Searching Freedom of Expression
A few months ago a friend sent me an e-mail with a link to a video
collage of sorts, mashed up to match the lyrics of a song. The
surprise was that this came from a rather right-wing feller, a guy who
sometimes scares me with his views. He is so far to the right,
though, that he perceives Dubya as just another untrustworthy, greedy
lowlife politico. While he preferred Dubya to Kerry on a
point-by-point basis, he felt they were both career crooks who were
using political office to further their pockets and personal gain, as
opposed to actually doing any real sort of public service.
Although he and I always tend to agree to disagree, particularly on litmus-test [1] type issues [2],
it can sometimes alarm me to find myself in agreement with him. Then again, we do share an extremely low opinion of Dubya.
The video mashup was very entertaining. I meant to post about
here, and also to send it along as a link via e-mail to a good many
people . But the pesky realities and distractions of Real Life
got in the way. It slipped my mind.
Along comes another e-mail, this time from a friend more left-leaning,
more attuned to my sort of politics. He sends a letter suggesting
that Google is using the search engine to express an opinion of a
certain political figure. Yes, the very same figure held in such
low regard by both my e-mailing friends. left or right. As he
states in his e-mail missive: Search "ASSHOLE" on Google, and press the
"I'm Feeling Lucky" button, rather than "Google Search" across the
web. See what comes up on the screen.
In
fact it is not a political
statement by Google. Rather, the result is a function of
Google's standard algorithm, taking the searcher to the first
result that occurs in the
process. Google offers an explanation of the "I'm Feeling
Lucky" return here [3].
Click on the search (or just click here [4], all preset for you!)
and it will take you to the result. Take in the site, then read on.
Warning: not
work safe, and not child safe
-- use headphones, not speakers.
Okay, have you been there? Did it amuse you? Did it sadden
you? Did you appreciate the creative mashup value? Did it remind
you that the mid-term elections are coming, almost right around the corner?
Quite an artful video edit job by Film Strip International. [5]
Now try this: Listen to it without looking at the video. Quite a different experience. Without the video, you're
taking in a song by a Boston-based band called Jim's Big Ego [6], from their album
entitled "THEY'RE
EVERYWHERE! [7]" What's cool about this album is that it is released
under a Creative Commons [8] license, so the mashup and the spreading of the URL
isn't going to end up being the cause of the Record Company Police [9] (well, really
their lawyers) showing up at your door, demanding money [10], restitution, your
first born child, etc.
Check out the page Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky" lands on, FilmStripInternational.com [4]. Creative Commons [8] license indeed: you are encouraged to copy, e-mail, send and further the viral buzz on this cool mashup.
The
song is not political. The mashup sure is, but the song
--in and of
itself, on its own legs-- is totally different. It almost has a
"theme from a Lifetime made-for-TV movie" feel to it. Well, hmm,
given the lyrics, maybe it should be music from some FX cable Network
show. Check out the
band's site [6], listen to their songs, read the lyrics - this is a band
worth watching.
The Podosphere is taking notice. Loads of podcasts [11]
are featuring Jim's Big Ego. Check this band out. The songwriting
is somewhere between Counting Crows, Leonard Cohen and Tom
Lehrer. The music stands on its own. Excellent!.