Big Poppa
Blame the Auto-Dialer
by , 03-03-2010 at 07:38 AM (85071 Views)
Where did we forget to remember things? I trace it back to the auto dialer...you basically had to remember peoples phone number. I resisted for a long time but put the stuff in my cell phone and let that part of my brain become dormant......that part of my brain sits on the couch with a bag of Oreo's. Maybe it was the calculator? Yeah...thats it I used to be able to ad and multiply...OK I still can do margins. The math part is sitting on the same couch with a bag of Cheetos.
Now the most disturbing ones of all. You Tube and cell phone cameras. Now what we are buying a bigger couch so the part of your brain that used to capture memories and experiences is buying ice cream.
I went to see Joe Bonamassa and got to sit above the mixing console and there had to be a hundred amateur cinematographers and young Spielbergs. It's a balancing act for them between staying through the encore or rushing home not to beat the traffic but to be the first to post on You Tube.
I love You Tube... i love my cell phone camera. But, (there is always a but) understand that you probably wont be able to let your mind enhance an experience and make your memories greater than it was. You will also understand that there will be fewer and fewer off the cuff comments or candor. The artist will approach everything they do with caution because everything is on the record. Bummer.
Most of the players that I know just dont sit in anymore unless they are rehearsed and have their tech and their rig. Gone are the days of grabbing any guitar and jamming. The other side of it is that if that person sits in with a friend and uses a guitar that is in the other artists rack then the forums are ablaze that so and so is playing a Ibanez now or whatever.
Clinics used to be a great time to get the inside story...the off the record. Now you will only get the safe for image answer.
There used to be a TV version with comedians and the live version....They are now the same. We gained a camera but lost a channel.
I refuse to give up this part of my brain. I will make a promise that I will always watch with my eyes and not thought the screen of an iphone. I will look for a day when there are special performances that are unique and special.
How much should we let technology affect chance and inspiration? At least now you know.
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