cliffjump.net - Latest Comments

Re: Your host

tobias tinker — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:04:52 -0000

Hey, thanks for dropping by, whoever you are... I like the 'flying with no motors, not even wings' - it's a nice observation. There are so many things like that around us all the time, small miracles that hardly anyone takes the time to notice or appreciate.

Glad you liked the chapter, I'm a bit behind on releasing chapter 2 due to family and volcanic complications - presently stuck on the wrong side of the Atlantic - but will be returning to that soon.

Meanwhile, head over and check out my new blog at fearlesscreativity.com - essentially a relocation of the same concept as I've been developing here, just a bit more direct.

more soon... tobias

Re: Your host

jd — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:14:27 -0000

so glad to know you appreciate clouds. i enjoyed chapter one and listened to the music while reading it. i'm a serious fan of clouds and the way they fly with no motors, not even wings.

i guess you'll have to update your page - now there are three of us. that's funny you said 'both of you.' funny is good.

see you at cliff's edge!

~ j

Re: What is Art? (And why do we care so much?)

tobias tinker — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:26:34 -0000

That is one hell of a comment! I'm a bit overwhelmed... however, I think it deserves some proper thought and at least a bit of a response. Not a rebuttal though.

I share your frustrations with the state of education particularly in the case of funding for arts programs and so on. I'm not sure it has anything to do with the erosion of the definition of the term 'artist', but it's certainly a sad state of affairs and it's possible that if we trivialize or demean the concept of art still further, it won't help. I think that the arts is simply an easy target for budget-cutting politicians because it's assumed that the economic and social benefits are more nebulous and people are less likely to stand up for them - as opposed to the sciences (though they're under attack as well) and so on.

I can tell you that no-one in Berlin it's difficult to seriously question the economic effects of arts and culture. We live in a kind of accelerated-motion petrie dish where we can watch artists move into a cheap, down-at-heel neighborhood and build a 'scene'. Then restaurants, bars and other buildings move in, buildings get renovated, the area becomes gentrified and artists can no longer afford to live there. It's happened in about 6 distinct parts of the city during the 10 years we've lived here.

One final thought... my inner idealist talking again... perhaps if the idea spreads that 'everyone is an artist', or at least that anyone can be, more people will try it, and they will discover that it's actually quite difficult to be a good one... and maybe they'll end up respecting people that devote themselves to a craft more, rather than less. Hey, we can hope!

Re: What is Art? (And why do we care so much?)

Stacey Cornelius — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:06:54 -0000

I understand where you're going with your theory, but as I'm sure you know, theory rarely translates elegantly into practice.

Here's what I see in practice: school boards continue to cut art programs, because they're deemed the least important. Or maybe unimportant.

Governments continue to slash culture sector funding, in spite of the considerable return on a relatively small investment. Not only do artists (visual artists, performing artists, craftspeople, filmmakers, writers, designers) create jobs--and many of them create their own jobs--but a thriving culture scene attracts people to a community, to live, work, and raise families.

Official statements grind the idea of fiscal responsibility into the public consciousness, but what I believe is happening is a value judgement of another kind.

So here is my deep concern about expanding the definition of art and artists: will people who either read Linchpin or simply skim through excerpts or reviews absorb the whole intended message--artists as game-changers, as passionate people who take risks--or will they take away the simpler message--we're all artists now--and assimilate that into their thinking without elevating their opinion of artists?

I would like to believe the notion of an electrician being considered an artist creates a new exchange of ideas. That is, something that elevates the narrow, stereotypical notion of who artists are and what kind of work they really do. But in light of the pervasive attitude in society and the continued actions of decision-makers, I'm not convinced.

The thing is, the electrician in my admittedly simple example will never be forced to justify his place or to defend his value in society. I've seen (and been in) too many "art matters" protests to be particularly hopeful that a new definition of artist will make a positive difference. At least, not where I live.

The climate might be more favourable where you are, Tobias, and if that's the case, please send some of that forward thinking over here.

Re: What is Art? (And why do we care so much?)

tobias tinker — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:35:58 -0000

Hi Stacey, thanks for weighing in... and first let me apologize: I certainly didn't mean to imply that you or anyone calling themselves an artist was doing so to feel superior. In fact don't think I actually said that ("the reason people draw these lines in the sand" is not the same as "the reason people call themselves artists"), but obviously I could have been clearer.. What I meant to say, is that saying someone else is NOT an artist is probably motivated by something like that. And I think Seth's comments are quite deliberately meant to challenge this.

The problem as I see it is not calling oneself an artist, it's laying claim to the definition of a word that is very problematic to define in exclusive terms. Any exclusive definition is inherently pretty subjective and potentially loaded. Since it's much easier to define in inclusive terms, or to just not worry about so much, that's my approach.

I also agree that we can't simply throw established definitions of words into the wind and see where they land, but my point and I think Seth's, is that this word 'artist' is not actually all that clearly defined, and even people who have thought about it at some length (of which I am, incidentally, one) can have trouble precisely articulating our own position on it. Which suggests that, again, an inclusive definition is probably better than an exclusive one.

Re: What is Art? (And why do we care so much?)

Stacey Cornelius — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:23:53 -0000

Just for the record, I don't call myself an artist to feel superior to anyone. I call myself an artist because I make art. I also happen to have a Fine Arts degree. That doesn't make me better than someone who is self-taught; it means I don't call myself a bookkeeper.

I understand the point you make, Tobias, but we have language for a reason. Language evolves, but if words are suddenly redefined by anyone to mean anything they like, we won't be able to communicate.

If art wasn't considered a frill, if artists weren't so marginalized in society, it would be a lot easier to let the debate rest. But it will continue indefinitely.

Re: Seven things you can learn about creativity from an almost-three-year-old…

ABagola — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:08:39 -0000

I'm glad you shared this link in the 'Creativity Myths' post I read yesterday. =]

Re: All the news fit to send (MSNW week 6)

Brooke Burgess — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:02:20 -0000

Look who's all newslettery now! Nice work, couz - can't wait for the next chapter xoBB

Re: Let’s get Meta – blogging about blogging (MSNW week 5)

tobias tinker — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:54:30 -0000

That's an AWESOME tip!... I have actually been on that page before, but it was a few months back and I didn't really have a sense of what to do with it all - so glad you jogged my memory, I think I'm ready to dive in now.

New post about to launch by the way...

Re: Let’s get Meta – blogging about blogging (MSNW week 5)

carlalynnehall — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:53:09 -0000

This is great stuff, Tobias! Regardless of how many other blogs are out there, there is only one YOU!

And I'll share a tip for finding target blogs: Visit the Hype Machine blog at http://hypem.com/ Hype Machine is a blog about music blogs. Search Hype Machine for blogs that have reviewed or written about other artists that you've been compared to. When you find those blogs, contact the bloggers to get your music mentioned.

It's worth a shot. Good luck!!

Carla (Ariel's CybePR team)

Re: Let’s get Meta – blogging about blogging (MSNW week 5)

joshhanagarne — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:31:08 -0000

If you'd like to write a guest post from me, I'm always happy to take a day off:) And you wouldn't be allowed to write about blogging!

Re: Seven things you can learn about creativity from an almost-three-year-old…

tobias tinker — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:54:19 -0000

That's a good observation and another thing they have going for them in the creativity game - I think the way we can try to manifest this is in terms of non-attachment. If we are not attached to the outcome of our creativity but rather immersed in the process or, perhaps even better, the experience of it, then we are less likely to be trapped in emotional circles - expectation, disappointment, bitterness, fear of same...

I've written about non-attachment in this post, have a look: http://cliffjump.net/balance/

Re: Seven things you can learn about creativity from an almost-three-year-old…

Notes From Lapland — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:39:25 -0000

nothing really matter as long as you have your family. Kids can cry and wail if you take a toy off them or they fall down or lose something but it lasts for about 10 seconds and a quick hug and a kiss and some reassurance that mummy or daddy is still there and they brush themselves down and get on with it again. nothing keeps them down for long

Re: Seven things you can learn about creativity from an almost-three-year-old…

tobias tinker — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:25:04 -0000

p.s. I forgot to put music on this one - fixed now! My 'childlike' tune from Passage, 'Alchera'. Seemed appropriate. Got to get around to putting the whole Passage webspace online somewhere accessible soon...

Re: Seven things you can learn about creativity from an almost-three-year-old…

tobias tinker — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:19:07 -0000

I'm kind of thinking a lot about this these days - when we learn make such a big deal about it, and if that is really serving us well. I think there's a post in it - coming soon to a blog near you...

Re: Seven things you can learn about creativity from an almost-three-year-old…

Nazima Ali — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:45:34 -0000

Reading this makes me miss my niece and nephews.

I think kids also have the ability to get you doing things you'd never think to. My mom plays Playstation etc. with my nephew - no clue about the game or rules but she does it because she loves him and wants to spend time with him.

So true that kids just get into it and start doing things. They never think of following rules about coloring inside the lines or that aunty might not want to mess her hair by doing somersaults...lol.

Re: Spinning A Web (MSNW contest post 3)

carlalynnehall — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:40:10 -0000

Hey Tobias,

So far, so good with the contest! Speaking of optimizing your websites across the net, I found an article on creating custom backgrounds that may help: http://mashable.com/2010/01/14...

Rome was not built in a day, so just start small, and keep going!

Carla

Re: MSNW contest post 2: Not A Belly Itcher…

tobias tinker — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:25:32 -0000

amazing, I didn't think it was a prominent theme, but yes - I found it looking for something minimalist. I've tweaked it considerably, but have been thinking of changing it up.

Thanks for your comments!

Re: MSNW contest post 2: Not A Belly Itcher…

Sethums — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:21:05 -0000

Nice post yourself. Crazy weird, I found the same theme on my own and seeing your site pop up I was like whoa! It's a nice them. Plain and to the point which I like cuz I'm not too technical. I like your posts. You've got a great writing style. Your pitch is very descriptive of your music. Nice . Your tracks need to be in more films.

Re: a few thoughts on balance…

Nazima Ali — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:20:54 -0000

Since Broadcast/Communications and Marketing is what I have my degree in I say there's absolutely nothing wrong with marketing yourself/business:)

Danielle also has a post regarding this. She's awesome - a total straight shooter and why I love her posts. I went to a TweeUp last year specifically so I could meet her. I plan on connecting with her in person more this year as well.

I agree on the first point about people getting too loud about their posts on a constant basis. It's all about having a great mix of giving and getting and building your tribe.

Almost got sucked into reading up on Bucky Fuller's Dymaxion Sleep system. Will leave that for another time. Ciao

Re: a few thoughts on balance…

tobias tinker — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:40:00 -0000

Thanks for the comment! I agree that a bit of wobble is a lot more interesting than stasis. We'll have enough time to be perfectly still when we're dead... I like Guy Kawasaki and understand his reasoning but I changed my follow to @alltop, his version of the feed where things only get posted once. It's enough for me. Twitter is a great conversation but for me anyone who gets too dominant is like a person who talks constantly in the middle of an otherwise excellent party. They might be saying interesting things but it stil gets boring if they never shut up and listen. For me, that means they get the boot.

Thanks also for the link to Danielle's post - she rocks outrageously (she's in Vancouver, do you know her personally or just in webworld?) but I hadn't seen that post. Might try to set that up as best I can - though I have a certain attachment to chaos and function reasonably well with it. The comments led me to Bucky Fuller's Dymaxion Sleep system - not so very far from what I practice these days by default anyway...

p.s. I am afraid I'm very much aware that I am marketing with every post, tweet and comment... it's funny that people (myself included, until very recently) have this bad association with marketing when in fact we're all doing it all the time anyway - what exactly is so terrible about doing it consciously and trying to do it better?

Re: a few thoughts on balance…

Nazima Ali — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:13:00 -0000

Well said, I think of balance as a see saw. Can you imagine if it only ever stayed perfectly horizontal, very boring. You'd be stagnant and who really wants that. I think with relationships, careers, kids, finances, health and spirituality we have enough on our plates. At any time one of these things need our attention more, so sometimes we concentrate on health, sometimes on careers etc. If we were balanced we'd be ignoring important things.

Definitely agree that we can't be attached to outcomes. I find when I can let it go everything seems simple.

In regards to 'input, output' I think creative types have a harder time with the business side of things, we'd much rather be writing or making music. The big thing these days seems to be outsourcing all those pesky details you hate and don't want to have to deal with. You can get someone in India or Phillipines for insanely cheap rates. As for marketing, you're already doing it minus the attachment without realizing it. Everytime you comment, retweet, post your own stuff it all goes towards greater visibility for you and your work. You should read Guy Kawasaki's post on why he posts the same bit 4 times. Makes marketing sense.

Let's not talk about rabbitholes, I'm as guilty of getting caught up in the vortex that is the web as much as anyone else. One of the key reasons I save any research for my book until the end. It's so easy to over compensate from one side to the other so I'm always trying out new things to help keep it moving forward. I'm trying out this new time management thing (http://whitehottruth.com/white... because it has flexibility. I hate too many rules;) This is a great post. Thanks

Re: MSNW contest post 2: Not A Belly Itcher…

tobias tinker — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:49:55 -0000

Submitted on 2010/01/12 at 3:27am

Wow, nick, thanks for that! Nice to wake up to. Of course I’ll be posting about the release here later, I wanted to last night but it got too late (as you noticed) and I needed a bit of sleep. ‘A bit’ being the operative word…

Re: MSNW contest post 2: Not A Belly Itcher…

NickNick — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:48:44 -0000

Submitted on 2010/01/11 at 11:48pm

I am at a genetic conference in San Diego, hearing the most amazing things that can be done with DNA and genome science. I am completely overwhelmed by things my peers have achieved: things that I hadn’t even imagined trying. Much of it is about making the world a better place, or just making money. But it is also about creativity. Now I am unwinding by catching up with tobias’ blog, and the incredible Chapter 1 of Symmetricity. (Please read it at symetrk.com — it’s free — my conference cost $600 + travel, and symmetricity is better).

In science, it is impossible to achieve anything without peers, influences, and collaboration. Obviously, the same is true of music – though people might imagine it to be different: they imagine that a musician should surprise them with something completely new that they will automatically like. That might even happen, occasionally, in either music or science, but why should it have to? A variation on a theme or an incremental discovery can be brilliant and transformational. Most new paradigms – musical or scientific, are inaccessible, and probably meaningless.

Re: Goals, part 2

Ralph — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:47:19 -0000

Submitted on 2010/01/06 at 5:31am

Great goals! Thinking big is good. And you are right, it will take work and focus but it will be worth it in the end. :)