Monocle Magazine Article On Slow Media

In the December 09/January 10 Issue of Monocle Magazine (Issue 29, Volume 3) they ran a feature entitled "Calm Down, Dear" which reported on 3 case studies of successful companies and groups involved in various forms of "Slow Media." The portion about The Vinyl Factory in London, England I found especially interesting. The fact that only 9 years ago EMI recordings was willing to sell off such a large factory because of dwindling vinyl sales seems absurd considering the huge influx in vinyl sales in the past few years since 2001. Obviously there is a large market still hungry for "the wax."

Research Methods Group Progress

Through out the term we have met up repeatedly whether it be through Skype or in person to discuss the project and our individual roles. On Wednesday of reading week we had our final in person meeting before the presentation and compiled all of our final data. In terms of my role within all of this I was the questionnaire designer/co-ordinater.

Our group has reached out to people who have attended the festival to gather information. We were able to gather info from age groups extending all the way from 18 to 82. We have had trouble reaching administrators and volunteers at the festival as what outlined by my previous post. Despite the lack of response from the administration I feel we have a great understanding as to how the festival functions from a street level view. We will be proposing a few changes to the overall functionality of the festival and it's physical characteristics (placement in the beaches, signage, website, etc...). I can say I've been extremely pleased with my group and their diligence with the project, we've all worked quite well together.

Slow Media

I have become increasingly intrigued in methods of slow media and how people continue to consume these forms in the face of technological advances in computers, television and personal devises. Despite all of these advances there are more magazine publication now than there have ever been (the big boys are hurting but independent publications keep popping up). Vinyl record sales are poised to surpass cd sales in certain markets. The DJ has revitalized an industry that was deemed dead only a few years ago. Theater is also increased attendance in the face of blockbuster hollywood films such as Avatar.

Things seem to be at a split right now where people seem to be putting on foot on the digital side while still holding on to the dog eared paper back. One such event that really struck me where both "real" and digital means met in tandem was on December 13th, 2009 in Arlington, Texas where the Dallas Cowboys football game was broadcast in 3D on the jumbotron in the stadium while the game was happening on the field below. To myself and many others this seams absolutely absurd but I guess it made sense to someone with a bit of authority.

This one foot in the future and one in the past won't get any easier as we go along but do we need to disrgard the things we already own and understand simply for the sake of "progress?" I would argue no we don't but we do need to look at where technology truly helps us and where things become simply the newest shiniest gadget on the block without any real benifit?

Will the IPad really help us? It's basically a laptop without a standard keyboard yet still people are calling for the death of print because of objects such as these. Will we still read books and continue to consume slow media as we progress further and further into the world of the microchip?

Frustration

Well apparently there is no one manning the e-mail or telephone number listed on the Beaches Jazz Festival website. I have repeatidly e-mailed and called with absolutely no response. I've even just sent the question directly with the e-mail in a hope that someone with just fill it out and send it back. These past few weeks of phoning have been perticularily frustrating and has set back our research to a certain extent waiting on people who obviously don't seem to be there.