My blog has moved!

You should be automatically redirected in 5 seconds. If not, visit
http://www.mattmarksmusic.com.
Please update your bookmarks and RSS reader.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Digital Global Trans-Analog Connectivity

"Brian Eno once famously remarked that the problem with computers is that there isn't enough Africa in them. I kind of think that its the opposite: they're bringing the ideals of Africa: after all, computers are about connectivity, shareware, a sense of global discussion about topics and issues, the relentless density of info overload, and above all the willingness to engage and discuss it all - that's something you could find on any street corner in Africa.

I just wanted to highlight the point: Digital Africa is here, and has been here for a while. This isn't "retro" - it's about the future. "


Shut up DJ Spooky. Dropping an Eno reference and speaking with glitter-eyed optimism about the similarities between a continent and a tool, which computers still essentially are, don't make you hip. That's like saying ice cream and the Spanish language are similar. Let's see if I can do this. Um, they both involve interesting usage of the tongue. They can both make you smile on a rainy day. Yeah, you get the idea. Go back to being adored by the ignorant experimental music elite for having a shred of insight into an area of music they know nothing about.

PS Shareware means you pay, btw, ie. try before you buy...

2 comments:

Unknown said...

uh, no too sure about the venom. But hey... I spent alot of time in various spots like Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Angola etc

I'd be happy to compare notes. It's always a pleasure to see people support progressive music from the continent. If you have some recommendations, I'd be happy to hear them.

in peace,
Paul aka Dj Spooky

Mafoo said...

Ha, yeah I got a little snarky there. Didn't mean to offend. I'm just always suspect about music with a message. Call me cynical, but most political songs express emotions, but rarely any concrete solutions or plans. It makes sense though. Who wants to listen to a laundry list of social, political, and economic plans for policy?
Coincidentally, I just watched Hotel Rwanda for the first time tonight, a movie that had been long on the list. It appeared a might too sentimental. After watching The Last Just Man it's hard to watch a dramatization of the genocide with a happy ending. Striking though, was the Wyclef song at the end, Million Voices. It was what one might expect: melancholy, vaguely uplifting, with no clear answers. Written perhaps to make the listener feel empathy, or to express the empathy of Wyclef. But where are the solutions?