. Spend 5 minutes reflecting on what went well and what you need to improve for your next pitch. Use these notes and the questions below to prepare for the next pitch but don’t let the memory of a past disaster ruin future pitches. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Ask your audience (or at least a few friends)</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was my pitch asking for?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was the key message you took away from my pitch?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was the problem I'm aim to solve?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How would you describe my pitch style?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Imagine you have £10,000, would you invest in my pitch?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read this excellent </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;">article for <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/251311">revenue advice</a></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Good luck pitchers!</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Read more at Laura's blog</b>: <a href="http://step33.co.uk/">Step33</a> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-33268794830061504022015-09-25T17:25:00.002+01:002015-09-25T17:25:55.627+01:00Publish once, broadcast widely - what does it mean? <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtoLj5yWCPg/VgV08-kYi-I/AAAAAAAAEWw/d7vgXAOQ8RU/s1600/Mantras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtoLj5yWCPg/VgV08-kYi-I/AAAAAAAAEWw/d7vgXAOQ8RU/s400/Mantras.jpg" width="271" /></a>A few years back I was speaking about using social media in a crisis at a CIPR conference. During the course of that talk I coined one of my favourite mantras: "publish once broadcast widely" (I have quite a few). Interestingly I've heard this coming back at me a number of times since, which in many ways is quite gratifying. The difficult bit is some people have misinterpreted it.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">So to clarify, in a crisis you have one landing page or site on which you publish all relevant and important updates. Then you use all channels available to you to link back to the landing page. You then set about actively discouraging anyone who takes the information and re-interprets it. You persuade them to link back to the original text on your landing page.</span><br />
<br />
Common sense really but you'd be surprised!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-91381382998515431352015-08-14T13:07:00.000+01:002016-05-13T11:51:29.347+01:00Digital Exeter, meetups, places and things to do!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_NnLdCtzu2g/Vc3C8cBKZ9I/AAAAAAAAD44/bNQqGqMmLQM/s1600/wordle%2B5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_NnLdCtzu2g/Vc3C8cBKZ9I/AAAAAAAAD44/bNQqGqMmLQM/s320/wordle%2B5.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>Exeter</b> is on fire at the moment, so many digital events so little time! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/Tech%20Nation%202016%20report%20highlights%20Exeter's%20growing%20digital%20tech%20sector%20%20Read%20more:%20http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Tech-Nation-2016-report-highlights-Exeter-s/story-28722144-detail/story.html#ixzz48Wws6IZ8">Tech Nation</a> report highlighting the growth of digital sector in Exeter</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">The arrival of <a href="http://techexeter.space/">Hub@TechExeter</a> and the second <a href="http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Exeter-working-hub-Generator-set-expand-second/story-29020257-detail/story.html">Generator co-working</a> space on the Quay,</span></span><a href="http://www.exetersciencepark.co.uk/" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'proxima nova', 'ag book', helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;" target="_blank">Exeter Science Park</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"> open for business, those <a href="http://www.cosmic.org.uk/">Cosmic</a> people offering digital leadership courses. I can hardly keep up! </span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvTG_aMckxc/Vc3ENqXsHLI/AAAAAAAAD5A/R9V0X8JwPPs/s1600/meetup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvTG_aMckxc/Vc3ENqXsHLI/AAAAAAAAD5A/R9V0X8JwPPs/s1600/meetup.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Slight problem is knowing when everything is on and where to find out! Yes you can follow Twitter and Facebook feeds and email lists, <a href="http://www.meetup.com/">use meetup app</a>, but not definitive!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<b style="color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">I've made a list of the initiatives I know of here:</b></span><br />
<b style="color: blue; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Hang out and work</b><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.spaceforsuccess.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Innovation Centre & Cafe</b></a> - Exeter University</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.exetersciencepark.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Exeter Science Park</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://the-generator.org/" target="_blank"><b>Generator</b></a> - Co working space Exeter</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="https://www.devon.gov.uk/exeter_central_library" target="_blank"><b>Exeter Library</b> Meeting Rooms for hire</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank"><b>RAMM Museum</b>, Art gallery & Cafe Exeter</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.devonworkhubs.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Devon Work Hubs</b></a> - work hubs dotted around Devon</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://techexeter.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Tech Exeter</b></a>, community, conference and co-working space (formerly Exeter Web)</span></span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>Maker Space: </b></span></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0yeOO1u2a4/Vc3FwuWKBXI/AAAAAAAAD5M/wh8075MZTfI/s1600/Flab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0yeOO1u2a4/Vc3FwuWKBXI/AAAAAAAAD5M/wh8075MZTfI/s320/Flab.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="https://www.fablabdevon.org/" target="_blank"><b>FabLab Devon</b> - Exeter Central Library</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Raspberry Pi Jam</span><br />
<h4>
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>Go to events:</b></span></h4>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.castledemos.co.uk/#" target="_blank"><b>Exeter Castle Demos</b></a> pitch your business</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b><a href="http://www.up.co/communities/uk/exeter/startup-weekend" target="_blank">Exeter Startup Weekends</a></b> - Start a business in 54 hours Twitter: </span><a class="ProfileCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" data-aria-label-part="" href="https://twitter.com/innovexeter" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #66757f; font-size: 12px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">@<span class="u-linkComplex-target" style="text-decoration: underline !important;">innovexeter</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b><a href="http://digitalexeter.uk/" target="_blank">Digital Exeter</a></b> - talks and networking Twitter: </span></span><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/DigitalExeter" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #524947; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: rgb(245 , 248 , 250); color: #524947; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">@</span></span><span class="u-linkComplex-target" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #524947; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">DigitalExeter</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b><a href="http://techexeter.uk/" target="_blank">TechExeter</a> - </b>community and conference</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><a href="http://www.existexeter.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>EXIST </b></a>- Science and Tech talks and networking Twitter: </span></span><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/ExIST_Exeter" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #8899a6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;">@<span class="u-linkComplex-target">ExIST_Exeter</span></a><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #8899a6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b><a href="http://devon.theodi.org/" target="_blank">ODI Devon</a></b> - open data - talks and networking Twitter: </span><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/ODIDevon" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #4a913c; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #4a913c; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">@</span></span><span class="u-linkComplex-target" style="background: rgb(245 , 248 , 250); color: #4a913c; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">ODIDevon</span></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>GeekCampX </b>- sporadic geek fun and games Twitter: @GeekCampX</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Many of these are also on <a href="http://meetup.com/">Meetup.com</a> Download the app if you have a smartphone</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #464646; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;"><b>Please comment on this blog with any I've missed and I'll update and add to the post</b>. Hopefully it'll become a useful source of reference.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464646; font-family: "proxima nova" , "ag book" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 1.40625px; line-height: 26.25px;">Happy Geeking!</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK50.718412 -3.533899000000019450.637996 -3.6952605000000194 50.798828 -3.3725375000000195tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-24773605671266415152015-07-23T12:34:00.001+01:002015-09-16T16:57:11.600+01:00Exeter Startup Weekend - What I Learned<div class="MsoNormal">
As a result of the excitement of my Streetsmart Beautiful
map team coming second in <a href="http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/featurednews/title_458848_en.html" target="_blank">Exeter's first startup weekend</a>. I've reflected on the event. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beautiful Map Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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First off I have to say the organisation and facilitation of
the weekend was super good! The innovation centre aids this by it's modern
feel. it encourages collaboration by being bright, open and airy. There was
plenty of everything you needed to keep[ you going for 54 hours. The food from <a href="http://www.pickleshack.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pickle Shack</a> was exceptional</div>
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I learned so many things but I will begin with my personal
thoughts. I went to the event with a
blue sky idea about mapping locations. Which I named Streetsmart for the event.
I had great reservations about pitching. Although I've presented many times and
spoken at conferences. I realised putting your own idea out there is very different.
The pitch process is quite an experience. Everything hangs on the 60 second
initial pitch that gets your idea in the running. Fortunately enough people
voted for my initial pitch. So we formed a self selecting team to have a go at
tackling the problem. Winning or losing depends upon the five minute pitch. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIMjk9gOKRA/VbDNc1RmDoI/AAAAAAAADlY/Af_FnrgkIyo/s1600/SWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIMjk9gOKRA/VbDNc1RmDoI/AAAAAAAADlY/Af_FnrgkIyo/s320/SWA.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final 5 Minute Pitch</td></tr>
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This lets the judges decide whether your team has met the scoring criteria. The
key to both pitches is following startup weekend pitching structure (more
later). in fact once you've learned this structure it's the key to organising
your weekend. I was delighted that we achieved second place. I learned for
myself that my ideas are as valid as anyones.
And my beloved small project way of working where people cluster around
a subject really works! That was such a personal validation for me!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbgL_2ybocQ/VbDN-s1xtSI/AAAAAAAADlo/DnnSi49FGA4/s1600/SWC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbgL_2ybocQ/VbDN-s1xtSI/AAAAAAAADlo/DnnSi49FGA4/s320/SWC.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Check In </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Once you're selected as a project to work on then you form
teams. This was awesome in that the teams were self selecting. I was
exceptionally lucky to have a team of committed players. Who all contributed
their skills and ideas. There's something special that happens when people like
a project and they gel it's very exciting.
There were moments of stress but also great humour and humility too. The
whole team were lovely people and I hope they got as much from the experience
as I did. it may not seem much but 54 hours of focus on one thing is
exhausting. I was very grateful for Monday off! (that's tip no.1) </div>
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<b>So my event learning in no particular order:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>It is possible to pitch a completely blue sky idea</li><li>But research on competition and refining your MVP will help</li>
<li>The initial pitch really matters it gets you in the running</li>
<li>Your initial pitch is also your lobby for team members so make
it appealing</li>
<li>Small committed teams are ideal</li>
<li>Know the times of everything and put them in your plan</li>
<li>Schedule team check ins so that you don't have to disturb
everyone</li>
<li>Coders need a quiet corner away from the hubub</li>
<li>Plan to fit the final pitch structure: MVP, validation,
execution, business model (include marketing)</li>
<li>Decide your MVP minimum viable product early on day 1</li>
<li>Go out and validate your idea (you could do this before the
event)</li>
<li>Come back and refine it, often redefines your MVP</li>
<li>Learn the judging criteria and work according to this
throughout</li>
<li>You can do the whole thing in a weekend but do most of your
work on day 1</li>
<li>Pitch practice takes up a bit of day 2 so get your structure
right early on</li>
<li>Take regular breaks and have fun</li>
<li>Network and make the most of the skills in the room</li>
</ul>
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I'm sure the rest of the team can add many more things to this list. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this weekend. Flexing my brain with really nice, smart people in a fab venue what could be better. I would strongly reccomend this weekend to anyone thinking of starting something up. The next one is on November 20th. See you there! </div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0Exeter Exeter50.712847 -3.510773tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-45780180432014923372015-06-30T13:26:00.001+01:002015-07-13T12:58:29.564+01:00Community! Don't talk to me about community!<b>I don’t like the word community? </b><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community" target="_blank">Community</a> is an overused under thought term. It means so many different things to so many people. yet people consistently use it in a narrow definition in relation to building a cluster to do something. Far better to think of networks of self identified individuals, or organisations clustered around an issue. Generally speaking they're there because of passion, vested interest or dissent. For example people who live in a village might consider their community as location based. Whereas Harley Davidson owners identify their community as worldwide. usually they have time on their hands. Organisations get on board because they have a vested interest.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMYkGnrySt4/VZKHMYtzGfI/AAAAAAAADY8/TuWVSXts3WY/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMYkGnrySt4/VZKHMYtzGfI/AAAAAAAADY8/TuWVSXts3WY/s400/IMG_0389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>If not community, how do things get done? </b><br />
I believe people cluster around issues, form projects and help tackle them. This could be in a place, or virtual. People with relevant skills or passions will come on board, but only as and when required. They dip in and out when they feel they can best contribute. They don't want to be part of any structure or organisation. When their part is over or the project delivered they will move on in favour of other things.<br />
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This is not a cynical view. I think it's a model way of working, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing" target="_blank">crowdsourcing</a> solutions to issues. It holds people's attention better than asking them to lock into any forum or club or community! It allows them to stay while they have the energy and walk when they've had enough. It is the best possible use of individual and organisational time. And it taps into <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/clay_shirky_how_cognitive_surplus_will_change_the_world?language=en" target="_blank">Clay Shirky's notion of cognitive surplus.</a><br />
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<b>What's the problem with community building?</b><br />
Part of me dies when people say they are going to build a 'community' to do something. Experience has taught me that no one can purposely build a community. So many times I've seen the 'build it and they will come mentality' often but not exclusively in the public sector, It doesn't work! People will only cluster when they have interest, passion for or feel strongly about something. Even then it takes considerable effort and time to get things done.<br />
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<b>Can you encourage clusters to form?</b><br />
Yes! The positive news is I believe you can encourage people to cluster around a topic. And there are conditions which can help this happen.<br />
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For face to face clusters these are my experiences (in no specific order):<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>venue must have a nice working environment with all the kit readily available</li>
<li>less faffing the better</li>
<li>venue should be consistent, as should time and hosts</li>
<li>welcoming supportive hosts/facilitators are a must</li>
<li>venue should be well managed</li>
<li>ground rules set from the start</li>
<li>plan meet ups but be adaptable</li>
<li>everyone should be supportive</li>
<li>encourage ideas </li>
<li>social links beyond the cluster help</li>
<li>focus on doing things split up the tasks to willing people</li>
<li>each cluster member should have the opportunity to pitch their thoughts or ideas, one each time perhaps. this mitigates against soapboxing</li>
<li>members are equal even if they represent an organisation</li>
<li>people should be open and honest about who they represent</li>
<li>organisations should not dominate</li>
<li>no pressure to attend, as and when, participation levels vary</li>
<li>time out space should be available </li>
<li>protect personal data unless otherwise agreed</li>
<li>use social media to keep people up to date, but not exclusively</li>
<li>ask for meet up feedback at the end of each session use this data to decide whether to continue</li>
<li>have a clear start and finish, either a date or a landmark</li>
</ul>
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<b>Don't come to me and talk about a community, come and talk about ideas and challenges and projects to address them! I'm expecting challenge on this so discuss...</b></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-38888965706695533852015-06-18T12:02:00.000+01:002015-06-18T12:02:09.883+01:00Do I have to put up with this nonsense? A blog about interrupting<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>I started off being polite then when no one listened I lost it! </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ever imagined or dreamed that you are doing something really amazing. You see yourself achieving something winning a prize or completing a goal that you set yourself. Getting recognition, wealth and gratitude for it? That is good but... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In reality you are total idiot a buffoon. As you step up to the stage you trip, just as you are about to deliver that crushing performance, you lose your notes, or your words. Or are you caught in a state of ‘continuous partial attention’? constantly running to do the next thing or answer the next digital ping? Time to stop!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Time to practice Interruption. The art of stopping in your tracks and recognizing when you are heading for a catastrophic moment. Change direction, do it differently. Go a different way, read different stuff, say different things.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>How can you do this? how can you positively interrupt yourself, change a scenario?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Begin by going home a different way tonight, have another alternative conversation to the one you were going to have. Make it about the thing that you want talk about. Find the people who will listen to you. If they won’t then INTERRUPT THEM! </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Haven’t got an invite to their meeting? Then just turn up, set up your presentation, tell the media. They will INTERRUPT you but other people will start to listen to you. Society will judge you but that's good.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Ask yourself some questions at the critical moment. Just that moment that you were going to do the exact same thing that you always do. That moment that you normally give in to convention, STOP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On your way home? Stop at a different café, read a different newspaper or book. Make sure you consciously do different things every day. Listen to someone else’s news. Or watch a random TED talk. Not one about stuff you know about. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go see a band or play you’ve never heard of. Write a different soap opera, invent your own plot and ending. Learn a new skill or piece of music, or a poem or a song.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s about being present, in the moment. There’s a lot of chatter about mindfulness at the moment but that’s a bit polite and nice. No! Interruption is where it’s at! </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m not talking about rude interruption like Kanye West on Taylor Swift. Instead, take note of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr."> Martin Luther King</a>, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi">Ghandi</a> no one could ignore them could they? King had no platform, Ghandi had no platform. They interrupted the status quo by creating their own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember punk? When they couldn't get heard they didn't carry on courting the same old dinosaur record companies they made their own! Music for example <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Fathers">Young Fathers</a>, the maker revolution, crowd funding, Bitcoin. They are all examples of interrupted ideas that challenge the obvious, the mainstream. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They will be the new economy that takes over when the old one is asleep. Kodak caught napping by digital cameras. Record companies rendered obsolete by streaming music. What next? what will you contribute?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The key is to DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT – INTERRUPT YOURSELF –do these things and You will find that you start to think differently. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then you will find the power to INTERRUPT their story if you aren't happy with it. When you get to the door of people who don’t want to listen to you, don’t fight them. DON’T GO IN. In the film Jaws the shark ate people because they went on a long flight to the beach where the sharks were. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hacktivism activism, action is the key to change. You can change everything. Yes it's scary, setting out in a new direction, saying a big no to the norm. But it will change your life! Taking that first powerful step is awesome. I remember marching against the war in Iraq looking around me at all those people and feeling at the same time proud and scared. Exhilarating feelings. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interrupting, avoiding habitual patterns, might well be the key to avoiding technology that targets you for advertising. After all you'd want to hear new music for the first time that is like nothing you ever heard before. Not just music based on recommendation from Amazon or some other monolith. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Basically go to a different space, or place to work. Or open an alternative set of doors, behind which you will find a set of people who are ready and willing to listen to you. In the book 'Roots for Radicals', Edward Chambers describes how Saul Alinsky founded the Industrial Arts Foundation. And then reformed the Bronx. They did it by talking to people for 30 minutes. Then only worked with people who would listen to them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask yourself the question, “why do I need anyone’s permission to do this?”. I ran a session at a conference last year on ‘permission’. The need for people, grown adults to have permission to act on their ideas amazed me. Their fear of acting without permission staggered me. The reaction of ‘leaders’ to requests from their people to do something differently left me stunned. It was so negative!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Start today interrupt yourself, you don't need permission. Break those old long running habits now. No longer stand on the edge of the crowd looking in. Form your own crowd, your circle that want things that you want. If that circle outgrows its usefulness start another one. Vote with your feet, don't stay and be bored by people who aren't worth listening to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is something very scary about doing new and different things. But when you find the power to do them they become very exhilarating. Be your own leader not a follower. Find that power and you will never let it go.</span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8225026947798129401.post-86858351063620642282015-06-12T14:20:00.003+01:002015-06-15T09:36:32.988+01:00Digital Exeter made me think! Laura Rose Guest Blog<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b>Digital Exeter Makes
you think! <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Last Thursday week the brilliant Laura Rose and I went along to
the fledgling Digital Exeter meeting. The meeting was well attended and all the
speakers were fun and thought provoking. Laura views such events as a sand pit
for learning and applying tactics and she has kindly shared her thoughts below.</div>
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My focus is always on the development and social science
aspects of meet ups and what will happen next – there’s a separate blog coming
on that one.</div>
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<b>Laura Rose - What I
learnt at Digital Exeter<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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From the RAMM museum presentation I learnt that you've got
to really segment your audiences and have clear objectives about what you want
to achieve with them from the very start. It was unclear whether encouraging
footfall to see the physical museum collection or getting people to engage with
the museum about their archive collection were RAMM's primary objectives. You
could see the danger of trying to target too many audiences with the same
homepage and structure.</div>
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<b>From copy dojo<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I'd learnt about
clever things you can do when copywriting to engage your audience from using
calls to active language. But I questioned the notion of 'social proof' and the
evidence behind it. I think there is a real difference between a company saying
"I have millions of users" and somebody who I socially identify with,
like a friend, recommending a company or brand as an intermediary or brand
advocate.</div>
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<b>From Jasper at
Borders</b></div>
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I learnt about the
changing world of in digital app development and just how many are dead to
users after the initial download. We discussed the difference between
generating content for an app, or any other digital platform, and using apps
and digital platforms for distributing messages about that content, and the
clash of that this can create between editorial and advertising teams within
companies that have an app of their own.</div>
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<b>What I will do<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I'll consider tailored landing pages on WordPress websites
to target a specific audience and repurposed content on the website for that
audience and focus on their user needs.
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I will also think carefully about the role that apps and
other digital platforms play within whole digital strategy to keep users
re-engaging with our app or organisation.</div>
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I'll also be keeping an eye out for developments in push
notifications to see whether we can make them smarter to target our audiences
at the times they want information from us not when we want to give it
out! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks Laura! </div><div class="MsoNormal">Next time I'll be talking about forming communities, what the recipe is and why you can't force form one. Cheers,Joe </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div>
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